KEFALONIA VILLA HOLIDAYS

Kefalonia, is the largest island in the Ionian and has some of the most spectacular scenery. There were settlements here in 50,000BC long before the modern Mediterranean had taken shape. Wood from the prized Kefalonian fir trees, named Abies Cephalonica after its native island, has even been found in the Minoan Palace at Knossos in Crete.

By the 7th century BC the island had already established democratic rule, when it was split into four kingdoms, city states with government by consensus. Perhaps this explains why Kefalonians, who have had so many different nations wanting to possess and rule their lovely island over the centuries, have such a healthy disregard for unnecessary bureaucracy.

Individuality, genuine friendliness and a marvellous sense of humour characterise the island people. Kefalonia has some of the most dramatic scenery in the region, such as the national park of Mount Ainos, the Ionian Islands’ highest peak, with its famous fir forests and elusive wild ponies left behind by the Crusaders.

The spectacular caves of Melissani and Drogarati near Sami, the magnificent sea cliffs of the northwest coast near Assos and picturesque villages such as Fiskardo, it is easy to understand why so many visitors return year after year.

The island has seen some commercial tourist development in areas around Lassi near Argostoli and Skala, further south. Here one can find some of the best beaches with the cleanest water in the Mediterranean, however they may be crowded in high and peak season.

Although all of our properties are situated in much quieter areas of the island, a visit to the beaches Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos near Lassi or the fine sandy beach at Skala can be great fun, especially if there are children in the party. Greeks in general and the Kefalonians in particular still believe in the principle of the extended family. This is the perfect island for a family holiday. Friendships quickly develop, especially when the common language is laughter.

On the other hand Kefalonia has so much to offer those wishing for a quieter holiday away from it all. Some of the best walking in Greece can be found here, especially in the undeveloped Erissos peninsula in the north.

Take a leisurely coastal stroll through forests of oak and strawberry trees to an empty cove, often with its own tiny chapel set amongst the olive groves. Venture through the old wheat fields and vineyards of Vari, now reclaimed by carpets of wild flowers in spring and autumn, or join a guided expedition from coast to coast with a knowledgeable local guide. Walking in parts of Kefalonia is as far removed from the crowded 'footways' of other parts of Europe as one could imagine.

Kefalonia is an island for all seasons. The surrounding sea has long been a mecca for yachtsmen, but nowadays the land-based visitor also has the opportunity to explore Kefalonia by water. It’s said that you can’t have your cake and eat it. Possibly not, but surely the next best thing must be to stay in a comfortable waterside villa or apartment with the use of a motor boat to reach any one of a dozen or more little coves only accessible by sea; return in the evening to a friendly taverna serving an island speciality such as Kefalonian meat pie!

The island’s romantic associations go back long before a certain Italian soldier plucked his mandolin, won the heart of a local girl and invited Hollywood over for a visit.

Poros in the south and Agios Spiridion in the Lixouri peninsula both have strong claims to be the site of Odysseus’ palace. Here the ever faithful Penelope waited ten years for the return of her husband.

Much later Lord Byron, perhaps the most romantic poet of a very romantic age, stayed on the island at Metaxata near Argostoli. Here he is commemorated by a statue in the small plateia where his house once stood. It was from Kefalonia that he set sail on his last voyage to the mainland in support of the struggle for Greek independence. The Kefalonian people took him into their hearts and even today ‘O Vyronos’ as he was called, is spoken of with great affection.

A week in a restored cottage surrounded by orange trees, wild rosemary on terrace walls with the moon rising above Ithaka might not be romantic enough, but a fortnight certainly would.

Kefalonia is the home of Ionian Island Holidays, so although we may have to plead guilty to a slight bias, we would love to share our home island with you.

A Norman adventurer by the name of Roberto Guiscard sailed into this enchanting natural harbour on the northern tip of Kefalonia. His stay was not altogether successful, he soon succumbed to the plague. Happily, later visitors, most notably the Venetians, left a more lasting legacy in the graceful buildings that line the waterfront.

Owing to a quirk of geology, these buildings survived the great earthquake of 1953 that devastated much of the Ionian. Modern Fiskardo, thanks to strict planning regulations, combines all the aesthetic beauty of Venetian architecture, with a thriving community, that has become a popular port of call to yachtsmen and visitors from all over the world.

For the armchair sailor, boat watching from the comfort of a shaded table beside the water, cold drink to hand, can become addictive but for the more energetic, Fiskardo has all the facilities of a well run small village.

Despite the evident bustle of life around the harbour, Fiskardo has none of the brashness of many Mediterranean holiday centres. Narrow alleys and steps lead away from the harbour past old houses, their balconies festooned with jasmine and bougainvillea, towards the cypress forest and olive groves that surround the village.

Within a few minutes one can be wandering along ancient tracks to deserted hamlets. Discovering paths which wind through unspoilt and protected woodland to narrow coves, where the contrast between the shining white pebbles of the beach, and the clear blue of the water invites one to stop and stay for a while.

History is here too. From the Venetian light tower on the headland, in the ruin of the Norman church, behind the Roman remains, to the mysterious origins of Cleopatra’s Chair.

Natural beauty, history, shops, villas and tavernas, Fiskardo has them all. But perhaps, the town’s greatest attraction, and the one that brings visitors back time again, is not so immediately obvious. It is the local people.

Virtually every business, from a restaurant providing internationally acclaimed cuisine to a traditional bakery hidden up a side street, is family owned and operated. These are people whose natural hospitality is a way of life. Behind the Venetian façade of Fiskardo lies a spirit of people whose individuality and friendliness has survived invasion, revolution, and earthquake.

Be warned, a holiday here can easily become a way of life!