What's New On Ithaca Greece
August 2020
Friday 21st
Ithaca is full with tourists. The most I've seen in a very long time. With some of the popular Aegean islands out of reach due to restrictions, Ithaca seems to be regarded as a safe haven during this uncertain time.
Below - Vathy Bay is full with yachts, mostly private.
Above - If you're up for a boat trip to a nice beach, then don't forget to take your mask.
Below - Loutsa Beach.
Above - Vathy Bay early morning. Below - Furniture shops don't look like you'd expect. On Ithaca, they can be indistinguishable from an ordinary home.
Above - Yefuri in Platrithia is under new management. Evening meals with a new courtyard to sit in.
Above - Kladies Restaurant in Frikes has one of the more picturesque aspects to enjoy.
Below - It's so busy at Polis Beach you could almost say it's standing room only.
Above - Taxi the Polis Beach Manager has his work cut out for him this year. Below - Spavento Cafe bar is working into the early hours of the morning this year. With no festivals, the bars and cafes have become the hubs of entertainment. This is probably not good for the accommodations, but this year is one without the usual rules of play.
Above & Below - Kioni, one of the most picturesque villages in the Ionian.
Above - Frikes Pier. A favourite swimming hole for the locals. Below - A quiet moment on the fishing pier in Frikes. It's the calm before the dinner storm.
Above - Aghios Ioannis sunset with Kefalonia across the golden sea.
Monday 24th - I can't believe we're almost through August, the month everyone on Ithaca at least, depended on to make their living for the rest of the year. I don't believe businesses are disappointed. Despite the press's fear mongering, the numbers of visitors are very positive and in some cases even up. Greece is NOT on the quarantine list for the UK, as some press outlets feared last week, but people are of course careful and wary of this covid phenomenon that has changed all our lives, and take care to travel to places that are not hotspots. I'm happy to say that Ithaca, has from the beginning, and continues to be, clear of any covid19 numbers.
Wednesday 26th - Although quite a few Mainlanders have left, there's still much sea traffic and a new stream of visitors coming in. Vathy Bay is wall to wall yachts.
Above and Below - Dona Lefki restaurant has opened up this white-washed Ithaki village, which most people just passed through, except for local residents. Lefki has spectacular sunsets and Dona Lefki takes advantage of the Kefalonia Strait and island views.
Above - Yefuri Restaurant in Platrithia is under new management, maintaining the menu of Andy Pappas to retain it's reputation for fine food. Below - Aithon Palace apartments have a glorious view down onto Vathy Bay and hosts that have people coming back year after year.
August 2020
A Covid Summer on Ithaca Greece
Friday 21st
ithaca is exploding with people. It's a colourful and chaotic mix of holiday fun with a tinge of an underlying sadness and covid fear or disregard. Mostly it seems to be a matter of keeping the police and fines at bay. I do feel personally that when a government truly cares about it's population, they should not fine and imprison them, but hand out free masks and aid in any protective measures that they can without harm or foul.
Monday 24th - Summer continues strong and it looks like this year too, it will continue through into September.
Wednesday 26th - It's been a busy August and some accommodations are predicting a good September too IF we don't have anymore measures.
