Lourdas is a breathtakingly beautiful resort with a number of luxury apartments and villas off the main road to Argostoli, situated in the south of Kefalonia, one of the most popular Ionian Islands of Greece. With the beach on one side and the picturesque figure of Mount Ainos in the background, Lourdas is a tourist’s dream.
Situated on a hillside, Lourdas has long stretches of sand and unadulterated beaches with miles of clear blue waters and amazing natural beauty. In addition to the mesmerizing beaches, Lourdas also offers you an opportunity to get into the woods, which run beyond the mesmerizing beaches. If you are an adventurous person, you can also go hiking in the mountains nearby.
Lourdas is not just about sceneries and beautiful natural places. By the night, the whole area turns into a place beaming with festivity and fun. There are a number of bars with outdoor seating, where you can sit and have a gala time with your family and friends. You can also indulge in a wide variety of cuisines, along with the traditional Greek food, which is simply great here. No wonder the place draws thousands of tourists every year, looking for sun, sand and a lively atmosphere in summers.
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If you are looking for an escapade from your hectic city life, the scenic beauty of the village of Skala located on an Ionian island of Greece is ‘the’ place for you. Situated in the south of Kefalonia, Skala is quite popular with nature lovers since its discovery as a tourist spot twenty years ago.
Despite the increasing tourist activity in the village, the natives of this small Greek village have not given up on their traditional farming of summer and winter vegetables on their lands. Beautifully adorned with rich vineyards and olive trees, the village of Skala provides the visitors with the real Greek experience.
Skala is home to a ‘blue flag’ beach with a long stretch of sand, surrounded by a row of pine trees. The beach offers you a perfect picnic spot with the umbrellas and sun beds during summers. If you are an activity loving person, you can enjoy several water sport activities on the beach.
Despite being a small village, Skala is equipped with all the amenities and has a number of luxury apartments, hotels, pubs, supermarkets and ATMs.
The picturesque terrain of Skala is planted with orange, lemon, almond and fig trees making it one of the most exciting natural tourist spots in the area.
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Psalidi lies three kilometers to the east of the northern coast in Kos town. It boasts of a sand and shingle beach and you can indulge in a wide range of water sport activities here.
Psalidi is a perfect for couples but families with small children should be careful of pebbles on the beach, and make sure that they do hurt themselves while playing.
Kos town is steeped in archaic ruins. There is a magnificent castle in the town that looks majestic when it is lighted at night. Eleftherias is the chief square and it is here that the key architectural attractions of Archaeological Museum and the Defterdar Mosque are located. Kos town supposedly has the oldest tree in the whole of Europe and it is rumored that Hippocrates may have taught his disciples under it.
A water park near Psalidi is a must visit. Besides, you should also explore the enigmatic charm of the unspoiled and charming villages nearby, set amidst the backdrop of pine forests. A walk through these in warm weather is both refreshing and delightful.
If a relaxing and invigorating change is what you are seeking, then Psalidi is just the place for your next excursion.
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Located in the south-west of Kefalonia is the breathtakingly beautiful and scenic village of Svoronata. Unlike some other popular areas in Kefalonia, the terrain here is flat and the beaches are sandy. The area around is picturesque and filled with olive groves and wild flowers. The atmosphere is warm and romantic, and completely captivates your senses. If you desire a seaside sojourn, the beaches of Ammes, Agios Helis and Avithos are near. The scenic views combined with the lure of the shallow waters offer the visitors the perfect recipe for a dream holiday.
Svoronata is ideal for couples and families who wish to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing holiday away from the humdrum of city life. For the adventurous, there is a go-kart track called Imola, which is just a little distance away from Svoronata to Avithos.
Svoronata’s historical significance is manifested in the statuesque pre-earthquake buildings that you can spot if you take a leisurely walk around the place. For the spirited travelers, there are bars and tavernas in Lassi and Argostoli.
Svoronata is the ideal place to unwind without burning a hole in your pocket. The scenic beauty and serenity of the place allows to you enjoy and relax in peace.
Lixouri is a village on the Ionian island of Kefalonia, standing on the bay of Arogostoli. This little town is built where the ancient city Pali used to exist.
The town has some nice sand and shingle beaches like Lepeda and Mega Lakos. The Monastery of Kipoureon located in this village provides a breath taking view of the sea. The central square of the village is surrounded by many cafeterias, bars and accommodations for tourists, and is a lively place where several festivals are held. The Easter carnival of Lixouri is a grand event with fireworks and dancing. The town library is located in a town house restored with decorations from as early as the beginning of nineteenth century. This village also boasts of one of the oldest orchestras of Greece and their performance is a must attend for all Greek music fans.
Lixouri was a popular tourist destination in the late 19th century also, but due to the unfortunate calamity of the earthquake in 1953, all beautiful Venetian buildings were destroyed. In the 1990s, Lixouri again became popular with the visitors, and some good hotels have since been built near the coast.
Lixouri has a small port with ferry services to Argostoli. The KTEL bus service offers transport to Athens and Patras via the port of Sami.
(Image courtesy MattSims)
Katelios is situated on the eastern side of the Bay of Katelios, and is one of the southernmost villages of Kefalonia, a popular Ionian island of Greece. Ano Katelios is a picturesque village with breathtaking natural beauty. Here a river flows down from the mountains, providing fresh water to the area all through the year.
