The tour of the Lighthouses: Fiskardo - Kavos Fournia - Fiskardo The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: mixed Route’s duration: 40 minutes Route’s length: 2,600 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it. The route It is a short pleasant walk, where, from the settlement of Fiskardo we go to the cape of Fournias and back again. The route starts from the main parking area of the settlement and after descending the long and beautiful stairs we find ourselves at the seafront of the settlement with its traditional houses, stores, restaurants and harbour. We head north, where the path starts at the end of the landscaped coastal zone of the settlement. The path is marked and with information signs at the start. It is a gentle circular path, shaded, through pine trees for most of its length, and its passage is a pleasant walk for all. Along the way you will find the impressive ruins of an early Christian church, a lighthouse from 1892 which is, among other things, a remarkable architectural monument and the beautifully maintained and preserved Venetian lighthouse of the 16th century. During the route, we enjoy the beautiful view of the sparkling and clear sea (in summer we should bring our swimsuit), with Ithaca in the background, while the settlement of Fiskardo lies at our feet. By the time we complete the circular path, we return to the original parking area by the same route. A walk to the settlement is considered a must. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Fiskardo At the closest point of Kefalonia - Ithaca, in northern Kefalonia, 50 km from Argostoli, is the seaside settlement of Fiskardo. It took its name from the Norman conqueror Robert Guiscard, who in 1085 besieged and conquered the area. Most of the houses in Fiskardo were built during the 18th century and still retain the architectural character of the period, as they were not seriously damaged by the devastating earthquake of 1953. Walking along its streets, we see two-storey houses with red roofs and narrow balconies, painted in bright colours, which together with the green nature and the deep blue sea create a unique landscape.  Fiskardo has been classified as a traditional settlement and is also the birthplace of the poet Nikos Kavvadias. According to the 2011 census it has a population of 189 inhabitants. It is a very popular tourist destination. Its port connects Kefalonia with Ithaca and Lefkada, with frequent itineraries, especially during the summer months. Cavos Fournia The route of the cave of Fournia circularly connects the monuments of the cave, which are the Venetian Lighthouse, the Modern Lighthouse and the Old Christian Basilica.  The entire peninsula has been designated an archaeological site. On its surface, findings from the Palaeolithic period have been found. The limestone rocks of the area contain pyrite, a material very useful to the Palaeolithic man, with which he made his tools and weapons. Outside the path, there are ruins of windmills, farms and terraces. Ruins of an early Christian temple  On the route of Kavos of Fournia, we find the ruins of an Early Christian basilica, built between the 6th and 8th century. The church is one of the oldest known Christian buildings of the Ionian Islands and the largest three-aisled wooden-roofed basilica of the Ionian Sea.  The lighthouses of Fiskardo: Venetian Lighthouse, Lighthouse of 1892 At the edge of the settlement of Fiskardo, in close distance to each other, are the two stone lighthouses, witnesses of the importance of the small port throughout its history. The older one, the Venetian, was built by the Venetians. It was conquered by the Venetians in the 16th century. Since 1867 it has been operated using an illuminating catadioptric machine. Even today, it is still preserved in a fairly good condition. Its cylindrical tower is impressive. Next to it, it is located the lighthouse keeper's house. Both buildings were surrounded by a stone wall, which served as a fence and reached a height of two meters. From the point of the lighthouse, one can admire a completely different view of Fiskardo and its picturesque harbour.  The second, the newer lighthouse of Fiskardo, is also built on the same spot. It was built in 1892 and, in fact, replaced the old one. The height of its tower is more than 14 metres, while its focal height is estimated to be 27 metres. The original building was severely damaged during the 1953 earthquakes, and was almost completely reconstructed.

In the ruined villages: Monastery of Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pilarou - Palaia Vlahata - Palaia Poulata - Karavomilos The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: linear Route’s duration: 3 hours Route’s length: 9,200 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route The trail starts from the Monastery of the Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pylarou, or more simply from Themata. From this place, apart from the proposed route (which is not signposted), there are other routes, known as the 'hiking routes of Mount Agia Dynati'.  From the well-kept and lush area of the monastery, with its magnificent view, we go downhill on the asphalt road and after about 900 metres we turn east on the downhill dirt road. The landscape is rocky, with olive trees and other types of low vegetation, and the view is always magnificent. In a short while (about 1200 metres from the start of the dirt road) we come across the stream "Vathi Avlaki", the crossing of which is not challenging, because most days of the year there is no water. We continue our way downhill in the same area, enjoying the special nature and the view to the strait of Kefalonia - Ithaca. The dirt road does not present any difficulties in crossing it and although the shady places are not enough, they do exist. Along the way, we will also come across many farming activities. When we approach the abandoned and ruined settlement of the Palia Vlachata, at the junction with another dirt road, we follow the southern direction (on our right as we descend) and we reach the old square of the settlement, where a tour of the ruined buildings is considered essential, since, apart from their architectural value, they take us back in time. After Palia Vlahata, we continue our southern route along the dirt road (ignoring the asphalt road) to Palia Latavinata, another abandoned and ruined settlement. To the west and on the mountain above, there is the geological phenomenon of "Lakovitsa", but it is not visible from our route. A deviation and a short climb is required to observe it. From Latavinata, we change direction to the east, towards Karavomilos, avoiding once again