Islands created to accommodate the love of Poseidon with Amfitriti,
Paxos is emerging as the oasis in the turquoise waters of the
Ionian. The
Paxos is an island full of colors and images. It is for those seeking a different holiday resort and is definitely a place that calm the soul of the visitor.
The silver beaches and forested hills creates a sense of release from the noise of a city. It is a place that many dream and reality become one! Belonging to the administrative prefecture of Corfu and the trident as a symbol and its name comes from the Phoenician word «PAKS», which means geometric «trapezoid» ie island trapezoid shape.
The entire province has a population of just 2,253 residents, which guarantees the peaceful and extremely friendly visitor growth of both tourism and the almost virgin nature that encompasses all parts of the island.
The history ... The island has had a checkered history. The same also happened in the Ionian Islands in general. The
Paxos held by the Venetians for 411 years and the successor to French Democrat.
In 1800 found under the sovereignty of Turkey and the protection of Russia within the «Ionian Islands Republic». In 1814 the Paxos found under English protection, and comes in 1864 to unite the island with Mother Greece.
Facing the island ... The images in the mind set of the visitor who plans to travel to the island did not differ from those of the Ionian Islands, namely the vegetation and the blue sea. Of course this is confirmed within 2 hours, the time taken by ferry boat to carry us from Igoumenitsa to Paxos.
Trees with cicada singing in August and the water sources like paradise give the impression to anyone clicking the foot on the island that lies in a fairy tale! An adventurous tale as the best places are to be explored on our own ... and with our own vessel will rent!
First stop Gaios PortIt is where the heart beats of Paxos, the capital in which the locals and tourists, Greeks and foreigners, mostly Italians. Port Gaios has luxury vessels whose owners enjoyed in a separate vacation. In the same port you can rent small boats and explore around the whole island-bays, small coves, caves and of course the very famous beaches of Antipaxi.
This is a great innovation, because without a diploma you can rent a small boat (up 30 horsepower) and crossings throughout the island, choosing the right for us-completely deserted beaches or busy-anchor ... just flying!
The rental price starts from 40 euro for all day, plus the oil will burn for our walks. In front of Gaios is the islet of St. Nicholas is a natural breakwater.
The visitors can taste local dishes in various restaurants, enjoy coffee and cake next to the sea and of course to walk in Gaios streets and visits the tourist shops.
In the center of the square of Gaios is worth visiting the church of Our Holy Apostles. Moving to the west side of the island, just beyond the square dominated by a statue of Anemogianni, the hero of the Revolution to the small town ...
Car ...We leave the Gaios to visit other villages on the island. In northern and eastern side of the island are beautiful and picturesque villages of Lakka and Loggos, which are suitable for swimming and lunch. The second is at a distance of five kilometers from the Gaios, a small picturesque village of hundred people.
Very nice evening stroll to the bars on the beach. Further Logga in from the northern tip of the island is Lakka, a village with 400 inhabitants and with enough tavernas to eat and drink on the bar. The most famous and is very careful with Akis Bar gourmais kitchen tables and on the beach!
Just beyond and west end of the island, well worth a visit to the restaurant Boikatika stores to watch the sunset in the imposing cliff-Erimitis through the foliage of the trees the sun disappears into the sea and behind the rocks, representing perhaps the best sunset view on the western Greece ...
Gaios back again to where you started the fascinating tour of the island with cockle! It is perhaps the best way to have a complete picture. The Paxos have lace around the face.
The east side of the island is suitable for small creeks to throw anchor and taste the blue sea. The beaches that are formed are small in size, and of course votsalostrotes with clear water.
By the sea......Leaving from Lakka head towards the west side of the island is steep with vertical cliffs and sea caves.
Requires very careful as there are no natural beaches and coves that can be grounding, while the cliffs rise threatening the adventurous who would approach. It is said that a large cave located under the settlement Basilatika contact the church Ypapanti.
Most certainly, however, is that within it hid the submarine Papanikolis during the 2nd World War and this is indicative of its size. Also Ortholithos (upright rock in the sea) is still one of the many morphological formations but the most impressive ...
Antipaxoi.....
Antipaxos are three miles south of Paxos and can be reached not only with boat but with the boat full-day excursion organized by the Gaios.
The Souli Antipaxi families settled after the destruction of their homeland, in the early 19th century. Today Antipaxos are just twenty-two residents and three taverns.
In August, the famous around the world and beaches located Voutoumi is full of large vessels and has enough people. This does not detract from the beauty, the clear, dark green waters, fine white sand and blue sky.
Within interesting to visit is the church of San Emilianos which was restored in 1864. The island is full of vineyards where much of quality wine. Furthermore, Paxos is famous for its oil and their wine.
The way back ...Leaving behind us the best beach of the Ionian sea, back to Paxos. Before you deliver the boat to its owner, make a stop at Mongonisi for one last dive. A small bridge connects the island of Paxos is created where a bay where we can anchor our boat for the last time.
Back to Gaios us enjoy a drink on the beach, viewing the number of vessels and the unique coves formed near the central harbor, and plans to propose to all known us the most graphic, most beautiful, most peaceful and most adventurous for lovers of the sea option in the Ionian Sea ...
Source:
Content by Aphrodite Aggalou and Soritis Skouloudis
in greek: http://walking-greece.ana-mpa.gr/articleview2.php?id=8985
