SWIM & EXPLORE
Swimtrekking & Orienteering is a special programme that combines epic swims to organized walks. Two days of the expedition we will focus on both activities. Swimming up the coastline of Ithaca island to a specific point and then trekking the inner land to the final destination including the recent discovered palace of Odysseus using maps and compass well assisted by an orienteering guide.
This program follows, in collaboration with Legambiente, a project linked to the protection and safeguarding of the sea with census activities of marine species, beach litter and marine litter.
Swims
You will be swimming daily around the fascinating coastline of Ithaca mainly on east side of the island that is sheltered by the meltemi winds. Coastal swims will have a length of approximately 5 km per day. Itineraries will be decided by the Swimtrekking instructors that will be guiding and swimming with the group to the final destinations. Swimtrekking will provide you 7 full days of coastal swims and 1 half day of specific coaching before the start of the expedition. During the swims as part of our contribution for the protection of the environment we rescue any plastics we found in the sea.
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points. In Ithaca participants will be provided with a simple local map and the activity will not be at speed but at a regular walking pace. We are planning to have 2 half days of Orienteering activities and 1 combined activity of Swimtrekking and Orienteering in the sea.
Equipment
Swimtrekking involves the use of specifically designed equipment. One swimmer out of two will tow a light weight, water tight barkino during coastal swims. This is attached to the swimmer by a harness worn around the waist. Barkinos allow swimmers to carry drinking water, aqua shoes, lunch, spare equipment and anything else you will find useful for the days adventure as well as being a visible piece of safety equipment. In addition to this Swimtrekking will provide all guests with a mask and snorkel, wetsuit and fins. These items allow you to freely explore your underwater environment whilst giving you the personal protection required. Guests are free to bring along their own equipment, wetsuit.
About Ithaca
Ithaca (popularly called Thiaki) is a rocky island separated from Kefalloniá by a channel 4 km/2.5 miles wide and almost cut in two by the long Gulf of Mólos on its east side; the isthmus joining the two halves, at Mt Aetós (380 m/1,247ft), is only 600m/660yd wide.
In the north of the island rises the Ani range of hills (Mt Neritos, 808 m/2,651ft), in the south Mt Stefani (671 m/2,202 ft). Much of the island has been marked by karstic action, but agriculture is possible in a few fertile valleys. This island belongs to the Ionian group of Islands and it has captured the imagination of the historians it is referred to as the homeland of Ulysses, the legendary hero of Homer. Ithaca island is small but beautiful, covered with lush green vegetation that extends up to its white pebbled pristine beaches.
The place where Swimtrekking is settled in Ithaca is the residence “Captain’s Apartmaents” in the small village of Kioni. This is a very picturesque village that has remained unspoiled from major tourist development. The village has been characterised as a ‘traditional settlement’ and therefore very strict planning rules apply. Kioni Bay is a popular destinations for sailing boats.
Beaches on Ithaca island are small but they all have relaxing atmosphere. Surrounded by lush greenery and with crystal blue water, the good thing is that some of the beaches in Ithaca can be accessed on foot and almost all are in good distance one from the other. Frikes, Dexa and Agios Ioannis are among the most beautiful and popular beaches on Ithaca island, however, there are many other small and calm coves waiting to be discovered on this lovely island of the Ionian Sea.
Dates of tours
29 July – 7 August
Please note: for group bookings Swimtrekking can tailor the trip to the groups specific needs/requirements/dates
About the trip
This programme includes the return traveling by plane from Rome to Lefkada or Kefalonia.
Start point: Kioni, Ithaca, 29 of July
Start time: on the arrival day meet your Swimtrekking Instructors at the residence Captain’s Apartments @ 15.00. Check in, briefing and first swim in the evening.
Finish point: Kioni, Ithaca, 7 of August
Finish time: on the departing day last breakfast @ 7.30 and transfer to Pisaeto for the first ferry to Kefalonia.
Typical day Swimtrekking
Breakfast and briefing.
Pack up your essentials for the day before heading out for the morning swim.
Short walk or take our vehicle to our start point for the day.
Once on the shoreline we kit up before beginning our morning adventure.
We’ll stop off in a cove for lunch, after which you have time to spend exploring the inland wilderness of Ithaca or just relax on the beach.
Once lunch has settled and everyone is ready to cool off in the water again, we continue our sea adventure off in search of groupers, sting rays, tuna fish, shells, multi-coloured star fish, sea bass, morays, pinna nobilis (the largest shell in the Mediterranean sea) and much more…
During the swims as part of our contribution for the protection of the environment we rescue any plastics we found in the sea.
We work up a final appetite by the time we get back to the residence having dinner on the sea front in one of the characteristic restaurant of Kioni.
Getting to Ithaca
This year it will be possible to travel to Ithaca with a flight from Rome to Lefkada or Kefalonia. The route will be as follow: return fly from Rome to Kefalonia or Lefkada that are the nearest international airport to Ithaca (these flights are included in the price). If you are flying from other Italian or European destinations the Club will reimburse you up to €150.
