Entering Hellenic Ground

When you leave Brindisi, heading east, you enter Hellenic land, the land of Greece. The Adriatic Sea, though often praised for its beauty, is known to have an unpredictable temperament. While it’s often called “the blue Adriatic,” “the gem of seas,” or “the sapphire sea,” it is also known as “the stormy Adriatic.” An experienced sailor once told me, “It can stir up more waves than the Atlantic Ocean with the slightest provocation.”

Steamers to Greece

The steamers to Greece usually leave Brindisi at midnight, so they can arrive at the Greek coast early in the morning. When you wake up, you might be able to see the sunrise over the Albanian mountains of Turkey, which are often covered with snow. This marks your arrival in the land of mythology. Every island, mountain, and valley here is linked to a Greek legend or an ancient battle from the classical world. You’ll find that the places and names of ancient history feel real and familiar as you look at them from the deck of the steamer.

The Island of Corfu

The first stop in Greece is Corfu, a beautiful island located off the coast of Turkey. Here, you get your first look at oriental life and its customs. Tourists often get excited and start taking pictures of everything, from the ruins to the unique scenes that remind them of the warriors, heroes, and philosophers they read about in their studies. Greece is full of such historical sites Private Sofia Tours.

Ithaca and the Odyssey

Ithaca, the island connected to Odysseus, stirs strong memories. According to Homer’s Odyssey, after being shipwrecked, Ulysses (Odysseus) landed on Corfu. He swam to the shore and, to protect himself from the cold, made a bed of dead leaves on the rocks. After enduring great hardships and dangers, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. There, he was discovered by Nausicaa, the daughter of King Alcinous. Homer describes Nausicaa’s beauty in detail, and she led Ulysses to her father’s palace. The palace had lovely gardens with delicious fruits, marking the beginning of Ulysses’ return journey after many years.