On the island agapisa there because I spent some of my best adolescent summers. I came back a few years ago, curious about whether I gennouse again the same feelings of admiration and emotion. I saw the island with another eye, more adult, and this time even more impressed. I read it somewhere, that according to (alleged) historical data, the island is ultimately much of Ulysses Ithaca. Thus explains all ...
One, therefore, remarkable feature of Kefalonia is the enormous historic and cultural heritage. The island appears to be occupied in the earliest years of Greek culture, which is confirmed by archaeological finds and the ruins of the Doric temples of the 6 th and 7th century, and by the same name of the island, which came from a refugee from Athens, the mythical Kefalos.
Longed for many even demonstrated over the years the island, and not random because it is the largest island in the Ionian (688 square km.), Offering not only beautiful natural landscape and vegetation, but the Aino, one of the ten national parks, and Myrto, the best Greek sea of Greece (according to the GNTO), the most beautiful Mediterranean, and one of entyposiakoteron the world. The "lucky" conquerors that passed through the island, then, were the Romans (ancient times), Turks, British and French.
In 1864 the island finally united with Greece, but the attacks do not stop. In 1953 the island syntarazei earthquake around 7 Richter and lasting one minute, destroying almost totally the island. That is why I do not see traditional architecture on the island, only to Xi, one of the most beautiful cities in the northern part of Kefalonia.
In more practical now, the island is located between Zakynthos and Lefkada and is easily accessible either by boat from Patras and Kyllini or air. More specifically, the journey from Kyllini in Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, lasted 2 hours and a quarter from Kyllini in Poros lasted one hour and a quarter, from Patras to Sami lasts two and a half hours, while air or not flight lasts more than one hour.
The parties which one has to visit the island is - without a trace of excess-ton. So when one decides to go to the island, must be determined that will come great distances and that this would take days. And do not properly considered, of course, do not get a car. The KTEL Kefalonia is certainly very useful, but if you want to find yourself in less tourist places, you'll need a car.
A good idea is to stay in Argostoli, in some ways is in the middle and west of the island, and from there to organize all your excursions. Argostoli, by itself, is the largest city and largest port of the island and has nothing to feel jealous of a typical Greek town. It has the oldest hotels, the most cosmopolitan restaurants, and any store. Do not expect much from night life. There are some bars and clubs which hardly frequented mostly foreign tourists. You will see, namely, that this is a more family island.
Worth seeing the bridge with arches that necessarily you go to visit the other side of the island, Korgialeneios Library, which houses the Historical Archive and the Folklore Museum, with traditional costumes, church relics, lithographs and other, but also a room with an impressive collection of Byzantine Image. It should also visit the Archaeological Museum with exhibits of prehistoric and Mycenaean times, and sinks, at the entrance of the harbour, where an inexplicable - until a few years ago-way, the water penetrates the opposite ends (east) side of the island, the Sami.
Speaking about the Sami, is the second largest, but most important port on the island, and a city with great interest. Apart from the coastal zone, with polyvoua tavernas, cafes and bars, Sami stands out as the cradle of caves, two of whom are now visited. Limnospilaio of Melissanis, KARAVOMYLOS, and the cave of Drogkaratis towards the Chaliotata village. The first is the geological jewel of the island after the trip to the boat, among stalactites and opalescent water is magical. The second creates awe of its size, its enormous stalactites and stalagmites and the colors of fire posed a reflection of headlamps.
A few kilometers from Sami is the beach of Antisamou. The second, in my opinion, better beach of the island, not only because of the amazing landscape aesthetics, with the green hill dominates kamarota, but also for pentakatharo water, full white round pebbles and korallosparto bottom. Preferred, if not afraid of the deep water if you want to go somewhere less congested. This beach, in fact, made the round of the world as the base of Lochagou Koreli, homonymous film.
The Poros, kamposa kilometres south, is the third port of the island. We're there if you prosaraxei the ship from Kyllini. This is another beautiful and several tourist part of the island, offered more quiet vacation and pezodromia in nature. Arriving in Poros, deserves to stop briefly in astonishing "Narrow Resource", a gorge height of 80 metres with a view to cutting the breath. The myth vathoulomata wants to set up the rocks, streams of the gorge, have been done by the touch of Hercules, and crossed the region.
Continuing the path even further south of Poros, the next big village where one will encounter is the Scala. It deserves to get to spend a whole day bathers in a huge sandy beach with clear and shallow waters, ideal for families with young children. Ratzakli Visit the picturesque village with the wonderful sea view and extremely restaurants. In a particular piece of the beach, in fact, Potamakia, where the sand is fine and warm hosted a percentage of the Mediterranean sea turtle Carreta-carreta.
Two fairly popular beaches in the south-west of the island is Platis and Long Gialos, which divide them only a few rocks. Located a few kilometers away from Argostoli and is the favourite destination of young people, since these beaches, with the blue and golden sand, have beach bars and various water sports, while they are peritrigyrismenes from the evergreen pine forest.
Looking none the map of Kefalonia, I noticed a large peninsula in the north-west of the island. Rather, it is for the most part adikimeno, this anyway beautiful island. Therein lies Lixuri, the second largest city of the island, home satirikou poet Andrea Laskaratou. This is a very low profile town, which seems to prefer the island of peace throughout the year. It is important to find one that afternoon stroll in the square for lunch or evening. The day, attracts the interest of many beach Xi, near Lassi, with the red sand.
In Myrto, even north of the island, will not talk more. Those who have already visited the island know. The other is preferable to be found before the amazing view from the street and to swim in the sea was clear to understand. Be careful, however, to go day will fysaei vorias, not to have anakatepsei water, and remember to swim to the cave on the edge of the beach.
Leaving the Myrto must pass by Ace, another beautiful picturesque village of Kefalonia, amphitheatrically built on a peninsula green. The small settlement could not be more cute, with eptanisia architecture and quaint taverns in the small harbour, ideal for lunch under the cool trees. In Ace exist and the ruins of a Venetian castle, the 15 th century, with sections of walls to erase their barracks, and a small chapel of St. Mark.
The touring our most remarkable parts of Kefalonia ends in Xi. It could also be started from here, but, as usual, good fyla about the end. It is said that first inhabited 40,000 years ago, and later served as the apanemo port of the ancient Romans. Today, it could well be the best point of Venice. The words are hard to describe the picturesque, unique architecture, the decorative details of the houses on almost in water, the majestic colors of green, white, blue, eventually creating a valuable table. Sou enough to kathesai one corner and the thafmazeis.
The Xi was the home of the poet of the sea, Nikos Kavvadias. In return Xi luxurious vessels after the trip to Ithaca, creating a miniature version of Cannes. In Xi is the Tasia, the famous tavern known mageirissas, with the dream astakomakaronades. It should however be impartial: Vasso and will eat one as well, and at more reasonable prices, but also in Herodotus. In any case, promise yourself that when you go to the island, and you will find yourself in Xi. And follow it.
Stay Around:
Aenos Hotel: Argostoli. Prices for August start at 95 euros a double with breakfast. Tel. 26710 27035.
Ionian Plaza: Argostoli, in the central square. Prices for August start at 119 euros for a double with breakfast. Tel. 26710 25581
Agnantia Hotel Apartments: Xi. Prices for August start at 130 euros for standar room, 170 euros for the superior room and 200 euros for the suite, including breakfast. Tel. 26740 51803
Emelisse Hotel: Xi. Prices for August start at 414 euros for a double with breakfast. Tel. 26740 41200 (-8)
9 Muses Hotel: Skala. Prices for August start at 160 euros for a double with breakfast. Tel. 26710 83563
