Books : Ionian

Rating: - Helpful if snobbish
This book offers travel information on the Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece and the adjacent mainland, with emphasis on yachting.

I live on the largest of those islands (Cephalonia), and while no place in the world is perfect, I can say that the presentation by the author is at times unfair. The author derides Greek food and wine. Having travelled in Great Britain myself, I couldn't help but chuckle. Here is how the author describes Greek food: "The principal meal in Greece is the midday meal and most oven-cooked dishes are prepared in the morning for this meal. In the evening these dishes will simply be partially reheated and served up as an overcooked lukewarm mess." Plainly, the author will have you believe that Greek supper is just a step above dog food. As a Greek cook myself, I wholeheartedly disagree. Although tourist fare in Greece can be sub-standard, this is an overgeneralization. In any tourist trap in the world you will be taken for a ride, whether in Cephalonia, Rome, or Key West. As far as Greek wine, it is true that mass-produced brands are variable and have suffered from vinification problems. On the other hand, there are Cephalonian labels such as Efranor and Orgion of Sclavos Wineries that are second to none, and have nothing to envy from Bordeaux or Napa Valley (I have no commercial interest in this winery). These wines are not widespread outside of Cephalonia, but they are available to the connoiseur that is willing to do his or her homework.

There are some puzzling cultural "facts" in the book. What in the world is the point of comparing Greek to Cyrillic to the Roman alphabet? Yes, the Greek alphabet is a precursor to the Cyrillic, yet I fail to see the relevance of comparing Greek to Cyrillic alphabets in a travel guide strictly focused on the Ionian Islands. Did I miss something?

As far as the sailing information, I do not claim to be an expert to properly evaluate it. Although I have taken basic sailing lessons (hence my interest in this book), I hardly call myself a mariner. Having said that, the plans look well-researched and detailed. The book describes numerous places to anchor a yacht, from the busiest touristy harbors to out-of-the-way deserted coves. The information is accurate and helpful as far as I can tell. Best of all, the information is continuously updated for free! Just go to https://www.imray.com/corrections/Ionian.pdf to get your free, hot off the press updates.

Overall, the sailing information for yachts seems no-nonsense, up-to-date, and eminently useable. I could do without the snobbery though. Is the author bitter because his countrymen once owned these Isles? I do not know. He does take the naive view that the British voluntarily relinquished ownership of the Ionian Islands in 1864 as a "gift" to the newly enthroned King George I of Greece (who actually hailed from Denmark). No mention of the long and bitter struggle of the local resistance to rid themselves of British rule. I wholeheartedly believe that the author should be proud of his heritage. I do not discount the substantial contribution of the British to the world throughout the course of the last half millenium. However, the British empire is long gone, and there is no use in sitting on past laurels. Today, the right of the peoples to self determination takes precedence over memories of past grandeur.

The bottom line is, of course, that everybody is entitled to their opinion.

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Rating: - Essential for the Ionian Sailor
This book has it all, harbour guides, local facilities guide, site seeing and even a bit of history thrown in as well.

If you're sailing round the ionian then you can't afford to be without this (watch out for the Hermiotti :-)