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KEFALONIA |
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Most of our Kefalonia
properties are in our around the villages of Fiskardo,
Markandonata and Assos.
Click the links or the village name on the map for more information. |
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On the other hand
Kefalonia has so much to offer those wishing for a quieter holiday away
from it all. Some of the best, and least publicised walking in Greece can
be found here, especially in the undeveloped Erisos peninsula in the
north. A leisurely coastal stroll through forests of oak and strawberry
trees to an empty cove, often with its own tiny little chapel set amongst
the olive groves, a wander through the old wheatfields and vineyards of
Vari, now reclaimed by carpets of wild flowers in spring and autumn, or a
guided expedition from coast to coast with a knowledgeable local guide.
This is walking as far removed from the crowded footways of other parts of
Europe as one could imagine. Kefalonia is an island for all seasons. The
surrounding sea has long been a mecca for yachtsmen, but nowadays the
land-based visitor also has the opportunity to explore Kefalonia by water.
It is said that you cannot have your cake and eat it. Possibly not, but
stay in a comfortable waterside villa or apartment with the use of a motor
boat to reach any one of a dozen or more little coves only accessible by
sea. Then return in the evening to a friendly taverna serving an island
speciality like Kefalonian meat pie, must surely be the next best thing!
The island's romantic associations go back long before a certain Italian
soldier plucked his mandolin, won the heart of a local girl and invited
Hollywood over for a visit. Poros, in the south and Agios Spiridion in the
Lixouri peninsula both have strong claims to be the site of Odysseuss'
palace. Here the ever faithful Penelope waited for ten years for the
return of her husband. Much later, Lord Byron, perhaps the most romantic
poet of a romantic age, used to stay on the island at Metaxata near
Argostoli. Here he is commemorated by a statue in the small plateia where
his house once stood. It was from Kefalonia that he set sail on his last
voyage to the mainland in support of the struggle for Greek independence.
The Kefalonian people took him into their hearts and even Today " O
Vyronos" as he was called, is spoken of with great affection. A week
in a restored cottage surrounded by orange trees, wild rosemary on the
terrace walls and the moon rising above Ithaka might not be romantic
enough, but a fortnight certainly would. Kefalonia is the home of Ionian
Island Holidays, so although we might have to plead guilty to a slight
bias, we would love to share it with you. |
Legend has it that Kefalonia
is named after Kefalos, a son of Hermes, renowned for his skill as a
hunter, but some of the historical facts about this beautiful, mountainous
island, the largest in the Ionian, are just as fascinating. There were
settlements here in 50,000BC, long before the modern Mediterranean had
taken shape. Wood from the prized Kefalonian fir trees, named Abies
Kefalonica after its native island, has been found in the Minoan Palace at
Knossos in Crete.By 7 century BC the island had already established
democratic rule, when it was split into the Four Kingdoms, city states
with government by consensus. Perhaps this explains why Kefalonians, with
so many different nations wanting to possess and rule their lovely island
over the centuries, have such a healthy disregard for unnecessary
bureaucracy. Individuality, genuine friendliness and a marvelous sense of
humour characterise the island people. Add some of the most dramatic
scenery in the region, such as, the national park of Mt Ainos, the Ionian
Islands highest peak, with its famous fir forests and elusive wild ponies
left behind by the Crusaders. With spectacular caves of Melissani and
Drogarati near Sami, the magnificent seacliffs of the northwest coast near
Assos and picturesque villages such as Fiskardo, it is easy to understand
why so many visitors to the island return year after year. There has been
some commercial tourist development, this is in areas around Lassi near
Argostoli and Skala further south. Here are some of the best beaches with
the cleanest water in the Mediterranean, however they may be crowded in
high and peak season. Although all our properties are situated in much
quieter areas of the island, a visit to Makris Gialos beach near Lassi, or
the fine sandy beach at Skala can be great fun, especially if there are
children in the party. Greeks in general, and the Kefalonians in
particular, still believe in the principle of the extended family. This is
the perfect island for a family holiday, friendships quickly develop,
especially when the common language is laughter
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| Most
of our Kefalonia properties are in our around the villages of Fiskardo,
Markandonata and Assos.
Click on the village name for more details |
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