We have now been sailing on the Ionian Sea for a decade and we feel that our engines are only just beginning to warm up.
Over the past ten years, we have expanded our fleet to six ships, broadened our horizons, and enjoyed unforgettable experiences. But what matters most is that we take pride every day in serving our passengers and making a significant contribution to our islands’ progress.
Alongside our coastal activities, we have implemented numerous social and environmental initiatives in Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Ithaca. We are constantly investing in promoting our islands, with the aim of boosting tourism and the local economy all year round.
We are honoured by the distinctions we have received, such as the title “Passenger Line of the Year” from Lloyd’s List for two
consecutive years. However, what is even more important to us is the daily recognition we receive from our islanders and passengers. It is their sincere “thank you” that pushes us forward.
At Levante Ferries, we are committed to our vision of becoming a leading ferry service in the central Ionian region. We are constantly investing in innovation to offer our customers unique experiences.
The following pages will introduce you to the culture, traditions and beauty of Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Ithaca. Here are some tips, suggestions and little secrets that will make your trip even more enjoyable!
At Levante Ferries, we are with you every step of the way, ready to assist with any of your travel needs, large or small, with our knowledge and experience.
Enjoy your reading and have a great trip!
Co-Founder & CEO, Levante Ferries
Stratis Apergis
Co-Founder & CEO, Levante Ferries
Welcome to Zakynthos!
Zanteway has been providing Car and Moto rentals in Zakynthos since 2013.
We offer brand-new vehicles, full insurance and free island-wide delivery — with a growing presence at Zakynthos Airport.
Our team of local and international professionals is committed to delivering top-quality service, fair pricing and a rental experience that stands apart from seasonal operations.
Zanteway is not just a name — it’s the right way to explore Zakynthos.
Alkistis Ntani CEO & Founder
Offices:
Athens: 13-15 Sofokleous Rd, Athens
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Mykonos: New Region Drafaki Rd, (Above Piraeus Bank)
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Arachova: Old Nation Rd
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HTHE TWO BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, LOCATED NEAR ITHACA AND ZAKYNTHOS, RESPECTIVELY, HAVE A DARK HISTORY.
ΒY ΜARIA ATMATZIDOU
Lazaretto and Marathonisi
Their other side
For years, Europe was devastated by plague epidemics.
One of the most deadly was the pandemic of the 14th century, which decimated populations across various countries. In order to prevent the spread of the plague, the Venetians were among the first to establish quarantines in their territory, i.e. areas near ports where ships, crews, travellers and goods could be temporarily isolated. Some of them operated in the Ionian Islands during the Venetian occupation and beyond, such as Lazareto in Ithaca and Marathonisi in Zakynthos. These two islands are so picturesque and peaceful that nothing testifies to their dark history.
Λαζαρέτο Το
Lazaretto
The uninhabited islet, covered in pine trees, emerges in the middle of the port of Vathy, has become a popular attraction for visitors. Those looking for the most romantic destination for their wedding often choose the stone-built Chapel of the Transfiguration, dating from 1668. The modern metal lighthouse at the edge of the island replaced an older lighthouse that was no longer working due to wear and tear over time. Perhaps, once upon a time, its light offered hope to those stranded on the island.
The current image bears no resemblance to the quarantine station that operated on the island during the Venetian occupation. Measuring just 50 metres in length, the station was used to quarantine ships and their cargo for 40 days (from the Italian word “Quaranta”, meaning “forty”) before they were allowed to disembark at the port. Later, during the British occupation (from 1817 onwards), Lazaretto was used for the same reason, and a two-storey stone building was constructed that occupied almost the whole island as demand had increased dramatically. According to the sources of the time, parts of ancient monuments were incorporated into the construction of this building, which also featured ancient inscriptions. The quarantine house was used as a prison for around 80 years and as a prison camp until it was completely destroyed by the catastrophic 1953 earthquake. Today, however, visitors to Lazaretto can enjoy a beautiful retreat and a unique vantage point from which to admire the port and Vathy. Every year on 5-6 August, pilgrims and visitors arrive by boat for the Feast of the Saviour, which combines religious devotion with a festive summer atmosphere.
Marathonisi
Today, it is a tropical gem located in the uninhabited paradise of Laganas Bay. The rich biodiversity of Zakynthos, including sea turtles and seabirds, finds a welcoming refuge here.
Today, nothing refers to the dark past. Due to the constantly increasing need to monitor incoming ships suspected of carrying a pestilence, the Venetians established an additional seasonal quarantine centre for Zakynthos in 1726. The first centre had been operating since 1690 in an elevated position in the Agios Konstantinos area of Kipi. According to the writers and chroniclers of the time, draconian measures were set in place in Zakynthos to prevent the spread of the plague, which hit the island in 1688 and 1728.
The island has always been fertile and produced olives and grapes, but the amount of wheat grown was insufficient to meet the nutritional needs of its inhabitants. This is why villagers from Zakynthos would go to the Peloponnese as seasonal workers during the harvest season and be paid in produce. However, epidemics were continuous in the Ottoman areas of the Peloponnese, so when the workers returned, they were quarantined for seven days on Marathonisi under extremely difficult conditions. The quarantine lasted much longer in the oldest quarantine house near the city. The guards strictly supervised the area to prevent healthy and potentially ill people from communicating with each other. Anyone who tried to avoid quarantine, enter Zakynthos without passing a health check or escape from the island was at risk of severe penalties or even death.
Today, however, no one wants to avoid Marathonisi. Quite the opposite. A visit by tourist boat to the island, with its untouched natural beauty, small white sandy beaches, blue waters, half-submerged caves and colourful seabed, is an absolutely special experience for nature lovers, adventurers and explorers.
Theodosis Cruises is a family business located at the harbor of St. Nicholas in Volimes, Zakynthos.
We organize cruises to the Blue Caves and the Shipwreck.
In addition to group cruises, we offer private trips tailored for those seeking a more intimate experience.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply wish to enjoy the serene beauty of Zakynthos in privacy, our personalized services ensure a memorable outing.
For those looking to explore at their own pace, we also provide boat rentals.
A Model Farm
NATURE, PEACE, HARMONY, AROMAS AND FLAVOURS: A SPECIAL COMBINATION TO BE DISCOVERED IN THE HOSPITABLE GROUNDS OF LEEDA’S FARM IN ZAKYNTHOS.
Fruits, vegetables, olives, herbs, donkeys, peacocks, ponies, pigs and a pond: it may sound like the description of a fairy tale setting, but it is perfectly based on reality. On the reality that Leeda’s Farm creates and invites locals and visitors of Zakynthos to discover.
Inspirer and creator is Dionysios Giatras, who grew up close to nature and learned to appreciate it and share what it offers. A desire, but also an integral way of life, that could not but characterise the philosophy of “Leeda’s Village & Cottages”, which the family decided to design and build in 2000, paying particular attention to the surrounding area. It was not difficult for the owners to realise that their guests shared the same love of nature, to identify as a common reference point their respect for its splendour, but also their particular enthusiasm when tasting the products of their garden.
These clues gradually gave the Giatras family ideas that led to the creation of an organised farm and a restaurant with a menu inspired exclusively by natural products. A vision that finally came to fruition in 2015, with a dreamy island farm where visitors can visit and interact with the animals, pick and taste fruit and vegetables or relax with a nice picnic.
The farm and the lodge, as Dionysios Giatras explains, are
ZYMARITI
Brusco Restaurant & Bar is the ideal destination for anybody seeking to unwind in a sophisticated seaside environment.
Located in a breathtaking location with a view of a Ionian Sea, it serves top -tier creations fusing Mediterranean cuisine with artisanal cocktails.
two organisms that cohabit in perfect harmony, as the one feeds the other. The farm supplies most of the ingredients used by chef Giannis Remos at the Zefki restaurant, where he prepares different dishes every day with Greek flavours based on the “seasonality” of the farm’s production, as well as that of some other local producers. At the same time, all organic leftovers from the restaurant go through a selection process, are separated and fed to farm animals, reducing the environmental footprint.
In this way, the Leeda community becomes a place where customers, guests, partners and nature become one family, and holidays find one of their most essential parameters: escape from everyday life through contact with nature and the peace it offers.
leedas-villas.com | Ιnstagram: leedas_villas
leedas-villas.com | Ιnstagram: leedas_villas
After Creperie & Burgers in Zakynthos town is the continuation of the successful presence of After Creperie in the seaside resort of Argasi. It is famous in the island for its quality of food, remarkable service and reasonable prices. Here you will find a large variety of gourmet burgers, sweet and savory crepes, waffles, snacks,
coffees, refreshments, drinks and milkshakes. In a wonderful and warm environment with friendly staff and a 24h service you can enjoy delicious choices from Petros (the owner) and his team. Absolutely a place to come over and over again. One time is just not enough!
First in the Ionian Sea and... in our hearts!
MARIETTA VITHOULKA, FROM ZAKYNTHOS, IS NOT ONLY THE FIRST AND ONLY FEMALE CAPTAIN IN THE IONIAN SEA, BUT ALSO IN THE LEVANTE FERRIES FLEET -AND SHE HAS A REMARKABLE CAREER. PASSENGERS WILL MEET HER ON BOARD THE “MARE DI LEVANTE” THIS SUMMER, WHICH OPERATES THE KYLLINI-ZAKYNTHOS ROUTE. WE ASKED HER TO SPARE SOME OF HER VALUABLE TIME SO THAT WE COULD GET TO KNOW HER BETTER.
What challenges does your profession face today?
This is a profession that requires a great deal of love and resilience; otherwise, you won’t get very far. Our daily lives are demanding, and we have little free time. The biggest challenge lies in ensuring optimal travel conditions for all passengers, regardless of weather conditions or any contingencies that may arise at sea, by adhering to all protocols. We have a great responsibility and ensuring the safety of our passengers is our absolute priority. Proper crisis management is needed all too often.
What do you love most about your job?
My job itself with its facilities and difficulties. I feel alive when I’m near the sea, when I’m travelling, and when I’m creating beautiful memories with fellow travellers.
If a young woman wanted to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give her?
Although our society remains quite patriarchal, I would not make the distinction between a young man and a young woman. Any young person considering this profession should think carefully about it and learn as much as possible, so they have all the necessary information before embarking on a professional career. Composure, determination and a deep commitment to duty are required. Above all, though, they must be true to their humanity.
How important is the team?
The team is very important. For the best result, you need good cooperation and camaraderie.
What is your favourite moment on board?
When the magic hour of sunset coincides with our arrival at a port.
Describe the following in one word:
πιάνουμε
Έρωτας.
Ιόνιο.
Πατρίδα. Levante Ferries.
Ευγνωμοσύνη.
Ταξίδι.
Ελευθερία.
Sea.
Love.
Ionian Sea.
Home.
Levante Ferries.
Gratitude.
Travel.
Freedom.
Thank you.
You, too!
Life
ΒY IOANNA ZYMARITI
Βέστραχορν, Ισλανδία. • Vestrahorn, Iceland.
THE AWARD-WINNING ZAKYNTHIAN PHOTOGRAPHER NIKOS KONTOSTAVLAKIS CAPTURES IMAGES THAT TRANSCEND THEIR REALISTIC STATE AND HIGHLIGHT THEIR MYSTERIOUS CHARM, THROUGH HIS UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE.
Ιam not interested in what is “easy” or “beautiful” in the classical sense, but in what stirs something inside you”. A photo that records, directs, touches and narrates. “Jan Saudek opened this world to me when I was young, and it’s something I still carry with me”: Photographer Nikos Kontostavlakis was born in Zakynthos, where he still lives and runs the production company Anima Vision. He travelled to Athens to study mechanical engineering and photography at the Focus photography school. He has participated in many exhibitions in Greece and abroad, receiving important distinctions and awards. He won the title “Young Greek Photographer” from the Hellenic Photography Centre at APhf in 2010; his work was exhibited at the Agora Gallery in New York in 2014; and he won first place in the “Photographer of the Year - Greece” at the One Eyeland Photography Awards in 2018. A year later, he won the Pangea Gold Award at the Siena International Awards.
What do the awards mean? Are they a form of recognition, or do they contradict the subjective nature of art?
When I was younger, I admit that I was interested in the awards -they were a form of recognition and created opportunities. Today, with a more mature outlook, awards are no longer seen as an end in themselves. Most importantly, stay true to yourself and do something that fulfils you and expresses who you are. I now consider it important to interact with people who can offer you knowledge and experience. It is through interactions that you evolve and improve.
