Planning a trip to Ionian Islands

Strategies for Seeing the Islands

The Ionian Islands are rainier, greener, and more temperate than other Greek islands, so the high season lasts a little longer, from late June to early September. In this chapter, we single out Corfu and Kefalonia, with a side trip to Ithaka. With a couple of weeks to spare, you can take a ship or plane to either Corfu, in the north, or Zakinthos, in the south; and then make your way by ship to several of the other Ionians (although outside high season, you will have to do considerable backtracking). If you have only a week, you should get to one of the larger islands the fastest way possible, and then use ships to get to, at most, a couple of the others. If it comes down to visiting only one, Corfu is a prime candidate, but if you want to get off the beaten track, consider Kefalonia or Ithaka. All the Ionians -- especially Corfu -- are overrun in July and August; aim for June or September, if you can.