Kefalonia

The largest island in the Ionian, Kefalonia is a land of contrasts. There are bare rocky slopes alternating with valleys of pine forests composed of a local fir tree rare in other places.

The island has been inhabited since ancient times, when it was part of Odysseus' kingdom. Well preserved remains have been saved in various parts of the island, where four very important cities were situated.

Today, Kefalonia is a tourist island, although not at the same scale as Corfu or Zakynthos. The sea around Kefalonia, especially the west coast is-along with the Sporades group- one of the few remaining habitats for the Mediterranean monk seal. The island also offers nesting ground to the carreta-carreta turtle.