Λίμνη Ιωαννίνων. • Ioannina Lake.
Βιετνάμ. • Vietnam.
People who broaden your horizons and open new paths for you in art and life. One such person is Dionysis Kitsikis, a photographer and filmmaker. My cooperation and friendship with him over the past few years has taught me a great deal.
It seems that they have a significant influence on both your work and your travel plans.
The place you grow up in definitely shapes who you are -you carry with you its sense, light and rhythms. Having grown up on an island, I experienced the Greek summer first-hand. What pushes me creatively is mainly the search for something new. The unknown,
the unpredictable. That’s where the image is born for me. Winter fascinates me because it transforms landscapes. The light becomes scarce and almost suggestive, creating a more charged and poetic atmosphere. The weather conditions often lead to a state of inner silence, which is very eloquently captured in photographs. After all, even Zakynthos in winter, when it is quiet and almost empty, has a deeper, more internal beauty. It’s a tranquil landscape that recharges your batteries.
So is it landscapes that inspire you the most?
Whether it’s a person, a landscape or an architectural feature, I always try to take an open and unbiased approach to my subject. Every object and every moment has something to tell you. Even the simplest things around us can reveal stories and emotions if you look closely enough. For me, photography is a way of discovering and sharing these moments. A photographer’s personal style is always present, regardless of the subject they are asked to capture. I don’t consciously try to impose a “signature”, but it inevitably exists. The way you see the world does not depend on the subject; it depends on the context. Konstantinos Manos is a good example. From the black-and-white “Greek Portfolio” to the explosively colourful “American Color”, his distinctive style is evident in his perception of space, his compositions and his ability to capture the theatricality of the moment. It is this consistency that makes the work personal.
So the “eye” never rests? Are you constantly in search for something?
In search of the “click”, you often find yourself experiencing places, moments or encounters that you otherwise wouldn’t have. Photog-
Olea All Suite Hotel. • Commercial concept for Olea All Suite Hotel.
Σχολική
raphy becomes an opportunity for experiences. The gaze encourages you to move, observe and approach. It can be tiring at times, but when you reach the end of the journey, you will have experienced something new. For me, the essence of photography is that it brings you closer to life, rather than taking you away from it.
But is photography ultimately a depiction of the truth, or a wonderful excuse for a “lie”; a story that each viewer can create in their mind?
Photography is more than just an imprint of reality. It’s a wonderful opportunity to tell a story and create a world that comes to life through the photographer’s and viewer’s eyes. No photograph is completely “true” -every image allows for personal interpretation and imagination. Personally, I am a fan of this approach, even when working on professional or advertising projects. I believe this is what gives an image soul and strength.
Which part of Zakynthos do you think is the most photogenic?
It’s not a particular location; it’s the legacy that the island carries with it from its past. The island’s history and nature come together to create a unique atmosphere. It is this combination of time and landscape that inspires my photography.
in Rwanda.
Classroom
Τηλ.: +30 26950 31650
Κιν.: +30 6976 061844
Email: info@askosstonepark.gr
THE ONLY FLORA & FAUNA NATURAL PARK IN GREECE
Askos Stone Park is a place with 200.000 self-sown plants (bushes and trees). Here you can also watch hundreds of animals in the same area, living free in their natural habitats. There are wild hawks of many species, many representative mammals of the island, many species of birds, amphibians, insects and other native animals. There are guides to the Park, but also a special guide-book which is available in 25 different languages. All visitors are provided with free bottled water.
Askos Stone Park is located at the north side of Zakynthos, one kilometer from the port of St. Nicholas at Volimes.
Askos Stone Park
Volimes, 290 91 Zakynthos
Tel.: +30 26950 31650
Mob.: +30 6976 061844
Email: info@askosstonepark.gr
ΑΠΑΡΝ
MEDITERRANEAN TEMPERAMENT AND SIMPLE SCANDINAVIAN AESTHETICS COEXIST IN SMALL AND LARGE CERAMIC WORKS CREATED BY CERAMIST HANNE MI S. SAUGE, WHO TURNED HER BACK ON NORWAY TO LIVE IN ZAKYNTHOS.
A local from Oslo
What is a Norwegian woman doing in Zakynthos? She lives, works, creates, dreams and grows. Hanne Mi S. Sauge arrived in Zante many years ago and can rightly boast that she was the first artist in the area to take a more artistic and contemporary approach to ceramics, moving away from the traditional style. “From the natural landscape and sea creatures to the rhythm of life on the island and daily encounters with local characters -such as fishermen, capricious taxi drivers
ΒY IOANNA ZYMARITI
and mini-market managers- they all fuel my creative process”. She creates decorative and utilitarian objects, but her particular passion lies in wall compositions. “I have created a series of large ceramic frescoes for restaurants and private residences in Greece and abroad. Currently, I am working on a project that is going to Poland”. She gives private and group pottery lessons in her workshop, which is located in Vasilikos on the south-eastern side of the island.
From Oslo to Zakynthos. What secrets does this route hold?
I never planned or dreamed of leaving the beautiful city of Oslo. However, I enjoyed travelling. My trip to Zakynthos led to a romance with a Greek man. So I came here in love and opened my pottery workshop and a shop in the city centre. Five years later, the relationship ended, but by then I felt like a local. I later met my partner, Laurent, who is French. We had a daughter, Sophia, who is now 23. This is the multicultural backdrop to my story on the island of Zakynthos. I feel very lucky to have one foot in Zakynthos and one in Oslo -two very different places.
A blend that influences your artistic style?
Absolutely. The colours of the Greek sea, the play of light and the warmth of the sun are combined with winter swimming and the “openness” of life.
Tel: +30 2695048740
sunset_tavern_michalis Taverna Michalis
Kampi, Zakynthos Island
This is all set against the backdrop of the stability and structure of Norway. These seeming contrasts ultimately shape my work by creating an interesting balance. Someone once said that my art embodies the vibrancy of the Mediterranean and the soul of Scandinavia. I really like that description. Ultimately, my style evolved organically, shaped by my exploration of different techniques and my emotional connection to the subjects and materials I work with.
Which are your favourite topics?
I love seahorse motifs, as well as fish and mandala elements. Over time, these have become my artistic signature. And I am definitely attracted to colour -grey shades are not my first choice. Compared to before, today’s techniques offer us an amazing range of pigments and effects. I work with high-fire clay, up to 1,270°C, so my pieces are ceramic, durable. I mainly use a gas oven, as this allows for reductive pottery and produces warmer, richer colour tones.
What has been the most meaningful feedback you have received on your work?
I love it when guests come to my studio and ask, “Did you make all this? They’re so special -I’ve never seen anything like it!” Or when someone tells me, “I bought a work 20 years ago and still use it every day”. These kinds of moments are truly moving and encouraging. They remind me of the reasons why I do this job.
However, it is also through contact with your students that you receive important feedback. Right?
Teaching is certainly a joy. After all, I originally studied to be a kindergarten teacher, specialising in arts and crafts -I still practise it in a way, playing with mud and colours! I later completed a Master’s degree in Ceramic Art and Sketch in Norway. It’s true that I prefer to
work alone and in silence during the winter months. However, teaching is incredibly enjoyable in the summer. Having a job that allows you to be child-like, but also interact with people and exchange views and experiences is a gift.
Have you noticed any changes in the acceptance of ceramic art among visitors or locals over the years?
Yes, I’ve certainly seen a shift. Ceramics seem to enjoy a kind of revival. In the digital age, when the world is full of screens, people crave tangible things that they can feel and connect with. Think of something unique: you can’t even control your phone when your hands are full of clay! It’s a return to basics. Working with ceramics is rewarding: you start with an idea, bring it to life, bake it, and then you can keep it for years. It is not something ephemeral, for a single use. We are working with a material that is made up of soil and water. The process is thoughtful and requires you to pay full attention to the coordination and connection between your hands and the material. It is a fundamental experience, you feel grounded.
Emecalm Travel δεν
Levante Ferries
With environmental sensitivity and love!
At the core of Levante Ferries’ values are sustainability, environmental awareness and a genuine love for our islands. Throughout the year, we contribute as much as possible to the well-being of the inhabitants and visitors of the islands through small or large initiatives and actions.
In 2025, demonstrating once again in practice our firm commitment to the values of sustainability and the goal of a cleaner environment, we cleaned up the beach of Antisamos in Kefalonia, on Sunday 6 April 2025, under the auspices of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) and the valuable assistance of the Management Unit of Zakynthos and Ainos National Parks and Protected Areas of the Ionian islands, the Municipality of Sami, as well as the 1st Argostoli Scout System.
Our volunteers managed to collect and remove a total of 79 kg of
waste from a 600-metre stretch of beach, thus offering the beautiful beach a valuable “breath of fresh air” and contributing decisively to a cleaner and healthier environment in this area.
All of us at Levante Ferries are committed to continuing to organise and carry out similar actions. Our aim is not only to create a cleaner environment, but also to highlight the beauty of our islands, which attract visitors from all over the world.
We would like to share a short message with you, our visitors, who are reading these lines right now. Remember that each of your contributions is important in preserving the natural beauty of Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Ithaca’s beaches. What can you do? Just leave the beach as clean as you found it and take home only your beautiful memories!
HOLIDAYS AREN’T JUST ABOUT SPENDING ENDLESS HOURS ON SUNBEDS AND HAVING FUN IN BARS UNTIL THE WEE HOURS. ZAKYNTHOS, KEFALONIA AND ITHACA OFFER A VARIETY OF EXTREME AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT WILL PROVIDE AN INTENSE EXPERIENCE AND CREATE UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES.
Lacy coastlines, mysterious caves, breathtaking geological formations and crystal-clear waters in shades of blue and green. Not to mention the area’s rich biodiversity and long history. Get to know them with an adventurous mood and an exploratory look -they have it all!
Zakynthos
● Explore the Blue Caves in the north-west of Zakynthos by canoe or kayak, and enjoy the wonderful light reflections in the enchanting blue waters. It’s amazing how the colours in the water and on the rock walls change throughout the day, and how intense the feeling of becoming one with nature is during the ultimate summer adventure.
• Exploring the Blue Caves of Zakynthos.
φύση
● Dive into or simply swim in the deep, emerald waters of Porto Limnionas’s wild and beautiful rocky bay. Or discover the caves in the rocks and admire their beauty.
● Take a canoe or water bicycle out on the picturesque, crystal-clear turquoise waters of the fjords of Porto Vromi.
● Explore the National Marine Park in Laganas Bay and admire its rich biodiversity, which includes the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) and protected species of migratory birds.
● Walk along the steep, shrubby path until you reach the secluded Marathias beach, where you can discover a wonderful seabed and crystal-clear waters that are ideal for underwater exploration and snorkelling.
● Spread your wings with paragliding in Agios Nikolaos, an organised beach with aquamarine waters that attract adventure lovers and more.
● Tame the waves by trying your hand at windsurfing or surfing, or enjoy some amazing water sports with your friends at the fun-filled Banana Beach.
● Climb high up onto the rocks by following the marked path to admire the legendary Shipwreck from afar (but always be careful!). From above, the towering white rocks, the white sand where the famous shipwreck “sinks” and the crystal-clear turquoise waters look like an exotic paradise.
● Take a boat trip around the stunning Keri Caves and pass through the impressive rocky tunnels that stand out against the turquoise waters.
● Climb the rocky path to the lush green cliffs and admire the impressive white beach and imposing rock formations of Mizithres from above.
● Set sail for the uninhabited islet of Marathonisi in Laganas Bay -you can take a tourist or private boat, or, for a more adventurous experience, you can go by canoe. You may even find sea turtles following you! Snorkelling enthusiasts will find the perfect spot here to explore the half-submerged caves and colourful seabed.
Kefalonia
● If you love water sports, you’ll find paradise in Skala! Take a jet ski ride or play with the inflatable banana on the endless golden sandy beach, where cypress trees reach down to the water. You can also paddle in your canoe or dive with teams of instructors who will show you all the secrets of the seabed.
● Indulge in even more water sports in the organised Antisamos area, with its lush vegetation and crystal-clear waters displaying an
• The tiny islet of Marathonisi, located next to Zakynthos, as seen from above.
