7429 Greece 2020 Kefalonia.qxp 23/11/2019 13:11 Page 44 Greece | Ionian Islands | Kefalonia 44 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7429 Greece 2020 Kefalonia.qxp 23/11/2019 13:11 Page 45 Greece | Ionian Islands | Kefalonia S a K f e l o t Kefalonia Fiscardo agios Assos Spiridon Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian group of islands. Agia Efimia aca Ith o melissani t lying midway between corfu and zakynthos, it is an cave Sami island that rewards exploration many times over with lixouri drogarati cave ARGOSTOLI its dramatic scenery, distinctive traditions, fine beaches, lassi mt aenos 1625 m to the maInland Poros and unspoiled way of life. the sheer variety Kefalonia SvoranataQ to zaKynthoS offers the visitor is one reason why so many return. Lourdas Scala Katelios the Kefalonian landscape is the classic view being of glistening across the strait and is best reached of course, beaches are never far stunning. mountains soar to over myrtos Beach far below. (Watch out by one of the frequent ferry boats away, but we stress that Kefalonia 1600 metres; beaches range from for goats on the road here!). which ply between the two. should be explored to get the most long stretches of the finest golden assos in the north-west is another elsewhere there are underground from your holiday. sand to tiny white-pebble coves; photo-stop with village, small beach caves to explore, hidden monasteries pine forests swathe the hillsides; and crumbling Venetian fortress on to seek out, and numerous simple whilst in the fertile valleys, olive and the pine clad hillside opposite village tavernas to sample (along Kefalonia Information citrus are cultivated. the whole is guarding the pretty bay. on the with the excellent local wine!). Getting to Kefalonia lapped by the bluest of seas. like all northern tip is the chocolate-box Saturday day flight Gatwick or the Ionian islands, Kefalonia is at its fishing village of fiscardo, facing Manchester to Kefalonia – other best in the springtime and early Ithaca. regional flights may be available. summer when the wild flowers are Then 30-90 mins by coach or taxi the south is dominated by mount literally brilliant. (see resort descriptions). For flight aenos, the highest peak on the details see page 270. We can offer there is so much to see on the island, although the coastal views tailormade arrangements and odd island that car hire is almost essential here are gentler. a myriad of small durations using flights on other at some stage as the local bus villages skirts the lower slopes of the departure days – please enquire. services are limited. Sleepy agia mountain, and the road eventually Multi-Centre Options efimia on the north-east coast Kefalonia with Ithaca or South brings you to the burgeoning resort Kefalonia with North Kefalonia. remains authentically Greek. It has of Scala with its long sandy beach. Car & Motorboat Hire some fine tavernas and a good the capital, argostoli, is a modern, See pages 268-9 for details. For car choice of sheltered, pretty pebble bustling town with wide streets lined hire to be delivered to and beaches nearby. It is close to the with palms, a wonderful main square collected from accommodation in Fiscardo and Assos please enquire. small town of Sami, from where the and some excellent restaurants. the ferry-boat runs to Ithaca. museum here is worth visiting. Representative Based in Argostoli, Sami & Fiscardo the north-western coastal road Kefalonia’s second town (and - they visit all areas. reveals dizzy vistas of cliff and sea, argostoli’s arch rival), lixouri, lies 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk Greece & cyprus | 45 7429 Greece 2020 Kefalonia.qxp 23/11/2019 13:11 Page 46 Greece | Ionian Islands | Kefalonia Our chosen areas to explore the beautiful northern part of the North East Kefalonia North Kefalonia island and we can prebook this with a local supplier which saves hefty delivery charges Karavomilos, Sami & fiscardo & assos from argostoli. But many visitors are happy agia efimia Transfer time 90 minutes to stay put; perhaps renting a small the north of Kefalonia is a land of rolling, motorboat to explore the coastline and Transfer time 1 hour heavily wooded hills (cypress and pine coves during the day before deciding which towards the southern end of wide Sami Bay predominating here over olive), gleaming harbour restaurant to be tempted by that on Kefalonia's north east coast, the tiny white-pebble beaches, and some of the evening. hamlet of Karavomilos comprises simply a island’s prettiest villages. 