the asphalt road and we continue along the dirt road, where after about a kilometre, we find ourselves on the outskirts of the settlement. Through the streets of the settlement we continue our way, until we reach the famous and particularly beautiful lake cave of Melissani. After the visit to the lake cave, we continue our way to the beach and the beautiful lake of Karavomilos, which marks the end of the route. The duration of the path is about three hours, not counting stops - visiting the various sights of the route (Palia Vlachata, the lake cave, etc.). As a linear route it can also be done from the reverse of the proposed direction, but this is not recommended, because in this case the route is continuously uphill and therefore tiring. It should also be noted that the areas through which this route passes have a number of other interesting places to visit, such as the ruined settlements of the Palia Tarkasata and Livathinata, the restored settlements of Drakopoulata and Poulata, as well as other particularly interesting geological phenomena, such as the Drogkarati cave, the caves of Aggelaki, Agii Theodoroi and Agia Eleousa, the Zervati cave in the settlement of Karavomilos, etc.  Due to the special character of the route (a continuous downhill route) and its relatively long length (more than nine kilometres), it is recommended that the walker should have a means of transport at Karavomilos, because as it has already been mentioned, the return to the start of the route (Themata) will be tiring, especially if the walker has visited the other sights of the area. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Monastery of Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pylarou The Monastery of Themata is built on the slope of Agia Dynati, near Makriotika in the province of Pylaros. It is an ancient monastery, probably of the 9th or 10th century, built in a magnificent location, in a forest of holly trees, with a wonderful view of Ithaca and the Ionian Sea. It owes its name to the leader of the Byzantine "Thema" of Kefallinia (local governor of the island), who had his headquarters in the area. Throughout the existence of the Thema of Kefallinia, the monastery played an important administrative and spiritual role. In later years, the passage and teaching of Cosmas Etolos in the monastery in 1777 is memorable. In 1953, the monastery was destroyed by the devastating earthquakes that struck the island. The carved wooden iconostasis, some icons and manuscripts were saved. In the period 1970-1974 the monastery was rebuilt from the ground up. The miraculous and ancient (12th century) icon of the Virgin Mary is solemnly celebrated on Easter Tuesday (Panagia Portaitissa of Agio Oros) and on the 15th of August (Kimisis tis Theotokou) with widespread participation. Palaia Vlachata Palia Vlachata is a village of Kefalonia that was inhabited before the 17th century, but unfortunately it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1953 and its inhabitants were transferred to the present-day Karavomilos. During its prosperity, it had 800 inhabitants, of all social classes, nobles, merchants, farmers (villans) and fishermen (buranelles). In the village there were three churches, schools, shops and three olive mills. A point of reference for the local community was the saristra, the central square of the settlement, which hosted the festival of Zoodochos Pigi, as well as dances and carnival masquerades. Today, all that remains are half-ruined buildings, old cisterns and winding dirt streets, often covered by over-aged olive, wisteria and pomegranate trees. One of the buildings, the biggest part of which has managed to remain standing, is the church of Agios Ioannis tou Prodromou (Saint John the Baptist). The church, built in 1871, has paintings on the inside and parts of the floor, recesses where the chalice and the icon of the saint were placed, are still visible. In the ruins of the old village, every summer, the three-day festival SARISTRA takes place with music, art, cinema and many parallel activities. The festival is very popular and attracts many visitors from every corner of the island. Unfortunately, the festival has been cancelled in recent years due to the pandemic. Karavomylos (and its lake) Karavomylos is a picturesque fishing village located west of Sami and 2 km from its port. What characterizes and gives Karavomylos a special character is an underwater spring of a large supply of brackish water. The spring is of great geological and biological interest. It is one of the most important springs of the wider network of the area and it is connected through an underground system with the sinkholes of Argostoli. The spring has been isolated by a wall from the sea, creating an artificial lake. This lake is almost circular, with brackish water gushing out of the bottom and ending up in the neighbouring sea, in the bay of Sami. The diameter of the lake is 50 m, it is about 1 m deep and its bottom is covered with seaweed and mud. The settlement of Karavomylos, and therefore the spring and the lake, took their name from a watermill that operated there, using an iron ship's wheel. Water mills were already operating in the area since the 19th century, using the waters of the spring. The village is an attraction for visitors to the island, as some of the most famous and beautiful natural attractions of Kefalonia are located within walking distance. These are the cave of Drogarati and the lake of Melissani. Melissani Lake Cave The Melissani Lake Cave is located 2 km northwest of Sami, in Karavomylos. It was discovered in 1951 by the caveologist Giannis Petrochilos. It takes its name either from the myth of the nymph Melissani who committed suicide here because the god Pan refused her, or from the tradition that the shepherdess Melissanthi was killed by falling into the lake while chasing one of her sheep. In the middle of the lake there is a small island on which worship objects of the god Pan have been found, proving that the place was already sacred in prehistoric times. The natural entrance to the cave is vertical (40 x 50 m) and was created by the fall of part of the roof, probably due to an earthquake. The lake is 20 m below ground level, about 160 m long and between 10 and 40 m deep. Stalactites dating back 20 000 years, with strange shapes, decorate most of the cave.  The Melissani Lake Cave can be visited from an artificial entrance, which leads through an underground tunnel to its main hall. The tour is guided by boats along the entire length of the lake. The absence of a roof in the main hall allows sunlight to enter the cave and color the waters in a unique way, especially at noon.

