Kefalonia island news and views

The Ionian islands look set to get a new ferry to link some of the biggest holiday hotspots in Greece. The Ionian chain includes the very popular holiday islands of Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkas and Zante. Although they attract thousands of UK visitors each year, ferry links between the islands have always been notoriously poor. Now a ferry route to link all the Ionian islands for the first time looks ready to set sail on May 1 and run right through the summer season until the end of October. Shipping Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis announced the new ferry service at the Regional Development Conference of the Ionian islands. The new sea ferry services will be run by Azimut Joy Cruises with a 30-metre ship that will carry up to 260 passengers. The Minister said: "The linking of the Ionian islands will be a new reality that will put an end to the isolation between islands belonging to the same region". The new ferry will link Corfu with Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaca, Kefalonia and Zakynthos with sailings every day except Sunday. Each week the ferry with travel from Corfu, in the north, to Zante (Zakynthos), in the south, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and back again (Zante to Corfu) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The full journey will take about eight hours, leaving Corfu at 8 am and arriving in Zakynthos about 4 pm. Details of sailing time can be found on the right. It's only in Greek at the moment but those with a basic knowledge of the Greek alphabet will be able to decipher the islands of ΚΕΡΚ�"Ρ�' ΚΕΡΚΥΡA (CORFU), ΠAΞΟΙ (PAXOS), ΛΕΥΚADA (LEFKADA), ΙΘAΚH (ITHAKA), ΚΕΦAΛΟΝΙA (KEFALONIA) and ZAΚΥΝΘΟS (ZAKYNTHOS) or something similar. Although plenty of ferries call at these islands they are usually heading east-west on routes between the mainlands of Italy and Greece. There are a few local inter-island ferries but these usually just day cruises, have poor connections and irregular sailing times. This is the first ferry to run the whole length of the Ionian islands.  With three passenger and car ferries plus two flying dolphins, Joy Lines, a subsidiary of Joy Cruises, has been operating since 2005 running day cruises and tours from Corfu to Albania. The launch of this new Ionian ferry service could trigger a wave of island hopping tourists who can now sail from island to island.  As the closest Greek islands to the UK, the Ionian islands can be reached in flight times of three hours or so. The Ionian group lies off the west coast of mainland Greece and the are notably greener than other islands thanks to heavy winter rains. Good sandy beaches and shallow seas help to make most islands in the Ionian chain very popular with families. Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkas and Zante are the best known but the smaller islands of Paxos and Ithaka are also well worth a visit.

After suffering widespread earthquake damage last year, Kefalonia suffers more seismic rumblings under the Ionian Sea Earthquake rumbles continue to shake the holiday island of Kefalonia months after a series of quakes hit the island in January causing widespread damage. Scientists report a strong 5.1 magnitude tremor under the Ionian Sea just west of the island at the weekend following a 4.7 magnitude quake recorded on the previous Friday. There have been no reports of injuries or damage but the incident will have reawakened memories of the series of tremors that rocked the island earlier this year. A major 5.9 earthquake in January this year was one of many that shook the island for nearly a month, bringing down houses, causing landslides and blocking roads. In February this year, just days after Kefalonia holiday hotel owners reassured tourists that hotel were safe despite more than 250 tremors over a number of weeks, the island was hit by another major earthquake. Measuring 6.1 on the Richter Scale the tremor struck Kefalonia just before dawn sending panicked residents across the island running out into the streets. More than a dozen people were injured and damage reported to several buildings. Aftershocks as large as 5.2 were recorded and, at the height of the incidents, a state of emergency was declared. Some parts of Kefalonia were without electricity for several days and rescue efforts were hampered as several roads were blocked by landslides. Hundreds were evacuated from damaged or dangerous home and house in emergency shelters and on ferry boats docked in the harbour at the capital of Argostoli. Nearly every building in the town of Lixouri was reported to have suffered some minor damage, and many buildings, including schools suffered from collapsed walls and roofs. One unusual side effect of the seismic activity was the creation of several new beaches as parts of the island were raised around 20 centimetres. The remote north-west Pali peninsula suffered the worst and it is here that searches have revealed beaches where none existed before including one that extended several thousands of square metres. Fortunately the island recovered quickly from the worst effects and the 2014 summer holiday season was not affected as hotel owners reported a rise in visitor numbers despite fears that potential visitors would change their holiday plans. European ministers also earmarked €3.7 million towards clean-up costs on the island and much work has been done to restore damaged roads and buildings. But the latest tremors may do little to reassure visitors planning a holiday in Kefalonia in 2015. The whole Ionian region is no stranger to strong earthquakes. The area is particularly prone to tremors and both Kefalonia and nearby Zante were devastated by a 7.2 quake in 1953 that razed many buildings across both islands. Known as the Great 1953 Ionian Earthquake it struck the southern Ionian Islands in August 1953 after a month when more than 113 tremors were recorded in the region between Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Earthquakes still regularly shake the islands of Zante and Kefalonia and there have been several, notably in 2003, 2005 and 2006. It is not the only tremor reported in Greece over the past few weeks. A 4.8-magnitude earthquake also shook the cities of Patras, Aegion and Nafpaktos in the northern Peloponnese on Friday evening, according to Athens Geodynamic Institute. The tremor occurred at a depth of 5 kilometres and its epicentre was located in the western Corinthian Gulf. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake also struck Western Greece in the last week of October with its epicentre 20 kilometres from the mainland town of Arta , to the north-east of Kefalonia. No damage or injuries were reported.

