Great Things to Do Near Hlazeika
Drogarati caves
Although they have deservedly become a serious attraction on the Island, it’snever so busy that you have to spend much time waiting to see them. We recommend that you try to arrive there either early(ish) morning or late afternoon, so as to be sure to avoid any bus party that may be visiting the caves as part of their Island tour. The Stalagmites and Stalactites are well worth the effort of driving here.
For the wine lovers amongst you,
Kefalonia has many excellent wineries, all of which are delighted to offer wine tastings. But please respect the laws, and don’t drink and drive. Why not go twice, and swap drivers? Or try the nearby Mavrata winery, the taxi drivers know the way ( and back!)
Turtle Rescue Fund
The Kefalonia locals are extremely proud of the fact that the 'carettacaretta' turtles continue to use these unspoilt beaches in the south of the island to nest their eggs. As one would hope and expect, these beaches are protected and supervised to ensure that the eggs are not disturbed by the invasion of sun umbrellas and beach barbecues that can often be found on such stunningly beautiful beaches. Mounda Beach is the nearest beach to the villa, unspoilt, beautiful and fascinating.
Spend the Day in Fiscardo
In the north of the island, Fiscardo has something for everyone:Roman ruins, an extremely pretty harbour front, great tavernas and restaurants, excellent boutiques and a couple of delightful small bays nearby for an afternoon dip.
St George's Castle
The historic capital of Kefalonia. A great place to wander and explore.There are many alleyways, along with a wonderful old church and monastery with ancient icons on display. Afterwards, why not stop for a coffee or lunch there.
Snake Festival - 15th August
On the biggest festival day of the year in Greece, the festival ofSaint Maria, the most bizarre goings on take place in a village called Markopoulo. The story goes that Nuns once begged the Virgin Mary to turn them into snakes during a raid, and ever since, snakes are brought out to slither around the icons of the church in Markopoulo on this day, and many people consider this festival as a good luck festival and by touching or kissingthe snakes, you are going to have a lucky year!
Drive to the Top of Mount Ainos
Yes, you can drive all the way to the top - save yourenergy for taking photographs and taking in the panoramic views. You may even spot the elusive and extremely endangered wild ponies.
Visit Another Island for the Day - Zakynthos
Another island, not so far away fromKefalonia, but it could be at the other end of the world, such is the contrast between these beautiful islands. Take the daily ferry over from the port of Pessada for the 90 minute crossing to Skinari, in the north of Zakynthos, and from there you could take another boat trip to the amazing ship-wreck beach, or go for a sightseeing tour before catching the evening ferry back.
Spend the Afternoon at Myrtos Beach
We suggest afternoon, because this is when the sun isshining fully on the beach, and you'll enjoy the amazing experience of bathing at one of the most glorious beaches. Myrtos has regularly been voted amongst the top 5 beaches in Europe over the past few years, and we are sure that you will endorse this bold claim.
Drink a coffee in the square of Argostoli
When in Rome - so,when in Greece, do as the Greeksdo – sit in a café in the squareand drink a coffee. The square inArgostoli is a delightful spot tosip at your frappe and peoplewatch.
Try horse riding
There is an excellent established riding school located in the village ofZervata, 4km south of Sami. A truly wonderful experience, their experienced team offereverything from 1-5 hours trips, to camping overnight with barbecue and campfire. For horseriding enthusiasts, this has to be high up on your list of things to do.
Visit another Island for the day - Ithaca Ever heard of Homer, the Iliad or the Odyssey ?
well, we would recommend that you do some swatting up before you go, as the Iiliad is littered with references to Ithaca, it was where Odysseus was trying to return to for 10 years! Much more easily, you could visit the cave of Nymphs, or why not simply relax, have a nice lunch in one of the waterfront cafes in Vathi and then drop into one of the many delightful coves for a swim or a nap.
Learn to love Lefkas - the white island close by
Lefkatha means white and the island's name of Lefkas reflects the towering white cliffs and beaches on the Western shores of this green and unspoilt island. Sailing from Fiscardo to Vassiliki, plenty of windsurfers consider this bay serious windsurfing territory. Apart from watching the colourful sails as they strut their stuff, exploring the rest of the island is a delight. Sivota, Nidri, Geni and Lefkas Town offer a wonderful variety of beaches, villages and towns to explore.
Taste the local dish - Kefalonia meat pie
The Greeks love their pies, and the Kefalonians have taken it one step further in producing this nourishing dish. Everyone has their own secret recipe, so we are unable to tell you exactly whats in it, but it is filo pastry stuffed with minced pork meat & rice along with the secret recipe of spices and sauce. It is delicious.
Try the three Greek ‘O’ ‘s - Olives, Octopus and Ouzo!
Treat yourself to a typical Meze – a series of tiny dishes that accompany the aniseed based liquor, you can try an Ouzerie, that is similar to a Spanish Tapas bar – a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.
A bit of a mouthful in both senses!
Visit any Zaxaroplastio for a sweet pastry! This complicated word denotes popular pastry shops that have a large array of tiny, sticky, confections, using filo pastry, nuts, honey, figs and raisins, some cakes ooze chocolate - – naughty but nice….
Gently shelving beach means the toddlers can have a paddle
Kaminia beach is a welcome relaxing beach, where the youngsters are free to paddle thanks to the gently shelving beach, and parents can sit back and watch the children enjoying themselves without any worries, just building the odd sandcastle or two!
Brush up on the history on your doorstep!
Take a little trip to the edge of Skala village and pop into a historical site where the remains of a 3rd century Roman villa have some remarkably well preserved mosaics. Visitors can visit the site free of charge to see the mosaic flooring in three rooms, which were excavated in 1957.
Snorkelling
The Ionian Sea is one of the cleanest in Europe so get your snorkel and fins out and head off down to the sea. We recommend the unusual 'mushroom' rock formations along the coastal road to Poros - quiet, beautiful, clean and mesmerising. Pack a picnic and enjoy the acquatic wonders!
