Lefkada, the small Ionian island only a breath away from the mainland, holds a special place in our hearts, inviting us to visit it again and again. And what better time to explore than during Easter?!
First, why Easter in Lefkada? The small island welcomes the first visitors of the season, even when nature has not quite overcome the winter. Flavours and aromas against the backdrop of the island's green landscapes, which make everyone wonder where the sea is hiding, create the perfect combination for an ideal Easter getaway.
Starting your Easter holiday on the small Ionian island, you will definitely pass by the town of Lefkada, right next to the lagoon, a breath of the crystal clear waters of the Ionian. Sailboats, boats, seagulls and various other species of birds create a water horizon that leads you to the city of Lefkada, which combines Venetian architecture with Greek colour.
Of course, once you are here, it goes without saying that a visit cannot be complete without the Lefkada ladopita, a type of traditional halva made with roasted flour and sesame seeds. If you want something more Lenten, you can try cod Bianco, a local recipe for fresh fish with lemon and boiled greens—a special dish during Holy Week's fast.
During Holy Week, it is worth visiting the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni, one of the largest monasteries that have made the island known to the rest of the world. Here, you will admire the site of the Monastery with its historical image, while you will be able to see up close several rare manuscripts in the Monastery's library.
Of course, don't miss visiting the church of Agios Nikitas, which has a strange history right inside the fishing village of the same name next to the mouth of a calm little cove with an incredible view and deep water.
However, speaking of the sea, don't forget that Lefkada is considered by many to be Homer's infamous Ithaca since the wild natural landscape on the island's shores fits unbelievably with Homer's descriptions of the wild foaming waves that drove Odysseus and his companions away of the longed-for homeland.
Although we may, of course, never know if Homer was actually referring to Lefkada, one thing is certain - the beaches will never stop filling our photo frames, screens, and, above all, our summer memories. Kathisma, Egremni, Porto Katsiki, Megali Petra and Agios Nikitas are some of the best-known hot spots that every summer attacts new foreign visitors who, defying the difficulty of the waters, dive into the crystal blue of the Ionian Sea.
If you have luck on your side, you can see the beloved Ionian custom of breaking clay pots and small vases to purify evil just before the Great Resurrection at midnight on Holy Saturday, so don't be surprised if you suddenly hear loud bangs here and there on the main street or the town square of Lefkada!
Yianni Koutroudi is a columnist for Travel. Translated by Paul Antonopoulos.
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