The Ionian Islands: Corfu, Cephalonia, Ithaka and Beyond

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Description

Rising from the waters between Greece and Italy, the Ionians - peaks of an underwater mountain range - are some of the most culturally, historically and mythologically rich in all Greece. Consisting of Corfu, Paxos, Ithaka, Lefkas, Cephalonia, Zakynthos and Kythera, they have been variously invaded and occupied by the Goths, Arabs, Normans, Venetians, British, Germans and most recently by tourism, yet they have always absorbed and assimilated other cultures whilst still retaining their unique character and identity.The Ionians have been made famous in literature from Homer and Aeschylus to Gerald Durrell and Louis de Bernieres and numerous myths are associated with them: Corfu is linked to the voyage of Jason's Argonauts, Aphrodite was born on Kythera, Paxos and Corfu were once joined until Poseidon threw his trident and separated them and Odysseus' home was on Ithaka. John Freely, who has visited and travelled throughout the islands over the course of 40 years, here illuminates the history, culture and present day of all seven islands, providing the most readable and comprehensive guide to the magnificent Ionians.

Reviews

PRAISE FOR JOHN FREELY'S OTHER WORKSThe Cyclades: Discovering the Greek Islands of the Aegean'A charming and informative companion for anyone exploring these enchanting islands.'Andrew Steed, Stanfords Maps and Travel BooksThe Western Shores of Turkey: Discovering the Aegean and Mediterranean Coasts'...Enchanting guide...a work of genuine scholarship, lightly worn and charmingly conveyed. I fell in love with the book and stayed enamoured until the final page.' Paul Bailey, The Sunday Times'...the record of a journey undertaken by a man effortlessly able to convey in depth the meaning of what he sees.' Marlena Frick, Scotsman, EdinburghStrolling Through Athens'...John Freely's magnificent walking guide to the city.'Anthony Sattin, Book of the Week, Sunday TimesStrolling Through Istanbul'...a classic. The best travel guide to Istanbul'The Times

Author Bio

John Freely was born in New York and joined the US Navy at the age of seventeen, serving with a commando unit in Burma and China during the last years of World War II. He has lived in New York, Boston, London, Athens and Istanbul and has written over thirty travel books and guides, most of them about Greece and Turkey. He is author of The Cyclades (I.B.Tauris), The Western Shores of Turkey (Tauris Parke Paperbacks), Strolling Through Athens (also Tauris Parke Paperbacks) and the bestselling Strolling Through Istanbul.