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Argostoli (Greek: Αργοστόλι, Katharevousa: Ἀργοστόλιον) is a town and a former municipality on the island of Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece.
Since the 2011 local government reform, it is part of the municipality Kefalonia, of which it is a municipal unit. It has been the capital and administrative center of Kefalonia since 1757, following a population shift down from the old capital of Agios Georgios (also known as Kastro) to take advantage of the trading opportunities provided by the sheltered bay upon which Argostoli sits. Argostoli developed into one of the busiest ports in Greece, leading to prosperity and growth.
Kefalonia (Κεφαλονιά), also Kefallonia (Κεφαλλονιά) and Kefallinia (Κεφαλλήνια), is an island in the Ionian Islands in Greece.... Read more
Argostoli (Greek: Αργοστόλι, Katharevousa: Ἀργοστόλιον) is a town and a former municipality on the island of Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece.
Since the 2011 local government reform, it is part of the municipality Kefalonia, of which it is a municipal unit. It has been the capital and administrative center of Kefalonia since 1757, following a population shift down from the old capital of Agios Georgios (also known as Kastro) to take advantage of the trading opportunities provided by the sheltered bay upon which Argostoli sits. Argostoli developed into one of the busiest ports in Greece, leading to prosperity and growth.
Kefalonia (Κεφαλονιά), also Kefallonia (Κεφαλλονιά) and Kefallinia (Κεφαλλήνια), is an island in the Ionian Islands in Greece. It is also known by its Italian form, Cefalonia.
Kefallinia, Kefalonia, Cephallonia - so good they named it thrice. Confusingly, you may hear islanders pronounce it as "sefalonia". The region, incorporating the neighboring island of Ithaki (Ithaca) is known as Kefallinia, hence the name of the airport. The Island is best known, perhaps, as the setting for 'Captain Corelli's mandolin', though the level of Corelli-related merchandising is not as great as you might expect, even in Sami, the old-fashioned port in the East of the island, the portside of which was turned into a kind of set for the film.
Rent a boat in Agia Efimia - there are a few rentals, such as Yellow Boat - and spend the day visiting secluded beaches which can only be reached by boat.
There are a number of horseriding stables in Kefalonia and it is possible to arrange a ride into the mountains, through ruined villages and ancient vineyards, where the bells of the mountain goats and the cry of eagles are the only sounds to punctuate the silence. Gorgeous, and highly recommended, even in the height of summer. Go to the western corner and visit this remote village called Atheras and take the road down to its private little beach with its century-old monastery "Saint Spyridon"...tucked in time.
The Ionian Islands have own culinary tradition which is quite different from the rest of Greece. It is not influenced by oriental food, but much from the Italian and Austrian kitchen. As many Greeks from the continent moved to Kefalonia after the earthquake of 1953, Greek food is easy to find, sometimes easier than the traditional Kefalonian.
One local specialty is Kefalonian meat pie, available in quite a few restaurants. It's a hearty farmhouse thing rather than haute cuisine. Getting a really good example is not easy, however - the Captain's Table in Argostoli is perhaps your best bet for this local dish. Food in most establishments is okay rather than spectacular. Menus tend to be the same in most places; it's worth tapping into local knowledge about where to eat.
If you're in Argostoli, visit the big bakery on the main street opposite the harbor and buy the little round cheese pies - they're fantastic
There is a lovely cafe/restaurant at the entrance to the Venetian fortress in Kastro, shaded by trees, with very friendly owners - a Greek man married to an English woman (Nicki). The homemade cakes here are delicious.
Moreover, there is a lovely tavern Dionysos in Poros with a spectacular view of the island of Ithaca and the marina. There you may find one of the most mouth-watering meat pies (kreatopita) on the island, as it is prepared according to a traditional Kefalonian recipe (contains up to three different types of meat). Additionally, slightly exotic scenes in Dionysos are the squids that slowly dry while hanging under the sun, waiting to be fried. Nonetheless, the specialty of the restaurant is moussakas, a small bite of which leaves a mouthful of flavors.
Local honey: be sure to buy Kefalonian wild thyme honey, it really does taste special. As well as the local wine, Robola.
Souvenirs aplenty, as you'd expect. Some of the jewelry is of reasonable quality and price - you are pretty unlikely to get ripped off on Kefalonia and the Greeks are generally keen to see you get what you pay for in any transaction.
Kefalonia has very little crime, although be careful in busy areas, as most petty crime is aimed at tourists. Traffic, as everywhere in Greece, can be a little mad in towns. Out in the hills, the roads wind precariously around the sides of mountains. Some are passable only with a good 4 X 4, though the main routes are fine.
Watch uneven pavements in dimly lit streets.
The local police have a very low-key presence and generally, confine themselves to issuing speeding tickets. You'll need a rep or interpreter if dealing with them for an insurance claim.
Mosquitoes are a minor issue in inland accommodation, less so by the beaches.
LOCAL TIME
2:47 am
April 22, 2021
Europe/Athens
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I'm not going to tell about this fun and harmonious cruise. Believe me, it has become one of the best cruises among others in a long list of my sea trips. Argostoli, Greece. There were taxis parked everywhere outside of the port gates, waiting for passengers from the cruise ships. There are... |