Southern Kefalonia Highlights

The major philhellene poet Lord Byron has lived in Kefalonia and concretely to Lakithra village. The poet was born in London on 1788 and in the 1823 was chosen as α representative to the Commission Assistance for the struggle of the Greeks against the Turkish slave. It is said that in the island of Kefalonia Lord Byron has written some of the most famous poems sitting on a rock known as the Rock of Byron.

There is even today written on the rock an inscribed marble with the words of Lord Byron: “The poet that I am, I owe to the air of Greece”.

The monastery was founded in the Byzantine era and restablished in the 16th century as a convent. The Greek Romanian princess Roxanne donated a large amount in 1630 and lived as a nun here. In the early 19th century the British converted the nunnery into a school and covered the beautiful frescoes with asbest.  At the erathquake of 1953 the white wash fell of the walls and the frescoes were redescovered and renovated. It runs as a convent again and the old church and the neighbour building are used as a museum  with treasures from the 13^th to the 19^th AD and includes also belongings of other Kefalonian churches. The right sole of Apostle Andreas is kept inside the new church.

Sitting on a 320m high hill the old Capital of the Island Agios Georgios (St George). The center of the fortress was built in Byzantine times and expanded in Venetion time. Battles between the Ottomans and Venetians took place here. The walls are 600m long and it has a surface of 1600sqm. In front of the frotress the village of Agios Georgios with stunning views around

The convent of St Gerassimos is the largest and also most famous of Kefalonia. It is situated in the valley of Omala about 400m above sea level. The body of St Gerasimos, the island’s patron Saint, is kept in a silver casket in the church. A big festival is held at the convent twice a year to the Saints’ name day. The day he died – 16th August and the date of the transfer of his remains – 20th October. Thousands of believers come to these festivals to worship the Saint. A impressive new church finished some years ago next to the older and much smaller one is used only twice a year for the festivals.

Free time in Village of Sami – made famous in the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

The village is set in a wide bay with a long tree-lined waterfront and wonderful views across to the island of Ithaca. The delightful waterfront, the wide paved streets and the Venetian buildings offer the village a unique charm and reflect the rich heritage of the island.

Sami is one of the jewels of Kefalonia’s eastern coast, situated in a sumptuous setting of rolling, pine-filled scenery and a crystal clear coastline. The village is home to a famously beautiful beach and sites like the ancient fortified acropolis, making Sami ideal for a mix of blissful tranquillity and exploring the island’s most interesting sights.

Antisamos beach is arguably one of the most favourable destinations for swimming and sunbathing in Kefalonia. Antisamos distinguishes for its natural beauty that consists of turquoise waters and a marvelous surrounding of green hills and lush vegetation on top of it. A beach like this could be nothing but well-organized with umbrellas and sundecks. It is this stunning scenery that characterizes this area and captivates all visitors. Antisamos has gained worldwide reputation from the Hollywood movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, where some of the scenes were filmed there.

Poros is an attractive coastal settlement , which was built around a marvelous landscape of lush green forests. Poros is also home to a picturesque port that serves itineraries to Patra and Killini, in Peloponnese. The combination of dense and verdant vegetation along with the crystal blue sea makes this village one of the most perfect summer destinations. Apart from its beautiful landscape and traditional layout, Poros has become a famous tourist resort in Kefalonia welcoming a great number of tourists and Greek travelers during the summer. Plenty of restaurants and traditional taverns line the waterfront and picturesque cafes.

Drop off at your Hotel or closest drop off point.