Earthquakes create new sands along the shore. Kefalonia is enjoying a surprise boom in beaches with new stretches of golden sand appearing along the island's long indented coastline. And several existing beaches have grow in size with more sands for Greek island holiday visitors to Kefalonia to enjoy. Experts say it's the result of the series of earthquakes that rocked Kefalonia earlier this year. Geologists report some parts of the island have been raised up by as much as 20cm allowing huge stretches of sand to emerge from the sea. A group of seismologists from Athens University has been investigating the island to determine the effects of the series of strong earth tremors that rocked the island at the end of January this year. A state of emergency was declared on Kefalonia when dozens of aftershocks followed the initial quake which reached 5.9 on the Richter Scale with the epicentre located just a few kilometres off the coast near the capital city at Argostoli. The remote north-west Pali peninsula suffered the heaviest of the tremors and it is in this region that detailed searches have revealed new beaches where none existed before including one that extends to several thousands of square metres. The team of geologists say the entire peninsula has been raised several centimetres as a result of the shocks and other recent earthquake activity. The scientists arrived on Kefalonia in May to carry out detailed research on the Pali peninsula and they set up special instruments to measure changes in ground levels. As well as the appearance of new beaches they also found that the water level in the wetlands around Livadi, north of the port of Lixouri, has risen appreciably. This area is one of the most important wetland habitats in Greece with more than 100 rivers and creeks creating shelter for many types of flora and fauna. The quake was also responsible for a strange phenomenon on one of Kefalonia's best known beach at Myrtos, pictured above, which is also located in the north-west of the island. A huge rift, measured at more than 60 metres long released large amounts of sand and soil into the sea to create a huge mud bank in the bay. This has not been the first strong earthquake to strike the Greek island of Kefalonia. A 7.2 magnitude quake in 1953, struck three days after a 6.4 tremor, leaving many dead and injured and most of the island's buildings reduced to rubble. Kefalonia houses built since 1953 have adhered to strict anti-seismic regulations and this is considered the main reason why relatively little damage was caused in the earthquake earlier this year.

Kefalonia is ready to welcome holiday visitors. Hotel owners on the holiday island of Kefalonia have rushed to insist there is no danger for tourists after the island was hit by several large earthquakes. An official statement of support from the Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers says the vast majority of the hotel units on the island of Kefalonia are in a good condition with no reported problems. Hoteliers insist that Kefalonia is ready to welcome holiday visitors this year and can accommodate both Greek and foreign visitors when the holiday season gets under way. A quake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale shook the island on Sunday, January 26 followed by more than 250 aftershocks that caused major problems to the infrastructure of the island. Kefalonia's largest hospital at Lixouri was evacuated, roads were blocked by landslides, homes abandoned and there are also concerns about two schools. Many homes have been badly damaged and in Argostoli one in four buildings has been declared unfit for use. The village of Atheras was also evacuated on Monday for fear of landslides. Residents unable to return to their damaged homes have been offered temporary accommodation on three ships that have docked in the main harbour at Argostoli. The Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers says it is keeping an open line of communication with the Kefalonia and Ithaca Hotel Association which is constantly updating the situation of the island. Meanwhile, one of the many problems that the residents of Kefalonia have to deal with, is the problems in water networks in many areas of the island. In Lixouri as well as in other areas the use of water for drinking or cooking is prohibited. Another earthquake was recorded on mainland Greece in the area of Patras with a magnitude of 4.2 on the Richter scale and tremors were felt in Patras, Nafpaktos, Aigio and other coastal regions This latest earthquake seems to be linked to the earthquakes on Kefalonia. It follows a winter of earthquakes in the Greek Islands with four tremors recorded in Thessaloniki and more off the coast of Crete in the southern Aegean.

