kefalonia.. a jewel in Greeces crown (Kefalonia)

Member Name: georgiesue

Product:	Kefalonia
Date:	01/10/08 (647 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: beautiful and unspoilt

Disadvantages: too much is made of the captain corelli link

J have visited Kefalonia three times now and I must confess my first visit was as a result of the captain Corellis mandelin hype. I loved the book and was curious to visit the island that had been so magically described in the novel.

I stayed in a villa in the fishing village of Fiskardo which is at the northern most part of the island, although still only an hour from the airport. The drive up the coastal road was beautiful, stunning views out over an impossibly blue sea with shear drops at the side of the road and goats clutching the side of the mountains, the stuff of poetry. The weather was hot, extremely so even though it was only early June. In August I would imagine it could be unbearable. The villa was stunning. It felt like we were millionaires, a huge infinity pool and yet we had booked last minute with James Villas and the whole holiday price was only £500 each including a hire car.

Fiskardo overlooks the neighbouring island of Ithaka which is steeped in myth and legend and well worth a visit over on a small boat that you can hire from the habour.

Fiskardo is probably the most upmarket place in Kefalonia but it still has a quaintness that is hard to find in todays mediteranean resorts. It tends to be busy in the summer with lots of yachts and boats mooring there. The harbourside restaurants are pricy, you are paying for their situation but the food is of a high standard and typically greek.

A short drive back down the coast road leads you to assos which you reach by driving down a long, steep and winding road. Across a small causeway is another road that takes you high up a mountain where at the top you find a monestary which is both peaceful and has stunning views out over the sea towards Ithaka. There are a number of lovely uncommercialised tavernas offering fresh fish and greek dishes the quality of which is excellent.

Kefalonia is a beautiful place to visit not least because it is still relatively uncommercialised and apart from a couple of resorts which have the usual trappings of a commercial holiday resort, the rest of the island is traditional, quiet, unspoilt and very very pretty.

Kefalonia is a place to chill out and unwind. Its beaches and sea in my opinion rival any caribbean resort yet it is only a three and a half hour flight from the midlands.

I would definately recommend this island for a holiday. I have visited many greek islands and it is head and shoulders above the others. It gets under your skin and I am already planning my next trip there. Give it a try...but not if you are after nightlife and man made attractions

Summary: a beautiful place for a relaxing holiday