Ithaca is best known for Homer's Odysseus, Ulysseys, and increasingly known for the traditional Greece that is so quickly disappearing elsewhere. Ithaca has a friendly community of around 3500 permanent residents, quaint traditional villages, pebble coves with pristine aqua waters, lush green mountains and valleys dotted in cypress trees and olive groves and a reputation for friendly people who make visitors feel very welcome.

Ithaca, commonly named the Gem of the Ionian, is one of the seven Ionian islands - Eptanisa. It's natural beauty, temperate weather and it's safe environment, makes this island a worthy holiday destination for families with children and for people looking for a peaceful getaway. Only 45 sq. miles in area, Ithaca is an independent municipality of the prefecture of Kefalonia and Ithaca, and lies off the northeast coast of Kefalonia. Ithaca and Kefalonia are separated by the Ithaca Strait that lights up each night as boats and ships pass by. Ithacan capes include Melissa to the north, Mavronas and Agios Ilias to the east, Skinos, Sarakiniko and Agios Ioannis, to the west and Agiou Andreou, in the south. Ithacas picturesque bays are very impressive and include Afales which is overlooked by Homers View Villas, Frikes and Kioni Bays northeast and Ormos Gulf and Sarakiniko Bay southeast. Vathy bay is one of the largest natural harbours in the world and is encompassed by Ithacas Capital Vathy. The tallest mountain is Nirito at 806 meters, and then Merovigli at 669 meters which tower over the island and plumet into the sea making Ithacas landscape not only stunning, but also dramatic.

With the small size of Ithaca, it's very easy to get to know the island and to find your way around. There are wonderful tracks to explore, foods to taste and people to meet. Places of interest are Homers School, where archaeologists have been exploring and digging over the past few years, and which is only a 10 minute walk from Homers View, and the Cave of the Nymphs where according to the myth, Odysseus, once he was delivered back to Ithaca by the Phaeacians, hid the gifts bestowed upon him by them. Also worth viewing is the Medievil Monastery of Archangels in Perahori and the local church in the mountain village of Anoghi with its stunning frescos. Approximately 600 metres above sea level, the Monastery at Kathara, where each year the Festival of Katharon takes place, has a lovely view of the southern island from the bell tower. On a clear day you can make out the mountains of Akarnania on the horizon, the mountains of Zakinthos, the Echinades islets and the east coast of Cephalonia. If you look very hard, even the entrance to the Gulf of Patras can be seen from the Katharon vantage point.

The village of Stavros is around a 5 minute drive from Homers View Villas and is the centre for northern Ithaca with shops and businesses open for business all year around. Around Stavros you can visit Loizos Cave at Polis bay below or the Museum just north of the the village on the way to Pilikata which is rich in archaeological history. Excavations there discovered the remains of a small Bronze Age settlement. The discoveries at Pilakata give some weight to the theory that the ancient city of Ithaca is indeed from this vicinity.

Kioni and Frikes on the northeast coast of Ithaca are picturesque bayside villages with fishing boats in the harbour and local tavernas with traditional fare and seafood caught fresh in the surrounding waters. Here you can shop for special gifts to remember your holiday on Ithaca.