Around Lassi: from the city to the Tilegrafos, to the lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi, to the sinkholes and back to the city The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: circular Route’s duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes Route’s length: 7,300 meters Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route: It is an urban course in the city and in the wider area of Argostoli. The march starts from the central square of Argostoli and after crossing the Napier Park, we ascend the hill of Tilegrafos with the panoramic view of the city of Argostoli. The uphill road, which is asphalt at the beginning, passes the borders of the built area of the city and the nature of Tilegrafos, and after following it - making the necessary "hairpin bend" (turn) - we reach the dirt road and the heart of the hill. We continue the gentle ascent through the hill and in a short while we reach the viewpoint, from where we gaze at the bay of Argostoli, with Lixouri in front of us, while at our feet we can see the area of Lassi and Piniatoro. We continue our course through the hill, until we reach the monument to the Fallen Italians of the Acqui Division. From this point, we descend from the asphalt towards the sea, through a beautiful area with houses, gardens and a view of the bay. Reaching the coast we continue north until we reach the iconic lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi. From the lighthouse we head east having the Fanari beach next to it, and after about seven hundred meters, we reach the famous katavothres (sinkholes) and the facilities that surround them. Actually, from the Katavothres our return to the town centre starts, where most of the way to and from the marina is by a beautifully landscaped pedestrian/cycle path. From the cruise ship pier - where the tourist information office is located - we turn off Israel Street leaving the beach. At the Radicals monument, we follow the avenue of the same name, which will take us to the starting point at the main square. The dirt road to Tilegrafos does not present any particular difficulties, so the whole route can be done by car and is therefore suitable for people with disabilities. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Argostoli Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and the largest city of the island, with a population of 9,748 permanent residents, according to the last census (2011). It is built on the hills around the lagoon of Koutavos. The area has been inhabited since 1600. In 1757 the Venetian rulers of Kefalonia decided to move the capital of the island, which until then was the Castle of Agios Georgios, to Argostoli. The town of Argostoli was the scene of some of the most important historical moments of the whole island, such as the burning of the 'Golden Bible', the Libro d'Oro, in the square of Campana, which put an end to the discrimination between the nobility and the people. But also, one of the most important battles between the rebellious Kefalonians and the English garrison, in 1849, was fought on the city's De Bosset stone bridge. The town of Argostoli, before the devastating earthquakes of 1953, had buildings of great architectural value, both public and private, with many Western European influences. Today the heart of the city beats around the central square and between Lithostrotou and Siteboron street, where we will find museums, a library, statues, theatres, neoclassical buildings, but also many shops, cafes and bars.  Napier Gardens Napier Gardens is a park created during the English rule, in the early 19th century, and is located near the central square of Argostoli. It takes its name from its founder, the Governor of Kefalonia, Charles James Napier, who bought a vineyard in the area then called "Koutoupi" and turned it into an elevated park for his children to play in. The park remained in the possession of the Napier family until 1905, when the Municipality of Argostoli managed to acquire it and turn it into a municipal grove of the city and a place of leisure and entertainment, as it remains until today. At that time, the Municipality made many important interventions in the area, such as shaping the ground, planting, placing water pipes, constructing a pavilion, placing seats. Napier Street was also landscaped in the same year. The bust of Napier was created in 1906 by the sculptor Ioannis Kokkinos, when it was placed within the garden. During the German occupation, the garden was severely damaged. This was followed by the earthquakes, the long-term abandonment of the Garden and only under the mayorate of Gerasimos Forte the restoration of the historic Garden was carried out (2003-2004), with funding from the 3rd Community Support Framework. It was beautified with various plants, new benches were installed and in ten places signs with bilingual historical texts and rich photographic material were erected to guide and inform the visitor. Today the garden has regained its former glamour and popularity. Walking along the pebbled paths of the lush park, with its landscaped paths and event areas, the visitor can see the Iroo of Argostoli, the work of the sculptor G. Bonanos, erected in 1927, the bust of the founder of the garden and a kiosk, built today, like the original one.  