THE WAY TO GO ON KEFALONIA

The Way To Go publications started off as a help line to provide visitors with beneficial and sound advice along with useful information whilst travelling around the island. In addition to this an appealing holiday experience for those who wanted more than just a sun and beach rest or for the discerning visitor who prefers to visit when the weather can be a little variable.

The Way To Go currently produces and markets a series of guide books based on an easy holiday selection of routes and detailed local information for your designated choice of area and resort. Enabling you to choose your own form of transportation be it - car - bike - cycle as well as long or short distance walks.

Explore Kefalonia A compelling read for those who prefer more of an informative and detailed guide book of any island and for the kindred spirit who reside on or revisit these shores again and again.

The Travellers Road Map of Kefalonia gives direct primary routes to major towns and resorts. With a highly detailed, accurate network of Surfaced Main and Secondary Roads. These along with the old farm tracks will take you to the island's extremities with ease.

The Travellers Road Map of Ithaki this is an essential accompaniment to    The Way To Go On Ithaki as it gives you an insight into the direct primary routes to major towns and resorts including the main and secondary roads to the outlying mountain villages. An indispensable must if you are driving around Ithaki.

Detailed Resort Maps with hotels, apartments, rooms, tavernas, shops and supermarkets, descriptions of beaches, accessibility - steps and gradients, conditions of tracks for walking & cycling or just gentle comfortable evening strolls.

Self Guided Hiking & Off Road Trails for the more energetic or adventurous walk Mount Ainos and Mount Routhi. Hike the coastal trails, drive off road through the mountain ranges, following purpose designed maps and itineraries.

The Southern Coastal Trail for walkers, back packers, mountain bikers, trials riders or off road enthusiasts in a 4x4 jeep or the park and walk fiends. The south coastal route takes you down country roads, old drover tracks and ancient pathways.

See Holidays With A Difference, including Winter & Easter Breaks Walking, Riding, Diving, Cycling or Customised holidays. Let us organise your accommodation and stay on either Kefalonia or Ithaki

All the above are currently available by E-Mail Order.

Walking the Great Outdoors

The climate on Kefalonia and the Ionian Islands in general is normally quite mild with the weather at the start and end of the tourist season and a few days in between are cool and very pleasant. Of course during the months of April and May the sea water is still cold and not quite right for swimming but perfect for the countryside, as the sun illuminates and warms the mountain slopes, beaches and the villages. With the flowers adorning the fields making it just right for walks and strolls. Of course for the more adventurous its fantastic to take yourself off to the woods and mountains of the island. Or long coastal stretches just to soak up the sun dazzled views.

The greater part of Mount Ainos the islands largest mountain, is thickly wooded with the green often called black fir tree Abies Cephalonica. The main rough road that leads near the top of the summit is quite a hike and uphill all the way most people find if more effective to drive to the picnic area and recreation ground at Vounos 1,355 metres above sea level which is in the National Park and walk from there. One of the greatest pleasures of walking in the woods is the sudden unexpected sighting of the sea way down below you. Of course when and if you do reach the top the views are just breathtaking, but the hike is rough going and only for the intrepid trekker. (See Self Guided Walks & Ainos a Sore Point)

On Mount Roudi, which is a separate part of the National Park and north west of the main mass of Ainos, tracks crisscross and the walking is easier especially for wandering among the greenery, which includes as well as the fir trees, arbutus, heather and broad-leafed shrubs The stony heights of both ranges are covered in thorny scrub but you will also find rare species of plants and flowers which adds special value to the National Park. Wild plants of Greece are found everywhere, from the coastal areas to the alpine slopes.

The soil and climate conditions provide the proper environment for the survival of these plants. Some are hardy and are found nearly everywhere, whilst others are very rare and you need to know where to look. Fox, weasel, hare, badgers, polecats and martens, are a few of the animals you are likely to see predictably with, hedgehog, moles and a variety of rodents. A few lizards and snakes are native to the island. Wild animals are rarely seen near the tourist resorts but a wide variety can be seen on walks away from these resorts. (See Flora & Fauna on Ainos & Roudi Brochure and Maps & Self Guided Walks)

The landscape in the other areas is typically terraced and olive grows are abundant, you will find steep drops in many places so beware especially of the gorges which tumble to oblivion in some areas. Everywhere you will find cultivated vineyards and fields of vegetables. The hot dry summer soon dries the land and the flowers abruptly go to seed, wither and die. The scents of summer are those of the aromatic leaf of herbs such as Sage, Thyme,  Marjoram and Oregano The plant grows wild in the mountains of Greece and is quite commonly called wild marjoram, all of these are gathered from the mountain slopes. With the return of humidity in autumn the hillsides are covered with purple cyclamen. The bird song in the wooded valleys provides background music to walks in spring. In the summer this is replaced by the cicadas, crickets and the hum of other insects.