Fears over loss of vital ferry link. Residents on the holiday island of Ithaca are pleading for help to restore a vital ferry service to Kefalonia and the mainland. Ferry services from the mainland port of Patras to Ithaca, via the port of Sami on Kefalonia, have been put on hold as the ferry "Seven Islands" undergoes a refit and is unlikely to be restored until next year and maybe not at all. But the move by ferry firm Strintzis Ferries has left Ithaca island without vital supplies and services as links with both ports at Sami and Patras are broken and are unlikely to be restored until the new year The Ionian Ferries.12(Ionian Ferries) company has offered an alternative service but the boat will not use the ports at either Sami on Kefalonia or Patras on the mainland. Ithaca authorities say the alternative is unacceptable as established ferry links are lost. A letter to island authorities on neighbouring Kefalonia warns: "Ithacans will be denied the opportunity to go through Sami Argostoli, and should go through the port of Poros, which is about an hour's drive from Argostoli." "Ithaca is essentially severed from Patras which is very frequent destination for medical emergencies and for company obligations. It will bring a significant financial burden for residents of Ithaca at a time when the economic crisis and decline in income makes them unable to meet their basic needs." In recent years Ithaca islanders have complained at the steady decline in ferry schedules, large increases in ticket prices and the failure of the Greek government to respond to calls from both residents of Ithaca and ferry operators to serve the interests and needs of local citizens. Ithaca islanders have proposed the creation of a publicly controlled ferry service with residents in control of routes, fares, licenses, and shipbuilding but with no success so far. They have urged the Greek government yet again to restore full ferry services to both Sami and Patras. A letter to authorities on Kefalonia calling for their support says: "Due to the many and varied problems created – servicing problems in health or administrative matters, serious problems in the supply of goods etc., we ask for your support in our struggle for immediate shipping reconnecting with Patras which is a lifeline for Ithaca." "The port of Patras, as a main trading port in western Greece, has served fully and was always helping our island in the commercial development and tourist character of Homer's Ithaca."

Celebrities on Greek Island holidays. A clutch of A-list celebrities is spending the summer on holiday in the Greek Islands this year. It appears that the stream of movie stars and rich-list celebrities choosing the Greek islands for a relaxing holiday grows longer each year. Top-name stars like John Travolta, Robert DeNiro, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have already graced the Greek island beaches and tavernas this year. Now Hollywood actress Demi Moore has been spotted on the Aegean island of Mykonos having dinner at a well-known Mykonos restaurant. Eye-witnesses were amazed to see has slipped international media attention to enjoy her Greek Island visit without harassment. One of the world's richest entrepreneurs, Russian business tycoon Roman Abramovic, spent several days on the island of Kefalonia. Islanders say there was little evidence of security as he enjoyed a bicycle ride. A Fiscardo taverna owner said she was amazed when Abramovic, billionaire owner of Chelsea football team, walked in saying he was very hungry and to cook whatever she liked. Only recently, Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli spent her summer holidays on the Greek island of Mykonos. She relayed her excitement on her Twitter post where she has nearly 300,000 followers. It was the second year running she chose Mykonos and she uploaded photos of her walking by the beach on a black bikini for her fans and followers. Refaeli came to Greece to take a professional photo shoot and has now made the islands a regular holiday port of call. Leonardo Di Caprio's former girlfriend appears to love Mykonos. Among the photos she uploaded were landscape and scenic shots of the Greek island. Mykonos has been the holiday choice for many celebs including Johnny Depp, Melanie Griffith, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, Shakira and George Michael, Within the past few years, a number of celebrities have snapped up homes in the Greek Islands. They are the latest in a long line of Hollywood stars known to have purchased land on the beautiful islands of Greece Actor Tom Hanks and his Greek wife Rita Wilson have a six-acre summer house on the tiny island of Antiparos and visit almost every year. Sean Connery is thought to have his own Greek home at Portocheli, near the Saronis island of Hydra Pop Queen Madonna has been looking for a new homes on the Ionian island of Kefalonia while Nicole Kidman has been house hunting in Spetses and Bruce Willis is rumoured to have bought land on the island of Corfu. Rowan Atkinson, famous as 'Mr Bean', owns a house on the island of Andros

