September 06, 2023

Kefalonia

Hello Everyone

I hope you are all well and enjoying the last of summer. The UK weather has been far from satisfactory but oh boy how wonderful is it at the moment!!

During lockdown, I started following Katarina Katopis @katarinakatopis on Instagram. Katarina, from Athens, posts on all things Greece. Her island shots are so beautiful and leaves one with no choice other than to long to be there. Katarina and her husband are sailors and she brings her followers to some of the most beautiful islands, some so remote it can take more than a day to get to. Last year on the back of the shot below from a remote island called Koufonisia, we visited. Koufonisia is in the Cyclades. Overnight in Athens, overnight which I loved. We stayed in a beautiful residential area about 20 mins form the airport near Glyfada. Beautiful restaurants and great people watching. The following morning we got a flight to Naxos and then picked up a ferry from Naxos to Koufonisia. Koufonisia was utter HEAVEN. Koufonisi started my love affair and as I leave one place , I dream of where I'll go next.

Kefalonia, also known as Cephalonia, is one of the largest and most beautiful islands in Greece. It is located in the Ionian Sea, west of the mainland of Greece. Kefalonia is part of the Ionian Islands group, which also includes popular destinations like Corfu, Zakynthos (Zante), and Lefkada.

Key features and highlights of Kefalonia include:

Stunning Beaches: The island boasts numerous picturesque beaches with crystal-clear waters, soft sand, and scenic surroundings. Some of the most famous beaches are Myrtos Beach, Xi Beach, and Antisamos Beach.

Myrtos Beach

Melissani Cave: This unique natural wonder is a partially submerged cave with a beautiful underground lake. Tourists can take boat trips to admire its mesmerizing blue waters and rock formations.
Assos Village: A charming and quaint village known for its colorful houses, narrow streets, and a Venetian fortress overlooking the town.
Fiskardo: A picturesque fishing village in the north of Kefalonia, famous for its colorful waterfront, charming tavernas, and preserved Venetian-style buildings.
Mount Ainos: The highest mountain on the island, providing beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The Ainos National Park is home to a unique fir forest and various hiking trails.
Argostoli: The capital and main port of Kefalonia, offering a vibrant atmosphere, waterfront restaurants, and a lively market.
Local Cuisine: Kefalonian cuisine is renowned for its fresh seafood, local cheeses (e.g., kefalotyri), meat dishes, and delicious desserts like the famous Kefalonian meat pie (kreatopita).
Robola Wine: The island is known for producing the Robola wine, a distinctive white wine made from the Robola grape variety.
Drogarati Cave: Another impressive cave on the island, featuring stalactites and stalagmites, and often hosting concerts and events due to its exceptional acoustics.

Kefalonia is a fantastic destination for travelers seeking natural beauty, tranquility, and Greek island culture. Whether you want to relax on stunning beaches, explore charming villages, or indulge in delicious local food, Kefalonia offers a memorable experience.

We rented a little Villa on the outskirts of Assos, a tiny fishing about an hour from the airport.This quaint hillside fishing village overhangs the Ionian Sea and is full of colorful houses and narrow alleyways lined with bougainvilleas. Here, you can take swim at Assos Beach, try local Greek cuisine at a waterfront cafe, and every day we hiked up the Frourio Peninsula to see the remains of a 16th-century Venetian Castle. The overlook also offers stunning views of the turquoise waters and bluffs along Kefalonia’s north coast.

Fiscardo is the picturesque and beautiful Greek harbour village on the Northern tip of Kefalonia, largest of the seven Ionian islands. Of the approximate 365 villages on this large and diverse island, Fiscardo is unique in that it is the only village on Kefalonia that has so many of the original Venetian buildings intact and still in use. Fiscardo was really busy. Great for people watching and a real Italian Riviera feel about it. Huge luxury yachts, each one bigger than the last. Glamorous couples strolling with their miniature poodles and families eating together. A wonderful atmosphere. Lots of lovely restaurants.

We rented a little boat 2 days and motored around the coast. No sailing license is required. This was really special as we were able to explore coves and secret beaches that are only accessible by boat. We packed an ice box with snacks and drinks and we were out at sea for at least 4 hours. On the last afternoon we fell across this little cove which housed the most beautiful little restaurant Alati . Family run by the most lovely, friendly man. Super friendly team and so good we drove back the next day.