Kefalonia Island teems with engaging activities that offer a rich taste of local culture, history, and flavors. Immerse yourself in the buzzing world of beekeeping with Dias Beekeeping, sip the distinct local wines at Gentilini and Robola’s vineyards, and revel in the lively Robola Wine Festival. Delight in shopping for authentic Kefalonian souvenirs crafted by local artisans, and make a visit to the iconic Blue House. Each experience unfolds a captivating facet of Kefalonia’s vibrant island life.
Take a Bee Tour
Discover the secrets of beekeeping with Dias Beekeeping, a family business that has been working with bees since 1988. Their unique nomadic beekeeping approach involves moving the bees between different areas on Kefalonia that are abundant with endemic flora, such as black fir, thyme, heather, and the strawberry tree (Arbutus). During your visit, you can purchase their high-quality beekeeping products, including honey, pollen from flowers and bees (bee bread), royal jelly, propolis, and wax. The Bee Tour, which lasts 2-3 hours, includes a walk to a honeybee hive with a local beekeeping expert, who will provide a protective beekeeping suit for you to wear. You’ll get to visit their apiary, witness an open hive, and even hold a frame of live bees. The tour concludes with a tasting of various organic bee products.
Visit Dias Beekeeping at Domata, call +30 2671042166, or visit their website at beekeeping.gr/dias/ to book your bee tour and experience the fascinating world of beekeeping.
Go to a Wine Tasting
Explore the distinct taste of Kefalonia’s wines with visits to two of the island’s top wineries. Gentilini is a small, family-run boutique winery that produces high-quality, unique wines while showcasing the unique flavours and aromas of local Kefalonian varieties. Their garden is open for tours and tastings from Easter to October, allowing visitors to indulge in their wine selection in a natural and relaxed setting. The friendly and informative staff, fluent in English, will guide you through their wines and answer any questions you may have. Complimentary plates of their organic extra virgin olive oil, local cheese, grape tomatoes, and fresh bread are included with every tour, and light snacks are also available.
The Wine Growers of Robola’s vineyard in Omala is another excellent winery to visit. The cooperative, founded in 1982, consists of winemakers from Omala and the surrounding areas, who aim to protect and promote the potential of Kefalonian vineyards. Take an educational guided tour of their vineyard and winery, followed by a tasting of their traditional Robola wine, made exclusively from grapes grown in their organic vineyards. This wine boasts a crisp freshness and a well-structured body with a distinctive aroma.
Visit Gentilini’s winery in Minies, phone: +30 26710 41 618, website: gentilini.gr, or the Wine Growers of Robola’s vineyard in Omala, phone: +30 2671024563, website: www.orealios.gr, to explore the unique and exceptional flavours of Kefalonia’s wines.
Party at the Robola Wine Festival
Since 1978, Kefalonia has been celebrating its famous Robola wine with an annual festival held on the first weekend after August 15th. The festival commemorates the new production of the award-winning Robola wine that is produced on the island. The festival takes place over two days in the charming villages of Fragata and Valsamata in the Omala Valley, where visitors can taste as much of the complimentary Robola wine as they desire. The festival offers an array of other activities, such as dancing late into the night and trying local delicacies like goat stew. Don’t miss out on this lively and flavorful festival that offers a true taste of Kefalonia’s culture.
Buy Authentic Kefalonian Souvenirs
The Harokopio Foundation in Argostoli was established over 100 years ago with the objective of teaching traditional Greek embroidery techniques to unemployed women and girls, providing them with a livelihood and an improved standard of living. Today, the foundation functions as a workshop where associated women with expertise in embroidery, lace, and needlework participate as hobbyists. Some of their embroidered pieces are replicas of 200-year-old works displayed at the Corgialenios Folklore Museum in Argostoli. The Harokopio Foundation also accepts customized orders, with each piece crafted by hand with exceptional skill.
Visit the IN Gallery in Sami (Address: Agglias Ave. 16, Phone: +30 2674 022885, Website: www.facebook.com), where you can purchase an extensive selection of paintings, handicrafts, jewellery, and ceramics. The shop is owned by Dana, a talented artist who creates unique religious iconography, original oils of Kefalonian landscapes, custom paintings, hand-painted ceramics, and more. All purchases are elegantly gift-wrapped and can be shipped internationally.
In Sami (Horofilakis), Annikas Greek Handicrafts store (Phone: +30 693 876 2384, Website: www.facebook.com) offers handmade items made primarily from local wood. The owner, Kostas, is an accomplished wood turner and artist who produces one-of-a-kind and stunning pieces. You can also find wire jewellery and other unique décor items and gifts here.
See the Blue House
Located in Porto Athera, the former home of renowned Greek composer Linos Kokotos is a protected historic landmark today. The blue house is situated in a charming settlement reminiscent of another era, spread around a narrow bay. After visiting the house, head to Drosos Taverna, located at the centre of the beach, where you can indulge in delicious seafood while enjoying soulful jazz tunes. This is an idyllic spot that perfectly captures the essence of Kefalonia’s relaxed and timeless atmosphere and is a must-visit for anyone interested in the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Read also:
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