Tilegrafos The so-called "Tilegrafos" was an optical signal office on the hill of Ai Thanasis, above Argostoli at the site "Koutsomylos". At this point the view is panoramic to the sea. From here, we can see at a distance of several kilometers, if a boat approaches Argostoli. In front of us, we have both the bay of Livadi (Lixouri) and the bay of Argostoli with the port. In "Tilegrafos" there was a huge cross-shaped tower, wooden at the beginning, constructed in 1850, which later became metallic. From this cross, they hung flags that served as a signal to the harbour, according to a system of suspensions they had devised. In this way, the type of ship, its position and where it was going were determined precisely and every half an hour. Of course, the Tilegrafos had its keeper, who was the only person responsible for sending a signal with the flags. During the English rule, he was an English officer of the Argostoli guard. With the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece (1864), Tilegrafos passed into Greek hands and was operated by the military forces that had settled in Argostoli. In 1916-17, during the occupation of the island by the French forces, the "Tilegrafos" was used for the communication of the French ships and was manned by their own personnel. Tilegrafos stopped flying flags in 1940. The permanent end came with the earthquakes of 1953. Although Tilegrafos is a monument to local navigation, today it is completely abandoned. All that remains is the "hole" where the huge metal cross used to be. Monument to the Italian Fallen of the Acqui Division At the top of the hill, in Fanari, on the outskirts of Argostoli, is the Monument to the Fallen Italians. There is a white cross and next to it the inscriptions, which in Greek and Italian remind visitors of the horrors of war and the sacrifice of the Italian soldiers of the Acqui Division. The Monument was built in 1978. It was the Acqui Division, consisting of 12,000 men in total, that occupied Kefalonia in April 1940. Kefalonia, like the rest of the Ionian Islands, became an Italian protectorate. In July 1943, the fascist Italian government of Mussolini fell and a few days later, a regiment of the German army landed in Kefalonia. On September 8, 1943, Italy concluded an armistice with our Anglo-American allies. Immediately, the German administration asked the administration of the Acqui Division to surrender their weapons in the central square of Argostoli, in exchange for the safe return of all Italian soldiers to their country. Negotiations did not lead to an agreement, and so on 15 September the fighting began, during which 1,300 Italian soldiers were killed, mainly by German air force. On 22 September the commander of the Acqui Division asked for the surrender of its soldiers to the Germans. However, thousands of Italians were executed by the Germans in the following days, violating all international treaties concerning prisoners of war. The German administration forbade the burying of Italian soldiers, whose bodies were burned or thrown into the sea. Many Italians were saved, thanks to the help of the Kefalonians, who in many cases paid for their humanitarianism with harsh reprisals. Those Italians who escaped the massacre were forced to cooperate with the Germans, and those who refused were sent to the forced labour camps, where most of them died. When, in September 1944, the Germans were forced to leave Kefalonia, those Italians who had survived were able to return home with their weapons and flags. Every year a ceremony is held at the Memorial of Fallen Italians, attended by representatives of Italy and Greece. The Lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi The lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi is located in the area of Lassi, near Argostoli in Kefalonia. It takes its name from the chapel of Agioi Theodoroi which is located nearby. It is a unique circular structure, based on 20 white Doric columns, while its tower is 8 metres high. The peculiarity of its shape is due to a happy coincidence: there was a windmill in the area. The builders, in an attempt to save materials, constructed a circular staircase in the middle of the tower and a series of columns around it to support the structure, mainly because of the earthquakes that were strong in the area. It was built in 1828 by the English, when Charles Napier was in command. The height of the tower is 8 metres and the focal height is 11 metres. It was destroyed in the 1953 earthquakes and rebuilt in 1964 by Takis Pavlatos, a Kefalonian architect, according to the original 1828 English architectural plan. It was incorporated into the Greek lighthouse network in 1863, with the attachment of the Ionian Islands. In 1995 it was declared a listed building by the Ministry of Culture. It not only provides a directional light for incoming and outgoing ships, but is also a classic, romantic spot for locals and visitors. Katavothres (The sinkholes) One of the most important geological phenomena observed in Kefalonia, the sinkholes, have occupied scientists around the world and have been considered another "mystery" of the island. At the cape of Agioi Theodoroi, next to the lighthouse of Argostoli, we can still see today the point where the sea water flows with momentum into the ground. This is exactly what a "sinkhole" is: a crack in the ground, into which water flows. It seems that the English Stevens was the first to observe and record the phenomenon, and he even decided to use the momentum of the water as it was lost in the sinkholes and built a watermill at this point, which still exists. Katavothres' most interesting thing though, is that water runs below the entire island, from west to east, a distance of about 15 kilometres: In 1963, geologists Viktor Maurin and Josef Zetl from the Technical University of Graz, Austria, poured 160 kilos of dye into one of the Katavothres. Two weeks later traces of this dye appeared in the waters on the other side of the island, in the bay of Sami, in Karavomilos and in the Melissani cave! The majority of the phenomena associated with the groundwater of Kefalonia can be explained, according to geologists, by the position of the island at the junction of the tectonic plates of the 

