CV TRAVEL FLIGHTS AVAILABLE to KEFALONIA
We have seats available on the following flight to Kefalonia. Please call 020 7401 1026 for more information and reservations: Our prices include 20 kilos luggage allowance, meals and taxes.
London Gatwick - Kefalonia, VIK363/364, Saturdays 22 May - 09 October
Outbound: Departs Gatwick 0640hrs, Arrives Kefalonia 1200hrs
Inbound: Departs Kefalonia 1300hrs, Arrives Gatwick 1420hrs
Additional Services: CV Viking Gold £99 return, Pre-Selected Seating £20 return, Extra Legroom Seats £60 return. Notes: Infant charge (under 2 years): £30 applies to all flights
All flight times may be subject to change. Aircraft type and fittings can be subject to substitution for reasons beyond our control.
The popularity of Corfu and Paxos as holiday destinations was at first not shared by Kefalonia. Few British had visited it since the 19th century when British merchants settled there and made their fortunes from the currant trade. The island has remained relatively unknown, until a few years ago when it became the location for Louis de Bernieres’ well known book and subsequent film. This introduced the island to a wider audience, an island of dramatic mountains, thickly forested hillsides, pale golden beaches and a vividly coloured sea. Though tourism is beginning to develop on Kefalonia, the sounds most likely to reach your ears, as you relax by your villa pool, are still more likely to be those of goat bells, birdsong and cicadas.
To this day, it remains ‘the wild isle’, as it is often called, and while its terrain does tend to be on the rugged side, most of it is accessible and the visitor’s exploration is rewarded by glimpses of protected birds and mammals, by the unrivalled beauty of ancient sites, Venetian fortresses and isolated monasteries, Byzantine churches, caves, colourful fishing villages and secluded coves.
Much of the island is covered by pine forest and thickly carpeted with the wild herbs familiar to travellers in Greece – sage, oregano, thyme and rosemary. The entire island is surrounded with superb beaches – dazzling pebbles in the north, golden sand in the south, sloping gently into the warm, sparkling sea and very appealing to children.
Argostoli, the island’s capital is a cosmopolitan mix of shops, bars and restaurants and a vital ferry link to the Greek mainland, Italy and the Lixouri peninsula. Outside Argostoli, the lovely coastline stretches from the resort of Lassi south to Skala, scattered with glorious beaches and captivating fishing villages, such as Spartia, Trapezaki, Lourdas and Katelios.
At the northern tip is Fiskardo, a colourful and quite enchanting seaside village much loved by yachtsmen. The quayside houses, some of them dating from Venetian times, are now for the most part home to chic boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Assos has a breathtaking beauty of its own, and is built on a narrow isthmus linked to a headland on which stands a Venetian castle.
On Kefalonia, there are so many beaches, some of which rate highly in lists of the world’s most beautiful, including just south of Assos the quite wonderful Myrtos beach, that it doesn’t take much effort to find one that is quiet and meets your preferences in every way. As for ‘away-from-the-beach’ exploration, the opportunities are varied and rewarding and will appeal to all age groups. There is no doubt that you will leave Kefalonia with a determination to return.
Our Recommendations for Kefalonia:
• Argostoli is the busy and lively capital of Kefalonia, focus of island life, with a very colourful harbour. A visit to Argostoli affords a wonderful opportunity to experience the daily life of the locals.
• Kefalonia is an island of superb beaches, amongst which Myrtos stands out for the dazzling effect of the white limestone cliffs and the turquoise sea – it has been voted one of the most beautiful in Europe.
• The island produces excellent wines, amongst which Robola stands out – a visit to the Robola Vineyard should not be missed.
• Rent a boat, take a picnic, and enjoy the small coves of the eastern coast.
• Fiskardo has all the timeless appeal of a small harbour village with boats of all kinds, waterfront restaurants and cafes, chic boutiques and friendly locals.
• A drive through the interior of Kefalonia soon reveals just how rugged this island is, with mountains and gorges, abrupt cliffs, time-warp villages and spectacular views.
• Assos is enchanting – tiny, red-roofed, it lies on one side of a slender isthmus on the other side of which is an impressive 16th century Venetian fortress. The views from here are incredible.
• Kefalonia can be explored on horseback very rewardingly – riding stables are to be found in Sami and Aghia Efimia.
• August festivals: 16th August sees the celebration of the name-day of St Gerasimos, patron saint of the island. A wine festival celebrating the great local wine, Robola, takes place on the weekend after 15th August in the village of Frangata.
• Much of the film 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' was shot in Sami, with many locals appearing as extras. The beautiful beach that featured so prominently is called Antisamos Beach and is a five minute drive from Sami.
• Ithaca has a long history, interwoven with myth and legend, and has so far not been a tourist destination at all. Visit it for a day and experience an island where time seems to have stood still for many years.