The Ionian Travel Facts for Yachts

Fact File for The Ionian

The Ionian Sea is situated in southeastern Europe and is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bounded by southern Italy to the west and Albania and a large number of islands to the east including Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Ithaka and Lefkada. Collectively these Greek islands are referred to as the Ionian Islands.

COORDINATES: 39º00N, 22º00E

LANGUAGE: Greek

LARGEST ISLAND: Kefalonia

WEATHER: During the summer season, the weather is sunny with little rain. Temperatures can reach the mid to high 30's (80-90F) in July and August. Spring can bring thunderstorms and squalls but these do not last long.

BEST TIME TO CHARTER: June-September

AIRPORTS: Zakynthos (ZTH), Kefalonia (EFL) and Corfu (CFU) offer daily domestic flights on Olympic Air to Athens (ATH)- with international flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, and more. Airlines from Athens include: Air France, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa

TIME: UTC+2 (winter), UTC+3 (summer)

CURRENCY: EUR; major credit cards including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted and ATMs are available on the islands.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V, 50 Hz

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

1 Jan New Year's Day
6 Jan Epiphany
25 Mar Independence Day
Mar/Apr Orthodox Good Friday
Orthodox Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
May/Jun Orthodox Whit Monday
15 Aug Assumption
28 Oct Ochi Day
25 Dec Christmas
26 Dec Glorifying Mother of God

MAIN PORTS AND MARINAS: Gouvia Marina, Corfu; Lefkas Marina, Lefkas; Vathy, Ithaka; Poros, Kefalonia; Zakynthos City, Zakynthos

RECOMMENDED BEACHES: Beaches in the Ionian Islands are soft and sandy and include: Navagio in Zakynthos, Myrtos in Kefalonia, Porto Katsiki in Lefkada, Kathisma in Lefkada

CULTURAL: Greece is a country of great interest and diverse cultures influenced by its strategic location between the East and the West. Greeks are very proud of their history and rich cultural heritage and are strongly influenced by the Greek Orthodox Church. Dress is mostly casual and smoking is prohibited inside public transport and buildings.