In Medieval Paleochora: Perachori - Medieval Paleochora - Cave of Nymphs The walker’s/tourist's orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: linear Route’s duration: 40 minutes Route’s length: 2.200m Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it The route An easy and pleasant linear route that can be done back and forth along the same route or only in one direction if there is provision for the hikers' transition at the beginning (Perachori) and of course provision for the hikers' pick up at the end (Cave of Nymphs). The route starts next to the cemetery in Perachori where there is good signposting and it continues on a concrete road slightly uphill. Shortly afterwards it turns left in front of a fenced plot and continues along the dry stone wall. There is also relevant signage. The road becomes a paved path with several shadows in lush countryside. As the slightly uphill route continues, the view becomes more and more exceptional towards Vathi, Perachori, Afentiko Logos and includes more and more places until the walker gazes at the bay of Molos, Atoko, in the distance Sterea Ellada and the other beaches around Vathi. The path is well-maintained, after a generous investment, and includes built benches, a kiosk, good signage, etc. However, proper maintenance has not been carried out in recent years and in many places the damage is very obvious and in some cases the path needs special attention, while some of the equipment has been discredited by vegetation. After a short but slightly uphill walk, the walker reaches Agios Ioannis (Petaliatiko) which actually marks the area of Medieval Paleochora where ruins are visible and characterize the landscape. During the route, the walker, apart from the ruins of the Medieval Paleochora, can observe several centenarian olive trees.  The path after Paleochora (at the kiosk) is no longer paved but it is in good condition and it is marked either with signs or with the well-known signs of the path (a white and a blue line). After the kiosk, the hiker will come across an old threshing floor of exceptional interest which is in good condition and provides an excellent view of Vathi, the Ionian Sea with the small islands from Lefkada to Patras, and even the bridge of Rio - Antirio, on clear days... The threshing floor also marks the start of the downhill route to the cave. Towards the end, the route becomes very downhill but the paving returns. Just before the end, there is a small junction to the left where the cave of the Nymphs is located in a beautifully landscaped area. The cave is protected by a barred gate which is usually closed. The route ends on an asphalt road which is not in a particularly good condition. It should be noted that there is no signposting or any information sign, and walkers who want to do the route in reverse should pay attention in order to find the entrance, which also needs maintenance. A special feature of the area is that despite its relatively short length (2,200 metres) there are seven churches: Agioi Pantes - Kimisis tis Theotokou - Old church of Koimisis tis Theotokou - Isodia tis Theotokou- Agios Ioannis (Petaliatiko) - Agios Andreas in Spartia - Agios Nikolaos in Spartia (They are mentioned in that order within the description of the route. The first four are a short distance around the cemetery). The duration of the hike from Perachori to the cave of Nymphs, not including any stops, is about forty minutes. In Ithaca there are: Medical Centre in Vathi and Regional Medical office in Stavros, Police Station in Vathi and Citizen Service Centre (KEP) also in Vathi. Perachori Perachori is one of the oldest settlements of Ithaca. During the Venetian occupation it was located further east and it was called Paleochora. It is the largest settlement of Ithaca, with 343 permanent residents (2011), and the only one located in the south of the island. It is only a five-minute drive from the town of Ithaca. Following its streets and alleys, the visitor discovers a beautiful and well-kept village. Going uphill, the view becomes magnificent and from the highest point of the settlement, Agnantio, you can see from Lefkada to Zakynthos. In Perachori there is the church of Agios Rafael, who was born here, and next to it there is the chapel of Agios Ioannis the Theologian, where the martyr Eugenios Karavias, Metropolitan of Anchialos, was baptized. The monastery of Taxiarches is located two kilometres outside Perachori, in a beautiful landscape. Every last Saturday of July there is a "Wine Festival", where Perahori wine is offered for free. Medieval Paleochora Opposite Perachori on the hillside, a path (as described earlier) leads to the ruined medieval Paleochora, the capital of the island during the Middle Ages and until the beginning of the Venetian period when it was abandoned, as the inhabitants, free from the fear of pirates, moved to the coast. Among the remains of the old settlement, churches with Byzantine frescoes stand out, three of which have been classified as historical monuments: a) Kimisis tis Theotokou or Palia Panagia, which is located at the boundaries of the old settlement, b) the small chapel of Isodia tis Theotokou, with great hagiographies, which is open every year on November 21, c) the church of Agios Ioannis with its tall stone bell tower and stone temple, located approximately in the middle of the ruins of Paleochora, which has been restored. The visitor will also come across the ruins of period houses, which also served as fortresses with their narrow windows to protect them from pirates. A great advantage of the settlement is the view to the Ionian Sea and the entrance to the harbour. The small church of Isodia tis Theotokou, Maroulatiki of Paleochora, as it is known to the locals, is open every year on 21 November and it is still open. Great hagiographies are preserved here. The cave of the Nymphs It is also called Marmarospilia. It is identified with the Homeric Cave of the Nymphs where it is assumed that Odysseus hid the gifts of the Phaeacians. Archaeological findings lead us to believe that there was indeed a Nymph worship here. The cave is located at an altitude of 190 m above the bay of Dexa (the homeric port of Forkynas), where the Phaeacians left Odysseus asleep. The Cave of the Nymphs has two entrances: one is near the beach and it is not accessible. The asphalt road leads to the new entrance, where the cave of the Nymphs, which has stalactites and the remains of an ancient altar, can be reached via a staircase and a ten-meter descent. The entrance is currently closed, due to works and relevant danger. The findings of the archaeological excavations are exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Ithaca, in Vathi. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) trailhead (at Perachori), b) Agios Ioannis (Petaliatiko), c) kioski (Paleochora), d) Aloni, e) Cave of the Nymphs.

