An axial location near Greek, Albanian and Italian coasts explains a tumultuous history. Colonised by Corinthians, conquered by Venetians and then Turks, the home of Ulysses is dotted by cypresses, vines, olives and fruit trees. The landscape resembles Italy; green Corfu, small rocky Paxos, mountainous Lefkada, jagged Kefalonia, dry Kythera, and Zante with two distinct regions, one ringed by cliffs, the other a fertile plain. Fine weather, blue seas and white sandy beaches make these islands idyllic.