The splendid Villa Troia is located near the traditional village of Troianata, in the heart of Kefalonia. It is close to the Monastery of Agios St Gerassimos, the Patron Saint of the island and the Castle of St George and within very easy reach from the airport. The Robola Winery is very close to the Monastery of Agios St Gerassimos so you can easily combine the two. The Monastery is located in the village of Valsamata. Saint Gerassimos was born in 1503 in Trikala Thessaly and was ordained a monk at Mouth Athos, then went to Jerusalem where lived for twelve years, then to Crete and Zakynthos, finally arriving in Kefalonia where he died in August 1579. He was declared a saint in 1622. For his first five years on the island, he lived in a cave in Lassi. He founded a nunnery in the valley of Omala in 1560. Today the monastery has been reconstructed and is an imposing building with a newly built church. There is still a cave under the monastery with two rooms which used to be the home of the Saint.
The Venetian Castle of Saint George sits above the village of Peratata. The castle was originally built in the 12th century by the Byzantines but was rebuilt by the Venetians in 1504. Today it is ruined having suffered from the 1956 earthquake.
The nearest beach to the villa is Karavados where you will actually find two tucked-away beaches. Karavados is a pocket-sized village surrounded by pine forests and citrus groves. There are a couple of tavernas and fabulous views across from Zante. Agios Thomas Beach is a twenty-five-minute stroll from Karavados, enjoying a main beach and a hideaway beach at the end of a skinny path. Nearby is Pessada, a delightful seaside village with lovely views over to Zante. It enjoys several pretty beaches with crystal clear emerald water and rocks dotted around the bay. You can also visit Makris Gialos Beach, Xi Beach, Poros Beach, Skala Beach and the famous Myrtos Beach. Ammes Beach is a delight with soft sand and plenty of sun loungers and parasols. Towering headlands sit like bookends at Ali Helis Beach while its soft sand is sprinkled with volleyball nets. Avithos Beach enjoys uncrowded sands, a popular tavern and child-friendly turquoise waters.
The largest island of the Ionian Sea, Kefalonia has much to offer. It is famous for its exotic beaches that may make you think you are in the Caribbean or the Maldives, including Myrtos, Antisamos, Lourdas and Skala. The island enjoys picturesque villages, medieval castles, natural wonders and beautiful ancient monasteries. The capital Argostoli offers a buzzy atmosphere, the little towns of Lixouri and Sami are tourist wonders and the villages of Svoronata, Kourkoumelata, Assos, Fiscardo, Agia Efimia, Skala and Lourdas are places not to miss if you get the chance.
Argostoli stands proudly at the far end of a natural bay surrounded by mountains and lush forests. The major 1953 earthquake destroyed the town which was rebuilt and is now a cosmopolitan wonder with a palm-lined coastal promenade, a wonderful array of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, a small ferry quay where boats can take you to Lixouri and fishing boats moor up and a lively central square. You will discover the beautiful Church of Saint Spyridon and the fascinating clock tower of Campana Square. The town’s Archaeological Museum of Kefalonia is home to interesting archaeological finds from the Mycenaean, Hellenistic and Roman periods. There are plenty of other museums and monasteries to visit including the Byzantine Ecclesiastical Museum, the Monastery of Agios Milapidias, the Monastery of Sission and the Historical and Folklore Museum of Corgialenos. You shouldn’t miss Vallianos Square, the town’s central square, Lithostroto, the pedestrian commercial street, De Bosset Bridge and Napier’s Garden. Argostoli is very attractive, built on hills surrounding the lagoon of Koutavos and the nature-formed harbour.
You can take the boat over from Argostoli to Lixouri, the second-largest town in Kefalonia. Lixouri was built on the site where the ancient city of Pali use to be. It offers delightful restaurants and bars which line the busy waterfront and the main square, Plateia Petritsi. Lixouri hosts many festivals throughout the year and is known for its rich cultural traditions. It boasts one of the oldest philharmonic schools in Greece. You can visit some atmospheric churches with wonderful frescoes, the archaeological museum, neoclassical buildings and the famous Monastery of Kipoureon.
Further north is Assos and Fiskardo, both wonderful day or evening excursions from the villa. Assos is peaceful and charming with some excellent restaurants and cafes. It is surrounded by luscious green scenery and verdant forests. It offers a mystical atmosphere, almost as though the village is lost in time. Pretty pastel-coloured houses are nestled into the steep hillsides and the castle is a popular visit. On the northern tip of the island, Fiskardo is trendy and chic. Its waterside dining is fabulous and there is a wonderful array of unique boutiques and gift shops. As well as colourful fishing boats in the harbour, you will see many luxury yachts as Fiskardo is definitely one of the places to be in Kefalonia.