From the Monastery to Paleomonastero: Monastery - Cave of Spiliotissa in Orthonies The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: linear (the starting and ending point are the same) Route’s duration: 50 minutes Route’s length: 2,200 metres Level of difficulty: medium Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting.Thus, it is recommended to be done in spring when nature is at its finest and the weather is mild, since the route includes steep downhill and uphill sections. The route It is a linear route, where the return is made necessarily by the same route. The route starts from the entrance of the monastery where we head towards the old mill which is discrete to the north-northwest. The path, which at the beginning is not easily visible since it is not marked, starts from the mill. At the first junction, head south-southwest (on your left) and follow the downhill path with caution. Then, the path becomes steeply downhill and a strap has been placed for support to help us. When we reach the lowest point of the trail, the little river, we need to be careful to continue on the trail because the wooden signpost that is in place has come out of place. The trail continues uphill to the paleomonastiro (cave) where the climb requires increased caution. The landscape is beautiful and peaceful through lush vegetation while at the bottom of the ravine it seems like you are out of this world. The return is by the same route. The duration of the hike (excluding any stops) is around an hour. On the island of Zakynthos there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south) of Alykes, Zakynthos Town, Machairado and Pantokratoras. Police Station in Katastari and General Police Directorate in Zakynthos Town. A number of private clinics, medical centres and pharmacies, as well as public health facilities are located in Zakynthos Town, General Hospital, and Health Centre in Kallithea. Orthonies Orthonies is a mountainous settlement of Zakynthos, perched on the northwestern part of the mountain Vrachionas, at an altitude of 454 meters above sea level. The settlement is built amphitheatrically. The houses are stone houses with tiles according to the traditional Zakynthian tradition. The surrounding area is green with many vineyards and olive groves. It is about 25 km by the road from Zakynthos town. According to the 2011 census the population is 232 inhabitants. There is also the historic Monastery of Spiliotissa, founded in the mid-16th century. Monastery of Spiliotissa The Monastery of the Holy Virgin Spiliotissa is located about three kilometers from the settlement of Orthias. It was founded in the middle of the 16th century by the monk Ioannikio Katsiva, who in his middle age made the Hierarch and Abbot of Anafonitria, Dionysios Siguros, later Saint and Patron Saint of Zakynthos, his legal and Catholic Commissioner. The monastery possessed a large property, which allowed it to be organized as a building complex. The monastery also had a library, rich in books and manuscripts. In the second travel volume of the researcher Archduke of Austria Louis Salvador (published by Basta 2008, p. 237), we find a description of the monastery, circa 1900: "Among bushy slopes, the monastery is presented in a monastic valley, walled and with the church in the middle. It is a large building from the beginning of the 16th century, with a long façade with ten windows, and in front of it, stands an abandoned windmill. Above the entrance creating a vaulted corridor is a bell tower. In the courtyard of the building, with its porches supported on thickly worked columns, are two cisterns. On the right stands a house existing since 1775, used for the hospitality of strangers, with a roofed terrace held up by columns, from which a beautiful view is presented towards the strait called the Great Lagada, after the Volimes. In the courtyard we see clumps of laurel trees. At the present time twelve monks are monking in the monastery. The church has a porch with three arches..." The monastery's katholikon and bell tower were left standing by the 1953 earthquakes. In recent years, with the efforts of Metropolis of Zakynthos and Strophades, the monastery has been largely restored and the remarkable 16th century iconostasis has been preserved. On September 8, the feast of Genesiou of Virgin Mary, a Divine Liturgy is celebrated, as well as a feast in the precincts of the monastery. Paleomonastiro (cave) This is the cave on the slopes of mount Kentro, to the left of Megali Lagada, where the old chapel-cave has been located for four hundred years, with a vaulted door on rocky ground and rocky walls inside as well as an arched dome. In the past, monks lived in the old chapel and had built houses and a cemetery. The icon of the Virgin Mary, black and covered with silver, was found in this place, which is why it was named Panagia Spiliotissa. According to local tradition, it is believed that the icon was hidden there since the times of the Iconoclasts. The icon was transferred in the 16th century to the nearby plateau, where the monastery of Spiliotissa was built. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) at the start of the route at the entrance of the monastery, b) at the old mill, c) at the brook at the lowest point of the route, d) at paleomonastiro

High in Exogi: Exogi - Monastiri Panagias Eleousis - Mountain tour - Exogi The walker’s/tourist's orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: circular Route’s duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes Route’s length: 6.300m Level of difficulty: difficult Suggested season: spring The route This route can be accomplished in two ways: a) from the beginning, the whole route to be accomplished on foot , b) from the beginning of the route up until the monastery of Panagia Eleousis (antennas) by car and then downhill on foot. In the second case, we have to pay attention in order to ensure that the car is at the end of the route (at the junction of the path with the asphalt road below the settlement). The route starts on medium quality asphalt, uphill, through dense vegetation. In case of driving a vehicle, it requires increased caution. In the village of Exogi there are old traditional houses, while the churches of Evangelismos and the Church of Isodia of Theotokos (the Presentation of the Virgin Mary) stand out. After the village, the quality of the road deteriorates and becomes more uphill. The view on the top rewards the visitor (although the necessary antennas are disturbing). The visitor can see in all directions from Kefalonia to the mountains of Central Greece and the islands of the Ionian Sea, while the whole of northern Ithaca unfolds in front of them. Duhera, Afales, Platrithias, Stavros, Frikes are just some of the places that he or she can see from above. From the monastery, the route goes downhill on a very rough path that can be characterized more as a mountaineering path than as a hiking path. The trail starts outside the monastery (behind the cistern) under the antennas. The signage is faded and needs attention. The walker must take care not to miss the dense markings that are located in the path. The view remains breathtaking. Increased caution on the trail is required. In the middle of the descent, the walker comes across the ruins of an old threshing floor while he or she has a spectacular view of Fiskardo and the rest of Kefalonia. The beach of Ammoudi at our feet is low and sparkling. There are no shady places on the route, so far. Then the path becomes smoother and slowly improves and from some point, onwards, the path leads through a beautiful forest. The trail needs attention here too, because the recent bad weather (Ιanos) has brought down several trees that disturbed the trail and it is easy