The Ionian Islands are a group of Islands
in Greece. They are mostly know as (Seven Islands) in modern
Greek , Eptanisa. Besides the seven principal ones the group
includes many smaller Islands. The seven Islands are from
North to south.
Kerkyra- usually known as Corfu, in English
Paxi- aqlso known as Paxos, in English
Lefkada- also known as Lefkas in English
Ithaki- usually known as Ithaca in English
Kefallonia – often known as Kefalonia, Cephalonia, Kefallonia in
English
Zakynthos- sometimes known as Zante in English
Kythira – sometimes known as Cerigo in English.
Kythira – the 7th Island and as
paradox stands on the south east coast of Peloponnesus in the
Aegean Sea.
The Ionian Islands offer a mystical natural
beauty. With more rain than most other parts of Greece, the
Islands have a mild climate with lush vegetation. Another great
factor that these Islands have is less severe winds which make
it ideal for a yacht charter holiday for kids, or a less
experienced crew. Charter bases can be found in Preveza, Corfu,
and Lefkas. A brief history of the islands follows.
Evidence of settlements on the Islands date
back to the Mycenaean times, the first inhabitants who appeared
came from Peloponnesus.
In Homer’s epic we find indications regarding
their first years of history. In the 8th century
Greeks came to the Ionian from Euboia ( Evia) and Peloponnesus.
Lefkada, began thriving during the archaic
period of ( 700 -478)
Kefalonia-, blossomed in the classical period
( 478 – 323) at this time Corfu was emerging as a great naval
power. In the middle of the Byzantine Empire, the Ionian Islands
took part in combating pirates and increasing the commerce trade
between East and West.
In the 14th century the Ionian
Islands were under the Venetian rule which lasted for 300 years.
By the end of the 18th century as with the Venetian
break down, the islands successively passed under the French
control then to the Russo- Turkish alliance, the British
protection, which didn’t last very long. On the 21st
of May in 1864 the British flag came down and the Greek
flag was raised in Corfu Castle. The Ionian Islands were
officially united with Modern Greece.
Today the seven islands are cosmopolitan and are
flooded with tourists every year. Thanks to the picturesque
beauty of nature, the azure beaches and the genuine hospitality
of the locals. From Corfu till Zante, the Ionian Islands have
kept their traditional colors and their character. These Islands
are the geneses of arts and literature. If you visit these
islands and you hear songs and serenades, you should consider
yourself very lucky because you don’t hear such musical quality
everydayand it will be a moment you will want to cherish.
Click here for more
information
- Copyright © Corfu Yachting Ltd
Marina Gouvia, 49100 Kerkyra - Hellas
- Tel.: 0030 2661099470, Fax: 0030 2661091450
Email: info@corfuyachting.com
- Post Address: 16, Komninon Str. - 49100 Korfu - Greece
URL: http://www.corfuyachting.com
