Ithaki is the island where myth comes to meet the modern times and narrate different events like they do belong in history and not in fantasy.
Is there anybody that has not heard about the adventures of the ingenious Odysseus, king of Ithaki? People expected that the island would be full of visitors thanks to the poems of Homer, but in contrast the island keeps its peace and tranquility even during summer. Not disturbingly quite but in a discreet manner. The residents are characterized by politeness and cheerfulness and are really keen on keeping their yards neat and tidy.
This mythic island is inhibited since the Neolithic times and it had obviously lots of different conquerors. A powerful earthquake in 1953 caused many damages and many of the residents were forced to leave the island. As a result, if you visit the island during the summer, you will hear lots of people talking english with greek accent or greek with english accent, since many of the residents immigrated to Australia and South Africa and return now for their holidays.
You will hear lots of local stories, you will imagine Odysseus returning back and driving away the suitors, you will swim in the clear waters of the innumerous bays and you will climb up the hills to enjoy the view of the Ionian sea and its islands.
“When you set out for Ithaka…” you would better get there fast and not have a long journey as the Greek poet Kavafis suggests, because the island is evergreen and peaceful. Its cypress and pine trees that stick out through the olives and reach up to the coast and the hospitable residents are only few of the elements that will attract you to Ithaki. There are much more to explore!