A uniquely tasty experience that combines the traditional Greek doughnut, loukoumades, with an exciting modern street food approach. The menu features traditional loukoumades as well as imaginative sweet options such as cheesecake and profiterole loukoumades alongside savoury versions like carbonara loukoumades. This unique combination of flavours is sure to satisfy every palate.
LOUKOUM OTHER’ S made by h e r hands Διεύθυνση:
Τηλ.:
Address: 30 Lomvardou Street, 291
incredible palette of colours: greenish in the shallows, azure a little deeper, and dark blue at greater depths. Even better, put on your mask and explore the seabed, home to thousands of carefree fish swimming in crystal-clear waters. If you follow the marked path from Sami to Antisamos, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the endless blue sea. A little tip: make sure you get some water shoes, as the pebbles on the beach can be quite sharp!
● Hike through the fir trees to the highest peak of the Ionian Sea, Mount Ainos, and enjoy the most impressive view of the archipelago. The Ainos National Park is truly unique -explore the rich biodiversity of the protected Kefalonian fir, the Kefalonian violet or menexes (the rarest plant on the island) and the famous wild horses of Kefalonia.
● Play in the waves of the impressive Myrtos beach, which has incredible turquoise waters that deepen sharply and recede incessantly across the vast, powdery white sand, all surrounded by towering cliffs. The view is breathtaking when driving down from above. However, an even better and certainly more exciting way to enjoy the view is by paragliding!
● Take a dive off the cliffs into the dazzling green waters of the secluded bay of Dafnoudi and explore its sea caves. Hiking through the beautiful cypress forest is an experience in itself.
● Take a boat trip to the incredible Melissani Cave Lake, a natural wonder with thousands of stalactites reflected in its eerie emerald and bluish waters when sunlight falls through the high opening in the ceiling. It is believed that the nymph Melissanthi drowned here after being consumed by her unrequited love for Pan, the goat god.
• Admiring the unsurpassed view from the top of Mount Ainos in Kefalonia, the highest mountain in the Ionian Islands.
• The main entrance to the iconic Venetian Castle of Agios Georgios in Kefalonia.
Continue your exploration with a visit to the impressive Drogarati Cave, which boasts excellent acoustics and has been used... as a concert hall. But there is also the sea cave of Gianniskari near Myrtos, which can only be reached by sea. The incredible surprise that awaits you inside the cave is a private beach with natural shade from the cave walls and blue waters perfect for a refreshing swim.
● Take a trip back in time by going up to the impressive 16th-century Venetian Castle. From the top of the hill, you can admire the dreamy view of Assos, with its colourful houses that look like something from a postcard, and the picturesque harbour adorned with bougainvillea. There is also the imposing Castle of Agios Georgios, which has a rich history dating back to Byzantine times and the era of Venetian rule.
● Take a stroll through the lush greenery of the south-eastern part of the island, around the Eleios-Pronnoi area, and hike to the secluded Gradou waterfalls.
Gidaki from above, one of the most beautiful beaches of Ithaca.
● Explore the wonderful underwater world of the “Blue Gorge”, located just 10 minutes by boat from Lassi. This unique experience is ideal for experienced divers, who can venture into the underwater caves and discover their vibrant microcosm.
Ithaca
● Explore the coastline by boat -many of the most spectacular beaches can only be accessed by sea.
● Discover the large bay of Afales beach in the north of the island. The landscape is breathtaking: steep cliffs plunge into deep blue waters, which are an intense shade of cobalt. Explore the succession of beaches leading up to Platia Ammos, the only white sandy beach, and enjoy a refreshing swim in its cool waters.
● Enjoy the unique Posidonia meadows on Ithaca’s colourful seabed and observe sea turtles respectfully by scuba diving in its beautiful, crystal-clear waters. Wander through the bustling underwater caves and reefs, home to an abundance of marine life. You may even come across Mediterranean seals!
● Explore the mountainous village of Anogi to admire the impressive “menhirs”. These huge limestone monoliths stand imposingly in the landscape -the largest, called Araklis in honour of the mythical hero Hercules, is 9 metres high.
● Hike for around 40 minutes along the path passing Skinos and through the pine forest to reach Gidaki. For many, this is the island’s most beautiful beach, with its blue waters and white pebbles.
● Try the ultimate summer kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) adventure to get to Gidaki and Filiatro, and other beaches. Explore rock formations and enjoy swimming in the blue waters undisturbed.
● Take a walk along the marked trails passing through traditional settlements, churches, ancient monuments, olive groves, forests, caves and precipices -a landscape full of contrasts and pleasant surprises.
● Set sail for the uninhabited islet of Nisopoulo, located close to the southeastern coast of Ithaca, and discover its beautiful beaches, including Talaros, Kaminia and Pera Pigadi. The incredible scenery unfolding before you is truly magical: green nature meets emerald waters.
Youlika Skafida
«HAPPINESS IS TO BE YOURSELF»
JAu st a few seconds in the trailer for the series “Ioanna tis Kardias” (Ioanna of the Heart, AΝΤ1, 2006) were enough to see Youlika Skafida, a newcomer at the time, turn and look straight at the camera with a confident expression and a kind smile that would remain etched in our minds forever. Her presence in television, cinema and theatre was just as impressive and consistent as that brave beginning. Many important roles have followed, through which she has constantly transformed and evolved. From the benevolent girl who loses everything except her faith in life on the emblematic “Island”, to the trapped mother and wife who finds her voice in Vasilis Kekatos’s “Milky Way”, and the evil Leoni in this year’s “Witch”, Youlika Skafida is a different and always interesting character in every role. As for her role as a mother, it’s something that changed everything in her life. But, as is evident from her journey so far, she’s doing great!
How is this summer turning out for you?
This is the second summer that I have had the pleasure to spend with my son. The first one was more exploratory, this year we will have the opportunity to do more things together. Becoming a mum changes everything, including your perception of holidays. You can’t enjoy a relaxing swim or spend as much time in the water as you want; you’re always thinking about the child. At the same time, the artist’s bohemian style is also lost. I love water sports, but I had to give them up. This year, however, I plan to start a nice summer routine and include the little one in it. For example, I can go surfing while he plays in the sand and watches me!
How challenging is it to balance motherhood with work?
From very early on, I have intentionally included him in my daily work life. I take him with me almost everywhere. Okay, so there are the unexpected things. We have spoilt a lot of voice over takes until he realised that when Mum talks into the microphone, he has to be quiet! Or for example, when we’re on a shooting set and everyone has to be completely quiet, and then suddenly Angelos makes a sound. Fortunately, though, everyone is very understanding. I’m not saying this is easy. It’s very tiring. But I know I’m investing in a close, meaningful relationship with my son in the future. At the same time, in our spare time together, I engage in all the clichés that I used to mock. I chase him around the playground with fruit and yoghurt, taking 100 photos a day, which I then show to people who probably get tired of seeing the hundredth shot!
In what ways have you found that motherhood has influenced your artistic choices?
The truth is that, compared to previous years, the phone isn’t ringing as often. Perhaps the distinction has suddenly emerged:
“Is Youlika an actress, or is she Angelos’s mother?” Youlika is both, so I don’t have to choose between them -I can combine them perfectly.
You previously said that, for your first TV job in “Ioanna of the Heart”, you chose to change your eye colour by wearing blue contact lenses, perhaps driven by the desire of a young person to stand out. Finally, what did you realise when you took off the lenses?
True happiness comes from being yourself without worrying about whether you will be accepted. A strong gaze is what matters in a person, not the colour of their eyes. It is our peculiarities that make us unique. I want to be true to who I am inside and express that externally. It’s all about calm, collected self-confidence.
For some time now you have been very active on social media and through collaborations that, it seems, you have been portraying them very successfully... I choose my collaborations very carefully, with the main criterion being that they have a social purpose. I try to integrate what I upload into my daily life so that it comes out naturally and doesn’t seem pretentious. I believe that I manage to do this. Social media is not the enemy. I wasn’t afraid of television either when I started out, even though it was demonised at the time. I believe that the future is all about face control. You take exams in order to pass and progress to the next level.
Many people believe that we are living in dangerous times...
There’s a risk of getting sucked into this era. We need to hold onto things. In order to avoid being out of touch with the times, it is important to keep up to date with current events in the world of art, society and technology. We must evolve and adapt to new facts and figures -there is no other way.
You have often spoken about critical social issues. Have we made progress as a society, or do we still have a long way to go?
Some steps have certainly been taken. Even the exaggerations and excessive political correctness that prevail at the moment are necessary until we find the right balance. Let anyone who wants to call a man who walks unsuspectingly in the street “fat” be oppressed. Because for all these years, the man who was bullied and could not speak up was being oppressed. Of course, I have also observed the following phenomenon: people who give public speeches now say the “right things”, but then return to the same extremes in their peer groups. There is still a lot of hypocrisy. In other words, if you see someone shouting vulgar slogans in the stadium, and you ask them about the violence, they will say “I condemn it”.
Now that you have a child, how does that affect you?
I want to contribute a good, useful person to society, regardless of what society it is. I learn about someone else’s needs; the sense of “I” goes away. I test my patience and endurance every day. We grow together and evolve simultaneously. It’s as if I’m raising him and he’s teaching me to respect this new person -this special entity who has come into the world.
We would like to thank the all day bar-restaurant Istioploikos (Mikrolimano Beach, Piraeus, istioploikos.gr) for the hospitality.
Social media is not the enemy. I wasn’t afraid of television either when I started out, even though it was demonised at the time
From forested landscapes teeming with biodiversity and mountain villages to monasteries, beaches with turquoise waters and striking geological formations, welcoming ports and lighthouses to traditional settlements and a long history, not to mention the captivating sunsets: as we travel from one end of Zakynthos to the other, we seek out a side of the island that is as charming as its “tourist” face.
WE TRAVEL WITH LEVANTE FERRIES FROM KYLLINI TO ZAKYNTHOS AND EXPLORE THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND INCH BY INCH.
Στη
In Chora and Alykes
It’s half past two in the afternoon and we’ve just dropped anchor in Zakynthos Town. It’s incredible how blue and exotic the sea at the port is. Α trireme alongside the distinctive yellow Levante ship appears to bridge the gap between ancient times and the present day. The city spreads out like a colourful carpet, while the ornate bell tower of Agios Dionysios reaches towards the
A Magical Journey
SUMMER 2025
ΒY MARIA ATMATZIDOU
LIBRO DI LEVANTE Libro di Levante
• The three-aisled basilica of Agios Dionysios, the patron saint of Zakynthos.
του
heavens. The three-aisled Basilica of the Patron Saint of Zakynthos, which houses his relic, is impressive.
Our first order of business is to take a dip in the cool waters. We set off for Alykes, a tourist resort located next to the mountain that splits the island in two. The route is idyllic, passing through areas dotted with villas reminiscent of Tuscany, vineyards, olive trees, flowering pots and basilicas. Upon arrival, we see various species of birds strolling in the salt marshes that supply the entire island with salt. The river and bridge on the sandy beach make the scenery even more picturesque.
Back in Zakynthos Town, we head up to Bochali, which was once an aristocratic area. As we walk through alleys adorned with bougainvillea, stone courtyards and houses in the style of Ionian architecture, we pass the chapel of Agios Georgios Filikon, where initiates of the Society of Friends (Filiki Eteria) took an oath of allegiance, the square with the Zoodochos Pigi Holy Church, and a panoramic view of the city, before travelling back in time to the Venetian fortress with the Lion of Saint Mark at its last gate.
Back in town, a sumptuous meal awaits us -garlicky baked eggplants, delicious sourdough Zakynthian bread, rooster with pasta and sartsa-beef stew, all finger-licking good. People are slowly filling up Strada Marina, strolling along the waterfront. As we stroll through the narrow streets lined with two-storey houses and arcades, we discover the historic residence of the poet and revolutionary with
• The Venetian castle of Zakynthos in Bochali.
Zakynthian origins, Ugo Foscolo, as well as the elegant Church of the Lady of the Angels, built in 1687. The city’s noble aura is still very much alive. In Solomos Square, where “popolaroi” (the common people) used to stroll, we admire the statue of our national poet, as well as the Municipal Library and the Cultural Centre. The Renaissance church of Agios Nikolaos in Molos stands out against the backdrop of the sweet afternoon light. Young children play carefree around us as bicycles cycle past. Next door is the Agios Markos Square, which was favoured by the aristocracy during the Venetian occupation. It was here that the “popolaroi” burned the nobles’ golden bible (Libro d’Oro) in 1797. Now, it echoes with the sound of cheerful laughter and music.
