ARGOSTOLI   AND OTHER PLACES ON KEFALONIA

ARGOSTOLI is the capital of Kefalonia. It is lively modern town full of boutiques, clothing shops, food markets, galleries, handcrafts. It also has special products such as Gentillini (one of the very best wines in all Greece) and  Kefalonia’s "Golden" brand honey uniquely rich and tasty.
The main shopping street is pedestrianised and has many colourful shops and trendy cafes where you can sit and sip your coffee with the young Greek people and watch the world go by. There are also museums and churches for those who have an interest in history. Look out for the Folk Museum and the Collection of Icons in the public library.
An internet cafe is also available here - at very cheap rates , approximately 1000 Drx per hour (£2) so no excuses for not keeping in touch with friends and family. There is also a cinema in the main square called "O Kefalos". There is a little bar for drinks and refreshments and the films are usually in English with Greek subtitles.
A flat stone bridge connects the town with the main roads to Sami, Lixouri and Fiskardo on the other side of the lagoon. Along the coastal road you will find all the market stalls selling fresh fruit and fish at very reasonable prices.

SAMI
Sami, the second largest port of the island, is a wonderful place to sit and sip a cool drink and watch life go by at its long harbour. An ideal stopping point whether travelling north or south. It has a  castle and church , not easily visible from below which is   high above the town. There is a signpost which suggests it is a short walk- be warned , it is a long way up the mountain if you are walking, but  is well worth a visit.
In the area of the village of Sami, there are interesting geological phenomena, like the Cave of Drongorati, with stalagmites, and the cave of Melissani, with a subterranean lake.Why not visit the Katabothres,  here, springs of sea water come out from the earth. The coast beyond Sami is full of lovely little coves- go early and grab yourself an ideal swim and snorkelling spot.

FISKARDO
Fiskardo is a picture postcard harbour set in a natural bay. It was an important port during the Venetian period. It was then that the first dwellings were built which you can still see today. Fiscardo was named after the Norman Robert Guiscard who tried to conquer Kefalonia in 1085 and died there soon after landing on the island.
Red roofed pastel coloured houses crowd the waterfront looking onto the azure blue bay dancing with yachts. Wander around the village to see some Venetian and neo classic pre-earthquake houses, the only ones on the island, inspect the old Byzantine church on the headland, see the excavations of a Roman site showing sarcophagi, or visit the church of Panagia.

LIXOURI
Lixouri is the second largest town on Kefalonia and lies on the Paliki peninsula. Built around a port, it is a modern town with more of a working atmosphere than Argostoli but worth a visit. The easiest way to get there is via the carferry which runs back and forth   every hour on the half hour from Argostoli starting at 8.30am and returns from Lixouri on the hour, last boat 10pm. Items of historical interest are the graves of Mycenaean Period, in  Lixouri.

LASSI
Lassi lies fairly close to Argostoli and is perhaps the major resort on the island for package tours. It has a number of fine sandy beaches which are a big asset but as a resort , it lacks character. Much of the development, shops, restaurants and accommodation straggle along the busy main road leading to the airport.

ASSOS
Assos is tiny but picturesque village that clings and curls around the narrow neck of a peninsula  on the way to Fiskardo. There are shaded tables outside the tavernas in the small harbour where it is easy to be absorbed by its relaxed atmosphere and allow time to melt away but there are things to do which include wandering up to the Venetian castle.