When I think of ‘Greece’ I typically envision postcard snapshots of white villas with blue domes for roofs, cobbled steps and pale walls, romantically perched across hills. Kefalonia was an abyss of its own kind.
This Greek island had its own backdrop, featuring rugged rolling hillsides, the lushest scenery, and some of the most blissful beaches. And despite being the setting for the famous novel and film ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’, it remains unspoilt by mass tourism.
Located in the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, Kefalonia is not only a glorious place to go on holiday but is bustling with wildlife and is the home to hundreds of species of wild flowers. In fact, since most of the land was destroyed in 1953 during a monstrous earthquake, the island has seemingly rejuvenated itself over and over again and. It is now more vibrant than ever.
One of the fishing villages that survived the quake is the picturesque town of Fiskardo. The delicately coloured buildings and the flickering turquoise waters make up this serene, subdued setting.
Mid-holiday, my fiancé and I took a trip to see the islands most talked about destination — Lake Melissani.
Surrounded by dense forestry, featuring glistening waters and daunting stalactites, the lake, and the cave it sat within, took our breath away.
Discovered in 1951 and opened to the public in 1963, the magical subterranean world of Lake Melissani has become one of the islands most visited places.
When seen in the middle of a bright sunny day, the sun’s rays make the water so clear that it almost looks as though it has disappeared. It is truly magical to witness as only then can you see everything that lives within it.
In second place on my list of favourite places to have visited, is the post-earthquake town of Sami.
When our coach dropped us off, it was like visiting a small market town of the past, featuring Roman baths, original cobbled pathways, monasteries and Venetian bridges.
From the harbour we took a boat trip out to Ithika — which only took our breath away further.
Returning to our hotel from such a historical place felt like hopping in a time machine to the future.
These modern, majestic walls made up a place called Tesoro Blu — ‘treasure of the sea’. An immaculate place we would call home for the next 12 days. A place that exuded care-free bliss.
Tesoro Blu hotel and Spa made our trip to this greek Island all the more special. It’s fresh, bright, palatial spaces greeted you as you walked through them. Meanwhile, staff made you feel like family, and the food and drinks were sublime.
Built into the hillside and overlooking the ocean, this contemporary hotel was the perfect place to laugh, dance, sip, taste, recuperate, revitalise and relax with the one I love.
My experience in this amazing place has revealed a snippet of secluded, luscious perfection, that I hope I will encounter again one day — and hope you can witness too!
Anna Vitality 