Katelios has a great maritime tradition, and was visited by merchant ships in the olden days. The popular taverns, Kritikos and Haberis used to be famous even then for their fresh fish and great wine. Katelios is nature’s paradise in true sense of the words. There are several footpaths passing through beautiful scenery, and the gently sloping sea has rock pools, a delight for the children.
Katelios is a calm, laid back holiday destination, and is very popular with families and old couples. The local people are friendly and very hospitable. The rocky bell tower of Saint Andrew situated in Ano Katelios and the Venetian castle of Saint George are monuments worth a visit. Agia Barbara and Katelios are two lovely beaches, and you can spot some nesting attempts by turtles here.
Situated 35 kilometres from Argostoli, Katelios has bus service available to Skala, Poros and Argostoli, and cars and two wheelers are easily available for hire to tourists.
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Fiskardo is a very popular Greek tourist destination and village situated on the island of Kefalonia. It is the northernmost port of the island and is only 50kms from the capital city of Argostoli. This beautiful and scenic fishing village was earlier called Panormos and was later renamed after the founder and ruler of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilys, Robert Guiscard, who died on the Atheras beach in 1085.
The village boasts of immense natural beauty both on and offshore. The dense forests in the surrounding area are simply breathtaking and protected by the Greek government. The coastline, which is mostly rocky, has several popular viewpoints overlooking some of the most beautiful scenery of Greece and panoramic views of the Ionian sea.
Besides the natural beauty, the village also boasts of some extremely well preserved architectural buildings and landmarks. The most fascinating of these are the recently discovered Roman grave complex, bath complex, houses and a small theatre with stone back rests. There are also several traditional and well preserved Venetian buildings in the area which give a warm and unique atmosphere to the place. The Greek government has restricted unwanted development in the area to preserve Fiskardo’s cultural and architectural heritage.
Fiskardo is great place to experience both the natural beauty and culture of Greece.
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Kriopigi is located in Halkidiki and offers a breathtaking gulf view of Kassandra. It is located 90 kms from the cultural city and popular tourist destination of Thessaloniki.
The town is built on hills and is especially popular for the scenic views of green hills and blue seas. The beaches are highly regarded worldwide and offer a serene and warm atmosphere. The summer time climate is simply blissful and adds to appeal of this popular destination.
You can choose from a range of holiday accommodation options such as modern resorts, serviced apartments, rooms and even camping. Kriopigi resorts are known for their hospitality and great service. There are also several taverns and shops in the area which can be visited when not lazing on the beautiful beaches.
Other places of interest and sight seeing around the area include Mount Athos (the only Monk Republic in the world), Caves of Petralona, Stagira (birth place of Aristoteles) and Ancient Olynthos. Mount Athos provides for an interesting peek into the religious and traditional living of the ancient Byzantine period. However, the entry to the Republic is restricted to only men as per the beliefs of the olden days.
The local food and products of Kriopigi like fruits, honey, olives, olive oil and wine are of excellent quality and are a must try for anyone visiting this exotic locale.
Polichrono is a Greek town east of the Kassandra peninsula, by the Aegean Sea. It is just 1.5 hours from the Thessaloniki airport, making it easily accessible for international tourists. The region is hilly and is covered with forests, farmlands, and residential areas. Its natural beauty and pristine beach make it very popular with tourists.
Like most other popular Greek destinations, Polichrono has a rich history and is known for its hospitality. It is quiet town, with just about 1500 inhabitants, but it still offers all facilities that you would expect from a tourist destination.
The sea front is beautiful and peaceful, and it is perfect for spending lazy afternoons in the sun. If you want to indulge in water activities, there are lots of options like scuba diving, boat trips, and fishing. There are several cafes and bars along the beach. And if you want to explore the region further, you can visit Petralona Cave, which has a lot of anthropological significance.
The blue waters of the sea, the old village, and the palm trees of Polichrono make for an experience that you will never forget. So if you are looking for a sunny holiday by the sea, Polichrono is one of the best options that you can go for.
(Image courtesy of Lukáš Lalinský)
Fourka in Halkidiki is a beautiful, small Greek village on the west side of the Kassandra peninsula. The hills meet the golden beach here and the place offers many options of water sports and activities. In fact, the Fourka beach is the longest sandy beach in the whole of Kassandra peninsula.
Fourka is also very close (only 150 kms / 65 miles) to the popular tourist destination and cultural city of Thessaloniki. You can visit Fourka anytime except the winter, with September being the most pleasant month. If you want to avoid the high season crowds, then spring is also a good time to enjoy great weather here.
This Greek village has more to it besides the scenic beach and great summer weather. There are some interesting ancient temples and architecture which remind of the glorious civilizations of bygone eras. Of these, the temple of Agiou Athanasiou built by the Romans and the Byzantine temple of Agios Ioannis are definitely worth a visit.
The local market has interesting merchandise to offer and everyone can find something to their taste here. The shops are open till 1 am in the morning and there is buzzing activity till late hours.
Fourka is a great family destination and also perfect for relaxing and rejuvenating retreats.
