THE TERRIBLE DRAGON OF MOUNT AINOS
In July 1633 a strange story, almost a fairy tale, was recorded in an official document of the municipal register of Kefalonia. The Venetian governor Fantino Malipiero declared that the inhabitants of the island were terrorized by a man- and sheep-eating dragon and issued an order to kill the terrible beast. As many had already failed in the difficult task, a reward was offered: anyone brave enough to slay the dragon would be rewarded with a large part of the forest at the foot of Mount Ainos.
THE BREATH OF THE GIANT
A fearsome giant is buried under the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. His name is Enceladus, he has long dark hair and a thick beard, proud eyes and a rebellious spirit. According to the myth, Enceladus was at the head of the Titans who dared to challenge the gods of Olympus. What does it have to do with Kefalonia? Well, it seems that he is responsible for the earthquakes that occasionally shake the island.
THE NAUTICAL MUSEUM OF SAMI
Imagine a child fascinated by the mysteries of the sea. Imagine him building a boat with wood and sacks of flour as a sail and, at the age of nine, setting sail for Ithaca. No, this is not the story of a small adventurer fished (fortunately) in the channel between Ithaca and Kefalonia by a fisherman, but of a great lover of the sea who, once he grew up, even decided to open a museum to bear witness to the great story boating of his native country, Sami.
KEFALONIA, A NATURAL PARADISE TO SAFEGUARD
Did you know that Kefalonia is a natural paradise not only for those who come on holiday but also for the many animal and plant species that populate it? In addition to us, noisy human beings, and the famous Caretta Caretta turtles, the island is home to many species with a more discreet presence such as monk seals, dolphins, wild horses, falcons and many, many colourful insects. A short walk in the greenery (or sometimes, just a snack on the beach) is enough to enter a fascinating microcosm that is always on the move!
THE POTISTIS WATERFALLS
We have already told you on several occasions how varied and surprising the panorama of Kefalonia is due to its pristine beauty, but did you know that on the island there are also beautiful waterfalls hidden in a clearing?
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL COLLECTION OF SAMI
The Archaeological Museum of Sami is a must-see for anyone who wants to know Kefalonia beyond its beaches and most famous tourist attractions. The museum, inaugurated in 2021, hosts a very interesting exhibition of finds collected in the area of Sami and Fiskardo. On the outside of the building, the colorful mosaics that decorated villas, spas and public buildings in the cities are displayed, while inside, the collection is divided into 4 rooms that develop different thematic units. Visit it and tell us which find struck you the most: the interesting pieces are really very many but we particularly liked the jewels, a doll which at the time of its use had movable arms and legs and a small terracotta vase which was probably used both to fill oil lamps and as a feeding bottle, the ancestor of our baby bottle.
THE MYCENAEAN TOMBS OF KEFALONIA
The Mycenaean civilization flourished in Greece during the Late Bronze Age (1600-1100 BC). Sailors, shepherds and skilled warriors, in their travels the Mycenaeans brought with them their language and their customs, such as for example that of burying the deceased in large mounds containing well tombs. Tholos tombs were large circular rooms with a high vaulted roof and a straight entrance passageway lined with stone and were usually decorated with gold, silver and bronze. The deceased was often buried with daggers, gilded masks, diadems, armour and bejewelled weapons. These burial chambers are also mentioned in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey!
HOLIDAY OR RETREAT? FIND YOURSELF IN KEFALONIA
Each of us, when thinking about a holiday, has precise desires and expectations. Exploring a place you've never seen before, spending time with your family or friends, returning "home" to a place of your heart, regenerating to find yourself a bit. Has it ever happened to you, even before returning from vacation, to let your mind wander among the many commitments that would await you when you return home, realizing that you have never really relaxed completely? Maybe what's right for you is a retreat, a stay where you learn to focus on yourself to really recover your energy, carrying out activities that aim to find your balance beyond our hectic daily lives.
MAY, THE MAGICAL MONTH OF NEW BEGINNINGS
In many countries May 1st is Labor Day, but in Greece it is so much more! The month of Μάιος (May) owes its name to Maia, a nymph associated with fertility and the earth, but it is also dedicated to the goddess of agriculture Dimitra and her daughter Persephone, who emerges from Hades and comes to earth to restore life . In May we celebrate the victory of life over death and of summer over winter, a bit as if May had the magical property of making everything new.
WHERE TO STAY IN KEFALONIA? 5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR OWN CORNER OF PARADISE
One of the questions we receive most often from our guests is in which area of the island are the most beautiful beaches. A question that really doesn't have an answer, Kefalonia is an island with exceptional landscapes from any point of view! Mediterranean scrub and sandy beaches in the south, rich vegetation framing coves of pebbles and fine gravel in the north, an entire wild peninsula in the west with red sand, high cliffs, fluorescent coloured waters. So is there a perfect location to choose? There are many, one for each of us. Here are our 5 tips for finding your personal corner of paradise.
