Fiscardo-Tour to Myrtos, Melissani lake, Sami, St Andrew's Monastery, Argostoli and Folklore Museum (with lunch)

Kefalonia  is one of the seven Ionian islands of Greece. The name of the island is believed to have derived from King Kefalos who founded the island‘s four ancient  cities Pronnoi, Sami, Pahli and Krani.

Starting from the picturesque little  port of  Fiscardo located on the north east tip of the island, the only village to have survived the 1953 earthquake and maintaining its venetian architecture, we drive south over looking the  Assos peninsula , one of the best natural beauty spots on the island.

Continuing  our trip on the top of  Myrtos Bay to take some photos of the fascinating beach which is one of the most popular in Europe. Afterwards we take the coastal road leading to the Cave Lake of Melissani in Karavamilos. On arrival we will walk the short distance down the tunnel leading to the underground lake where we will board on small wooden boats for the short trip around the lake and surrounding cave.

The tour then continues to the coastal summer resort of   Sami on the north-eastern shores of the island, where the blockbuster movie Captain Corelli‘s Mandolin  was filmed . Here , we may rest at one of the  kafenions traditional coffee shops by the old port .

We continue our trip, one of the highest mountains in Kefalonia Mount Ainos. Passing through the village of Valsamata, where there is the body of St Gerasimos, the patron Saint of  Kefalonia.  Continue our tour we will pass close to Agios Georgios Castle in Peratata, which used to be the first Capital of the island until 1757 and was built by the Venetians during their ruling of the island 1500-1797.

Our next stop will be at the Monastery of St. Andrew, which is famous for housing a bizarre relic, which is claimed to be the sole od St. Andrew’s right foot. During the 1953 earthquake the whitewash covering the inside of the church was loosened and revealed frescoes dating back to the 13^th and 17^th centuries, which are now considered to be the island’s biggest artistic treasures.      

Something that we will never forget is a visit to the Folklore Museum, located on the ground floor of the Corgialenian Library in Argostoli ,there, we will be transported to another age, vanished with the passage of time.

After the visit to the museum we will have time for lunch in one of the tavernas of Argostoli.

Return to Fiscardo by the south coastal road.