Kefalonia

Kefalonia is the largest Ionian island with the highest mountain Mount Ainos (1628m) and its unique fir trees. This island has many contradictions. Contradictions which have helped forge its special history.

Kefalonia has 27 000 inhabitants today most of whom are fishermen. It’s a wealthy and fertile island famed for its wine called robola, honey and soft myzithra cheese. A sweet made of almonds called mantoles is a specialty found in its pastry shops.

Its cuisine is famous for meat pies and garlic sauce which the locals call aliada. The island has a rich cultural heritage which is mainly tied to literature and music where western influence, particularly Italian, is obvious. The attention that Kefalonian pay to music and choral music in particular, accompanied by the mandolin, is a tradition.

It is said that Cefalonia is the island of paradoxes. The reason for this is the strange geological phenomena that happened due to geological disturbances from time to time.

Near Argostoli thousands of tons of sea water continuously pour into Katavothres (pits) in the earth and disappear. After years of research it was discovered that it traverses the island underground coming out at Lake Melissani. The lake Avythos is so deep that the local tradition makes it bottomless.

How to get there:
The island is connected by plane to Athens and by ferry to Patras and the other Ionian islands like Zakynthos, Lefkada and Corfu.

Top must see attractions:

1. Assos village
The village is not far away from Argostoli situated on a peninsula. Check out the narrow streets of the village full of pink and white bougainvillea and houses in traditional architecture.
2. Myrtos beach
One of the most famous beaches not only in Kefalonia but in Greece too. The breathtaking views of the beach from above attract many tourists every summer.
3. Melissani lake
The lake is covered by the cave and is one of the most photographed spots on the island. On the outside the cave is surrounded by the forest. The lake has two halls and a small island in the middle. A really impressive natural wonder!
4. Fiscardo
It’s one of the few villages that is left untouched by the earthquakes. This little fisherman’s village is right across the neighbouring island Ithaca and is a great location for spending the day.
5. Monastery of Agios Gerasimos
The monastery is located beneath Mount Ainos and is named after Kefalonia’s patron saint, Saint Gerasimos. The monastery is the pilgrimage site for many people as the saint’s history is tied to curing people with mental illnesses. The tomb of the saint is also located here.