LAWRENCE SCHFFLER/BOATING NEW ZEALAND

Lawrence Schaffler Lawrence Schaffler Lawrence Schaffler Lawrence Schaffler Lawrence Schaffler Lawrence Schaffler

SAILING AWAY: The catamaran we chartered, a 42ft Lagoon, at Emerald Bay, Antipaxos Island, Greece.

PERFECT SECLUSION: Kioni, Ithaca island, Greece.

LOCAL SPECIALTIES: Seafood delights in Greece.

ISLAND BLISS: Spartahori village one of our favourite stops in the Ionian islands, Greece.

FREE-STYLE: Charter catamaran, anchored Mediterranean-style.

MYTHICAL MAGIC: Our private beach at Ithaca, the fabled home of Homer.

Any tourists may have a preconceived idea of traditional Greek islands but it's probably quite different from the reality of the seven main islands of the Ionians. Unlike the harsh, arid landscapes and white-washed houses that mark the islands on the eastern side of Greece, on the western side of mainland Greece, the Ionians are lush, green and soft. Even the architecture is different houses in the villages feature red-tiled roofs and walls daubed in brilliant pastels, hinting at their Roman-influenced heritage.

It's a heady mix warm, vibrant colours contrasting with the verdant green landscape and clear waters and larger-than-life, friendly Greek hosts. Thanks to our rampant Kiwi dollar, the islands are relatively inexpensive. In short the islands were a wonderfully dry, sunny escape from a New Zealand winter when we took a 14-day yacht charter there in September.

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Sailing the Ionian Islands in Greece