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Thomson Destinations
The box office wasn't the only thing to benefit from the Cage-and-Cruz on-screen partnership - Kefalonia did, too. But there's more to this gorgeous Greek isle than Captain Corelli
Kefalonia
reviews Video tour & customer on.co.uk thoms
It's getting on for ten years since the Hollywood trailers packed up and shipped out of Kefalonia yet still a certain captain's mandolin springs to mind when you mention this fair isle. The strumming Corelli brought with him world fame for Kefalonia, plus a coveted spot on the travel pack's to do' list. But Hollywood fame aside, what's this once-shy island got to shout about? Lots, in a word. For a start, enough natural beauty to give the film's leading lady, Penelope Cruz, a run for her money. Think mountains that'll dwarf you. Beaches that could front a Caribbean postcard. And waters with more glitter and shine than the Hope diamond. Add to that acre after acre of cushiony-green countryside and you're probably starting to get the idea - if Kefalonia was a person she'd probably be a peachy-skinned supermodel. But it's not all about looks. The island's got a personality that's every bit as arresting. Despite the film's soaraway success, it's still one of the quieter islands and the towns and villages have got that laid-back vibe going on. Things to see and do Drogarati Caves Experts reckon this place is over 150 million years old. To put that into perspective, dinosaurs were extinct 65 million years ago. Make your way down the stone steps and you'll arrive in a chilly, floodlit cavern. Here, thousands of stalagmites and stalactites twist and contort so you feel a bit like you're standing inside the mouth of some fiercely-fanged monster. Negotiate the steps that lead round to the back and you'll arrive in a huge open space used for concerts. Melissani Lake Discovered in 1951, it's 22 metres below ground level and a massive 30 metres deep. The century before, an earthquake shook the cave and collapsed the roof, leaving a massive hole in the ceiling. Hop into a boat and let a tour guide steer you round the lake. See it on a sunny day if you can. When the sun shines onto the water, it lights up the cave in a spectrum of blues, from sapphire to turquoise and every shade in between. Myrtos Beach This beach isn't touted as one of the world's finest for nothing. In fact, it's such a sight the road above has been widened so passing motorists can admire the view without stopping traffic. The twisting road down to Argostoli's famous beach is well worth the hair-raising ride - at the bottom you're faced with moon-white sands and neon-bright seas. Although it gets busy around August, the beach - which starred in Captain Corelli's Mandolin - is so long you can always find a spot without bumping elbows with strangers. Fiskardo Very little of Kefalonia escaped the wrath of the 1953 earthquake. The exception, however, is this place. And lucky for you, because Venetian buildings in every pastel shade imaginable wrap around a dinky little harbour. Pull up a chair in one of the trendy bars and restaurants and watch the fisherman return with the day's catch still wriggling in the net. Have a browse round some of the great little shops that find a home here. And listen out for the clinks and guffaws of boozy lunches that drift down from millionaires' yachts. You'll feel as if you've been air-lifted to the south of France. Robola Winery Every Kefalonian wine menu worth its salt will offer you a glass of crisp Robola. It's the A-list star of Greek white wine and the grape's grown all over the island. Bottles of the stuff roll of the production line at six places across the island. One of them includes the Robola Wine Co-operative, set in the beautiful Omala Valley. The family-owned winery produces tens of thousands of cases that are shipped to Western Europe and the United States. You'll get to see how the wine is produced from grape crushing to the final bottling and even label production. And, of course, at the very end you can get your lips around a few varieties at the all-important tasting session. Bottoms up.
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Beaches In a battle of Greek beaches, Kefalonia would come off well. Really well, in fact. That's because the island's edged by some of the most seductive sands on the planet. Topping the bill is the mighty Myrtos. Think white sands and turquoise waters hugged by jagged cliffs. Don't let the stomach-churning trip down to shore put you off -Hollywood location scouts cast it in Captain Corelli's Mandolin and it regularly tops best beach polls so you know you're in for something special. Often referred to as a Myrtos relative, Petani seems to have pinched a few ideas from the island's flagship beach. Not only has it nabbed a curved coastline and mountain backdrop, it's accessorised with sparkling waters and ice-white sand, too. You'll find it near Lixouri, which is a boat ride across from island capital, Argostoli. But don't think all Kefalonia's beaches are
trying to muscle in on the Myrtos magic. Some stand firmly independent with their own style. Of all the stretches, those to the south draw the most people. Around Argostoli and Lassi you'll find Platys Gialos and Makris Gialos, both of which virtuously flap the Blue Flag. They're a big hit with sun-worshippers so get there early to clinch a decent spot. Further south there's a great beach near the seaside hamlet of Katelio. It's not far from Skala whose long ribbon of sand's backed by a little pine forest.
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Sky digital 647 Visit your travel agent to 10p/min plus 6p set Call 0871 230 8100 Calls cost upother providers' charges up fee from a BT landline. Mobile and may vary.
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