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News and Events For Kefalonia
Captivating seaside villages lapped by warm, crystal waters, a backdrop of tall imposing mountains and some of the most beautiful beaches and coves in all of Greece; these are amongst the many delights with which Kefalonia tempts the visitor.
To the north of the island is pretty Fiscardo, where rows of pastel coloured houses line the quayside, quiet secluded coves can be explored, and breathtaking views of mythical Ithaca are enjoyed from the tiny hamlets surrounding the colourful harbour.
To the north of the island is pretty Fiscardo, where rows of pastel coloured houses line the quayside, quiet secluded coves can be explored, and breathtaking views of mythical Ithaca are enjoyed from the tiny hamlets surrounding the colourful harbour.
Celebrating Easter in Kefalonia
Easter is often more celebrated than Christmas in the Greek Orthodox church and this year, Greek Easter falls on the week of 29th April. Usually there is a five week difference between western and eastern Christian celebrations of Easter, whilst once every four years it falls on the same date.
Easter is a joyous time to holiday in Greece; spring brings flowers and fauna in abundance and the Greek people enjoy the release from the winter hibernation. Even if you are not a devout Christian you cannot help but be moved by the ceremonies and way of life that begin on Easter Sunday after 40 days of fasting. During “Megali Evdomada” or “Holy week”, fasting is taken seriously and many traditional tavernas delight in producing delicious vegetarian and seafood dishes. Church services are held throughout the week.
Holy Week traditionally goes as follows:
• Monday – This is the day to go to church and kiss the icon of Christ.
• Tuesday – A day of mourning.
• Wednesday – All household chores must be finished on this day.
• Thursday – Communion services are held all day and churchgoers bow before Christ on the cross.
• Friday – A day of mourning, marked by the church bells ringing the death knell all morning. The ‘Epitafo’ (funeral bier) is decorated and a service held for Christ’s funeral. It is a day of rest and card playing is forbidden. At dusk, the Epitafio is paraded in sombre fashion around the town or village. At midnight, the ‘Anastasi’ (the Resurrection) takes place and is the culmination of Holy week. The whole of Greece, it seems, attends the midnight mass, and the congregation each light a candle from the holy flame started by the priest. Hurrying home, they make the sign of the cross by the light of the candle in the doorway of each home before entering, to bring good luck for the year ahead. Boys of all ages delight in letting off firecrackers on the stroke of midnight so it is accompanied with the strong smell of cordite! This is when the breaking of the fast takes place, eating mageirista meat soup, red eggs and cheese pies.
• Saturday – Another service is held and the churches are filled with flowers. Lambs are killed in readiness for the Sunday feast.
• Sunday – Families and friends gather together to celebrate, roasting a lamb or goat on a spit, with music and dancing throughout the day.
In Kefalonia, as well as the traditions followed across Greece, after Easter there is a festival in Argostoli celebrating the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece on the 21st May.
Kalo Pasxa – Happy Easter!
Easter is a joyous time to holiday in Greece; spring brings flowers and fauna in abundance and the Greek people enjoy the release from the winter hibernation. Even if you are not a devout Christian you cannot help but be moved by the ceremonies and way of life that begin on Easter Sunday after 40 days of fasting. During “Megali Evdomada” or “Holy week”, fasting is taken seriously and many traditional tavernas delight in producing delicious vegetarian and seafood dishes. Church services are held throughout the week.
Holy Week traditionally goes as follows:
• Monday – This is the day to go to church and kiss the icon of Christ.
• Tuesday – A day of mourning.
• Wednesday – All household chores must be finished on this day.
• Thursday – Communion services are held all day and churchgoers bow before Christ on the cross.
• Friday – A day of mourning, marked by the church bells ringing the death knell all morning. The ‘Epitafo’ (funeral bier) is decorated and a service held for Christ’s funeral. It is a day of rest and card playing is forbidden. At dusk, the Epitafio is paraded in sombre fashion around the town or village. At midnight, the ‘Anastasi’ (the Resurrection) takes place and is the culmination of Holy week. The whole of Greece, it seems, attends the midnight mass, and the congregation each light a candle from the holy flame started by the priest. Hurrying home, they make the sign of the cross by the light of the candle in the doorway of each home before entering, to bring good luck for the year ahead. Boys of all ages delight in letting off firecrackers on the stroke of midnight so it is accompanied with the strong smell of cordite! This is when the breaking of the fast takes place, eating mageirista meat soup, red eggs and cheese pies.
• Saturday – Another service is held and the churches are filled with flowers. Lambs are killed in readiness for the Sunday feast.
• Sunday – Families and friends gather together to celebrate, roasting a lamb or goat on a spit, with music and dancing throughout the day.
In Kefalonia, as well as the traditions followed across Greece, after Easter there is a festival in Argostoli celebrating the union of the Ionian Islands with Greece on the 21st May.
