Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Leivathos - Vathy - Argostoli
100% customisable for you
Your Greek island getaway begins today as you head to the airport for your flight to Kefalonia. The journey to Argostoli takes around three-and-a-half hours – just enough time to ease into holiday mode with a good book before touching down in the Ionian Sea.
On arrival, collect your hire car and travel 20 minutes to your first accommodation near Leivathos: a beautiful hotel on the water’s edge, where you’ll be spending the next three nights. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind and acclimatise to island life. Stretch out on the beach, take a refreshing dip in the ocean, and round off your first evening with a delicious meal at the hotel, made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Spend the next two days uncovering the wild beauty and layered history of Kefalonia. Despite its size, it remains refreshingly unspoilt, with dramatic landscapes, peaceful villages and a distinctly local pace of life. In terms of must-visit beaches, the pebbly cove of Myrtos on the west coast is generally considered the most beautiful, but the east coast’s Antisamos is another strong contender. Other scenic delights include small coastal mountains and the forested slopes of Mount Ainos to the east.
The island is also a treasure trove for cultural and historic sites. Highlights include the seventh-century BC Krani Fortress near the village of Razata; the Saint George Castle, which boasts beautiful views across the Venetian capital of Kefalonia; the Agios Andreas monastery, with its excellent collection of ancient icons; the third-century Roman villa at Cape Mouda, which houses restored mosaics; and the charming Venetian port of Fiskardo. If skies are clear, we can also arrange an evening of stargazing with a local astronomer.
After breakfast, it’s time to leave Kefalonia and cross the Ionian Sea to its quieter neighbour, Ithaca. Drop off your hire car and board the ferry for a short journey (around 30 minutes) offering lovely views back across the water. On arrival, collect a new hire car and drive just 20 minutes to Vathy, Ithaca’s charming harbour town, where pastel-hued houses line the bay.
Your home for the next three nights is a charming hotel set within a historic building. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure: unwind on a nearby beach, watch fishing boats drift into the harbour or wander into town to find a peaceful spot for an aperitif as the sun dips behind the hills.
Peaceful and unhurried, Ithaca has changed little over the years. Life here still revolves around fishing boats, livestock, olive groves and small vineyards, giving the island an authentic, lived-in feel. Backed by pine forests and cypress trees, the scalloped coastline gives way to dramatic cliffs along the eastern shore.
Today is yours to discover the island at your own pace. You might spend the morning on a quiet beach, hike through the island’s gently rolling hinterland or immerse yourself in Ithaca’s understated cultural heritage. In Vathy, discover Venetian walls, military ruins and a small French fort, while a short boat trip brings you to Lazareto islet. Here, the 17th-century Church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour offers a poignant glimpse into the island’s past as a former quarantine station.
Fuel up with breakfast this morning before heading out on a guided walk followed by a wine and cheese tasting. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, follow a beautiful winding path towards the village of Perachori, soaking up far-reaching views over Vathy along the way. The route passes floral-draped houses, fragrant olive groves, small churches, a 17th-century monastery and the remains of Medieval villages, Paleochora and Kounouvato.
After exploring the countryside, discover Ithaca’s vineyards. Winemaking here has a long and storied history, which you’ll learn about before settling in to sample a selection of local wines paired with regional cheeses. Prefer to spend the day on the water? We can instead arrange a scenic boat trip to the secluded Afales Bay.
After a few days immersed in nature, today brings a gentle return to civilisation. Drive back to the port and take the ferry to Sami on Kefalonia, where a private driver will be waiting to whisk you into the heart of Argostoli, the island’s lively waterfront capital. Check into an elegant hotel in the heart of the main square for your final night.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Wander through the Venetian-influenced streets, browse local shops or pause for coffee overlooking the harbour. This evening, unwind back at the hotel where indulgent spa treatments, spacious terraces and delicious food provide a fitting finale to your time in the Ionian Islands.
All good things must come to an end, and today it’s time to say farewell to Kefalonia and Ithaca. After a hearty breakfast this morning, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport in good time for your three-and-a-half-hour flight back to the UK. Return home with salt-kissed skin, a slower pace of mind and memories of two beautifully unspoilt Greek islands that linger long after landing.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
