Kefalonia

[Walton]

Seeing as the thread I started asking about Sorrento was so informative, I thought I'd check on the other place we're going this year, Kefalonia.

We're staying inland from Argostolion, and will have a car, a 14 year old and a 1 year old. We're going in October, so appreciate that a lot of the touristy things might have died down, but essentially we're going for a nice relaxed week with some good food. Well up for souvlaki and gyros.

Sami is half an hour away, so we're up for going there, but don't know much else about the island. Despite having the car, we don't want to be traipsing for ages due to having the little one.

Wanting restaurant and other attraction ideas, and as my daughter turns 14 while we're out there, if anyone can think of anything we could do for that then that'd be great.

Cheers in advance.

[Steve1956]

Beautiful place so much to do and see,I even had an holiday on this beautiful island on my own after divorce from my first wife.....hire a jeep the views up the top end of this place are magnificent

[bfcfan1882]

We went a couple of years ago and loved it (with a 3yr and 7yr old at the time). Also had a car and found ourselves "exploring" in the morning and into early afternoon then spending the remainder of the day by the pool.

I wish I could remember all we did - but found 14 places to "explore" (there for a fortnight).

I remember this restaurant being great:

http://avithospreview.gr/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Trying to remember other places we visited:

https://kefaloniaisland.org/sights/melissani-cave/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (stunning)
https://kefaloniaisland.org/sights/assos-village/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (beautiful)
https://kefaloniaisland.org/sights/argostoli-city/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (think this is where the turtles can be seen in the sea)
https://kefaloniaisland.org/sights/lixouri-city/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (via car ferry)

Loads of nice places - and some great scenic roads. Word of warning - don't pass too many fuel stations without filling up!!

Don't bother with Skala unless you want to visit a resort like all the others in Europe.

We didn't make it to the north of the island (Fiskardo) due to a land slip and a road closure (been closed 2 years!) The diversion would take too long. However, from all accounts this is the most beautiful place on the island.

Ammes Beach is great for plane watching. If you like beaches (I don't) just drive around the coast - you will be sure to find an empty cove with your own private beach.

[Steve1956]

Fiskardo is picture perfect,sat in a taverna having a beer and a Greek salad,beautiful little village,getting jealous now,love Greece been many times,go on the boat trips in the underwater lakes.

[COBBLE]

If you haven't already, watch Captain Corelli's mandolin. I think it was shot on the island. There are some beautiful scenic shots.

[Stalbansclaret]

You have made a good choice. Absolutely beautiful Greek island.I have never seen a bluer see than at Myrtos beach.
Some good advice above and I would add a recommendation of taking the short car ferry to Ithaca. We decided to go over there and spent a night in Vathy the main town. It's an idyllic, peaceful small island.

[SalisburyClaret]

Sami and Fiskcardo are the "prettiest" towns. Argostoli is more built up so has more practical shops. Three Trees is a great restaurant - think it's called To Pevko or something like that locally. Theofora's cocktail bar in Fiskcardo is a must too

[Guller Bull]

Logged in just to comment on this thread.

Kefalonia is the one place that I would pack up and go and live. We went about 3 years ago and hired a stunning villa with a car.

Like someone said above we would go out in the morning and explored the island by car

Myrtos and Assos are both stunning

This monastary is a must see : https://kefaloniaisland.org/sights/sain ... monastery/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For a wonderful welcoming cafe/restaurant try this by the St Georges castle. So good we went 3 times in a week. Beautiful terrace with gorgeous flowers and cats stretched out amongst them.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restauran ... lands.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We were staying out near Trapazeki/Lourdas area so a great restaurant for us was The Olive Lounge. All very family friendly.
http://www.justkefalonia.co.uk/comments ... em_ref=789" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So much to see and all soooo beautiful - very jealous.

[Oliasclaret]

I agree with neatly everything mentioned on this thread. Assos has it for me, the drive down the mountain is simply stunning. I wouldn't recommend driving down to Myrtos beach in October unless it's a really nice day. It's VERY stoney with no sand to speak of and the undertow on less than a perfect day is s known killer.
The weather in Kefalonia starts to break down from the end of September as it does in most of the Ionian islands so expect to see some clouds and maybe some showers from time to time, but you may not see any at all!!!, it's just the way it is. Enjoy your stay it's my favourite Greek Island

[Guller Bull]

What are the temperatures like in January?

I know it's going to be a lot colder and presumably wetter but is it worth going for a break at that time of year?

[Oliasclaret]

Flights direct from the UK in January may be a problem, it certainly is for Zante. I’m led to believe that the way to do it is to fly into Athens and then an internal flight across to the Ionian islands or travel overland !!!!!!

[Claretforever]

I think it’s one of those islands which almost closes down for a few months over the winter in terms of tourists?

We’ve been about 5-6 times to Kefalonia, and absolutely love it. It’s a real gem, which isn’t over commercialised at all, and I’d imagine the pricing has something to do with that as the restaurants etc aren’t as cheap as some other islands. It’s the one place I go and knownill truly relax.

I can’t really add too much more than what has been posted above, but we normally base ourselves in Lassi, which is not far from the airport and a lovely walk into Argostoli.

Lassi has a load of restaurants and a few cocktail bars, plus some great beautiful sandy beaches.

We’ve also stayed in Skala on the other corner of the island, and that has a huge beach, plus is a larger and busier resort. In fact, there’s a bar there called Captain’s Bar, and is one of Simon Pegg’s favourite bars in the world. You also get a lot of celebrities going. The first year we went they delayed our entrance to the small airport because Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell were flying out. Madonna also had her yacht in at Fiskado one year. Nicholas Cage has a villa there, and a few other celebs have a villa on Ithaca, eg Rowan Atkinson.

Hire a care and get about though as the views around the island are genuinely stunning. Fiskardo, which is the only place to have survive the 1953 earthquake is a beautiful, and colourful fishing village. I want to go back there now after seeing this....

[Cirrus_Minor]

I have also been and agree with what is said above. The turtle feeding ( I think it was at Scala) is brilliant.

[Bertiebeehead]

Heading there in July for 3 weeks, haven’t been since before the kids were born. Looking forward to it immensely so will be keeping an eye on this thread. Any diving suggestions?

[Stalbansclaret]

You have made a good choice. Absolutely beautiful Greek island.I have never seen a bluer sea than at Myrtos beach.
Some good advice above and I would add a recommendation of taking the short car ferry to Ithaca. We decided to go over there and spent a night in Vathy the main town. It's an idyllic, peaceful small island.

[Stalbansclaret]

I just copied my own post....I really didn't want to do that..I thought I was editing the original as had said "see" instead of "sea" !

[Chesterthedog]

We’re off next week. A fortnight of pure bliss and chilling. Turquoise seas, great food, romantic sunsets. Thought we’d wait til after the World Cup. But the Jet2 flights were so cheap next Wednesday, We couldn’t resist the attraction. Trapezaki Bay Hotel - the vacationers’ paradise!