20 kms to the south , tiny Assos lies far pair of authentic local tavernas, a mini- Fiscardo is most picturesque and upmarket. below the road running above the steep market, a church and a (very good) bakery. located on the island’s northeastern tip, it north west coast. for such a well known here you will find one of the island’s most gazes dreamily to Ithaca. the pastel colours beauty spot it remains remarkably unspoiled. interesting and beautiful attractions, the of the old fishermen’s houses along the melissani lake. discovered when the roof to Its setting is a picture. Built above a horse- waterfront – now housing restaurants, smart the cave hiding the lake below collapsed, shoe shaped bay, it has a fishing harbour to cafés and small shops – contrast with bright we'd recommend the small boat tour to one side and a pebble beach to the other. splashes of bougainvillaea, whilst fishing learn about the water phenomenon in which the bay is a natural harbour and guarded by boats jostle with yachts for the prime sinkholes from the coastline of argostoli the remains of the Venetian fortress which moorings. Inevitably fiscardo gets busy in somehow deliver water underground to the crowns the hillside opposite. the high season. lake. despite the earthquake of 1953, assos has there are some lovely beaches, such as from Karavomilos a pleasant 15 minute walk managed to retain some of its old houses beautiful emblissi and a selection of smaller (1 km) above the sea brings you to the larger and facades. the village today has four pebble beaches and coves to the south port of Sami, which has a wide choice of tavernas, a couple of cafe-bars and a mini- reached on foot or by boat. In the other tavernas, cafes and shops, and a very nice market - even an atm. assos is a reasonable direction lies peaceful foki Bay some 20 little shingle beach just beyond. famous base from which to discover northern minutes’ from the harbour. antisamos beach is 4 kms up and over the Kefalonia - you will need a car, though, as the forested headland, a pleasant one hour walk. Walkers will enjoy the three marked trails bus service is very limited. from Sami ferries run to Ithaca in just 30 now available from fiscardo, which are assos should appeal to anyone looking for a minutes, making a day trip easy. downloadable from footpaths-of- quiet, away-from-it-all holiday in erisos.gr/en/ 7 kms to the north of Karavomilos, at the top atmospheric, very pretty surroundings and an of the bay, is the village of Agia Efimia. from fiscardo you can visit Ithaca and also unspoiled small village atmosphere. Between the two lies a string of pristine lefkas for the day. car hire is recommended white-pebble beaches shelving into a multi- hued turquoise sea. With a car Karavomilos is a fine base from which to explore the whole of the north. Good road links mean that argostoli can be reached in under an hour, and the west coast in around 20 minutes. local exploration is enjoyable on foot and our representative will be pleased to lend you a published local walking guide. one popular trail takes you across the island from agia efimia in the east to stunning myrtos beach on the west coast - one of the most photographed beaches in Greece. Fiscardo Lourdas Assos Agia Efimia 46 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7429 Greece 2020 Kefalonia.qxp 23/11/2019 13:11 Page 47 Greece | Ionian Islands | Kefalonia some 200 metres and shelves very gently so South Kefalonia is very good for children. (children will also love the rock pools to be found nearby). lourdas & Katelios motorboats can also be hired here and the Transfer time 45 minutes whole area is a protected turtle nesting zone. Lourdas, halfway along the south coast, has Just inland is the village of markopoulo. for a long white-sand beach (with some shingle anyone in the area on 15th august outcrops) which stretches for the best part (assumption day) it is a must to visit the of a kilometre and shelves gently into the church to witness the bizarre snake-handling bluest of seas. Sunbeds and small ritual which takes place! the church is built motorboats can be rented, and some half- on the site of an old nunnery and legend has dozen tavernas and a mini-market are it that, when attacked by pirates the nuns dotted along its length. prayed to the Virgin mary to be transformed a stiff ten minute walk up the hill is the into snakes to escape. this duly happened original village of lourdata. It’s an attractive and every year this transformation is little place, with a traditional plane-shaded commemorated by the miraculous 'return' of square, a handful of tavernas and a small the snakes (which are actually harmless!). shop or two. Both lourdas and Katelios are, with a car, well for much of the year lourdas is very laidback placed for further exploration of the south.