The gift of the odyssey

Nestled in the sapphire Ionian Sea, Ithaca is my favourite island in the southern Ionian. Without an international airport, it remains untouched by mass tourism, preserving an authentic atmosphere. Wo

Penny stepped out of the coach onto the harbourfront at the little port of Sami. The water gleamed in the morning sunshine and wisps of sea mist shrouded the distant island of Ithaca. Edward emerged.

There are many highs to cruising around the Adriatic in high summer and getting paid for the pleasure but somehow it’s the shuddering lows that stick in the mind. Given that it is a very human trait t

Greg Manning sails his Fairey Atalanta from Arisaig in the West Highlands to the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides

A poet for yesterday and today

Hokusai imagined a massive breaker about to crash on tiny fishing boats. Sandro Botticelli had his Venus float in her shell on a mere sea ripple. Large or small, soothing or frightening, waves have long captivated artists, finds Michael Prodger