Head out round the southeastern edge of the lagoon, past the old bridge, and look back at the Argostoli waterfront. Don’t dwell on the panorama too long or you’ll miss the wonderful statues and mausoleums of Drapano Cemetery.

For the next few miles, the road climbs steeply until the crystal waters of Argostoli Bay sparkle in the sunshine hundreds of feet below. In the distance, across the channel, the hills of the Pali Peninsula intersect sea and sky. If you’ve rented a Porsche, the twisting corniche will put your driving skills to the test; for the rest of us, sit back, get the camera out and enjoy the ride—remember to bring extra batteries.

Eventually, you’ll cross the isthmus connecting the Pali Peninsula to the mainland. The sea view disappears for a few miles but the rugged hills, dotted with pines, speak of a desolate beauty. Don’t worry the best is still to come.

About twenty miles out of Argostoli is one of Europe’s most photographed beaches. Here you’ll need to decide whether to take the winding track down the cliff to Myrtos Beach or just pull over and take pictures. The light on these Kefalonian cliffs has an unworldly clarity, drawing every shade of blue and turquoise from the sea, setting it off against the snow-white arc of the beach.

A few miles further north, the ruined castle at Assos serves up another breathtaking view. Built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the fort sits atop a rocky outcrop overlooking a sheltered harbor and picturesque village. Home to some of the most photogenic buildings on the island, Assos is certainly worth checking out.

If you didn’t make it down to Myrtos, there’s still Emplisi Beach—five minutes out of Fiskardo. It’s a quiet sheltered cove, an ideal spot for a refreshing swim.
Next up is charming Fiskardo where pastel-painted buildings line the quayside, their walls festooned with flowers. Lock up the car, stroll down to the harbor and enjoy some Greek dishes under a shaded cabana by the water’s edge.

There’s plenty to see in Fiskardo but plan on leaving a couple of hours before sunset if you’re returning to Argostoli—negotiating the tortuous bends in the dark might not be for everyone.

If you make it back in time, finish the day at Saint Theodori’s Lighthouse. Santorini may be the sunset capital of the world but you won’t be disappointed as the sun disappears behind Paliki leaving the sky a kaleidoscope of purple, red and orange.

On days like these, it can seem unfair that Greece and its islands have so much natural beauty.

About the Author

Paul Dillon is a British author living in Los Angeles, California. His Kefalonia novel, The Magic in the Receiver, is currently an Amazon bestseller in the Greek Travel category.

Source: Visitgreece.gr

“It is the first time we are so well prepared,” said New Democracy’s executive members and emphasized that, despite the various press leaks, there was great willingness to participate in the ballots.

Similarly, Greek main opposition SYRIZA‘s central committee met today in order to take its final decisions on the matter. The special committee charged with the ballots drafting has completed its work and is expected to submit its proposals to the central committee, which might proceed with limited differentiations. The final ballots will be published today.

To read more, please visit greekreporter.com

By Aggelos Skordas

• Domestic and international students who wish to, or already study in Greece for a higher education degree.
  
  
• Students who participate to exchange programs, such as Erasmus+.
  
  
• Refugees , immigrants and those who need international assistance, in order to foster integration into the Greek education system.
  
  
• Any other case of students, or potential students.

• Contribute to the international spread of the Greek culture.
  
  
• Support in making Greece a favorite destination for higher studies among international students and for all levels of higher education.
  
  
• Extend the provided information and support to include refugees and people seeking international protection.
  
  
• Expand the group and create a network of students and faculty members across all higher education institutions in Greece.
  
  
• Create a European and International network of higher education institutions to support student mobility.
  
  
• Serve as the main portal providing information and support, even at the individual level, for international students.
  
  
• Provide continuously updated information regarding the higher education news, like new postgraduate programs announcements, legislation, news, etc.

After losing his job in 2012, Mr. Koursoumis was also–eventually– left homeless. "When I was walking, whenever I felt tired I looked for a quiet place to sleep. I've slept on the ground, in the entrances of apartment buildings in Athens many times" he says.

During his time on the street, Mr. Koursoumis, collected discarded books from trashcans across the city which he later sold to the second-hand book stalls at the Athens flea market. The pursuit of old books gave him the idea to open a second-hand bookstore where he and the friends he met on the streets could work and make a living.

Today, he is confident that through the bookstore, he and his friends will be able to reclaim a part of their old lives. He is aiming to create a community center run by the homeless for the homeless at a new permanent spot he has found in Tavros, near the center of the city and hopes to move his book shop to the new premises in the next couple of weeks.

To read this article in full, please visit: dw.com