Lixouri town

The small historic town of Lixouri, the Palaki's main town, lies in the lowlands beneath the glorious mountains and looks out over the pure blue waters of the gulf. The current location of Lixouri is very close to the original site of the ancient city of Pali, of which little now remains due to the earthquake that devastated much of the island in 1953. Lixouri is a beautiful town and its hillside villages have much to offer the tourist looking for a more cultural, relaxed and tranquil holiday. The town square, or platia, as the Greeks call it, is the perfect place to sit back and relax while you indulge in some cool refreshments and a great spot for basking in the everlasting Kefalonian sunshine. A beautiful and majestic tree holds pride of place in the centre of the square and offers shade to the children who play beneath its canopy. The streets of Lixouri are packed with shops where you will find a wealth of gifts to purchase and wonderful restaurants where you can rest and eat.

Places to visit

You could also visit the local museum and library, which is housed in one of the few remaining old Venetian buildings left on the Paliki. The museum houses a wonderful collection of icons and religious artifacts. The monastery at Kipouria is also a must for any tourist visiting the Palaki. It lies on the edge of the western coast not far from Platia Ammos beach, about 10km out of Lixouri and is built on the cusp of the mountainside. To sit within its grounds and look out over the vast expanse of the Ionian Sea is a serene experience. The peace and tranquillity of this place transcends you into a dreamlike state where all the worries of the world simply drift away over the clear blue waters. You leave feeling cleansed and revitalized. It's better then any spa I've ever been to, that's for sure.

Another place on the northern edge of the Paliki that holds this dream like quality is the small cove at Atheras, about 12km out of Lixouri. The cove is surrounded on two sides by steep, olive covered hillsides, the beach a combination of white sand and small shingle; the water is calm, shallow and of the clearest blue. There are rocks to the left, which are perfect for crabbing and further along in the deeper water a small cave and local fishing boats, great for snorkeling. There is a small taverna set back amoungst the trees with everything you need. It is without a doubt the most beautiful of beaches and its well worth hiring a car or taking a taxi drive out to spend a day experiencing its tranquil glory.

There are many other beaches on the Paliki and all of them hold their own enchantments. Xi and Megos Lakos abound the southern end of the peninsula. The Saharan red sand of Xi holds a sharp contrast with its white clay hills. You'll often find small rocks of clay in the shallow waters, which can be rubbed onto the body and once washed off leaves your skin soft and smooth. That has to be one the best ways to exfoliate. The golden shores of Megos Lakos adjoin the red of Xi. Both have a number of water sports available during the high season and refreshments and food are always near at hand. Ag. Nikolas at Vatsa bay and Vrahirani are two smaller and much less populated beaches on the Paliki's southern shores. Both boast tavernas but it has to be said that Vatsa's rustic, almost Caribbean like atmosphere is by far the best. The food here is also very good and although expensive the fish is a must.

A short distance out of Lixouri covering the eastern and southern coastline is Lepeda beach. The golden sands of Lepeda look out towards the tourist town of Lassi, near the Islands capital, Argostoli. There is a small kafanion with food and refreshments on hand. To the left the golden sands house a small rock pool and shallower waters. About 10km west out of Lixouri is Petani beach. A beautiful place edged on both sides by the steep mountainous terrain and a perfect place to watch the sun set. The beach itself is made up of small shingle and white sand and there are rocks on the shore, which are great for playing hide and seek. Out of season a small fresh water natural

stream runs down the beach and into the sea. The clear mountain water from it is fantastically cold and fresh. There are two tavernas here, the first is the better of the two where the food is very good, cheap and the family who run it and very friendly.

Other activities

For those of you wanting something more idyllic there are plenty of small coves with sandy beaches that can be accessed only by boat. It can be a little expensive but what a way to spend the day, picnicking and swimming on your own private beach! There are sailing holidays available on the Paliki too and these are fantastic. It's by far the best way to experience this beautiful Island, enjoying first hand the vast beauty of the rocky coastline and normally inaccessible beaches. You also learn how to sail and will be free to take yourselves off on your own adventures. For those of you who love to walk the Paliki is a paradise of flora and fauna, majestic monasteries, historic ruins, and panoramic landscapes. If you enjoy trekking but don't like walking a great way to get around and view the delights of the Paliki is on horseback. All the trekking experience but without the blisters! Excellent!

For those of you with a more romantic soul viewing a sunset is a must. The best places for this are all along the western coast, the monastery at Kipouria, Platia Ammos and Petani Beaches, but the best place of all in my opinion is the small mountain village of Damoulianata, a 15-minute drive from Lixouri. This picturesque village has a small open square with benches that face out towards an amazing panoramic seascape. It's a quiet, tranquil place to sit and absorb the exquisite beauty and romance of the sun slowly descending into

the deep dark blue water of the Ionian. In high season the nearby taverna opens and is a perfect place to dine with a view to die for. However you decide to spend your time, the grace and splendour of this beautiful part of Kefalonia is yours to be enjoyed. It is indeed the uncut jewel of the Ionian Sea.