Ionian Islands
Slow living between sea and olive groves
Picture a shaded terrace beneath the cypresses, facing a sea of that deep green only the Mediterranean can offer. The Ionian Islands welcome you through the senses. Here, the Venetian lanes of Corfu smell of jasmine and freshly roasted coffee, the tavernas of Paxos serve the morning's catch in the shade of bougainvillea, and every walk reveals a vista where limestone cliffs plunge into turquoise waters. This is a greener, more secretive Greece, where time flows to the rhythm of centuries-old olive groves and villages with ochre-tiled roofs.
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Why the Ionian Islands captivate epicurean travellers
Unlike the Cyclades, bathed in white light and cubic architecture, the Ionians surprise with their luxuriance. Olive forests cover the hills, cypresses draw tall silhouettes against the blue sky, and the dense vegetation recalls southern Italy more than the typical image of Greece. This generosity of nature finds its way onto the plate: fruity olive oil, candied kumquats from Corfu, thyme-honey pastries, white wines from Kefalonia made with the robola grape.
The Venetian heritage, visible in the fortresses, arcades and colourful facades of Kerkyra (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), lends the archipelago a singular elegance. You stroll through cobbled streets where the mandolin still echoes, discover churches adorned with Byzantine icons, then end the day facing the sunset from a charming address perched on the heights.
Our walking holidays are designed to savour this richness without haste. The paths follow the coast between accessible coves and spectacular viewpoints, pass through hamlets where locals wave from their flower-filled balconies, and always end in a place where comfort awaits. Your luggage is transferred, the stages follow an easy pace, and each day leaves time for swimming, visiting a monastery or simply the pleasure of sitting down at a table.
Island to island: an archipelago of many faces
Corfu, the Venetian
The most cosmopolitan of the Ionians marries architectural heritage with unspoilt nature. Behind the ramparts of the old town, inscribed as a UNESCO site, coastal paths open amid ancient olive trees and secluded coves. Cape Drastis, with its wave-sculpted cliffs, offers one of the most striking vistas in Greece.
Paxos and Antipaxos, preserved intimacy
Accessible by boat from Corfu, these two small islands embody Ionian serenity. Paxos charms with its miniature harbours of pastel houses, its olive mills converted into guesthouses, and its sea caves reached from shaded paths. Antipaxos, almost uninhabited, shelters beaches of crystal-clear water and a few vines that produce a confidential wine.
Kefalonia, the majestic
The largest island of the archipelago unfolds contrasting landscapes: Mount Aenos rises to over 1,600 metres and shelters an endemic forest of Greek firs, while the beaches of Myrtos and Antisamos rank among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The villages of Fiskardo and Assos, spared by the 1953 earthquake, retain their Venetian charm intact.
Kythira, Aphrodite's secret island
Positioned between the Peloponnese and Crete, Kythira remains unknown to mainstream circuits. Its verdant gorges, deserted beaches and the gentle charm of Chora, its hilltop village crowned by a fortress, make it an ideal destination for the curious in search of absolute authenticity. You walk between Byzantine chapels and terraced gardens, in a silence broken only by the song of the cicadas.
When to go and how to travel
The Ionian Islands are ideally discovered from April to June and from September to November. In spring, nature explodes with wildflowers and temperatures invite walking without excessive heat. Autumn extends the bathing season while offering golden light and the grape harvests of Kefalonia.
Our trips come in two styles: guided trips, accompanied by a specialist English-speaking leader who shares anecdotes and secret addresses, or self-guided holidays, where you follow your own rhythm with detailed route notes. In both cases, charming addresses are selected for their authenticity and comfort, and your luggage is transferred between each stage.
Cycling enthusiasts will also find their delight on the winding roads of Corfu or Kefalonia, with the option of an e-bike to enjoy the vistas without effort.