Kalo Pasxa – Happy Easter!
Seek... refuge in the Caves of Drogarati. These wonderful caves can be found a couple of kilometres south of Sami, and the stalagmites and stalactites here are truly amazing. The cave is actually quite big, and makes for some wonderful photographs - take a jacket though, as it can be quite cool down there.
Sample... some of the Island's famous wines at the Gentilini winery near to the airport. Here you can find out all about the local Robola wine, as well as sample the only Greek wine to hit the top 100 fine wines of the world and decide which ones to try out during your stay.
Snorkel... the Ionian seas are acknowledged as being amongst the cleanest seas in Europe, so get your snorkel and fins out and head off down to the sea.We recommend Alaties, as not only is it quiet,beautiful, clean and mesmerising, it also has a wonderful taverna nearby to satisfy your lunch requirements.
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Kefalonia, Greece Area Information
Captivating seaside villages lapped by warm,crystal clear waters,a backdrop of tall imposing mountains and some of the most beautiful sand and pebble beaches in all of Greece; it is with these charms that Kefalonia tempts the visitor.
No less than ten of Kefalonia's beaches proudly fly a coveted Blue Flag in recognition of their exceptional standards with the much photographed Myrtos Beach regularly selected as being amongst Europe's top five.
Other Blue Flags fly alongside the beaches of Petani, Avithos, Lourdas,Skala, and Katelios. Special mention must also be made of Antisami, renowned for its natural beauty and widely featured in the film of Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Leaving these sun-dappled beaches behind you, head inland across the fertile lowlands to Kefalonia's highest point, Mount Ainos. Snow capped in winter and at 1628m taller than our own Ben Nevis, it is a designated National Park, home to both a rare species of forest fir and the celebrated but elusive Kefalonian wild ponies. Lourdas Beach lies at the bottom of Mount Ainos, a wonderful stretch of 3kms of pale fine sand.
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The island's capital is Argostoli, and its environs are rich in interesting, historical features. At its heart is the town square, the venue for many fine cafes perfect for watching the world go by.
In the south of the island, Skala is a family friendly village with an excellent variety of amenities and activities, including a choice of watersports. Its stunning 3km long sandy beach, fringed by pine trees, will appeal to all. Nature lovers will enjoy nearby Mounda, a major site for nesting turtles with part of the beach specifically set aside as a protected area.
Above the village is Paleo Skala, a once deserted settlement newly rejuvenated as the gorgeous old houses are renovated and rebuilt. It is a lovely spot where goats and sheep roam the hillsides and a rich agricultural heritage remains evident in the variety of orchards, groves and fields that flourish under the Greek sun.
Seven kilometres west of Skala is Katelios, a quiet, laid back village renowned as one of the friendliest fishing ports on Kefalonia and home to several excellent seafood tavernas.
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Erissos Peninsula, the island's northernmost region, is home to Fiscardo, with its row of pastel coloured Venetian-style houses lining the delightful quayside, many now converted into trendy, cosmopolitan cafés and tavernas.
The tiny hamlets and villages surrounding the port offer fabulous views of Mythical Ithaca and Lefkas and there are numerous coves and quiet bays like Emblissi Beach to explore. The attractive seaside village of Assos oozes a placid charm. Its jumble of tiny houses boasts a riot of colourful façades and there are spectacular views from its elevated Venetian castle.
Melissani cave and underground lake close to Karavolimnos are hugely impressive. Startlingly bright daylight pours in through a hole in the cavern roof, creating a pool of brilliant aquamarine water and a strange, almost ethereal atmosphere. Another fascinating geological feature can be found at the nearby Drogorati Cave where 100 steps lead down through the cool limestone to a wealth of spectacular stalagmites and stalactites.
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Cuisine
A variety of tasty seafood, olives, honey, wild vegetables, many different fruits and surprisingly good wine ensure local menus are not lacking in their choice of dishes.
Saints' Days
As is common throughout the whole of Greece Saints' Days are numerous and widely celebrated. Gerasimos (1506-1579) is the patron saint of Kefalonia and many local people believe he performs miracles on August 15th (the anniversary of his death) as well as on his 'name' day, October 20th, which is celebrated with an elaborate procession.
Climate
The island enjoys a reliable Mediterranean climate with pleasantly warm days from May through to October and hot, dry summers with temperatures consistently in the high 30's.
Getting there
Gatwick and Manchester offer the widest choice of direct charter flights to Kefalonia however there are also charter services from Birmingham, Nottingham East Midlands,Newcastle and Stansted airports. Easyjet have announced a three-times-weekly service operating for 2012, on sale from October 20th 2011.View villas in Kefalonia, Greece
Book your villa holiday online or telephone: 00 44 1954 261 431