WINTER SOLSTICE IN GREECE, STORMS AND CELEBRATIONS
A new storm breaks out outside and we hear the sea roaring in the distance, Poseidon must have celebrated the solstice in style. Leneone is starting, the month between January and February that for the ancient Greeks was the heart of winter. The period of storms and cold winds, but also the time of conviviality. While waiting for the coffee to be ready, warm up with a read on our blog!
10 CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS THAT WILL MAKE YOU LONG FOR GREECE IN WINTER
While it is true that Italians and Greeks are “one face, one race” and have woven a complex web of shared history, knowledge and culture for millennia, Greek traditions do not always correspond to Italian ones, especially in religious holidays that involve different celebrations for Catholics and Orthodox. In this article we tell you about the 10 traditions that will enliven our Christmas and New Year. Are you ready to leave with us for this journey into the festive cuisine and celebrations of Kefalonia?
DISCOVERING THE GEOPARK OF KEFALONIA AND ITHACA
Do you know what a geopark is? It is an area with a geological, ecological, archaeological and cultural heritage of international importance for its scientific quality, rarity, aesthetics and educational value. The recognition of these local resources and the establishment of a geopark have the primary purpose of protecting this unique environment and promoting it to educate visitors of all ages, developing a conscious and sustainable ecological tourism. In Greece, nine sites of extraordinary beauty and geological variability have already been included in the global network of UNESCO geoparks and one of them is located right in Kefalonia and Ithaca.
10 STRIKING SUNSET SPOTS IN KEFALONIA
November is almost here and soon the the bright colors of the island will fade under the rain, even if only for a while. It will only be a temporary and regenerating rest before the cicadas start singing again, the sea will shine with dazzling blue reflections and the sunsets will colour the summer evenings with poignant poetry. The Little Prince was wrong; you don't love sunsets only when you are very sad. The sunset is like a dress that you can wear on any occasion: when you have butterflies in your stomach and everything seems too good to be true, when you are grateful for a beautiful day lived intensely and yes, even when you are sad and you need to remember that something wonderful comes even after a difficult moment. Whatever your mood, let your mind wander back to summer and let yourself be transported to Kefalonia for a tour of the 10 best sunsets to see on the island: we will start from the most famous panoramic points to arrive at our favourites, places far from the beaten track where you can enjoy an even more special atmosphere.
KEFALONIA FOOD AND WINE TOUR
In recent years, food and wine tourism has gained a place of honour among the preferences of travellers from all over the world. This phenomenon, constantly growing, is fuelled by the growing awareness that food is a significant expression of the cultural identity of a place. Food and wine tourists are looking for authentic experiences, eager to taste typical dishes prepared with local ingredients and to discover the secrets of recipes handed down from generation to generation to savour not only the scents and aromas of a place, but also its culture. This sector is increasingly flourishing in Kefalonia too. Excellent raw materials, a fascinating mix of different cultures (primarily Venetian and Ottoman) and the blend of ancient traditional recipes and modern culinary concepts have given life to a wide and worth-trying food and wine panorama on the island. Among the main ingredients we find grilled or baked meat, goat cheese, garlic, cinnamon, tomato sauce, aromatic herbs such as oregano, marjoram, mint and fennel, honey and filo pastry. Are you ready to discover Kefalonia at the table? Here are our suggestions for a food and wine tour of the island to do independently or with a local guide:
NIGHTLIFE IN KEFALONIA, A MIX OF TRADITION AND MODERNITY
Does Kefalonia have a nightlife? Long-standing visitors of the island will be probably ready to answer that thank goodness no, “their” favourite island is not a place for discos and loud events. As a matter of fact, Kefalonia is not known for its nightlife, so don’t expect a Zakynthos, Corfu or Mykonos-style movida, but even here there are plenty of opportunities to have fun under the stars! For those who want to experience Greek summer evenings in a traditional way, there are countless typical taverns, panigiri (festivals) with music and dancing until late at night or musical events. For those looking for a more dynamic and cosmopolitan atmosphere, there are bars and clubs that in summer are very popular among locals and tourists from all over the world.
KEFALONIA BOTANICA
The Kefalonia Botanical Garden was founded in 1998 on the initiative of the Fokas - Cosmetatos Foundation and is located a short distance from the centre of Argostoli, near the industrial area, on a plot of land of about 10,000 square meters. Constantly expanding and developing, Kefalonia Botanica carries out the important task of conserving and promoting the wild and endemic plants of Kefalonia and is actively involved in the promotion of environmental issues that are becoming increasingly urgent over time. Although Greece has the richest and most varied flora in Europe, in fact, the country has very few botanical gardens and research centers. The Greek flora is also threatened by summer fires, urban development, overgrazing and tourism, so it is essential to raise public awareness of environmental issues and encourage the enhancement of local flora in the context of sustainable development.
SPORTS AND ADVENTURE IN KEFALONIA
With over 60 beaches, green forests and a beautiful geo park, Kefalonia is ideal for outdoor activities. Much of the island is covered with olive groves and hills perfect for hiking and mountain biking and the coast is dotted with cliffs and coves just waiting to be explored by kayak, SUP or with a snorkelling mask. The diverse natural landscape of the island invites you to relax but also to have fun with sports activities for all tastes, adrenaline-filled for the more adventurous, more calm and fun for families with children. We have selected for you 10 sports activities not to be missed in Kefalonia but we invite you to consult our website for offers and updated programmes for each season!
THE SONG OF THE SIRENS: A DAY IN ITHACA
"You must always keep Ithaca in mind - reaching it should be your constant thought. Above all, do not rush the journey; let it last a long time, for years, and let you set foot on the island as an old man, rich with treasures accumulated along the way without expecting riches. [...] And if you find it poor, Ithaca will not have disappointed you for this. By now wise, with all your experience on your back, you will have already understood what Ithaca means". Perhaps you have already read the verses of this wonderful poem in one of the many blogs dedicated to Greece. The journey to Ithaca recounted by Cavafis is not only a metaphor for the meaning of life but is also a description of Ithaca that can be fully understood only once you have landed on this piece of land as enchanting as the song of the sirens. Ithaca is the destination for those seeking themselves, the remote corner where they can reflect on their experiences, reorder their thoughts and refresh themselves before resuming their journey. We recommend spending at least 3 or 4 days on the island to explore and savor it at a slow pace as it deserves but, if you want to visit it in a day, there is the possibility of taking a day tour departing from Kefalonia. It will be enough to enchant you and make you want to return as soon as possible, just like Ulysses.
PALIKI, A TREASURE TO DISCOVER AT THE END OF THE SUMMER
Kefalonia is among the ten largest islands in Greece and the largest of the Ionian Islands, so large that it has regions with their own landscape and cultural identity. On the western coast is the Paliki peninsula, separated from the main body of the island by a long, narrow bay. Lixouri, the main center of Paliki, can be reached both by ferry from Argostoli and by road with a panoramic route that runs along the inside of the bay revealing the unique beauty of the Livadi plain.