for the hiker to become disoriented. After the forest, the hiker has a view of the Stavros and Polis bay. The trail now becomes smooth through shady vegetation. The duration of the hike from Pernarakia (including local difficulties), without counting any stops, is at least one and a half hour up until the central asphalt road. If the walker does the entire route on foot, he or she should expect to walk for about three hours (on average) because of the uphill nature of the route and the local difficulties. The recommended season is spring because a large part of the route is not shady and it is exposed to the wind. In Ithaca there are: A Medical Centre in Vathi and a Regional Medical officein Stavros, a Police Station in Vathi and a Citizen Service Centre (KEP) also in Vathi. Exogi Exogi is a mountainous settlement of Ithaca, built at an altitude of 340 meters from the sea, which is why its name means "Out of the Earth"! Its small houses are built on the hillside, one above the other. Exogi is one of the oldest settlements of Ithaca. It was founded by the Venetians at the beginning of the sixteenth century and it was the third most important settlement of Ithaca, because of its amazing view and the security it offered from the pirates. Today it has few inhabitants, but in the middle of the 18th century it had 1,400 inhabitants. Around the village, the land had been formed with berms and it used to produce raisins, olive oil, wine, flax, products which were exported from the port of Frikes. The village's patron saint is Agia Marina (Saint Marina) with the characteristic blue dome and the traditional festival on 17 July. On some house doorsteps in Exogi there is a strange mask, like a carnival mask. It is the "Moros", the mask that was placed there to guard the house from evil spirits. Monastery of Panagia Eleousa At a distance of 2 km from the settlement of Exogi, at the top of the mountain, at the location "Pernarakia", the old monastery of Panagia Eleousa is built. Next to the church there are a cell and a bell tower. The monastery is old and it was built at least in the 17th century. It is reported that it had been functioning until the First World War. Afterwards, the care and renovation of the monastery was undertaken by hieromonk Iakovos Mavrokefalos, abbot (1919-1944) of I. M. Romvos Aet/nia, as he intended to retire there. However, he was executed by the German conquerors in 1944 and today his grave is in the monastery's precinct. The Virgin Mary in Pernarakia is celebrated on Easter Tuesday.  Polis beach (Archaeological site-cave) Polis beach with its green waters and pebbles is located below Stavros, the main village of northern Ithaca. The slopes that surround the bay are covered with cypresses and holly trees. The name of the beach of Polis comes from the ancient city which, according to tradition, lies submerged in the waters of the bay. According to a report by Alexia Komneni, the city of 'Jerusalem', which was located here, was submerged by a great earthquake in 967 AD. In the northwest of the bay of Polis, there is the Cave of Loizos. In the 19th century, it used to belong to S. Loizos, from whom it took its name. Loizos, while digging there to open a furnace, accidentally found important findings of great historical value. The shells of the vessels, which were found in large numbers, prove that the cave was used as a place of worship, at least from the Mycenaean period up until Roman times. Among the archaeological finds of the cave is the famous shell with the inscription 'EYHEN ODYCCEI'. The cave was destroyed by the 1953 earthquakes and it is not open to visitors today. All the findings are currently housed in the Archaeological Collection of Stavros. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) the start of the route (on the asphalt road at the junction of the path), b) in Exogi (at the church of the Isodia of Theotokos), c) at the monastery of Panagia Eleousis (Pernarakia), d) at the old threshing floor, e) at the stable.

In the Medieval Olive Groves: From Lithakia to the Medieval Olive Groves The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: linear Route’s duration: 45 minutes Route’s length: 2,400 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: all seasons, weather permitting. The route The route starts from the square in front of the Historical Church of Panagia Faneromeni in the settlement of Lithakia. After visiting the church, we head south via the National Road Zakynthos - Keri. The next 400 meters require increased caution since we are walking on a national road. Then, we head east and enter the old medieval olive groves of the area, where the trunks of the old olive trees reflect the passing of the centuries in an intense way and awe us. The trail is smooth, easy and in a shady place under the large olive trees where we climb slightly to reach an excellent viewpoint in the middle of the olive groves. From this point we can see the entire marine park of Zakynthos (Laganas Bay), from the cape of Marathia to the cape of Vasilikos, while in front of us we can see Marathonisi. The return can be done by the same route to the starting point at Panagia Faneromeni. Although a large part of the route is on a dirt road, it can also be done by car with relative care. On the island of Zakynthos there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south) of Alykes, Zakynthos Town, Machairado and Pantokratoras. Police Station in Katastari and General Police Directorate in Zakynthos Town. A number of private clinics, medical centres and pharmacies, as well as public health facilities are located in Zakynthos Town, General Hospital, and Health Centre in Kallithea. Lithakia Lithakia is one of the oldest settlements of Zakynthos. It is located southeast of Zakynthos, on a hill, between the areas of Keri Lake and Laganas. According to the 2011 census, it has 1,478 inhabitants. It is a rich and fertile village. It was also called Archontochori because of its wealth. Its inhabitants were mainly engaged in viticulture and produced the best wine of Zakynthos. Today many of the inhabitants are engaged in fishing. Lithakia is not particularly touristic, thus it still maintains its traditional architecture and natural beauty. Most of its houses are stone-built, some are coloured and all have tiles and well-groomed gardens. The square of Admiral Spyridon N. Soulis starts with a row of palm trees and includes the church of Faneromeni. From the square we can enjoy the beautiful view of the surrounding villages, the sea and Marathonisi. When in Lithakia, it is worth visiting the 14th century Church of Panagia Faneromeni, the 16th century Church of Agios Ioannis Theologos, in the northern part of the settlement, as well as the restored Mansion of Messala, which houses the Environmental Education Centre. The medieval olive grove of Lithakia with its centenarian trees and their huge trunks, which are sculptural monuments of nature, is also of exceptional beauty and interest. Historical Church of Panagia Faneromeni in Lithakia The church of Panagia Faneromeni in the village of Lithakia, is a 14th century wood-roofed single-aisled basilica with remarkable icons and a magnificent wood-carved gilded iconostasis, built in different periods from the 16th to the 19th century. It was saved from the earthquakes of 1953 and is a typical example of the religious architecture of the island. It is mentioned in archival sources from the 16th century.  During the walk the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) in the square in front of the Historical Church of Panagia Faneromeni, b) at the junction with the National road Zakynthos - Keri, c) at the junction with the road to the olive groves, d) at the next junction to the east e) at the viewpoint.

