| No look at the Ionian would be complete withouth | | | | package holiday and there are more pleasent places |
| mention of Homer and the Odyssey. The Odyssey | | | | to spend time on a yachting holiday.The north Corfu |
| tells the storey of Odysseus and his travels and | | | | channel is the stretch of water between Corfu and |
| adventures throughout the Mediterranean in around | | | | Albania. Beware the reef just to the north of Agios |
| 800BC. The Trojan War concluded when the Greeks | | | | Stefanos.Agios Stefanos is a small inlet in the North |
| sucseeded into bringing a wooden horse into the city | | | | Corfu Channel. No objection is normally made to |
| of Troy. Greek soldiers were hidden inside and | | | | anchoring here despite the presence of a nearby |
| opened the city gates to the Greek army who | | | | military post. Anchor in the middle of the bay in |
| sacked the city. Odysseus and the other Greeks | | | | depths of 3 - 6m. The bottom is thick weed and |
| could know return to their kingdoms across the sea. | | | | mud which can be difficult to get through. Good |
| To say Odysseus's journey was eventful is rather | | | | shelter from the prevailing NW wind. There is a rough |
| understating the matter.On departing Troy in what is | | | | stone mole on the south side of the bay but this is |
| now north west Turkey he sails south through the | | | | usually taken by local boats. There are numerous |
| Aegean Sea. On reaching the southern tip of Greece | | | | tavernas around the shore. Some holiday villas have |
| he is blown off course to the lotus eaters in what is | | | | been built here but the bay retains a calm and a |
| thought to be Libya. The it's on to Sicily where he | | | | beauty well worth the stop for the night. Limited |
| runs into Cyclops. This one eyed giant eats two of | | | | provisions can be obtainedAgni Bay is immediately |
| the crew before they escape. More trouble in the | | | | south of Kalami in the north east of the island. It is |
| Laestrygonians - Corsica or Sardinia. Here the fleet is | | | | open to the south and and east but offers good |
| attacked by giants hurling boulders and more of the | | | | shelter from the prevailing NW wind. |
| crews are devoured. Theh survivors head east to | | | | There are three taverns, each with it's own private |
| Italy and the enchantress Circe. She entertains the | | | | jetty, where you may anchor preferably bow to. If |
| sailors and then with a wave of her wand, turns | | | | you overnight here it is better to anchor at the |
| them into swine. Odysseus is protected by the herb | | | | northern or southern end of the bay to avoid the |
| that the god Hermes has given him.At some point in | | | | large waves created by the ferries that enter and |
| the journey reference is made to the pillars of | | | | leave during the night.Paleokastritsa is on the east |
| Hercules. And this is supposed to be the Rock of | | | | side of the Island it is an attractive tourist resort |
| Gibraltar and Jebel Musa in Morocco. These two | | | | dominated by the Monastery of Panayia Theotokos |
| mountains sit either side of the straights that are the | | | | wich perches on a high cliff. A 90 minute hours climb |
| enterance to the Mediterranean Sea from the | | | | takes you to the ruins of Angelokastro Castle which |
| Atlantic Ocean. Now he must pass the Sirens whose | | | | dates from the 13th century. There are many sea |
| sweet singing lures sailors to their deaths. Odysseus | | | | caves in the locality that can be reached by tender |
| plugs fills the ears of his crew with wax and then | | | | or dinghy. It is not easy by day to distinguish the |
| lashes himself to the mast so he cannot steer the | | | | entrance to the bay when approaching from the |
| ship onto the waiting rocks. Passing through the | | | | northwest. However the monastery on the peak of |
| straits between Sicily and mainland Italy they run into | | | | the peninsula is conspicuous. The harbour is situated |
| Charybdis, who swallows the sea in a whirlpool, then | | | | on the western side of the bay and protected by a |
| spits it up again. And Scylla who uses each of her six | | | | quay running north south. Usually full of fishing caiques |
| hands to reach down from her cliff and pluck a sailor | | | | the only a few available berths are to be found near |
| from the deck and then promptly, yes you guessed, | | | | the head of the quay. Protection is good in all |
| eats them.More misfortune as they upset the god | | | | weathers excepting strong southerlies when waves |
| Zeus who sends a thunderbolt to destroy the ship. | | | | crash over the break water and create a large swell |
| Only Odysseus survives, washed ashore on Malta, | | | | in the harbour. The port has no water. Fuel can be |
| the home of the nymph Calypsos who detains him | | | | delivered. There are bars, restaurants and a |
| against his will. Zeus, the king of the gods, sends | | | | supermarket all within walking distance.Petriti Village - |
| Hermes skimming over the waves on magic sandals | | | | To the north of the harbour is an old quarry which |
| with orders for Odysseus's release. But when nearly | | | | visible from a distance. There are shallows stretching |
| home again another god, Posiedon, sends a storm to | | | | south of the harbour along the bay and care is |
| wreck his vessel and he is washed ashore on Corfu | | | | needed. Good protection from all weather in the |
| several days later. He falls asleep in an olive thicket | | | | harbour. Head for the new quay towards the land |
| and is woken to the sound of female laughter. This is | | | | where depths are greater than 2 meters. If you |
| the Princess Nausicaa come down to the riverside to | | | | moor hehind the breakwater be aware of the |
| wash her wedding dress. Odysseus approaches her | | | | shallows nearby. The taverns ashore usually have |