Travelling Νorth
First thing in the morning we head to the village of Planos (Tsilivi).
The palm trees give an exotic dimension to the beach, which is popular with water sports fans. Continuing along the coast, we stop at a dilapidated vardiola, a Venetian observatory from the 16th to 18th century, and experience how pirates were once spotted on the horizon.
We then continue to Alikanas to admire the ornate bell tower, before heading to Katastari, the largest village, which is built
amphitheatrically on a lush green slope. We then reach Orthonies village, with its amazing Xigia beach -a small bay boasting white sand and turquoise waters. It is the perfect natural spa for those with arthritis and other diseases. The next stop is Makris Gialos, a beach with sand and white pebbles, and incredibly clear, icy waters. Diving here is incredibly refreshing.
The dives, of course, are sure to whet your appetite. The picturesque port of Agios Nikolaos in Volimes is the largest in the north of the island. It is the perfect place to enjoy grilled fish and set sail for the iconic Blue Caves, a once-in-a-lifetime experience! In front of us is the eponymous islet, featuring the remains of a church and a monastery, as well as a Venetian
vardiola dominating the summit. Tranquillity and peace, summer laziness at its finest.
In Volimes and the Monasteries
Our next destination is the traditional, stone-built lighthouse, which was built in 1897. Standing at 9.5 metres tall, it emerges from a lush carpet of rich Mediterranean vegetation at Cape Skinari. The view to Kefalonia is wonderful. We continue to cross the forested landscape, which is dotted with purple and yellow wildflowers. Suddenly, the tall bell tower of Volimes comes into view. Ano and Kato Volimes are two of the most beautiful mountain villages on the island. They have traditional houses and special architecture. Their churches contain historical relics, wonderful frescoes, and icons. These villages have preserved their rural character as a real treasure. It is worth trying the excellent ladotyri cheese, wine and honey, and admiring the handmade lace. Suddenly, a beautiful peacock appeared in front of us on the way. It plunges into a grassy meadow, but its blue-purple colour remains visible. We approach the iron observatory platform over the Shipwreck cliff, which is adorned with countless padlocks as a symbol of everlasting love. Although it is barely visible, the landscape is spectacular. A boat “hovers” in the deep blue waters of the bay. I envy them, even though they are not allowed to go near the
• The impressive coastline of Zakynthos, near Xigia beach with its crystal-clear turquoise waters.
beach due to the risk of landslides. We proceed carefully along the scratched path to the cliff for 10 minutes until the shipwreck comes into view.
Before we leave, we buy mantolato, a sweet snack for the road.
And a jar of orange-scented honey. Our destination, the Monastery of Agios Georgios Krimnon (1535), with the impressive tower that protected the monks, the cells with their special architecture, the pots with geraniums, the garden with peacocks, chickens and ducks -a small ecosystem, full of life. As we enter the chapel, we are swept away by its simple atmosphere, the beautifully painted ceiling, and the sunbeams that filter through the colourful stained glass, filling the space with a sweet warmth. Saint Gerasimos, the patron saint of Kefalonia, lived here as an ascetic. The monastery’s library was
• The church of Agios Spyridon in the traditional village of Volimes. Bellow right: The lighthouse in Skinari, surrounded by lush greenery.
also very important, containing handwritten manuscripts that are now housed in the Biblioteca Marciana in Venice.
Next stop is the Monastery of Panagia Anafonitria. The 15th-century medieval defensive tower, which now serves as a bell tower, the frescoes and the icon of the Virgin Mary create an atmosphere of peace and devotion, as do the ancient columns of the temple and the lush garden with prickly pears. The marble plaques on the walls serve as a reminder that Saint Dionysios, also known as Dionysios the Zakynthian, took refuge here and forgave his brother’s murderer. Another inscription, “OUNEKETE ANDREIA” meaning “bravery cannot be defeated” may be related to the Greek resistance during Venetian and Turkish rule.
Then, the winding road leads us to traditional villages such as Maries. According to local legend, these villages were named after the two Marys of the New Testament: Mary Magdalene and Mary of Clopas.
We also visit Exo Chora, where we can admire the oldest olive tree, with its enormous trunk and branches spreading imperiously over the road. In the square, next to the ancient plane trees, stands the purple-coloured 17th-century church of Agios Nikolaos, which is a landmark for the local people.
As we arrive in Kampi and look down at the impressive cliffs, we are filled with awe. The waves are crashing onto the tiny beach. A cool glass of white wine is the perfect accompaniment to prentza (spread cheese) and veal stew, offering a real gastronomic feast. At sunset, nature falls silent and so do we. The horizon is painted with an inexhaustible palette of colours. The sea changes from blue to emerald green, and finally to the deepest shade of blue.
We said goodbye to Kampi, leaving with the most beautiful memories. The coolness is welcome on the way back through the mountains. The night is still and reassuringly peaceful.
Travelling South
We start the day with coffee in Argasi, the tourist resort next to Zakynthos Town, before heading to Laganas Bay. This famous beach, which is full of frenetic entertainment, remains one of the most beautiful. We pass bars, coffee shops and restaurants, as well as... castles that promise entertainment for all. We also meet
The majestic Myzithres.
travellers who enjoy horse riding along the vast, crystal-clear coastline. It is home to the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, a haven for species such as the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). At the port of Agios Sostis, we can see the iconic Cameo, which was cut off from the mainland by an earthquake. Access to the islet is via a wooden bridge (entry to the private islet is reasonably priced). The bar on the small beach, which has white sails hanging from high ropes, is a favourite spot for those seeking a touch of... Caribbean, for their holiday.
Our destination now is Keri. On the way, we pass the Pantokratoras settlement, which is spread across the slopes of the great mountain.
We then stop at the seaside village of Keri Lake, which is located at the Cape Marathias and is home to a protected wetland lake.
The small, pebbly beach surrounded by pine trees and picturesque tavernas looks like a painting. Meanwhile, the iconic Marathonisi emerges opposite. Tourist boats come and go along the narrow, untouched strip of land boasting crystal-clear waters –a true exotic paradise.
As you reach each uphill turn, the incredible view of the picturesque creek opens up before you. We pass through the mountainous Keri, with its traditional architecture, narrow streets and traditional coffee shops. The central square is a picture of carefree times. Then we leave the car and start walking for 15 minutes on an uphill dirt path,
to admire the amazing Myzithres from above. Two huge white rocks emerge from the turquoise waters that caress a white beach. The view is awe-inspiring yet dizzying. Exercise caution -the spot is steep and exposed to strong winds. Our gaze travels to the horizon. The atmosphere is evocative -it’s a real geological wonder of nature. We head downhill to the lighthouse. Unfortunately, access was closed (though it is allowed during the summer months), but the spot is unique for watching a spectacular sunset in summer.
As the sun sets, we head back along the road. We pass through Romiri, where we find the beautiful church of Zoodochos Pigi, and Lagopodo, where we see the castle-like monastery of Panagia Eleftherotria. Finally, we reach Machairado, one of the most beautiful villages. We admire the impressive Church of Saints Timotheus and Mavra. The 14th-century bell tower is particularly striking, and inside, the excellent frescoes and the legendary icon of Agia Mavra, which dates from the 3rd century, are particularly notable.
As we head to Zakynthos Town, the scent of blooming courtyards fills the air around us. All we can think about is that we will board the ship for the return trip the next morning. We didn’t notice how long it took us to get back. However, the colour of the sea at the port of Kyllini is irrefutable proof that Zakynthos is now far away. But we’ll be back soon. Who can say no to beauty?
To
νησάκι Cameo.
• The private islet Cameo.
An Unseen World
THE CAVES OF KEFALONIA COMPRISE AN EXTRAORDINARY ENVIRONMENT OF RARE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES AND CONSTANT EVOLUTION, HIDDEN BENEATH THE ISLAND’S ENCHANTING NATURAL LANDSCAPE.
he caves of Melissani and Drogarati are undoubtedly the most famous, but they are not the only ones. The area around Sami is a small paradise for speleologists, especially cave divers. “The unique morphology of the caves in this area is what makes them special”, explains Xenia Georgopoulou, vice president of the Hellenic Speleological &
Exploration Club (SPELEO). “For four decades, the interest of SPELEO members in the caves of the Sami area has remained strong, whether for research or simple visits. The main caves in the area are mostly similar in formation to the famous Melissani cave lake. They are large caves with water at the bottom, whose collapsed roofs allow access for cavers to descend by rope. And, of course, we mustn’t forget the island’s unique phenomenon: the waters of Argostoli’s sinkholes run an underground route through the caves of Sami before reaching the sea after around 14 days. It should be noted that there are over 50 karst landforms (geological formations resulting from the erosion and dissolution of rocks) in Sami, including dolines (basinshaped erosional formations), caves and springs. The descent into Sami’s largest cave system is awe-inspiring
• The impressive cave of Drogarati, with the warning sign for visitors.
for speleologists, as they hover in the void of a large cavity ranging in depth from 35 metres at Aggalaki to 70 metres at Agia Eleousa. Zervati is also an excellent geotope, as most of its roof has collapsed in such a way as to create easy access to the remaining two sides of the cave. The cave of Sotiras is the most impressive in terms of cave formations. Access to the cave is either by rope or by diving from the Chiridoni doline, with which it communicates. The interior is extremely richly decorated, with almost the entire roof covered in stalactites”.
The caves in Sami are so close together that they create a natural theme park. Recently, the KefaloniaIthaca Geopark installed signs to provide visitors with access and information, highlighting the main features of Sami’s natural heritage. Thus, visitors can admire
Boating in Melissani.
LIBRO DI LEVANTE Libro di Levante
SUMMER 2025
• The tunnel through which visitors approach Melissani.
many of the caves up close, such as Zervati, or from the rim of a doline formed by the collapse of a cave’s roof, as at Agioi Theodoroi. However, it should be noted that any visit to a cave requires caution. Visitors should find out whether access is allowed and, if so, what the conditions are.
The “alive” cave
About 300 years ago, a powerful earthquake in Chaliotata, near Sami in Kefalonia, revealed a hidden treasure. The Drogarati Cave, located 120 metres above sea level, was opened to the public in 1963, with visitors descending 60 metres via a path with naturally formed steps to witness a unique natural landscape. This landscape, measuring no more than 100 metres, is divided into two main areas: The first area, known as the “Royal Balcony”, is dominated by translucent stalactites. The second area features a semi-circular formation with a domed ceiling twenty metres high, resembling an amphitheatre. This part of the cave, known as the “Room of Apotheosis”, has such exceptional acoustics that it is an ideal venue for concerts, creating an intense, mystical atmosphere accentuated by the lighting that illuminates the various shapes of the stalactites.
Speleologists estimate that the cave is around 150 million years old and that it is connected to other, smaller caves and underground tunnels stretching many kilometres. These tunnels remain inaccessible to this day. The temperature inside remains stable at around 18 degrees, both in winter and summer, with humidity levels reaching 90%. Drogarati is “alive” and constantly changing year after year: water drips
from the roof and walls, creating and transforming stalactites into stalagmites. Meanwhile, the rocks take on various shapes, forming structures that resemble sculptures. This is why visitors are not allowed to touch the rocks and cliffs -to avoid disturbing this living organism, which continues to change and grow.
The lost lake
Light and darkness: a contrast that characterises the Melissani Lake Cave, located northwest of Sami and unknown until the mid-1950s. The devastating earthquake of 1953 created a small opening surrounded by trees. Speleologists Anna and Ioannis Petrocheilos came down with the help of ropes and discovered an underground lake that had been lost for millennia. Its history is linked to the tragic drowning of the beautiful nymph Melissanthi. According to mythology, the goat-footed god Pan used his divine powers to seduce her. After she fell madly in love with him, he rejected her. On the other hand, popular tradition has it that Melissanthi, a shepherdess, fell into the cave while looking for her lost sheep. Nevertheless, the discoveries made by
• The Aggalaki Cave. Opposite page, below: The entrance to the cave of Agioi Theodoroi.
the archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos, dating from the 4th and 3rd centuries BC, prove that it was once a place of worship. These discoveries included oil lamps, discs and figures depicting the god Pan and the nymphs. The cave’s natural entrance is vertical and was formed when part of the roof collapsed. Nowadays, visitors reach the lake via an underground tunnel, from which they can take a boat ride to explore it. The lake cave is divided into two chambers, one of which is bathed in natural light, while the other remains dark. Stalagmites dominate the latter chamber, where a small “island” has been created by a cone of debris (a dome) that has fallen from the roof. The lake inside the cave is brackish, with water flowing in from both the sea and freshwater springs. This complex hydrogeological system connects the sinkholes of Argostoli with Melissani.
