The
largest island in lonian, Kefalonia is a land
of contrasts. Just for starters don't miss the view
from the castle at Assos. Οn your left, spread
out beneath your feet, ties the enchanting turquoise
bay of Myrtos renowned for its afternoon sun and soft
white sand. Or you might swim in the crystal clear
water of Poros. Υοu can also go up to the
top of Mt. Enos {1.628 metres above sea level). Its
slopes are covered with tall, cadar-like fir trees
that grow nowhere else in the world.
Οn other parts of the island
you’ll run into groves filled with olive or orange
trees and hillsides studded with grapevines;
breathtaking golden beaches and deep coves, rugged
rocky shores or visit famous caves.
The cave at Melissani is
actually a partially covered subterranean lake. When
the sun is directly overhead, its rays strike the
ultramarine water, shattering into a myriad phantasmagoric
colors. Drogorati, on the other hand, is known
for its unusual stalactites. Ιn the area of
Lassi, 1,5 kilometers from Argostoli, are the famous Katavothres
(swallow- holes), a rare geological
phenomenon. Here sea water enters openings in the rock
and "disappears". Οnly recently were
scientists able to trace it; they found that it
travels northeast through underground all the way
across the island finally to emerge at Melissani, near
the village of Karavomilos, opposite Sami. (Ιn
the past water poured in at such a rate it was
used to power two enormous sea mills.)
Of the old, immensely attractive
city of Argostoli, the capital, which was destroyed by
an earthquake in 1953, very little remains; one or two
houses, the arched bridge stretching across the lagoon
and the obelisk at its centre, which commemorates the
date of its construction. During your stay there you
could visit its interesting museums , its Library:
tel.: 28221 and swim at the famous nearby beaches of
Makris and Platis Gialos.
Lixouri,
Kefalonia's second largest town, has a peaceful
atmosphere, a lovely l9th century mansion-museum, and
vestiges of the ancient city of Pali.
The beaches to the south are among the best on the
island.
South of Argostoli near the village of Domata lies
the church of Panagia with an exceptional carved
wooden on screen. ΝΕ of Domata the Monastery
of Agios Andreas near the village of Peratata has a
wonderful icon collection.
Above the monastery looms the castle of St. George
built by the Venetians in 1504. Within its walls there
is a small piazza, the Kanoni, and north of it the
ruins of the Catholic church of St. Nicholas. The view
of the fertile valley and its villages spread out
below the castle is splendid.
The area of Katelios in the southeast of the island,
has two outstanding beaches, one near the seaside
hamlet of Katelio and the other at Skala. Ιn this
area were discovered the ruins of a 3rd century B.C.
building from the height of the Roman era, perhaps the
home of a wealthy Roman businessman, which contains
excellent, well-preserved mosaics.
Οn
the east side of the island are Poros, Sami, and Agla
Eflmla with its pebbled beach. Fiskardo, the northernmost
harbor on Kefalonia, has kept its traditional color.
Lying opposite and very close to Ithaca, it is
surrounded by a thick cypress glade.
Οn the west side of the island is Assos, a
charming village built astride the isthmus of the
peninsula of the same name, famous for its picturesque
castle.
The good road network, which covers the whole
island, makes it easy to explore Kefalonia from one
side to the other: its deep blue waters, steep bare
cliffs, lush valleys, picturesque, secluded villages.
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