A night out in Kefalonia. When you think of Kefalonia, there are three things that should come to mind: drink, dance and party. If that doesn't sound like a good time to you, then perhaps the Kefalonia nightlife will be a bit over your head. However, if this sounds like it might lead to the best time of your life, then it would be a good idea to consider a holiday to Kefalonia. Let's take a look at the best bars, clubs and restaurants in Kefalonia. We'll start with bars. Captain's Bar is one of the more popular establishments. This isn't an active or high-energy environment, but it is a great place to start out. It's a place that allows you to settle in and get a feel for the lay of the land. Captain's Bar is located right on the Skala beachfront. Therefore, you're going to have great views and feel very at ease. The music is usually soothing and there are more than 40 different types of drinks available. If you want an actual beachfront bar, go to Stevento. They offer great service, drinks in iced glasses and the best sunsets in the Greek Islands. This is also a great place to go to meet locals. For on-trend music, go to Zanza. They play a wide variety of tunes and often have experienced DJs spinning. It's also a café in the morning. For the most unique bar experience, go to Zebra. You can find live music upstairs and a crazy party with a dancing zebra downstairs. The zebra is someone in costume, of course. As far as nightclubs go, there are a number of places where you can party the night away. Bass is the most popular club in Kefalonia – mainly because it's so close to Central Square. The party doesn't get going here until midnight so keep that in mind while on your Kefalonia holiday. Cinema is another popular option and is close to many shops on Lithostrob Street. This used to be an actual cinema and the antique projector and many seats remain. This makes for a historic environment, which makes Cinema unlike any other club in the islands. Cinema also opens earlier than most other nightclubs so it's a great place to start. Kastro has been around since 1995 and mixes an old mine with lush greenery. The pine trees and live bands make this a more laidback atmosphere. As far as restaurants go, start with Ellis, which is on the Fiskardo seafront. They serve a range of different dishes, but seafood is their specialty. Regardless of what you order, you will be able to enjoy views of the Ionian Sea. Andromeda is a Greek restaurant that offers outdoor dining near Lourdas Bay. It's a beautiful atmosphere and everyone raves about the food. For peace and quiet, sea views, an extensive wine list and the best moussaka around, dine at Old Times. With the information above, you should be able to enjoy the best Kefalonia nightlife on offer. Try to mix the bars, nightclubs and restaurants to get the full Kefalonia experience.

Open air prayers on Kefalonia. A strange sight for anyone on a late holiday break in Kefalonia would be a large group of muslims at prayer in the middle of an open field. But Pakistanis living in Kefalonia were forced out in the open when Kefalonia municipal authorities refused a request to provide a place to pray at the annual religious bairam festival recently. There are about 150 Pakistani immigrants living and working on the holiday island of Kefalonia. Pakistanis have been granted rooms in which to celebrate the religious bairam festival in places like Athens and Thessaloniki, so they thought it was just a formality for them to be given a civic room on Kefalonia. But when Kefalonia local authorities said 'no' they were forced to hold the prayer ceremony in an open field. The bairam was one of two religious bairam festivals celebrated by each year muslims. The lesser bairam is celebrated at the end of ramadan, at roughly the same time as the christian easter festival; this was the greater bairam, also called the 'feast of the sacrifices' which is celebrated 70 days later. Pakistanis on Kefalonia are annoyed at the rejection as they are all legal residents of Kefalonia, have houses, pay island taxes and can vote in local elections. The outdoor prayer meeting on Kefalonia was followed by a celebration and sharing characteristic highly coloured rice-sweets.