Lesser known caves
In 2007, the abyss cave Aggalaki in Poulata was included by WWF in the programme “Conservation of the island wetlands of Greece”, having been characterised as one
φως:
of the 803 wetlands in Greece and one of 21 in Kefalonia. Hundreds of bats live in the cave today!
According to speleologists, the Chiridoni and Sotiras caves were once a single huge cave, which took its current form over the millennia. The two caves are connected by an underground tunnel measuring 190 metres in length. This tunnel is home to rare aquatic plants and it is estimated that a unique species of insect that has adapted to life without light also lives there: the wingless cave cricket.
The abyss cave Agia Eleousa was formed by erosion and landslides, giving it the shape of a pithos (jar). It maintains brackish waters of about four metres in depth in its lower part, while a dense cluster of trees and shrubs around its mouth makes it almost invisible.
The interior of the abyss cave of Agioi Theodoroi is almost tropical, with lush vegetation, large trees and shrubs, and various birds nesting on the vertical walls.
Founded in 1982, the Hellenic Speleological & Exploration Club (SPELEO) has members who discover, explore, record and map caves all over Greece. SPELEO collaborates with archaeologists, biologists, geologists and other scientists from Greece and abroad, and organises A’ and B’ level seminars for adults, as well as activities for children. Moreover, SPELEO promotes culture by linking caves to history, literature, and the visual and performing arts through events that it organises or participates in, both in Greece and abroad. SPELEO has operated in Kefalonia since the early 1990s, exploring the caves of Sami, among others, and sharing its findings with the Ephorate of Paleoanthropology and Speleology. Furthermore, the specific caves of the area were used to complete one of the first cave diving schools in the country, giving many speleologists from all the associations of Greece the opportunity to train in cave diving.
Άγιοι Θεόδωροι -η κάθοδος
των 60 μέτρων με σχοινί.
Απέναντι σελίδα, επάνω:
Ο πλούσιος διάκοσμος στο
σπήλαιο Σωτήρα.
Απέναντι σελίδα, κάτω: Στο σπήλαιο Φυτίδι.
• Agioi Theodoroi –a 60-metre descent by rope. Opposite page, above: The rich decoration in the cave of Sotiras. Opposite page, below: In the cave of Fytidi.
Three islands in the mist of myth
WE EXPLORE THE PRESENCE OF ZAKYNTHOS, KEFALONIA AND ITHACA IN ANCIENT GREEK MYTHOLOGY AND LOOK BACK AT THE HEROES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE BELOVED IONIAN ISLANDS.
BY MARIA ATMATZIDOU
ZAKYNTHOS
The resourceful Odysseus spent ten years sailing the waves and battling gods and demons to return to Ithaca. The nymph Melissanthi drowned in the Melissani Cave in Kefalonia, because god Pan did not reciprocate her love. Artemis, the goddess of hunting, was enjoying her favourite pastime in the green forests of Zakynthos, while Apollo, the god of music, was playing beautiful melodies on his lyre.
These three islands are inextricably linked with myths from the depths of time. Some are even linked to archaeological findings that confirm the uninterrupted continuity of history but also the inexhaustible imagination of the islanders.
ZAKYNTHOS OF ARTEMIS
Zakynthos is described in Homer’s Odyssey as “Yliessa”, meaning forested. This is no coincidence, as the Ionian island is famous for its lush green nature, which is truly breath-taking. Accompanied by ethereal nymphs, the islanders believed that the goddess of archery, Artemis, patroness of nature, the mountains and forests, the animal kingdom, hunting, but also of fertility, childbirth and pregnant women, roamed the dense, leafy forests. Dressed in a short Doric tunic, equipped with her formidable bow and quiver full of arrows, she stood out for her imposing stature, but also for her purity. Daughter of Zeus, King
of the Gods, and Leto, born of Titans, according to the Theogony of Hesiod, she was born in Delos with her twin brother Apollo -and they were both deities of light, shining and luminous, Phoebus and Phoebe. They were also inseparable in Zakynthos, where Apollo, the god of music, poetry and divination, played his lyre and enchanted those who listened to his melodies. The islanders worshipped both gods and held glorious ceremonies in their honour.
However, according to the ancient traveller Pausanias, the island owes its name to its first settler, Zakynthos, son of Dardanus of Arcadia and Vateia of Troas (the region of Asia Minor where Troy was located).
Zakynthos originated from Psofida, the city-state of Arcadia, while they sailed to the Ionian island from ancient Elis. A particularly important civilisation developed during his time, which continued to flourish in later times, with his descendants establishing colonies in other parts of the known world.
When Zakynthos came under the rule of Kefalonia and Ithaca, it also took part in the Trojan War, as mentioned in Homer’s Iliad, in the fleet of “twelve ships, prows flashing crimson” under the command of Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca, who was “that mastermind like Zeus” (Book 2 730-731, The Iliad, translated by Robert Fagles).
Young men from Zakynthos are also mentioned as some of the wouldbe suitors of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, who, in the brilliant
σύνεση»
description of the Odyssey, was exterminated by the king himself when he returned to his homeland.
THE KEFALONIA OF MELISSANTHI
However, the nymphs did not only roam around Zakynthos. Daughters of Zeus, but also of rivers, springs and mountains, the Nymphs fed on nectar and ambrosia, danced with their veils fluttering in the breeze, sang with their angelic voices and enchanted gods and mortals with their awe-inspiring beauty. One of them, the beautiful Melissanthi, loved the fragrant flowers that sprang from the fertile land of Kefalonia. At the same time, she also worshipped Pan, the goat-like god, with hooves on his feet and horns on his head, a sharp chin, pointed ears, beard and long hair all over his body, who was always playing music with his panpipe, the shepherd’s flute. Despite his peculiar appearance, the emblematic follower of the god Dionysus was the embodiment of fun, accompanied by wine and pleasure, as he inspired many great loves. Melissanthi was destined to fall deeply in love with him, but unfortunately without a happy ending. Devastated by Pan’s betrayal, she fell into the deep waters of a sunless cave lake and drowned. Another version of the myth has Melissanthi as a shepherdess who accidentally drowned in the lake while looking for a sheep that had escaped from the flock.
The Nymph’s, especially the Naiads, who always lived near running water -symbolising the life-giving power of nature- hid in caves to enjoy their love with Hermes, Pan and the Satyrs or Sileni. According to legend, one of them was the Cave Lake of Melissani or the Cave of the Nymphs, in the area of Karavomylos in Sami. The brackish, icy
KEFALONIA
αυτές
water, which changes colour from turquoise to deep blue depending on the sunlight that enters through the opening in the roof of the cave (probably caused by an earthquake), the impressive stalagmite decorations, the two different chambers -one light and one dark- a small island rising from the lake and the boats with visitors floating in this otherworldly landscape, make the whole scene seem magical, shrouded in the mists of myth. But also of history, as the well-hidden underground lake and cave were discovered after the research missions of the cave explorer Ioannis Petrochilos and his wife Anna in 1951 and the archaeological excavations of the archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos in 1962. Based on findings from the 4th and 3rd centuries BC -a clay figurine of Pan, clay discs depicting dancing nymphs, ancient oil lamps and a slab with a female figure in relief- it seems that the cave was a place of habitation and worship at the time.
But it is the mythical hero Kefalos who has forever linked his name to the island. It was given to him as a gift for his heroism on the battlefield, when he and the father of the mighty Hercules, Amphitryon, fought against the former inhabitants of Kefalonia. There is much speculation about his origins -son of the King of Phocis, father of the Attic race of Kefalides- and there are many myths surrounding his legendary figure. The stormy love between him and his wife Procrida, and the tests they put each other through to confirm their fidelity (or infidelity) in the marriage bed, have gone down in history. As well as his abduction by the beautiful Io, the divine representation of the “rose-fingered” dawn, who fell deeply in love with him and pursued him relentlessly to seduce him with her charms. His sons later gave their names to the four city-states of Kefalonia, while another of his sons,
Arcesius, would later have a famous grandson, the Homeric Odysseus.
THE ITHACA OF ODYSSEUS
“Sunny Ithaca is my home. Atop her stands our seamark, Mount Neriton’s leafy ridges shimmering in the wind.
[...] Mine is a rugged land but good for raising sons–and I myself, I know no sweeter sight on earth...”
(Book 9 23-24, 30-31, The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fagles, 1996. Bath: The Bath Press)
Through the words of the resourceful Odysseus, his nostalgia for Ithaca and his unquenchable desire to return is made clearly evident.
After countless adventures during a decade-long journey that will remain indelible in the history of mankind, he finally succeeds. But even there, on his own island, new adventures begin for the hero as would-be suitors of his faithful wife, Queen Penelope, usurp his property and palace.
The acropolis of the site “Agios Athanasios - Homer’s School” -a fortified position that dominates the foothills of Mount Exogi, in the north of the island- has been identified as the palace of the two Homeric protagonists, on the basis of the findings of the archaeological excavations carried out between 1994 and 2012. The site has revealed a complex of buildings on two levels, a rectangular structure in the shape of a Mycenaean mansion, prehistoric warehouses, baths, workshops and storerooms, as well as clay tablets depicting scenes from Homer’s Odyssey.
The Nymphs were also honoured here. In fact, in Ithaca, Odysseus
and the inhabitants of the island honoured them with the sacrifice of a hundred oxen, the so-called “hecatomb”. In the Cave of the Nymphs, according to the Odyssey, Odysseus hid the precious gifts of the Phaeacian king Alcinous at the insistence of the goddess Athena. Today’s Marmarospilia, in the bay of Dexa, is believed to be the Homeric cave of the Naiads, where the fairies wove “purple fabrics” on stone looms, the bees “made candles for their sustenance”, the running water was inexhaustible and there were two entrances, one for mortals and one for immortals. Excavations carried out between 1998 and 2001 by the archaeologist Sarantis Symeonoglou uncovered figurines of the brides and their erotic partner Pan, as well as vases with dedicatory inscriptions and animal bones sacrificed to the deities of the cave.
Another cave is associated with Odysseus and the Nymphs, but also with the goddesses of Mount Olympus, Hera, Athena and Artemis -the Cave of Loizos, in the Bay of Poli. Among the findings from the Mycenaean and Roman periods, there are numerous bowls, fragments of bronze geometric tripods, reminiscent of the bronze kettles given by the Phaeacians, and a fragment of a mask with the inscription “A PRAYER TO ODYSSEUS”.
Ithaca may have been inextricably linked to Odysseus, but it is believed that its name owes it to its first inhabitant, Ithacus. According to myth, he was the son of the “earth-shaking” Poseidon, or, in another version, he was the son of Pterelaus of Corfu, and together with his brothers, the three of them went to Ithaca and founded their kingdom. And the island’s reputation was to transcend time and place -and remains strong to this day.
Συneπης και Ανησυχοσ Consistent and Spirited
WITH A SHARED RESPECT FOR ACTING AND THE AUDIENCE, NIKOS PSARAS HAS STARRED IN CINEMA, TELEVISION AND THEATRE PRODUCTIONS IN AN EQUALLY MEMORABLE WAY, NEVER RESTING ON HIS LAURELS.
GROOMING: MORFE
ΒY MIA KOLLIA, PHOTOS: ANDREAS SIMOPOULOS STYLING: SOPHIA TSAKIRI, GROOMING: MORFE
TOMMY HILFIGER, HONDOS CENTER.
TOMMY HILFIGER SHIRT, HONDOS CENTER.
We caught up with him on the set of his latest film, “Last Call”. This is the story of a convicted criminal who has escaped and under the influence of heroin enters a house and takes hostages in order to obtain a ransom and flee the country. Also announced was the series Judge (ANT1), in which he will co-star with his fellow favourite star, Konstantinos Markoulakis. Meanwhile, from 10 October, he will be at the Anesis Theatre with the play “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption”, alongside Dimitris Papanikolaou, Manos Vakousis and Yannis Bostantzoglou. The production is directed by two young, talented brothers, Dimitris and Orestis Stavropoulos.