| and she agrees to help him try and finish his journey | | | | fresh fish. There are shops at the village of |
| home. She introduces him to her father and when he | | | | Argyrades some three km away. Good beaches for |
| has heard Odysseus's story he orders him sped | | | | swimming nearbyPaxos is 7 miles to the south of |
| home to Ithaca.Once home he finds the island full of | | | | Corfu. It is a charming little island, covered with pine |
| suitors for his wife's hand, after such a length of time | | | | trees. It can be explored fully in a few days with a |
| Odysseus is believed dead. He and an ally fight and | | | | car or motorbike both of which can be rented locally. |
| win a battle against overwhelming odds with a little | | | | The architecture of the three main towns, Gaios, |
| help from the gods. And then Athena tells the | | | | Laka, and Logos is typically Ionian with colourful two |
| contending parties to live together in peace down | | | | and three-story homes lining the streets. By contrast |
| through the years to come.Weather - The wind is | | | | the rural landscape is filled with low stone houses |
| consistent with conditions found throughout the | | | | surrounded by lush green gardens.The emblem of |
| Eastern Mediterranean. Little wind in the morning but | | | | Paxos is the trident. It is said that Poseidon, the god |
| from noon the wind freshens throughout the | | | | of the seas, wanted to create a beautiful, peaceful |
| afternoon reaching perhaps 20 knots. The evening | | | | island apart from the other gods and men and |
| and night sees a return to calm cinditions. During the | | | | intended to live there with his beloved Amfitriti. So he |
| summer months it blows from the NW and from the | | | | struck the southern part of Corfu hard and Paxos |
| SW for the remaining months.The sailing area from | | | | was formed. However he lost his trident striking the |
| the northCorfu - . The island receives three times the | | | | blow which was later found by Paxiots who made it |
| average amount of rain for the area and as a | | | | their emblem.Gaiosis the capital of Paxos. It is a |
| consequence is a mass of green woodlands, wild | | | | charming port and spreads itself along the waterfront. |
| pine-covered mountains, lakes and cultivated fields. It | | | | Enter Gaios from a northerly direction passing two |
| also has miles of sandy beaches. The island's capital, | | | | small islands, Panayia and St Nicholas Island. Soak up |
| Corfu Town is atractivly situated on a promontory | | | | the atmosphere of this bustling capital in Gaios |
| on the east coast, dominated by the New Fortress. | | | | square. In it's centre is the church of St Apostoli. |
| Visit Sidari to the north to swim in the Canal d'Amour, | | | | Gaios harbour and the approaching inlet are very safe |
| the legend has it that lovers will stay together for life. | | | | overnight moorings with security patrols on both land |
| 16 km to the south of Corfu Town is the Villa of | | | | and water. There are several buildings worth visiting |
| Achillion, built in Italian Renaissance style and situated | | | | the castle of St Nicholas, the Monastery of Panayia, |
| at an altitude of 145 m. It has magnificent gardens | | | | the Church of Agioi Apostoli and the early Christian |
| and attractive panoramic views. Today it is a | | | | church of Agia Marina. Take in the sunset at the |
| museum. 3 km further south is the charming fishing | | | | Ostries. Ther are fine beaches at loni Gouli, Kamini |
| village of Benitses and the remains of a Roman villa. | | | | and Kaki Lagada.Port Gaios is the principal port of the |
| Climb to the summit of Mount Pantokrator where | | | | island. You can moor right in the middle of the busy |
| you will find an abandoned monastery dating from | | | | touristy scenery or choose aquieter berth further |
| 1347. The hilltop also provides beautiful viewsThe | | | | down the long quay. If you want a berth in July and |
| main harbour is in Corfu town. Enter the Old Harbour | | | | August be here early in the afternoon. Excellent |
| from the eastern end of the breakwater. The | | | | shelter in all weathers. Care should be taken when |
| entrance into the interior of the harbour is very | | | | laying your anchor as passing ferries in the narrow |
| narrow and a strong northwesterly makes entry | | | | channel may foul your chain.Lakka, in the north of |
| difficult. Once inside there is excellent shelter in all | | | | Paxos is set in a gorgeous horseshoe shaped bay |
| weathers. Visitor's berths are behind the windward | | | | and is flanked by high ground covered in cypres trees |
| mole, alongside, two and three deep. Anchoring is not | | | | and olive groves. The bay which nearly landlocked is |
| advised, you will almost cetainly get gear tangled. | | | | excellent for swimming and water sports. Holding is |
| Having berthed you are within walking distance of the | | | | good. Some swell may occur dependent on the |
| town's centre. Adjacent to the harbour you will find | | | | wind's direction. There are some berths on the quay, |
| chandlers, machine shops, boat engine repair services | | | | limited to around 10 yachts. Fresh water from the |
| and others for electrical and electronic gear. Corfu | | | | local water truck.Its tiny sister island, just to the |
| town unquestionably offers the best all-round facilities | | | | south, Anti Paxos is surrounded with crystal clear |
| in the northern Ionian.3 miles to the NW is Linin | | | | waters lapping onto some lovely sandy beaches.Ken |
| Gouvia, a large land locked bay. At it's southern end is | | | | Jones runs a Sailing Site. |
| Gouvia marina which has become Corfu's centre of | | | | More information about Yacht Charter can be found |
| yachting. It is home to a Venetian arsenal.The | | | | here |
| surrounding area has beeen given over to the | | | | Find other Marine Services in Greecehere. |