Page 79 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Corfu & the Ionian Islands

Lefkáda ❮❮ 77

groves. The harbour is lined with ivy- A MORNING ON THE EAST COAST
covered tavernas serving fresh sea-
food. There is a pretty beach here, too. Lefkáda Town
Meganísi
9 Lygia
MAP J2
Meganísi, the largest island off Nikiana
Perigialia
Lefkáda, is a green place that retains Nydrí Waterfalls Sparti
its rural ideal. According to myth, it Nydrí Madouri
was once the island of Krocylea, part Vlycho Skorpidi
of Odysseus’s kingdom. Life centres
on its capital, the harbour village of Vasilikí Póros
Vathý, where ferry boats can be seen Mykros Gialos
plying between here and the mainland. Start your day in Lefkáda Town
Tavernas specializing in seafood line (see p75) and take the coast road,
Vathý harbour and are busy with day- following the signs to Lygia (see
trippers. Along the coast are the small p75). Stop when you reach this
harbours of Atheni and Spartochori, fishing village – visit its bustling
while inland is the un spoiled village harbour and enjoy the peace
of Katomeri. Off-shore, and part of and quiet. Next, head for Nikiana
Meganísi municipality, lie the islands (see p75) and take a look at the
much larger harbour here, before
of Sparti and Skorpios. heading to the beautiful resort of
Perigialia (see p78) and then on
to the town of Nydrí.
Stop for coffee at Nydrí. Here you
can choose any one of the several
traditional tavernas that line the
harbourside and enjoy the view
of yachts and fishing boats that
pass by the water front. Look
across to the islands of Skorpidi,
Sparti and Madouri (see p78) to
the east. Before setting off again
to explore the island fur ther
south, follow the signs to the
Nydrí water falls, which are well
worth the detour. Cool off under
the spray from the cataracts.
Back on the road, head south
along the coast past Vlycho (see
p75). From here the road leads
inland to a small village, where
you will reach a fork. If you take
the road to your left you can visit
Póros (see p78) and Mykros
Waterfall in Dimosari Gorge Gialos (see p79), while the road to
Dimosari Gorge
0 the right heads off to Vasilikí via
a couple of small villages. After
MAP J2 • E of Nydrí, Lefkáda
leisurely lunch overlooking the
With rugged rock faces, lakes, ponds, you arrive at Vasilikí stop for a
water falls and forests, the stunning pretty bay. You may find it a bit
Dimosari gorge slices through the breezy here – windsurfers are
east coast near Perigialia and Nydrí likely to be out enjoying their
sport. For your return trip, you
and heads inland towards the moun- can retrace your route along the
tain villages of Vafkeri and Englouvi. coastal road or, alternatively, take
Nature trails can be followed around the mountain road that is
parts of the gorge, and the rock face signposted to Lefkáda Town.
can be scaled by climbing enthusiasts.
See map on p74

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