You have had a very long career in theatre so far. What do you think are the main changes in your job over the years?
Many things change. For a start, the way you select jobs is different. In theatre, in particular, you increasingly want to work with people you believe in and admire, and who make you happy to come to work every night. Especially with people who speak the same language of acting with you, so you can tell a story in the same way.
What exactly do you mean by “language of acting”?
In theatre, we all have our own way of working and our own perspective on a play. This is a language of acting. When it is
Το
Actors are primarily concerned with understanding the universe that directors want to create, and serving it consistently
understood by one of your partners, it becomes commonplace. Dimitris Papanikolaou and I, for example, will be working together for the fourth or fifth time. In general, when you perform, you are not primarily concerned with saying the words -something that audience admires, asking “How do you learn them?”- but with what has happened before. Therefore, how you build a past in this role and what happens between the lines is important -that’s our job. In other words, what about the person and their psychology -their wants and fears? Because, depending on all this and the goal of each role, is the phrase to emerge -we don’t just stand up and say words. So, over time, you meet people who share your goals and aspirations. They have suffered the same way, struggled and overcome obstacles to develop their roles. Actors are primarily concerned with understanding the universe that directors want to create, and serving it consistently from beginning to end. So that we are all under this prism, with the audience leaving at least a little different to how they arrived.
I have found that theatre helps me to understand situations in life that I would otherwise be very negative about. It shows me other perspectives. How does all this change you, the actors?
For us, when things come together, we leave the theatre feeling a sense of catharsis and elation. When things don’t work out or you can’t communicate with the audience, you end up feeling exhausted. It’s a magical thing. Of course, the roles become more difficult and complicated over time. The audience also becomes more demanding because they have seen you perform before and expect something new. So, the degree of difficulty increases.
Each time audiences see us, they must believe that we are different people. We must surprise them with something they didn’t expect
Do you need to rediscover yourself time and again to avoid falling into the trap of repetition?
Of course, because for me, there’s nothing worse for an actor to hear than “He was the same again”. It would be like a tombstone. Each time audiences see us, they must believe that we are different people. We must surprise them with something they didn’t expect.
How do you reinvent yourself each time, through the directors or through the texts?
It’s always something else. Every time, I look at our circumstances and try to figure out how to be true to myself. That is my goal. Because for me, that’s what theatre is. I also always get myself to think about how I would react under the specific condition of a role. Now with “Rita Hayworth”, I don’t yet know how we’re going to move. We are currently holding the first meetings to work on the text. I will play a banker who is wrongly convicted and imprisoned for 20 years, during which time he is subjected to incredible torture. So, this is a new world that we will discover together with two young directors, and I am very happy about that. They even told me that, when they were offered the chance to direct, they had just seen the film again three days earlier and had been thinking about what an amazing movie it was!
You have a son. What stresses you the most about raising him?
I’m anxious about the environment. This is because a child’s well-being depends on the well-being of their environment. But I can see that things are getting grimmer every year. We were fortunate enough to enjoy a very carefree childhood. Today, however, there is global madness, pressure and waste of the planet on an unimaginable scale. I am saddened by the fact that my child may face a lot of adversity in life due to the actions of others. I think we are all concerned about whether our children will be able to live in an environment that allows them to be happy.
Thanks to technological advances, we are now told that we can monitor our children over the phone to protect them if necessary. Do you find this kind of thing useful?
In my opinion, the more we can keep our children away from all these aspects of technology, the better off they will be. The more time a child spends playing, doing sports and resting, the more they will benefit. Children also need to learn how to hold a book. Surely the internet offers them a very attractive world through the games they play together. You can’t completely cut them off from it, but there must absolutely be limits. Sometimes, my 11-year-old son says to me “What can I do? I’m bored”. I tell him that this is perfect and that getting bored from time to time is no big deal.
I think TV has changed for the better today. What do you think?
I like television very much, I love it as a job. Also, the people I
work with make TV programmes that are more like cinema films, and they are also cinema professionals who work behind the cameras. I find television fascinating. You just have to be careful because, by entering people’s homes, you become familiar and you are often identified with the roles you play.
You are an extremely likeable and sweet person. Why is it that we see you in somewhat... dark roles on television?
I don’t know why they chose me for such roles. Sometimes, during filming breaks, we laugh about how evil I appeared just moments before! However, if I am offered the choice between a negative and a positive character, I will choose the positive one. Of course, it should be noted that negative roles tend to be more interesting for an actor.
You might also find it more interesting to play against yourself.
I think I do. In the early years, before I returned from America, I was always playing the mama’s boy. Very soft guys, oppressed by their mother, like the role in “The Wedding Dress Rehearsal”, such characters. While I was in America, I appeared in an episode of Kokkinopoulos’s “10th Commandment”, in which I played a vagabond because I was fit. He showed me something different.
How long did you spend in America?
I lived in Manhattan for two years and in Los Angeles for four and a half. I went to study again. I had two scholarships and was enrolled in three faculties. While I was collecting my documents, I found an agent who provided me with a work permit. I started out and immediately got a job on a show called “Guiding Light”. Then a job came up in Los Angeles, and one thing led to another. It was a very nice experience, but also very challenging.
When you’re an actor, the most difficult aspects are, first and foremost, the language and appearance. Even if you speak the language perfectly, if you are Mediterranean, your repertoire is immediately limited. Also, everyone is too busy. There’s no one who’ll take the time to help you out.
What is the reason to be chosen among many others?
As soon as I walked in, I greeted them with a friendly, “Hello, how are you?” I knew immediately whether or not I had got the role from the way they looked at me. I didn’t even need to read my lines. You have to be in the right place at the right time. Luck plays a role, as does convincing them that you are what they are looking for.
We would like to thank the café bar Libertine Drinkery (114 Dekeleias Avenue, N. Philadelphia 143 41, Instagram: libertine_drinkery) for the hospitality.
ANTONELLA MASTROPAOLO, A LAWYER AND HONORARY CONSUL OF GREECE IN BRINDISI, APULIA, TAKES US ON A NOSTALGIC AND TENDER JOURNEY BACK TO HER PLACE OF ORIGIN, WHICH SHE VISITS EVERY YEAR WITHOUT FAIL.
Where were you born?
I was born in Brindisi. My father worked at the Banca d’Italia in Venice. However, in order to be closer to Greece, and to Zakynthos in particular, my mother and I chose to move to Apulia. They could have gone to Bari, but in 1965, Brindisi was the port for Greece. So, I didn’t spend my first birthday in Zakynthos. For all the years up until this year, when I will turn 60 in August, I celebrated my birthday on the island! When I was a child, we used to spend the entire summer there, from the day the schools closed until they reopened. We didn’t return to Italy until the day before the school bell rang.
• Agios Markos Square.
Are your parents both from Zakynthos?
No, just my mother, whose father was from Malta and mother from Zakynthos. When my grandfather first arrived in Zakynthos, he made carts for a living. There, he married Styliani Mouzaki, my grandmother, who came from an aristocratic family but was not wealthy. My great-grandmother, who was an aristocrat, had the surname Matesi. The family crest featured a crown with three eyes -they were a very important family.
Where did you live in Zakynthos?
In Zakynthos our house was in Agios Markos Square. However, in 1953, a fire broke out after the great earthquakes and destroyed all the fine houses which had wooden floors. Just before the earthquake, my grandmother had gone to the bakery and never made it back to her house -the disaster was complete. Our house was 50 metres from both the Catholic Church of St Mark and the Metropolis. Even today, I believe that it was God who protected her. After all that had happened, my grandmother went to France, where she stayed for three years. When she returned to Zakynthos, a large percentage of the house had been taken from her. What people did back then was to state with witnesses where their house was. However, of the 700 sq. m. that constituted her home, they only gave her 110 sq. m. and some money. My grandmother had the documents showing the size of the house, but the city plan had changed and they could not grant her any additional square metres. So in 1957, she built another house, which was like a box, because there was not enough money for windows. She’d walk to a distance of 1.5 km to carry water. The following year, my mother went to Zakynthos and
• The icon of the Theotokos of Chrysopigi.
hired a plumber to install the water supply to the house, and then gradually the other things they needed.There has been a turtle living in the garden of the house ever since, and there is still a person who goes to feed her! It is the lucky charm of our house.
I learnt Greek -and specifically Zakynthianbefore I learnt Italian, because my grandmother’s heart always belonged to Zakynthos first and foremost. Once, when I was 19, I drove down to Patras with the boot full of boxes of things for students of Zakynthos who were studying in Bari. However, I told them that if the customs officers searched me, I would leave the items at the customs office and they could collect them from there. Indeed, I was stopped by a customs officer, but when he heard my Zakynthian accent, he let me go!
What are your favourite places in Zakynthos?
I love the whole of Zakynthos. It is a green island with a rich history. The first thing I do when I arrive on the island is climb up to Bochali on the first night to look at all of Zakynthos from above. If there is a full moon, even better! There is also the 15th-century church
• The powder keg of the Venetian Fortress.
of Chrysopigi-Zoodochos Pigi, featuring the important icon of the Theotokos of Chrysopigi. As for the beaches, when we were children we used to go to the dreamy beach of Mavratzi, in Vasiliko. Of course, they have now built a large hotel there, so the places I loved as a child are very different today. We used to go there on our scooters and there was a bar made of reeds where we would spend the whole day.
Back then, there were 30 of us children and we had the whole island of Zakynthos to ourselves. Until 1985, there were so few shops that there was no way we wouldn’t be seen by someone we knew. So our parents always knew where we were. Then began the great tourist development of Zakynthos, for better or for worse. Laganas was another beach that we liked very much now there are so many tourists that one prefers to avoid it.
Today, I favour the northern part of the island. There is also the Shipwreck, the beach with the wrecked ship. However, access to the beach is now prohibited due to the risk of landslides. However, the view from anywhere on the north side of Zakynthos is stunning, particularly at sunset. The beaches on the southeast side of the island are all sandy and beautiful.
What else stands out in Zakynthos?
During my visits, I always gather various herbs and spices,
• The Shipwreck.
The Arabian jasmine with the intoxicating aroma.
such as mountain tea and thyme, and even flowers. I took some of them with me to Italy to plant, but they did not take root. Zakynthos has a unique microclimate that allows certain plants, such as Arabian jasmine and Jasminum sambac Grand Duke of Tuscany with their intoxicating aromas, to thrive. When the first autumn rains fall, small cyclamen begin to grow everywhere. In Zakynthos, these are called “kopeloules” (little girls). I remember that, whenever I left for Brindisi, I would always take a bunch of “kopeloules” wrapped in wet cotton with me to keep them fresh during the journey. Zakynthos has a long-standing musical tradition and is home to the oldest band in Greece. Most villages have their own band, and many children in Zakynthos learn to play a musical instrument. It also has a tradition of serenades, which, fortunately, are still popular with young people today. I’ve been serenaded too! My grandmother also used to tell me that every opera that was to be performed at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice’s historic opera theatre, was first brought to Zakynthos to see if it would be successful.
What do you think of the island’s cuisine?
The people of Zakynthos create dishes with a rich flavour. You won’t find tomato sauce as dense as theirs anywhere else. My grandmother was an excellent cook, but her desserts in particular were unbeatable. When I was little, she would tie a small apron around my waist and I would climb onto a stool to help her make them. These desserts were intended to be enjoyed alongside the tea she was drinking with her friends at home, for whom she also made small savoury tarts with various toppings. I remember the ones with anchovies in particular. She had many fruit trees in our garden, so she always made jam for her crostata alla marmellata. Another dessert that is still made in Zakynthos is the famous “frigania” -the most beautiful chilled dessert for summer, consisting of syrupy breadcrumbs and alternating layers of cream and whipped cream.
Do you have a favourite church or monastery?
The first church I will mention is, of course, Agios Dionysios. It was inaugurated a few years before the 1953 earthquake and is one of only three buildings on the island that was not damaged at all. Zakynthians consider this to be divine intervention. I strongly believe in Saint Dionysios, and one of my favourite monasteries is Anafonitria, where he forgave the murderer of his brother. This not only prevented another crime, but also led to the man’s repentance. For me, “Zakynthos is the most beautiful island in the world”, as my father used to say. It is and will always be in my heart.
