Myrtos, Assos, Antisamos - A day to remember on Kefalonia

Myrtos, Assos and Antisamos are 3 of the most popular and beautiful places on the island of Kefalonia, Greece. I've been many times to these places and now, after 7 summers on Kefalonia, I can honestly say I will never get enough of them.

I remember first time I've seen Myrtos back in 2013, I was on an island tour with the clients from the hotel where I was working. The first gaze upon the marvelous beach was from above, window seat in the bus. I was so impressed by the blue shades of the sea and the steep mountain cliffs around it.

This summer I arrived on the white pebble beach in the middle of July. Despite the pandemic it was quite busy. The bar was open, many cars parked near by and couple of touristic busses coming and going.

The water was as light blue as I remember it. The waves were pretty small compared to other days. Many youngsters were having a cold beer or a snack in the shade provided by the cave at the far left side of Myrtos.

After spending couple of hours in the sun I left the impressive Myrtos behing and decided to head to the picturesque village of Assos. The coastal road offers incredible views of the island and the Ionian Sea.

20 minutes later I was already walking on the beautiful streets of Assos. Colorful houses on the left and right, souvenir and coffee shops, green trees and blue sea, this is Assos in a shell. I took a short walk to the northern part of the village climbing between the private villas, to enjoy a moment of solitude.

Hopefully next summer this wonderful village and for that matter also Myrtos would have fully recovered after Ianos Medicane hit in the middle of September destroying roads and houses.

Next up on the list was Antisamos beach. Situated on the opposite side of Myrtos, this amazing place is surrounded by green hills. The beach itself is a white pebble one with crystal clear water, ideal for snorkeling and diving.

Antisamos is situated near Sami village. On the hills near by one can find remains of The Ancient Acropolis of Sami, a powerful fortified town inhabited from the Paleolithic Times. Several references of Ancient Sami are found in Homer's poems (Heliad, Odyssey) when Sami fought in the Trojan War.

In the recent years Antisamos became very popular especially among youngsters. Various bars and restaurants were established along the beach with plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas. 

Unfortunately just like the other 2 places that I was telling you about before Antisamos took a big hit during the big storm. Only time will tell if the bar owners will have the budget to fix and reopen their establishments during the summer of 2021.

In conclusion you can visit these 3 gems in one day and enjoy the sun, the views and the fresh air. They are some of the most popular places on the island, so in case you are looking for secluded beaches, peace and quiet, I recommend you Agia Eleni, Kato Lagadi , Dafnoudi or Kimilia.

Be sure to have a look at my FREE DOWNLOADABLE 2021 Kefalonia Calendar.

'till next time, take care, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Beldi

Wild paradise, mesmerizing views and sunsets: Platia Ammos beach, Kefalonia

Leave behind the daily routine and immerse yourself in a place of wonder. Platia Ammos is a breath taking spot, wild and pristine where one can get in touch with nature at its best.

On the western peninsula of Kefalonia, Paliki, you can find this amazing corner of heaven. 20-25 minutes car drive from Lixouri, Platia Ammos remains a hidden gem for the usual tourist. You can choose the road that passes through Kaminarata or Chavriata villages and find your way using the coordinates on your GPS.

If you choose the later, as I usually do, you will pass the Monastery of Kipourion. It has been constructed on top of a rock, 90 meters above the sea. The view to the Ionian Sea and the wild coastline are magnificent, which makes it a sight worth visiting if you are in the area.

The Monastery of Kipoureon was founded in the 17th and its name literally means monastery of the gardens. Inside there is a wonderful collection of ecclesiastical relics and post-Byzantine icons. The natural surrounding of the monastery is lush green and comprises of pine trees and fir trees. From the yard, visitors can enjoy a wonderful sunset to the Ionian Sea.

A few hundreds of meters away turn left on an off road. Park your car there as it is a very broken piece of road, with stones and cracks, and then continue on foot. Follow the path for around 15 minutes and you will get to the old parking on top of Platia Ammos. The views are spectacular. The waves kiss the pebble beach at the bottom of an impressively steep mountain.

Before the earthquakes of 2014 there were 280 steps that led you all the way down to the beach. Nowadays only few remain. The adventurous explorers still take their chances and go down by foot. Others visit the beach by boat. I stop on top of it, at the edge, to enjoy the views.

This beach amazes every visitor with its natural beauty, which landscape is quite similar to this of Myrtos and Petani but far more unspoiled and peaceful. The beach offers no facilities such as beach bars, taverns, sunbeds or umbrellas. It is surrounded by huge cliffs that create a fascinating backdrop. The area is an ideal place for relaxation. The water needs extra caution since it is very deep.

The sunsets offer some of the most spectacular views of Ionian Sea. Be sure to bring your camera with full battery. Don't forget to bring drinks and snacks with you as you will find yourself in the middle of nowhere, far away from any shops.

In case I tickled your imagination take a look at another hidden gem that Kefalonia has to offer: Kato Lagadi beach, near Poros.

Not a fan of the wild beaches?! Try Petani, the ideal mix of commercial and unspoiled place.

'till next time, take care.

Beldi

Back to Athens in September, new sights and flavors

After spending the summer of 2020 on Kefalonia island I've returned to the capital of Greece. Still a bit shook after the Medicane that hit the island in the middle of September, I was looking to relax and recharge my batteries. The last week of September surprised me with new sights and flavors that I'm going to share with you all.

I've been to Athens couple of times in my life. When I was younger I was rushing to visit as many places as I can as the time was short and I was full of energy, plus I had to take advantage of the free entrances as I was still a student. Nowadays I like to take it slowly, pace myself and enjoy the small details.

First stop was enjoying this little colorful coffee shop in Monastiraki called The Little Kook. It is an absolutely delightful place, a whole street that changes completely its scenery 4 times a year. This time it was Halloween theme and it was worth it. The cakes are a bit expensive but they are quite big so you can share, plus they are tasty and colorful.

Except the long walks in Monastiraki and Plaka, near a multitude of shops, ruins and tavernas, I wanted to try something new. So a trip to Piraeus was an ideal choice. The weather was still perfect for sunbathing. One day I've spent it on Votsalakia beach enjoying the last swim of the year in the Aegean Sea.

Another spot that I've visited in Athens was the Monument of Philopappos on the top of the hill with the same name. It offers 360° view of the city, from the Acropolis and the museum all the way to Piraeus and the Aegean Sea. It is free admission and it is a pleasant walk from Monastiraki Square. You can enjoy different ruins, history and nature at its best.

Meeting friends and spending quality time with them was also one of  the highlights of my holiday. I enjoy the most catching up with them while walking the beautiful streets of Athens near thousands of years old ruins, vibrant cafes and restaurants.

Two of my favorite spots for sunset in Athens are Areopagus Hill and City Zen Restaurant. For the latter I must add that the food is amazing, the view of the Acropolis is a plus and the service is great. More sunset spots and places to visit in Athens you can find in one of my posts HERE.

On the 2nd of October came the time to say good bye to Greece. It was my 12 summer spent near the sea, among amazing people and making lifetime memories. Despite the pandemic, while being on Kefalonia, I forgot about all the craziness going on in the world and I just lived in the moment. Thank you, Greece, for the wonderful time and see you soon!

During my stay I had a one day trip to Cape Sounion that you can read about RIGHT HERE.

'till next time, take care.

Beldi