To take long distance walks and to pass through picturesque mountain villages the regions of Erisos in the north or the ruined old villages of the Omala valley and in the southern districts of Skala and Poros are well worth a visit. Try moorland walking near Lourdata, or the beautiful countryside village and beaches of Livatho. (See Off Road Maps &  Self Guided Walks)

Or

Encounter a completely different experience see, the wonderful sights and tranquillity missed when travelling by car along the south coast. No experience is required, you decide on your own pace, whether you choose short parts of the walk or the full trail, divided into daily stages well within the capabilities of those of you who are quite new to walking. (See Southern Coastal Trail)

For the less bold, when you visit Argostoli you can do no worse than walk around the Koutavos Lagoon. It's a pleasant ramble walking among the pines and eucalyptus, here you will find lots of birds from ducks and coots diving to cormorants fishing. Or the coastal path around the Lassi peninsula passing the Katavothres water phenomenon and the narrow dirt pathway that continues around the rocky outcrops. (See Resort Maps & Self Guided Walks)

The tracks shown on the maps in The Way To Go series of books are unsurfaced. A few have even been produced with a bulldozer at some time in the past. Older and rarely used tracks may be covered with loose stones or in the case of some gorges large boulders but are always easy to follow on foot. Recent and well used tracks have a smooth gravel surface obviously worn by farm vehicles. New tracks are still being produced each year and you may find they have replaced some pathways.

Paths were originally the main communication routes across the island and produced some of the most enjoyable and scenic walks. Many were well built and cobbled but without any maintenance are falling into disrepair. They are often steep and since many are little used it takes care to avoid losing them, so many of these old paths are not featured in these books but I am about to reintroduce a project to open up these historical paths and hopefully in the near future will be able to produce a more intricate system of maps for visitors and Kefalonians alike. If walking extensively on paths you need good walking boots to protect the ankles and prevent bruising of the feet. (See Custom Route Maps & Self Guided Walks)

Wherever you are stopping on the island and decide to walk to you do need to collect a few essentials in your backpack before you take off especially water. Let someone where you are stopping know you are going out for a walk and roughly where. Please be careful on main roads as the majority do not have pavements and beware of the Greek drivers who have been known to be a little erratic!!! Don't outpace yourself there is always another day, and lets be fair isn't it just a tad monotonous that daily routine of sand and sea?

Finally for those who just like the comfort of a vehicle, motor bike or bicycle. You are not forgotten with the exception of a few routes within The Way To Go series. However for those who just want to sit back and relax in the comport of a car. (See Explore Kefalonia)

However you decide to travel or just to get a bearing as to where you are and how close to anywhere in particular! (See Travellers Road Map of Kefalonia) or (Travellers Road Map of Ithaki)

Let us organise your accommodation and stay on either Kefalonia. With a selection of alternative activities for you to try at your leisure, including - walking, cycling, painting, fishing, scuba diving, horse riding or shooting. (See Holidays with a difference, combining many adventures)

THE WAY TO GO ON ITHAKI

Ithaca or Ithaki as it is known locally. The Island recognised all over the word as home of Odysseus and his faithful wife Penelope, who's story adds a very special allure to the island. This peaceful island is not large in comparison to other Ionian islands, but has a diversity all of it's own. It is well suited for hikes and exploration. Caves and archeological discoveries of the island have brought to light many finds known about from Homer's epic poems 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' in which he reveals his central hero Odysseus. In the Odyssey, describing the island and the adventures of Odysseus, Homer offered valuable political, social and geographical information about Ithaki.

This has been an important source for researchers to study and analyse the ancient history of the island. The Nymphs Cave near the capital of the island Vathy is particularly interesting for the amateur archaeologist. Piso Aetos where Heinrich Schlieman excavated the 'City of Odysseus'.  The cave of Loizos in Polis Bay in the north near Stavros with more finds and ancient settlement. The Spring of Arethusa and the ancient town of Paleohora both still only accessible by old tracks. Frikes with its English roots. Walk from ancient Anoyi to Kioni visit age old springs, Monasteries and traditional villages with wonderful frescos in their churches. Although Ithaki is not known for its beaches, hidden around its coast are turquoise blue coves and bays reached by small 'caigue' water taxis. (See The Way To Go On Ithaki)