Easy Jet, Olympic Air, Air France, Ita Airways, Air Dolomiti, Aegean Airlines, Ryan Air, fly to Kefalonia and Lefkada from different European destinations. From Kefalonia (Sami port) and from Nydri it will be possible to reach Ithaca with local Ionian Pelagos and Meganisi services within 30 minutes (Ionian Pelagos) and 1:30 minutes (Meganisi).
Accommodation
We stay 9 nights at Captain’s Apartments residence in Kioni, which is a nice and comfortable residence 2 minutes walking distance from the sea front of the town village of Kioni. Rooms sleep 2-3 people with en-suite facilities.
Food
Self catering breakfast each morning at 8:00 (food will be bought by the instructors); lunches will be a selection of sandwiches, fruit and snacks; traditional Greek dinners will be served each evening in a local restaurant.
We can cater for vegetarian and gluten free diets but please ensure you inform us of your dietary requirements on booking.
Temperatures and conditions
August air temperature: 29°C; Sea temperature: 26°C.
Sea conditions will vary according to the weather and currents. This all adds to the experience of being in open water.
What to bring
On top of your normal clothes you should bring with you:
a waterproof/wind jacket, warm sweatshirt, walking shoes/sandals, sun hat and sun glasses.
For the Orienteering activities bring some trekking poles and walking shoes.
There are cash points on the island in the town of Vathi, Stavros and Kioni.
Points of interest
Vathy, Greece
The chief place on the island of Ithaca is the sheltered port of Vathy or Itháki, probably founded by the Romans. It is charmingly situated in a bay – generally accepted as being the cove of Phorkys, in which the Phaeacians put the returning Odysseus ashore (“Odyssey”, 13, 96 ff.) – defended by two Venetian forts.
Itháki Archeological Museum
The Itháki Archeological Museum contains artifacts from the excavations at the Heraion sanctuary. The collection of small votive offerings is one of the richest in Greece. The largest free-standing sculpture to have survived from ancient Greece is the museum’s star exhibit.
Palace of Odysseus
The visit of Odysseus palace is one of the most interesting and fascinating things to do in Ithaca. It will be organized very early in the morning and is part of our inland trekking.
Cave of the Nymphs
Two km/1.25mi west of Vathy, on the slopes of Mt Áyios Nikólaos, is the Mármaro Spília, a stalactitic cave and ancient cult site which is identified as the Cave of the Nymphs (“Odyssey”, 13, 107-108). Mt Aetós – Castle of Odysseus Five km/3 mi west of Vathy, on Mt Aetós, is the acropolis of an ancient city (seventh century B.C.), perhaps Strabo’s Alalkomenai, which was excavated by Schliemann and is popularly known as the Castle of Odysseus. Fountain of Arethusa Six km/4mi south of Vathy on a difficult path is the Fountain of Arethusa, beneath the Ravens’ Crag (“Odyssey”, 13, 408-409). Farther south is the plateau of Marathiá, with extensive plantations of olive-trees, from which there are good views. Eumaios’s farmyard (“Odyssey”, 14, 6) is supposed to have been in this area. Palaiokhóra Three km/2mi south of Vathy is the site of Palaiokhorá, the capital of Ithaca until the 16th century.
Stavros
The numerous ancient finds made in the vicinity of the village of Stavrós, in the northwest of the island of Ithaca, have suggested this as the most likely site for Odysseus’s town and palace.
Panayía Kathará Monastery & Museum
Six km/4mi south of Stavrós is the monastery of the Panayía Kathará, from which there is a magnificent view; festival celebrated annually on September eighth.
The monastery also houses a small museum.
Pelikata, Greece
Excavations at Pelikáta revealed signs of a Brzone age settelement. Pólis Bay
Below Stavrós, to the southwest, is the beautiful Pólis Bay, the only harbor of any size on the west coast of Ithaca. A cave on the west side of the bay was a shrine of Athena and Hera in Mycenaean times. Offshore, near the coast of Kefalloniá, lies the tiny islet of Daskalio, identified as the island of Asteris where the suitors planned to ambush Telemachos (“Odyssey”, 14, 6).
1km/.75mi north, on Mt Pelikata above Pólis Bay, are remains of a settlement dated between 2200 and 1500 B.C.
1km/.75mi farther north is the chapel of Áyios Athanásios. West of Stavrós are the picturesque inlets of Fríkes and Kióni.
Átokos
Átokos, 10km/6mi northeast of Ithaca, is the rocky and uninhabited island of Átokos.
Important informations
Approximately daily swimming distance: 5 kilometers.
Approximately walking distance: 7 kilometers (twice in 9 days).
Program will be supervised by qualified Swimtrekking Instructors/Guides.
Swimtrekking Instructors/Guides will be responsible for all the camp organization and logistics.
Timing and itineraries can be modified according to the sea and weather conditions and may be cancelled.