Attractions from the south to the north of the island

Kefalonia is the larger from the Ionian Islands, cavers’ area of 800km2, with population of 45,000 inhabitants. Argostoli is the capital and Lixouri is the second biggest city. From time immemorial, there are two explanations about Cephallonia’s name. (This is the second spelling of the island’s name).

 

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One is coming from Mythological hero Cephalos, who exiled from Attica / Athens, because he killed his wife Prokris in a hunding accident. And the other is coming from the Greek work Kefali / Head, because the island is the biggest of the Ionian Islands, so is the head of the complex.

 

The first written script, which mentioned Kefalonia is Homer’s Iliad, on where according to him, Ulysses was accompanied on his way to Troy by a fleet of 12 ships from the Great Hearted Cephallonians.

 

The first evidence of life on the island is coming from 4000 years BC, from the Neolithic period. The famous archaeologists Kavadias did excavations on many parts of the island, where he found ruins in tombs which testify high standard of civilization at the times of the Trojan wars.

 

Even since the Mycenaean era, the island was divided into four districts, each with its own capital of the same name, SAMI, PALLI, CRANEA, PRONI each independent with its own institutions. (The same names are used in our days also).

 

Kefalonia took but a little part in the Persians war, in the Peloponnesian wars in the side of the Athenians. In 216BC Philip V of Macedonian attracted Palli but was repulsed.

 

The Romans attacked Sami in 187 BC and its succumbed, as Titus Levies writes, after a heroic four months siege of the two fortresses overlooking the northern harbor of Sami. But finally all the cities surrendered to the Roman Empire.

 

Christianity appears in the island during the 2nd century. After the division of the Roman Empire, the island was attached to Byzantium until 1082, when it was occupied by the Franks. Roberto Giiskardo the Norman, it is still remembered at the Northern Part, in Fiscardo village, having named after him. Later the island held for centuries by two Italians families, the ORCINI from 1153-1356 and the TOCCHI from 1356-1478. During this period the Orthodox Sect of the island was abolished. The Turks occupation was only from 1479-1500, but Venetians fought them out of the island and held it until 1797. During this period orthodoxy regained its position and society followed a feudal way of life known as “LIBRO D’ORO”. (The golden book contains all the high society families).

 

Shipping and agriculture made tremendous progress and the island was known for the huge wheat production sufficient enough to cover the needs of Venice. The Venetian rule replaced by the French one and in 1809 Kefalonia was taken by the British. It handed over to Greece in 21st May 1864. Within the modern times 1941-1943 were occupied by the Italians and then by the Germans for a year. In recent years a lot of excavations in several parts of the island gave evidence of all the previous mentioned periods. In Poros – in the south – they found a Mycenaean Era Tomb. In Fiscardo – in the north- they found a Roman grave complex of five not looted tombs and a private Roman amphitheater.

 

Argostoli is the island’s capital and situated in the southern part since 1797. You can visit the Archeological Museum, the Folk Museum, enjoy walking or shopping at the pedestrian road of Lithostroto or by the waterfront.

Plenty café and restaurants can be found around the central square of the town, operating from morning till late hours.
Near by the golden sandy beaches of Fanari, Gradakia, Makris Yialos, and Platys Yialos giving excellent choice for a daily tour, combine sea activities and local tastes, if you are not stay in the area.

Livathos area in the south part of the island consists of a lot of small villages, with well kept yards and gardens full of flowers. Sandy beaches like Minies, Ammes, Avythos, Spartia, Karavados, Trapezaki, and Lourdas provide a good excuse for longer stay, since small taverns are always near by.

Do not miss a visit to St. George Castle – first capital of the island – with the magnificent view over the area and to the St. Andrews Nunnery with the superb collection of local Byzantine Icons in its Museum.

