- Kefalonia in the Ionian Sea is the largest of the Ionian Islands situated on the South West coast of Mainland Greece. It is a green island offering beautiful secluded coves, stretches of wild coastline and traditional unspoilt villages. Kefalonia’s attractions range from busy beach resorts to the tranquillity of the Mount Ainos National Park, which surrounds the Ionian’s highest peak.
- In 1953 much of properties Kefalonia were ruined by the largest earthquake in the history of the island. However, due to geological variances in bedrock, the northern town of FISKARDO, a very pretty harbour village, remained relatively undamaged, and its pretty pastel-painted 18th Century Venetian houses clustered around the harbour, make Fiskardo a very popular place to visit. In addition, the town is a popular berth for yachts from the smaller inter-island holiday yachts, to the large ocean going craft. During the summer Fiscardo is busy with daily ferry services to other Ionian islands, and daily cruises.
- ARGOSTOLI is the capital of Kefalonia and is situated in the south of the island approximately 7km from Kefalonia airport. Following the 1953 earthquake much of the city was rebuilt, and it now enjoys the cosmopolitan feel a successful capital city. The capital sits beside a large lagoon which can be crossed by foot. The bridge (which is approximately 1mile in length) was built by the British in the 1800s and until five years ago, was used as a public highway for all vehicles, until it was noticed that the foundations of the bridge could no longer take heavy traffic. In Argostoli you will find beautiful shops, including fashionable boutiques and gift and craft shops. Restaurants and tavernas are in abundance as are the popular street cafes and bars, the most popular of which can be found in the main square where you can relax and just watch the world go by. In the evening, the main square is a magnet to the holidaymakers who enjoy the exciting nightlife!
- There are two museums in the capital, one of which is the Folklore Museum, which is very interesting and tells of the Kefalonian traditions through the ages and displays photographs before and after the devastation of the 1953 earthquake.
- Located on the west coast, midway between Argostoli and Fiscardo, lies ASSOS – an unspoilt pretty village. On the peninsular across the isthmus is a ruined Venetian fortress, built in 1595. Apart from the occupation of the Venetians the French and the Russians also stayed there in the 19th Century. The fortress can be reached by foot and is a very pleasant walk taking approximately 45 minutes. From up there the all round view is magnificent, especially around sunset. South of Assos is Myrtos Bay, a lovely cove and in the top ten of most photographed beaches in the world. <p>
- On the East Coast lies SAMI, which is a popular tourist destination.. It is here that much of the filming of “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin took place, and this is evident in many of the local Tavernas where you will find photographs of the stars involved. From Sami, there are ferry services to Peloponese (mainland Greece) and Ithaka. Nearby are two caves, Drogkarati Cave which drips with stalactites. It is the size of a large concert hall and is sometimes used as such due to its fine acoustics. The subterranean Melissani Cave-Lake was a sanctuary of Pan in Mycenaean times. Part of its limestone ceiling has collapsed creating a haunting place with deep blue water. You may enjoy a boat trip around the lake for just a few euros, and if you are lucky your boatman may sing for you as you glide through the water.
- There was once a sanctuary to Aenios Zeus at the summit of MOUNT AINOS which is 1,630m high. Wild horses live in the National Park and the slopes are covered with the native fir trees, Abies Cephalonia. A road leads up towards the mountain’s summit but soon becomes a rough track.