Navi Swiss
Personalised Hip Arthroplasty with the Navi Swiss system
Hip replacement surgery describes the procedure where a damaged hip joint is removed and then replaced with new artificial materials. Personalised arthroplasty with the use of an intraoperative navigator utilises technological tools that make it easier for us to position the implants correctly. The precise and personalised positioning of implants determines their optimal function and longevity.
The use of the NaviSwiss system is an excellent digital navigation solution in hip arthroplasty. It is a portable system that is very easy to use in the operating theatre and provides the surgeon with all the necessary information, both preoperatively and intraoperatively, in order to achieve optimal surgical results.
With accurate pre-operative planning through CT scanning, we are able to draw the patient’s joint in 3D and perform a virtual surgery on the computer. This is how to assess implant compliance preoperatively. This information is played back through the navigator during surgery, thereby offering to the surgeon valuable information regarding the placement of the prostheses with absolute precision.
For the treatment of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hip dysplasia and others that cause severe joint damage, it is recommended to perform personalised robot-assisted hip replacement surgery, which, combined with rapid mobilisation and post-operative pain management protocols, allow the patient to immediately regain mobility and return to daily activities, as it has excellent success rates, relieving pain and improving patients’ quality of life.
The revolution of minimally invasive prostate nucleation.
Men notice changes in their urination as they get older. This is due to the development of an adenoma within the prostate gland. In the vast majority of cases, it is benign tissue with no functional contribution. All it does is obstruct the free flow of urine, leading to symptoms familiar to middle-aged men such as reduced ease of urination, frequent urination, nocturia and urgency, incontinence and even inability to urinate. All these start as simple discomfort and develop into a major problem that requires medical intervention. This otherwise benign condition is responsible for a significant proportion of surgery in men over the age of 55, with considerable medical, family, professional and financial costs.
The gold standard
Holmium Laser (HoLEP).
Over the years, the surgical community has progressed and continues to explore less painful and less traumatic ways to treat this benign condition. This advancement led to the complete adenoma enucleation by Holmium Laser (HoLEP).
Over the past decade, it has become the gold standard in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
• Bloodless procedure. Patients who receive anticoagulation therapy for serious reasons, where stopping would put their life at risk, can have surgery! Previously, this group had to be informed about long-term hospitalisation and be prepared for the risk of bleeding by obtaining blood for transfusion.
• A definitive solution. Complete, rather than partial, removal of the adenoma, as is the case with the widely used diuretic (TURis) procedure. No residual tissue is left to grow in the future. So the old advice given to surgical patients that they would be fine for 7 to 10 years is no longer the case. After HoLEP, men no longer have to worry about urination!
• Treats all patients. The limitations imposed by gland size on other methods do not apply to HoLEP. It treats the huge 300cc glands as well as the much smaller ones.
• Short hospitalisation. One overnight stay at the clinic.
• Rapid recovery. Within a week men have returned to their normal activities. The evolution of HoLEP: MiLEP
The endoscope has become thinner and therefore “friendlier” to the sensitive urethra, so we have:
• Avoidance of urethral trauma with rapid rehabilitation.
• Accuracy within the surgical field as we flexibly and precisely direct the powerful 150 watt laser to ensure ideal separation of normal and pathological tissue.
A common and widespread male problem is entering the MiLEP era.
Pain-free knees
Small but mighty, the knee needs protection so that we don’t... end up on our knees. The knee joint is both extremely important and sensitive.
The most common cause of knee pain, particularly among people over 60, is osteoarthritis, i.e. the deterioration of the articular surfaces. In the advanced stages of the disease, when pain affects the patient even at rest (night pain), a large percentage of patients require surgery in the form of total knee arthroplasty. New advanced techniques herald the end of the era of classical surgery and large incisions, bringing minimal invasiveness -small incision and robotic surgery- to the forefront.
Minimally Invasive Knee Arthroplasty (MIKA)
This is the most modern surgical treatment method for patients with knee osteoarthritis. The operation is performed through a small incision, through which the damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with an artificial joint. This operation can be performed using high-tech machines, such as the Human Anatomy Navigator, or robotic systems.
Robotic Knee Arthroplasty
Robotic knee arthroplasty is based on a three-dimensional preoperative plan while, during the operation, a robotic system assists the surgeon by providing absolute control over bone incisions and implant alignment.
The main advantages of these methods are the much smaller incision required compared to conventional surgery, minimal to no postoperative pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, faster patient recovery and a much quicker return to everyday life.
Knee Arthroscopy
Knee pain can also be caused by a torn meniscus and can affect people of any age. Arthroscopy is the solution here: an operation performed through two 5 mm incisions. Patients can leave the hospital on the same day after surgery, without the need for crutches or splints, and can return immediately to work and everyday activities.
GEORGIOS PETSINIS MD, PHD | Orthopaedic Surgeon - Arthroscopist, Director of the Centre for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Health of the Female Athlete, “MITERA” Hospital, Doctor of Medicine, University of Ioannina, specialising in knee surgery, arthroscopic & robotic surgery and sports injuries. www.arthro-specialist.gr | e-mail: gpetsin@gmail.com
Cryopreservation (“freezing”) and oocyte donation
Modern developments, better results for women and couples!
One of the most significant developments in medicine in recent years is the ability given to every woman to cryopreserve (to “freeze” , as it is commonly known) her eggs, or to use the eggs of another woman ( “egg donation” ). Advances in the field of embryology have made it possible to achieve comparable pregnancy rates using frozen or donated eggs to those achieved using all other techniques for treating infertility.
Nowadays, women are given the opportunity to cryopreserve their eggs for either “social” (e.g. delaying reproduction for reasons such as economic circumstances, career progression or choosing a partner) or medical reasons.
The cryopreservation process is simple. It involves either collecting eggs without the use of drugs (the “natural cycle”), or stimulating the ovaries to increase the number of eggs collected using modern, safe, shorter-term protocols (lasting about 10 days), or using small doses of drugs as part of the “modified natural cycle”.
The oocytes obtained are then processed by the embryology team and stored in accordance with strict regulations for future use. Therefore, every woman can “freeze time” and have children when she feels that the conditions are right for her. However, even if a woman has not had her eggs cryopreserved and her ovarian reserve has been depleted, she now has the option of using eggs from an egg donor. In this case, egg donation is completely safe (since the law requires full medical screening of donors) and does not involve stimulation of a woman’s own ovaries. Any woman who wants to can gestate and enjoy her pregnancy!
THEODOROS KALAMPOKAS | Surgeon-Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics-Gynaecology of the School of Medicine of the University of Athens, 2nd Obstetrics-Gynaecology Clinic, “Aretaieio” Hospital, Certified Specialist of the British Fertility Society in the Treatment of Infertility- IVF www.drkalampokas.gr | e-mail:kalamp@yahoo.com
A new, revolutionary bloodless treatment for prostate cancer
This pioneering treatment for localised, low-grade prostate cancer uses the most advanced diagnostic techniques, such as multiparametric prostate MRI and prostate fusion biopsy, to accurately locate cancerous tissue. Subsequently, irreversible electroporation is performed on the cancer cells through three to four needles placed percutaneously through the perineum using special coordinates. Electrical currents are applied through them, causing necrosis of the cancer cells and destroying them without affecting the surrounding healthy tissues or increasing the temperature, as the energy source automatically maintains normal temperature levels. This method offers a safe and effective alternative, avoiding the side effects of traditional treatments, such as radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, which often cause significant complications, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, loss of ejaculation, bowel disorders.
The procedure takes about an hour and entails a rapid recovery, enabling patients to resume their daily activities almost immediately. It involves a one-day hospital stay and a short recovery period.
What are the advantages of this method?
● A bloodless, minimally invasive approach: No open surgery or incisions are required to insert the robotic-laparoscopic tools, which minimises recovery time and the risk of complications.
● Maintaining erectile function and ejaculation: Unlike other methods, this technique preserves the full function of the genitourinary system.
● No damage to nerves or blood vessels: Electroporation targets cancer cells exclusively, leaving healthy tissue intact.
● Fast recovery and minimal side effects: Most patients can resume their normal daily activities within 24-48 hours.
● High efficacy: This technique has been shown to be highly effective in eliminating cancer cells, providing an alternative to the traditional radical prostatectomy.
Which patients is the method suitable for?
This treatment is intended for men with localised, low-grade prostate cancer who are seeking a less aggressive approach. Patients who meet the selection criteria can avoid the effects of radiation or invasive procedures and maintain a high quality of life after treatment. Treatment options are always decided in collaboration with the treating physician after a detailed evaluation of each patient’s case.
GEORGE P. SAKELLARIOU | MD, MSc, Urological Surgeon, Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, 2nd Urology Clinic, Metropolitan General
Thyroid and
summer
Three key questions and their answers
Can the summer heat affect the thyroid and the symptoms of thyroid disease?
Excessive heat can cause:
● Dehydration, affecting the absorption of thyroid drugs.
● More severe symptoms in hyperthyroidism, such as worsening of tachycardia, heart arrhythmias, increased sweating, increased nervousness/anxiety, decreased tolerance to heat, etc.
● More severe symptoms in hypothyroidism, such as worsening of fatigue/drowsiness etc.
Are thyroid operations performed during the summer months? Summer is not a reason to avoid performing thyroid surgery. The hospital stay is only one day, with the patient being discharged the day after the operation. Postoperative pain is minimal and does not last long. Recovery is rapid, with an immediate return to daily activities. The incision heals within four days, after which the patient can wet it and bathe in the sea while taking the prescribed measures to protect themselves from the sun. The patient can eat whatever they want from the day after their operation. Therefore, the timing of the operation depends on the type of thyroid condition (i.e. how urgent the thyroid removal is) and the patient’s preferences. What can I do over the summer to avoid further thyroid problems?
● If you take any thyroid medication, try to be consistent with both the medication itself and the dosage regimen.
● Make sure you drink enough water every day to avoid dehydration, which is common in summer due to sweating.
● Avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day (12:00-16:00).
● Stay in a cool, shaded place and use air conditioning if necessary.
● Choose light, cool clothes in light colours.
● Follow a balanced diet and avoid heavy meals.
● You should see your doctor if your symptoms worsen or new ones appear. A simple blood test to measure thyroid hormones can help determine whether your thyroid is responsible for your symptoms. If thyroid hormone levels deviate from normal limits, it is highly likely that the patient’s medication dosage (levothyroxine for hypothyroidism or antithyroid medication for hyperthyroidism) will need adjusting.
GEORGIOS SAKORAFAS, MD, PHD | Thyroid - Parathyroid Surgeon, Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Athens, Coordinating Director of the AGIOS SAVVAS Surgical Clinic, HOSPITALS: EUGENIDEIO HospitalAthens Medical Group PSYCHIKO CLINIC - MITERA Hospital Email: georgesakorafas@yahoo.com, www.gsakorafas.gr
Wrist Arthroscopy - Luxury or necessity?
The wrist, with its complex anatomy, the diversity of the injuries and the inability of precise identification of the pathologies consists the “black box” of the upper extremity. “Key” to “unlock” this region is the wrist arthroscopy.
The wrist is the third more common joint to be involved in arthroscopy, after the knee and the shoulder. As in the above-mentioned joints, a very small camera, smaller than 2,5 mm, is introduced in the joint allowing direct vision of the internal part of the wrist and accurate identification of its pathologies. It also gives the ability to introduce small instruments of respective caliber that allow not only the process of diagnosis, but also the therapeutic intervention. As a result, ligament pathologies, ganglia, fractures, pseudarthroses, avulsions, impingements and other pathologies are being identified with high precision, allowing the treating physician to select the most appropriate method of management.
During the last 25 years, the functional anatomy and the pathology of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex, which is situated within the wrist joint, has been identified. The TFCC, as it is commonly mentioned, is an anatomic structure, which is important for the application of forces in the hand, especially during the rotatory movements. Pathology of this structure, with tears being the most common, makes more difficult the daily function of the hand, not only in hard labor but also in simple daily activities. Wrist arthroscopy allows us accurate identification of these lesions, as well as precise management of them, providing solution in problems that could not be handled earlier with success.
Wrist arthroscopy consists an important weapon in the armamentarium of the modern orthopedic surgeon and especially of the hand and upper extremity surgeon. It requires good practical mastery of the different arthroscopy instruments and techniques, as well as excellent knowledge of the anatomy and the pathology of this complex region, something that can be found in orthopedic surgeons specialized in hand surgery.