From a geological point of view, limestones and dolomites constitute the bedrock of Mt. Kalon Oros. The slopes of south and southwest exposure have steep gradients whilst all other slopes are characterized by gentle gradients. The vegetation cover presents a low diversity since it is mainly composed of macchia with the dominant species of Quercus coccifera, Pistacia lentiscus and Arbutus unedo. Macchia vegetation is very dense on eastern and northern exposed slopes, while on the south and southwestern slopes it is very sparse. In higher altitudes up to the peak, rocky grasslands with sparse individuals of Quercus coccifera occur on the west exposed slopes. These areas were cultivated in the past (olive trees, vineyards) but are now abandoned. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

Lake Korissia: Halikounas - Lake Korissia - Issos Beach - Agios Georgios (south     The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.     Route’s type: linear Route’s duration: 2 hours and 40 minutes Route’s length: 8.600 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. Avoid midday in the summer because there are no shady places along a big part of the route.     The route: The route starts from Halikouna, at the beginning of the lake, where we arrive by vehicle. The route is on a sandy road, which in summer, especially, has a tense traffic problem. We proceed between the lake and the sea, in low vegetation, where the lake generously offers us a beautiful scenery. After a 3,200 metres walk, we reach Tagio and the area of the Intermunicipal Company. The route to this point can also be done by car. After visiting the outlet of the canal into the sea, we continue our eastern path through lush surroundings for around 1,000 metres. Along the way, the path passes through the dunes (sand dunes) of Issos beach until we reach the parking area. We cross the parking area and we follow a steady coastal path towards Agios Georgios, reaching the settlement and the end of the trail. As a linear route, it can be done from both sides (either from Halikouna or from Agios Georgios) or even return to the starting point. Suggested season: all seasons weather permitting. Walkers who prefer quiet should avoid the summer months. Also those who prefer summer, should avoid midday hours as there are no shady places along a large part of the route.   On the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ypsos, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Achilleion, Moraitika, Argyrades and Lefkimmi. Police stations in the settlements (from north to south): Karousades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town and Lefkimmi. Numerous private clinics, medical centres and pharmacies, as well as public health structures can be found (from north to south): the Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, the Acharavi Regional Medical Centre, the Agios Athanasios Health Centre, the Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town and the Lefkimmi Health Centre.   Lake Korissia The Korissia Lagoon or Korissia is located in southern Corfu and its western shores. It has been declared a Landscape of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it s included in the Natura 2000 network. It is Corfu's largest lagoon and its most important wetland. A narrow strip of land separates Lake Korissia from the Ionian Sea, creating two stunning sandy beaches, Halikouna and Issos. It covers an area of about 6,000 hectares and because it is connected to the sea, its water is salty. The waters of the lake are always calm, regardless of the sea, which is only a few metres away. More than 120 species of birds, including cormorants, warblers, whistling ducks, silverbirds, flamingos, ducks and thousands of butterflies find refuge here. All the species of herons living in Greece are found here. The fauna of Lake Korissia is complemented by a variety of amphibians (newts, balkan frogs, etc.) and a rich reptile fauna (loggerhead turtles, loggerhead turtles, pond snails, etc.). Mammals such as stone turtles and weasels are also part of the fauna. But the flora of the area is also very rich: rushes and tamarisk, white lilies and 14 different species of orchids on the sand. Here we will also find the beautiful cedar forest of Lake Korissia, right between the beaches of Halikouna and Issos, perched on the sand dunes, which are more than 15 metres high. In the lake's Tagio are the fishing facilities where some fishermen live, who with their "korito", the characteristic boats, catch small shrimps that are abundant and many fish, including some species that are only found here, such as the Zabarola and the endangered Zournas. Cedar Forest In the southern part of Halikouna beach is the point where Lake Korissia joins the sea through a narrow water channel (Tagio). A wooden bridge will lead us into the beautiful cedar forest, which has grown on the sandy beaches of Halikouna and Issos. It is the only cedar forest on the island and consists of sea cedar, a type of cedar that grows in the northern Mediterranean on coastal sandy areas. Walking through the forest, you can also observe the many spiders hanging on the branches of the trees and the webs they have created.     Dunes of Issos More than 120,000 years have passed since the sea and the winds started to create the rocky dunes (sand dunes) in the south and southwest of the wetland of Korissia. Their height exceeds 15 metres, creating a landscape of unique beauty. The northern side of the dunes is covered by a forest of sea cedar, while in the middle there is a mixed forest of bush honeysuckle, holly, skinnies, daisies, myrtles, laurels and other species.     During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) at the beginning of the route at Halikouna, b) at the beginning of the lake, c) halfway to Tagio, d) at Tagio, e) at the parking area of Issos beach, d) at Agios Georgios (at the beginning of the path).