This past Monday, November 11th, Veterans Day, we boarded the cruise ship Oceania Vista and set sail to the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. Along the way, we stopped at three beautiful areas on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea. Our cruise cabin was a nice size with an extended outside deck—larger than our hotel room in Athens. Giddy’s first meal was a Cheeseburger and fries.
We made four stops. Our first stop was Gytheio, Greece, where it rained all day, and we stayed aboard the ship. Our ports of call were Kefalonia, Kotor, Montenegro, and Dubrovnik, Croatia. Please see the respective posts for each location.
Greek Island – Kefalonia
Kefalonia (or Cephalonia) is the largest of the Ionian Islands in Greece, renowned for its stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and rich history.
We went on a tour to see the highlights of Kefalonia, which is an island on the west coast of Greece. With its breathtaking crystal-clear waters of greenish-blue colors, this green island will take your breath away. Kefalonia is a gem in the Ionian Sea. It carries a rich history and cultural traditions. It’s the biggest Ionian Island, and its mountains’ green blend with the water’s blue, making it truly unique and a beloved destination. Pine, cypress, and olive trees cover Mt. Ainos’ peak, while at its foot, you’ll come across vineyards where the popular Kefalonian Robola wine variety is produced.
This island hosts the rare Caretta- caretta sea turtle, which nests along the sandy beaches.
We docked in Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia. Argostoli is known for its vibrant waterfront, shops, and restaurants. The town features the impressive Drapano Bridge and a picturesque harbor.
We traveled across the island from west to east and enjoyed the various sights, including stops at a church, two cave systems, and a winery.
The local wineries typically make white wines but specialize in Robola red wine.
We visited two caves, which were nice and only discovered in the 1950s, but had significant damage to stalagmites and stalactites. The drought has affected Drogarati Cave, an impressive cave that was known for its stalactites and stalagmites.
The Melissani Cave is a breathtaking underground lake with turquoise waters, which offers boat tours. The water depth was approx 15m (48 ft) where part of the cave roof fell and was crystal clear.
The middle of the island is dominated by several mountains, including Mount Ainos, the highest peak at approximately 1600m (5200 ft). Mount Ainos is a national park perfect for hiking and offers stunning views.
Visit the additional posts along the Adriatic Sea. Our next stop is Kotor, Montenegro.