Throughout the ages Ithaca has been known as the home of Odysseus. Ithaci is separated
 from Cephalonia by a channel some 2 to 4 Kilometres wide. The west coast of the island
is steep and almost barren in contrast to the green, gentle shoreline on the east. The
capital and largest settlement Vathi; its red-roofed delightful houses set amidst enchanting
scenery at the end of the deep closed bay of Molos. Taking the capital as a starting point,
it’s easy to get to know the island’s landmarks. Three kilometres to the northwest lies the
so-called Cave of the Nymphs (Nimfon Cave). Here according to the myth, Odysseus hid
the gifts bestowed upon him by the Phaeacians who deposited him upon Ithaca’s shores ten
long years after the end of the Trojan War. Also worth visiting is the medieval Monastery
of the Archangels at Perahori. North of the capital and 600 metres above sea level, the
Kathara Monastery (Moni Katharon) has a unique view of the island from its bell tower.
On the horizon you can make out the mountains of Akarnania, the Echinades islets, the
peaks of Zakinthos, the eastern coast of Cephalonia and even the entrance to the Gulf
of Patras. The bay of Polis to the west is the site of another cave (Loizos’ cave). This
one yielded up sherds on which were carved inscriptions testifying to the worship of
Artemis, Hera and Athena. Even more interesting, in the cave were also found recently
twelve tripods similar to the other that the Phaeacians were supposed to have given
to Odysseus. Stavros, a village 17 Kilometres northwest of Ithaci, is a good base from
which to explore the northern section of the island. About 1 kilometre north of Stavros
is Pelikata; excavations on this hillside between the bays of Polis and frikes brought to
light remains of a small Bronze Age settlement. The finds unearthed there reinforce
the theory that the ancient city of Ithaca lies somewhere in the vicinity. Kioni and Frikes,
typically Ionian villages, on the northeast coast are unspoilt, wonderful places for a short
excursion or an extended sojourn. Ithaki is separated from Kefalonia by a channel some
2 to 4 kilometres wide. The west coast of the island is steep and almost barren in contrast
to the green, gentle shoreline on the east.The capital and largest settlement is Ithaki or
Vathi: its red-roofed delightful houses set amidst enchanting scenery at the end of the
deep closed bay of Molos. Taking the capital as a starting point, it's easy to get to know
the island's landmarks.Three kilometres to the northwest lies the so-called Cave of the
Nymphs (Nimfon Cave). Here according to the myth, Odysseus hid the gifts bestowed
upon him by the Phaeacians who deposited him upon Ithaki's shores ten long years after
the end of the Trojan War. Also worth visiting is the medieval Monastery of theArchangels
at Perahori. North of the capital and 600 metres above sea level, the Kathara Monastery
(Moni Katharon) has a unique view of the island from its bell tower. On the horizon you
can make out the mountains of Akarnania, the Echinades islets, the peaks of Zakynthos,
the eastern coast of Kefalonia and even the entrance to the Gulf of Patras. The bay of
Pollis to the west is the site of another cave (Loizos' cave). This one yielded up sherds
on which were carved inscriptions testifying to the worship of Artemis, Hera and Athena.
Even more interesting, in the cave were also found recently twelve tripods similar to
the other that the Phaeacians were supposed to have given to Odysseus. Stavros,
a village 17 kilometres northwest of Ithaki, is a goodbase from which to explore the
northern section of the island. About 1 kilometre north of Stavros is Pelikata: excavations
on this hillside between the bays of Polis and Frikes brought to light remains of a small
Bronze Age settlement. The finds unearthed there reinforce the theory that the ancient city
of Ithaki lies somewhere in the vicinity. Kioni and Frikes, typically Ionian villages, on the
northeast coast are unspoilt, wonderful places for a short excursion or an extended sojourn.
Ithaki offers lovely beaches for bathing, caves for exploring and uncrowded hamlets where
noisy nightlife is unheard of. "When you set out for Ithaki",wrote the poet Constantine Kavafis.
He was refering to Ithaki as one's ultimate destination.