 

Katelios – Scala & Poros area, in the south part of the island offers you long beaches with clear crystal waters and variety of fish restaurants by the waterfront. On you way back to Sami, you can follow the mountainous road from the back side of Ainos passing from the area known as Pyrgi. This is the wild beauty of Kefalonia. Unspoiled villages were locals are still working with fields and animals and not in the tourism business. You can easily find there local product like cheese, olive oil, honey and home wine.

From the area of Pyrgi you can drive over the Mount Ainos and arrive to the famous St. Gerassimos Nunnery – the patron saint of the island .

 

 

From Sami driving north you can pass the fishing village of Agia Efimia and continue to the blue flag awarded Myrtos Beach. If you are not strong swimmers or if you are escorting children, is better to admire its emerald water reflections from the top of the road and visit others beaches like Emblisi, Agia Ierousalim, Alaties, Chalkeri and Evreti on the northern part of the island for swimming.

Drive down hill in Assos for swimming, strolling in the tiny village, climbing to the Fortress, is a unique experience. And finally arrive at the VIPS area of Fiscardo, which was left virtually unscathed during the great earthquake of 1953 that ruined must of the island. All the times of the day are charming, since vehicles are parked out of the village in parking areas.

 

Busy in the morning with yachts trying to moor for supplies, tourists walking to waterfront and enjoying the view or waiting to take the ferry boat for Ithaki or Lefkas Islands. Relaxing by the sunset, since the daily energy passes away and everyone wants lower speeds! Romantic as the light is limited and a lot of the sea places are using cantles! Sleepless from the moment that the shops are open till very late! Unique and colorful as a masterpiece of art!
Whenever time of day chose to visit the area, drive very carefully, since the road is a difficult one with a lot of narrow close bents.

 

During the day, try the mountain road from Enosi, Vary & Karia which takes you to the eastern part of the island and arrives in Agia Efimia. If the atmosphere is clear you will have full view of the Ithaki Island.

 

Definitely you will return in Avgerinata Estate with the best memories and you will enjoy a glass of local wine accompanied by the multi-color images of Sami by Night from you private veranda.

 

To the west of the island is located the Lixouri Peninsula and it deserves a daily trip in order to catch up with its attractions. From the northern side you have to visit Petani Beach, a tranquil area with exceptional scenery.

Drive around the small villages; where each one ending is the beginning of the other and arrive to Kipouria Monastery. Spectacular view of the always wild sea hitting the rocks and creates enormous sounds. Many times you can feel strong waves shaking the rocks underneath the monastery. Michalitsata is among the largest village of the area and since is on a hill has excellent view over Lixouri town and across as far as Argostoli and Lassi area.

The location is known for the red sandy shallow beaches of Xi, Mega Lakos, and Vatsa which are ideal for small children.

 

At Lixouri town you can stroll at the pedestrian streets, enjoy the promenade and taste a piece of karidopita with ice cream (walnut pie )in one the café places around the square. If you feel tired to drive back, just join the small inexpensive ferry boat – cars allowed in - which connects the town with Argostoli every hour or half hour depending upon the season for a 30’ minutes voyage.

It will be a great disappointment if you will not visit our sister Island of Ithaki. Ferry boat is departing on daily basis from Sami port. If you wish to have time to drive around the island, you need to catch the first ferry in the morning around 08.30. The boat leaves you in Pisoaetos tiny port and from there with your cars, you can explore the entire area in couple of hours.

Vathi is the capital of the island, very picturesque port, took its name from its width natural shape of golf. In the town are Archeological and Folk Museums, plenty of pedestrian roads for walking and café around the square. Next stop can be Stavros mountainous village, where you can see the homonymous church and the Museum with all the foundlings from the excavations regarding Ulysses connection to the island.

Then you can drive via Frikes port to Kioni – traditional fishing village-, for swimming or lunch. If you have time in the afternoon is good experience to drive to Kathara Monastery which is dedicated to Virgin Mary and offers excellent view over Vathi town, and mainland Greece.