Greek Cardiac Surgery
deserves its place on the global stage
Greek cardiac surgery is primed for international excellence. For this reason the HHG Group has invested in cardiac surgery, focusing on endoscopic and hybrid cardiac surgery, as well as extroversion, innovation and international cooperation. An important milestone was the return of Professor Theo Kofidis, an internationally renowned cardiac surgeon, to Greece, where he established the International Center for Cardiovascular Surgery at Hygeia Hospital.
Professor Kofidis and his team at Hygeia focus on providing patients with a new experience, using modern techniques such as immediate post-op awakening and extubation in the operating theatre. Patients from abroad turn to the Center for surgical treatment, while cardiac surgeons from other countries are interested in training.
The Center has joined the international Smart Hospital Alliance, an alliance of hospitals aiming to promote a high level of training and care. In addition, hospitals abroad are gradually adopting new endoscopic techniques and tools which are being developed at the Center. Professor Kofidis’s works are published to international acclaim, while the Foundation creates new simulation spaces.
The Center is committed to implementing innovative practices that set it apart from other organisations. The modern approach is based on techniques such as endoscopic, hybrid and robotic surgery, spatial improvements, human resource management, and collaboration with industry and educational institutions. At the same time, emphasis is placed on quality control and extroversion in order to promote Athens and Greece as centres for cardiac surgery tourism.
The success of this endeavour lies in the coordination and contributions of the Hygeia Group’s executives. Professor Kofidis is spearheading an initiative that seeks to transform the practice of cardiac surgery in Greece.
PROFESSOR THEO KOFIDIS | Cardiac Surgeon | Director, Greek International Center for Cardiovascular Surgery / HYGEIA Group, Director of the 1st Cardiac Surgery Clinic HYGEIA Hospital
levante Ferries: Σε
H“Smyrna di Levante”, το “Mare di Levante”, το “Ανδρέας Κάλβος”
και το “Κεφαλονιά”, ενώ επίκειται και η νέα, έκτη
στόλο, του “Contessa di Levante”, το οποίο βρίσκεται υπό εκτενή
μετασκευή στην Κίνα, με στόχο να αναβαθμίσει
Ferries
Levante Ferries has redefined navigation and passenger service standards in the Ionian Sea for over a decade. The company is constantly setting the bar higher in terms of innovation, service and communication, to the benefit of local island communities. Today, it connects Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Ithaca with mainland Greece. It has a seaworthy and luxurious fleet of five ships, including the internationally award-winning “Fior di Levante” and “Smyrna di Levante” “Mare di Levante” “Andreas Kalvos” and “Kefalonia”. The new sixth addition to the fleet, the “Contessa di Levante” , is undergoing extensive retrofitting in China and will soon join the fleet, further upgrading the company’s services.
Levante Ferries is always attentive to the travel needs of islanders, professionals and visitors. On the one hand, it invests in high-level services such as e-tickets (it was the first ferry company to introduce them), which allow travellers to board the ship directly without going to the ticket office having purchased their ticket via the app. On the other hand, it invests in extensive advertising of the islands, through television and digital channels. This contributes to increasing traffic and strengthening the local economy, among other things.
levante Ferries: A Βusiness
ClAss experienCe
Levante Ferries has so far demonstrated significant achievements: In 2019 and 2022, it was named the Best Shipping Company in Greece in the Coastal Shipping and Domestic Cruising category, winning the Passenger Line of the Year award from Lloyd’s List both times. Apart from the company itself, its ships have also received important distinctions. For example, the internationally acclaimed Shippax Award
levante Ferries
was given to the Fior di Levante in 2015 as the most beautiful ferry in the world in recognition of its exterior and interior design, reflecting a high level of service and passenger comfort. Similarly, the Smyrna di Levante received the award in 2023 for the best and most luxurious passenger-ferry retrofit of the year Equally, if not more, important to Levante Ferries are the awards for the company’s overall contribution, which were presented by the Chambers of Kefalonia and Ithaca in 2021 and by the Chamber of Zakynthos in 2023. Moreover, Levante Ferries has its roots in these islands, so any distinction, large or small, from local communities is a special honour for the company and an important incentive for further development.
awards
LIBRO DI LEVANTE Libro di Levante
With Jupiter in Cancer, you will feel a greater need for warmth, protection and stability at home and in your relationships. Mars will keep you busy with stressful tasks and obligations until the beginning of August, but you will manage. After 6/8, your attention turns to relationships, whether personal or professional, and you must find a balance between “I” and “we”. Throughout the summer, Aphrodite will provide you with sensual experiences. By the end of July, you will enjoy opportunities to flirt, socialise and recharge your batteries. By the end of August, you will experience the most intense emotional moments. During Mercury retrograde, you may find yourself reconnecting with the past.
If you were born between 21 and 25 March, you’re in for a shock: unexpected ideas, new acquaintances and changes that will completely transform your life for the better.
Taurus
With Jupiter in Cancer, you will enjoy conversations, travel, making new friends and short breaks that will help you to reconnect with yourself and everything you love. You travel, meet people from the past or make new contacts! Your ruling planet, Venus, will generously reward you: by the end of July, it will offer you security in financial and emotional affairs. In August it will bring you opportunities for love, joy and rejuvenation.
Mercury retrograde in Leo may cause you to get things in order at home or with your family. From 18 July onwards, you may feel that everything is going backwards, but this is a necessary process to bring closure to unresolved issues!
If your birthday is between 21 and 25 April, you may find yourself presented with a new business idea or financial venture this summer that will pay off in the long run.
Since 8 July, Uranus has been in your sign, slowly introducing you to a new seven-year cycle of personal renewal, change and revelation. Your mind is always thinking ahead. There will be many developments over the summer -unpredictable, but also exciting!
Jupiter in Cancer will stabilise your finances and provide opportunities to increase revenue and investment, whether material or emotional. Venus in your sign until the end of July will make you more attractive and glamorous, and more open to flirting.
Mercury, the ruler of your sign, will be in retrograde motion in Leo from 18 July to 11 August. There will be returns from the past and creative projects that will come back. However, there will also be disruption to travel.
If you were born between 21 and 25 May, get ready for a new era to begin, with you at the centre of some wonderful developments!
SUMMER 2025
Astrological predictions for all zodiac signs from the No 1 Astrological Site of Greece
Καρκίνος
Cancer
With Jupiter in your sign, a period of expansion, luck and opportunity begins, which you will make the most of. With Mars in Virgo, you will be kept in a constant state of alertness until the beginning of August.
You will plan trips, have conversations and move around a lot.
Between 18 July and 11 August, while Mercury is in retrograde in Leo, keep a tight grip on your wallet and avoid making unnecessary purchases. Now is the right time to reflect on what really matters to you and how you want to invest your time and energy.
And then comes August… With Venus in your sign and meeting Zeus, you experience incredible moments of enjoyment, intense love and carefree fun. This summer will be like no other –and you already
Leo
Jupiter in Cancer is almost protective, like a guardian angel whispering “Everything will be fine”. And in the end, they will!
Mercury will appear to be retrograde in your sign from 18 July to 11 August, bringing back the past, unresolved relationships and contacts that... were never forgotten. Just, be wary of misunderstandings and impulsive statements. This is the time to say “yes” to some serious soul-searching. From 4 to 31 July, you will be fully sociable, making pleasant acquaintances and enjoying adventures that will make this summer a memorable one. From 25 August to 19 September, Venus in your sign will make you irresistible! This summer, you will often find yourself torn between two options: giving a second chance to a person or situation, or saying a resounding “yes” to something new that fascinates you. Listen to your heart!
With Mars in your sign until 6 August, you will be full of energy and constantly on the move. You can expect events that will surprise you, sometimes pleasantly and sometimes intensely, which may cause you to feel nervous.
With Jupiter in Cancer, new friendships and acquaintances will bring hope and happiness to your life, along with new dreams and expectations. And when you least expect it, Uranus will plant a professional idea in your mind that could take you... far away. Between 18 July and 11 August, while Mercury is in retrograde in Leo, take a deep breath and reconnect with your thoughts, feelings, guilt and desires.
In August, love can bloom from a friendship or with someone who was once left in the shadow of the past as something “unfulfilled.
ΚΑΛΟΚΑIΡΙ 2025
SUMMER 2025
Astrological predictions for all zodiac signs from the No 1 Astrological Site of Greece
Libra
Jupiter in Cancer can show you the way to success, recognition and a career -and, for some, even marriage!
The presence of Saturn and Neptune in Aries encourages you to make a conscious commitment to a relationship, career or goal. At the same time, Uranus in Gemini offers you the sudden opportunity to travel, broaden your horizons and achieve success in your studies. It may even change the way you see life.
With Mercury retrograde from 18 July to 11 August, you have the opportunity to reunite with old friends and remember wishes that were put on hold.
In July, Venus, the ruler of your sign, will make you more loving, communicative, flirtatious and open to light-hearted escapades. From 6 August, with Mars in your sign, you will become more assertive, bold and ambitious than ever!
Scorpio
With Jupiter in Cancer, you are shown paths of expansion, optimism, travel and success. All you have to do is focus on a specific goal.
Until 6 August, you will be in a phase of intense sociability. You will meet people, claim what you want and open up to new experiences. Your finances are taking your breath away as new proposals and ideas emerge that, if cultivated properly, will bear fruit in the near future.
The period of Mercury retrograde from 18 July to 11 August will bring revisions and temporary delays to professional goals. Don’t worry -the universe is telling you to stop and think!
Predictions suggest that August will be hot. Venus in Cancer will bring love, romance and deep, meaningful emotional bonds. Mars in Libra is whispering to you to move more discreetly, away from prying eyes.
Sagittarius
With Jupiter in Cancer, you become more empathetic, with a refreshing approach to personal and emotional experiences. As your psychological state stabilises, you become more aware of your real needs. At the same time, opportunities arise that enhance your emotional fulfilment -and sometimes your finances.
Since 8 July, when Uranus tentatively enters Gemini, your relationships will change drastically. New people appear in your life unexpectedly. Some of them shake things up, while others open your eyes to new perspectives. The presence of Saturn and Neptune in Aries makes you more mature and puts you on the path to true love. Meanwhile, July with Venus in Gemini is an ideal time to enjoy the company of others.
Between 18 July and 11 August, while Mercury is in retrograde in Leo, you will be asked to reconsider your plans and your attitude.
SUMMER 2025
Astrological predictions for all zodiac signs from the No 1 Astrological Site of Greece
With Jupiter in the sign opposite yours, Cancer, your attention turns to the people who are important to you, your relationships, and your partnerships. Whether it’s heart issues or a career, new acquaintances, important contacts, and opportunities for commitment make this summer a milestone in your life. However, this summer will see some changes to your lifestyle!
At the same time, the presence of Saturn and Neptune in Aries makes you more responsible in family matters and encourages you to approach unfinished business or emotional issues with maturity.
With Venus and Jupiter in Cancer, now is the perfect time to start a serious relationship, redefine what you want from a partner, and build something lasting! Avoid impulsive investments or financial commitments during Mercury’s retrograde period in Leo (18/7 - 11/8).
Ιχθύες
Yδροχόος Aquarius
With Jupiter in Cancer, your working conditions will steadily improve. Your daily life will become lighter and more functional, and you will feel stronger, both mentally and physically. The presence of Uranus in Gemini and Pluto in your sign will bring about a rebirth. Fall in love, get excited and rediscover the passion and lightness that make you unique. Something new and creative emerges within or around you! With Saturn and Neptune in Aries, you will begin to see what you want to build in your life more maturely, and you will make firm decisions about your future! However, show self-control with your finances until 6 August -expenses are lurking! With Mercury retrograde in Leo from 18 July to 11 August, you may find yourself revisiting past relationships or unresolved feelings.
Pisces
With Jupiter in Cancer, expect success in the erotic department, intense flirting, fun and creative plans. Since Uranus entered Gemini on 8 July, you will begin to see changes in your stable foundations and you make a fresh start! Saturn and Neptune in Aries encourage you to approach financial challenges with wisdom and awareness. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made to create something greater and more meaningful! Mercury will be retrograde in Leo from 18 July to 11 August, so it is important to pay more attention to your schedule and unfinished business. With Venus and Jupiter meeting in Cancer, you will experience heartfelt moments -it will probably be the most tender, erotic and enjoyable summer of the decade.
The most Famous Astrologers in Greece give you your personal predictions for Summer
