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DROGARATI CAVE
A natural phenomenon, over 150 million tears old is the amazing cave of Drogarati   3km from Sami.
It has steps leading down in to the depths of the earth with a very impressive path, comfortable to walk on,
has been hammered out between the huge stalactites and stalagmites. Because of its fantastic acoustics,
Drogarati is used for concerts in the summer months.

MELISSANI LAKE
The underground lake of Melissani is worth a visit solely for its natural beauty and crystal clear water.
Most of the roof of the cave collapsed during the earthquake of 1953. The rocks at the bottom of the
lake cause the water to shimmer in all shades of green and blue. Little boats take you into the recesses
of the cave. Hanging from the walls are thousands year old stalactites. In ancient times the cave was
used as a place of worship of the God Pan and the nymph Melissan - we have pictures of our June
Dare to Dream Retreaters elsewhere on this site, being rowed around the lake!

ST ANDREAS
This  former Byzantine convent was almost completely destroyed  by the earthquake of 1953.
The church belonging to the convent was restored to be used as a museum. During the earthquake ,
plaster fell from the church walls and revealed frescoes from the 16th century. You can also
see precious vestments and icons in the museum. the most valuable treasure of the church is a relic-
in a glass case lies the sole of St Andrea's right foot. St Gerasimos is the Patron saint of the island
and his mummified body is kept in its casket at the monastery bearing the same name. the
old monastery is built over the cave where St Gerasimos lived as a hermit and can be
reached by climbing down a ladder into the cavern below.  It's a beautiful part of the island
and gets really busy in August when Greeks, Italians and tourists all converge to visit the place.

MOUNT AINOS
Mount Ainos is the largest mountain on Kefalonia and the third highest mountain in Greece.
Between Argostoli and Sami its highest peak (megalos Soros) is 1626 metres above sea level and
stretches as far as the outlying villages of Poros in the South. The forest on mount Ainos was
declared a National Park in 1962. There is an abundance of flora and fauna- great for nature lovers
and walkers,  but the road is rough and approximately 6 kms long. On the highest peak - just
when you could do with finding a place for refreshments - all you will see are Radio and
Television towers as well as a radar base for the NATO defence forces.  If you are lucky you
may also spot the last few remaining wild horses living on the south eastern slopes.
However, the views of the island are amazing and make everything else worthwhile.

Assos
Part of the charm of Assos lies in its simplicity. The rustic village, of about a 100 inhabitants,
contains some fine examples of Venetian architecture commonly found on Kefalonia before the
1953 earthquake. The romantic, picturesque village of Assos appears as if it's been stuck in time.
Certainly the place to while away the day and do nothing other than perhaps sample the local wine,
taste the fresh fish caught that morning and just soak up the peacefulness that Assos offer.
Assos is such a quaint sweet peaceful place and is not too busy except for July & August.
Totally worth a visit - even for a swim and a spot of lunch - it's gorgeous!

Fiskardo
Fiskardo is almost unique in Kefalonia by virtue of its intact examples of the venetian
architecture which dominated the island prior to the devastating earthquake of 1952, and is
worth what is a long trip from most parts of the island for that reason alone.  It is a charming
and quaint place to while away the hours sipping on a fresh juice or glass of wine with
some meze, watching the rich and sometimes famous come in on their yachts. The 
lovely harbour is surrounded by a series of tavernas and bars competing for the custom of the
day trippers and the yachtsfolk for whom Fiskardo makes a popular base. The prices aren't the
cheapest on Kefalonia, but the location at least goes some way to justify the extra you pay.

Myrtos Bay
Myrtos is the most photographed beach in Greece, and as you approach it either from north
or south its easy to understand why - the incredible colours of the sea contrast with the
dramatic sweep of coral white sand. Beware the sea here, because the beach drops away rapidly,
creating powerful undertows and making it a place for strong swimmers only.

MONASTERIES OF KEFALONIA
The monastery of Agios Gerasimos, which houses the remains of the Saint,
near the village of Vlahata, in the valley of Omalon.
Panagia of Thematon , near the village of Agia Efthimia.  Panagia Kekrionos,
of Panagia Koronatou and of Kipouria, near the village of Lixouri.
The Monastery of Panagia of Atrou, the oldest of the island.
The Monastery of Panagia of Agrilion, near the village of Sami.
The Monastery of Agios Andreas, with the remains of the Saint, near the village of Svoronata.
The Monastery of Panagia of Platiteras, near the village of Fiscardo. The Venetian Castle, 
The Graves of Mycenaean Period, in the village of Lixouri.
The Collection of Ancient Ceramics and post Byzantine icons, in the village of Lissouri.
The Remains of the Ancient City Sami, in the area of today’s town of Sami.
The Folk Museum and the Collection of Icons, in the public library of the capital. 
The Archeological Museum of the capital Argostoli,

LOGGERHEAD TURTLES CARETTA CARETTA
'Katelios Group for the Research and Protection of Marine and Terrestrial Life' 
has renewed its IT resources.     www.kateliosgroup.org

Although Zante is the most important nesting site for these turtles which are an endangered species,
there is a nesting site at Kefalonia called Kaminia beach. The sea Turtle Protection Society work hard
and long to protect the fascinating creatures when they come in to nest on the beach.  The females heave
and tug themselves across the beach to find a nesting site digging holes and laying small round eggs.
An average nest would have 120 eggs and once they are safely covered with warm sand the female
returns to the water. Some females will lay as many as four times during the nesting season and the
eggs take about two months to hatch. The baby turtles dig their way out at night and head instinctively
for the sea. This natural pattern can be disrupted by noise and lights. Sometimes the body clock in the
baby turtles goes away and they pop out during the day.

 If you see a turtle its best not to touch it as it's essential to their survival that they make their own
way to the sea, after leaving the beach in the day. It's tempting to help it, but hold back!
The Marine Turtle Project was set up some years ago to observe and record the nesting female turtles
on the beaches near to the villages of Skala and Ratzakli on the south-eastern tip of the island.
This project has continued to this day and incorporated a conservation programme to promote the
protection of the beaches where these creatures lay their eggs. 

Just outside Katelios you will find a little old schoolhouse which has been transformed and is
now the base for The Katelios Group for the Research and Protection of Marine and Terrestrial Life.
The group was founded in 1994 and consists mainly of local people with an interest in the long term
future of Kefalonia.  Volunteer students from all over the world stay on a camp site close by  whilst
collecting data and making their observations on marine life. The group are also involved with
setting up self sufficient commercially viable projects that fall under the heading of
Environmentally Sustainable Community development.