Telemachos' voyage back

The best men of the suitors have set up a deliberate Ambush in the strait between Ithaca and rugged Samos, they want to kill you before you get home, but I don't think that they will.

She conveniently adds some sailing instructions:

Before Telemachos returns to Ithaca, Athena informs him about the ambush:

So sail your well-build ship out beyond the islands, and sail by night as well as by day. One of the deadless ones who guards you and watches over you will send a breeze behind your ship. When you arrive at the nearest shore of Ithaca........

This description indicates Telemachos is heading towards Ithaca's 'nearest' shore, which is an interesting adjective we can use to find out which route Telemachos might have sailed back. Fortunately, the route is further described by Homer, so it shouldn't be too hard.

Ancient Pylos

Ithaca

Flashing-eyed Athena sent a favorable wind, which blew rushing through the sky, so that the ship went on its way as quickly as could be, running over the salt water of the sea.

The wind Athena sent must have been a south/south-easterly wind to take Telemachos home, while avoiding the ambush, keeping close to the coast.

Odyssey Book 15 line 26-29 Barry B Powell
Odyssey Book 15 line 30-34 Barry B Powell
Odyssey Book 15 line 288-291 Barry B Powell