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 Cephalonia (also spelt Kefallonia), named after a Greek hero from around the 5th century BC, lies in the centre of the Ionian Sea, 53 nautical miles from Patras. This is one of the most enchanting of the Greek islands, which accounts for its having become one of the most sought after by holidaymakers. Hundreds of visitors descend on the island year round, avid for the quiet, windless beaches, many at the base of steep cliffs that plunge into the sea, or to explore the verdant mountainsides clad in shadowy forests. The island resort has an excellent tourist infrastructure, is connected to Athens by air (the airport is situated just south of the ancient capital of Argostoli) and to Patras and surrounding islands by ferry. In addition to some spectacular golden beaches, Cephalonia boasts numerous historic and natural attractions. Best known of these are the caves at Melissani where a subterranean lake reflects a kaleidoscope of gorgeous colours; there are also the 'swallow holes' where visitors marvel at the phenomenon of seawater literally disappearing through the rock. The beautiful city of Argostoli, the island's capital since ancient times, was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1953, but among the remains are the fascinating archaeological and folk art museums. The island's main town, Lixouri, is peaceful and picturesque, situated close to the south coast where the best beaches are to be found. Visitors to Cephalonia are never at a loss for an entertaining way to spend their time. There are quaint villages, traditional fishing harbours, Roman ruins, architecturally marvellous churches and castles and magnificent views to discover. |
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Kefalonia Resort reviews
Karavados, is a traditional picturesque Greek village, ideal for those wishing tranquillity, peace and quiet. Suited to the independent traveller, the pace of life in Karavados is slow. You won't find bars, tavernas and discos, just a sleepy village where time stands still.
Lassi is situated on the South West of the island with five sandy bays that shelve gently into shallow water, making this the ideal resort for families and beach lovers. Watersports are available on all the main beaches during high season (June-September). Modern and purpose-built, Lassi stretches along a coastal road, making it a good base for exploring the rest of the island. to keep you happy at night there are over 30 bars and restaurants ranging from English, Italian and Chinese to traditional Greek, nightlife means dinner plus watching the sun set with a brandy. The resort is very accessible just three kilometres from the capital Argostoli. The airport is only 10 minutes by car or taxi or 20 mins by coach.
Lixouri, tranquil and friendly, is ideally situated at the foot of a wonderful mountain range. Life revolves around the village square where the handful of tourists mix with the locals in the bars. In high season, the two discos just outside town are a big hit with locals! The red, fine sands of Lepeda Beach, perhaps the best in the resort area, are two kilometres away from Lixouri Centre. The beach is clean and excellent for families. The airport is about 50 minutes by car or taxi or 1½ by coach.
Skala With its vast shingle and sandy bf the resort of Skala is growing steadily in popularity but it has retained its relaxed village atmosphere. Skala retains plenty of local character inland, where you can see the ruins of the Old Town, while the quaint fishing quay of nearby Katelios is notable for its fine fish tavernas. Evenings spent in the many cafe- bars and restaurants in the main street. The airport is about 55 minutes by car or taxi or 2 hours by coach.
Svoronata This sleepy village retains much of its traditional Greek charm. When you have soaked up the sun on one of the three excellent beaches, there are a handful of tavernas and local bars in which to cool down. The evening entertainment in Svoronata is very low key and is based around eating out, for a more lively evening take a trip up the coast to Argostoli or nearby Lassi. As this resort is near to the airport, some daytime aircraft noise is to be expected. |
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Kefalonia Travel Facts: Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.
Money: The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, divided into 100 cents. Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and travellers cheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining euros. Language: Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK nationals require a passport valid for the intended period of stay, but a visa is not required. Health: There are no specific health risks in Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Medical facilities in Greece vary; those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. Bird flu was detected in swans in northern Greece in February 2006, but stringent measures have been taken to contain the outbreak; no human infections have been reported. The risk to people is believed to be very low, but visitors are advised to avoid any contact with caged, wild or domestic birds, and to ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked as a precaution.
Tipping: The tip is often included in the bill in a restaurant. If not, leave between 10 to 15 percent. For drinks at cafes, round the bill up to the nearest euro. Taxis expect change as do cloak room attendants and porters.
Safety: There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors are urged to be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. The bombs that exploded in central Athens outside a police station on 5 May 2004 were not targeted at tourists, but visitors could be caught up accidentally in such incidents. Greece is otherwise considered a safe destination, but the height of the tourist season does usually see an increase in petty theft cases, particularly in crowded areas. Visitors are advised not to carry valuables on them. Violent crime is infrequent, but there have been incidents on some Greek islands and lone visitors are advised not to accept lifts from strangers.
Communications: The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are often surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) offices for local and international calls. Calls can also be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks or OTE offices. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts and are cheaper than accessing the Internet from hotels. |
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ABTA & ATOL protection is included on all holidays |
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