Ouzo may be known the world over as the most typical Greek spirit, though the aperitif tradition of an 'ouzaki' – a tellingly affectionate diminutive – is an unmissable experience. The precious drink is to be sipped and savoured before, after, or between meals, in shots or as a long drink, with or without water and ice – some even like it mixed with coke or other soft drinks. The quest for the best bite-sized treats to accompany your ouzaki is the best excuse to visit every beach, town and village along the sparkling Ionian coast, all the way down to the region of Kyparissia.
Of course, once the quest and the irresistible entrées have whetted your appetite, the options are literally endless. Fresh fish and juicy, locally sourced vegetables are the obvious choice when the waves are lapping on one’s feet, and Ileia can certainly deliver. Days and nights by the seaside are as ideal as they sound, and the simplicity of Mediterranean cuisine is the best accompaniment to that of the setting.
And if nights are what Greece is most famous for, the plethora of quieter late-night cafés and noisier bars and clubs in Katakolo will prove how the country lives up to its reputation. Cliché as all this may sound, the art of relaxation (gained after a long sightseeing and swimming schedule) is to be taken seriously. For your own good, that is...
