At Ai Gordis: Pentati - Agios Gordios     The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.     Route’s type: linear Route’s duration: 50 minutes Route’s length: 2.000 metres Level of difficulty: very difficult Suggested season: all seasons, if weather conditions permit it     The route The route starts from the courtyard of the church of Panagia Odigitria. We open the door and enjoy the excellent view from the balcony in front of the church. Then we descend the large staircase with many steps and reach the centre of the village. Following the main road to the north we come across a crossroads where there is a sign marking the start of the path. The trail is slightly downhill, but gradually steep slopes of the ground appear on our right, requiring increased attention (cliff). Shortly afterwards, a large subsidence, created by the recent winter rains, causes a large hole about a metre deep, cutting off the path. Crossing the hole, given the existence of the cliff, requires attention and increased skills. The trail after the subsidence continues intensely downhill and also requires increased caution. Along the way we encounter a landslide (also caused by recent rains) that has created a sara (a steep slope under a cliff, covered with gravel, stones and rocks falling from it). This area also requires increased attention and special skills. It should be noted that the crossing of a sara should be done, as far as possible, horizontally, which in our case is particularly difficult. After the sara the path continues downhill up until the beach in front of the big hotel. We continue along the beach until the parking area of the main road of the settlement, where the trail ends. The route passes through a lush environment, where among the trees the walker can admire the excellent view of the Ionian Sea, the islets of Tholeto (or Ortholithi) and Cape Faskia literally under his feet, while the rocks of Ortholithros stands above him. It is an impressive landscape, but the poor condition of the path prevents the walker from enjoying it as it should be.   As a linear route, the track can start from both sides/entrances: a) from Pentati as described before and b) from Agios Gordios uphill. The walker can also return back to the start of the route at Pentati. Although the route is not more than 2,000 metres in total (one way) , the walker should estimate that it will take approximately one hour (without any stops) to complete the Pendati - Agios Gordios route, due to the increased difficulty of the route.   On the island of Corfu there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south): Sidari, Acharavi, Kassiopi, Ypsos, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town, Achilleion, Moraitika, Argyrades and Lefkimmi. Police stations in the settlements (from north to south): Karousades, Paleokastritsa, Corfu Town and Lefkimmi. Numerous private medical offices, medical centres, pharmacies, and public health structures exist (from north to south): Avliotes Regional Medical Centre, Acharavi Regional Medical Centre, Agios Athanasios Health Centre, Hospital and Emergency Centre in Corfu Town, Lefkimmi Regional Medical Centre   Pentati Pentati is a settlement in Corfu. It is located about 17 km away from the town. It is the only settlement of the municipal district of Pentati. According to the 2011 census, it has 261 inhabitants. It is built at an altitude of 120 meters and overlooks the southwest coast of the island and the famous rock Megalo Tholoto or Ortholithi. In Pentati the houses are traditional and colourful and surrounded by olive and cypress trees. Below the village there is a small, secluded beach named Fieroula, which is covered with pebbles and rocks and its seabed is ideal for underwater exploration or fishing. It is accessed by a narrow paved road that crosses through dense olive groves that provide plenty of shade along the way. The large, popular beach of Agios Gordis is just 4km away from Pentati by car. Agios Gordios Agios Gordios is a small settlement in the west of the island, 20 km away from Corfu town. It is popular for its long sandy beach, with the rock of Aerostatos on the north side, which used to serve as an observatory, and 'Ortholithi' on the south, a rock that overlooks the sea, as mentioned in a story by Iakovos Polylas. The small settlement is developed between the beach and the mountains and it is quite developed in terms of tourism. There are many houses, most of them for tourists, large hotels and shops. Reaching Agios Gordios from above, on the only road leading to the beach, you can admire the whole bay, the settlement and the lush vegetation.  

The area is located in the east part of Kerkyra Island including the coastal sea area between Kanoni and Mesoggi villages. In the area of Kanoni the water is shallow, and little exposed with smooth rocks at a depth of 0.5 m, and a few fairly secluded pools. The rocks are psammitic. Among the upper rocks the marine phanerogam Cymodocea nodosa grows on sandy substrate. The beds of Posidonia oceanica expand at depths below 1.5 m southwards to Mesoggi. In this area the sea bottom is stony and sandy with stones and rocks of all sizes. The Phaeophyceae predominate while the dominance of the Cystoseiretum crinitae community. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

Cephalonian Fir Abies cephalonica is a Greek endemic species, growing naturally only in Greece. It was first described as a new species by the English botanist JW Loudon in 1838. This together with its phytogeographical importance were the main reasons Mt.Aenos was declared a National Forest in 1962.

Kefalonia is the biggest island in the Ionian region and Mt. Ainos is the highest Ionian mountain with an altitude exceeding 1,600 m. It is a well known mountain, not only due to its altitude but also due to the presence of the famous Abies cephalonica forest which is the main element of the vegetation cover in the highest altitude of this mountain. Abies cephalonica is a Greek endemic species and Mt. Ainos is its "locus classicus". The area of this site consists of three main habitats as follows: a) The Abies forest, very often at moderate altitudes mixed with species of macchie vegetation; b) the rocky slopes which are characterized by looser vegetation but with only a few very important species, and c) the rocky summit and unforested area which houses most of the endemic species of the Kefalonian and Ionian flora. The area of the site has been characterized as a National Park. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

Until few years ago the wetland had been used as a salt-works operation, but in 1988 this activity was abandoned. Since then, in relation to the growth of tourism in the island, a lot of changes have taken place in this site. Although the existing information regarding the flora and vegetation of the area is restricted to that of sedimentary coast, it is evident that a very rich flora and many coastal vegetation types exist, characterized by the dominance of different halophytic species, like Arthrocnemum glaucum, A. fruticosum, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus subulatus, Salicornia europaea, Cakile maritima, Salsola kali, etc. It is to be pointed out, however, that the sedimentary coasts constitute only a small proportion of the whole wetland and as a consequence, existing biodiversity in the area is not restricted to the vegetation types mentioned above. The lagoon(s) , the wet and salt meadows (east of the main lagoon ), the small rivers and the neighbouring hills with their characteristic vegetation (Arbutus sp., Erica sp, Quercus coccifera, Pistacia lentiscus etc.) also seem to play an important role in the structure and function of the ecosystem as a whole. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

Kefalonia is the biggest island in the Ionian region and Mt. Ainos is the highest Ionian mountain with an altitude exceeding 1,600 m. It is a well known mountain, not only due to its altitude but also due to the presence of the famous Abies cephalonica forest which is the main element of the vegetation cover in the highest altitude of this mountain. Abies cephalonica is a Greek endemic species and Mt. Ainos is its "locus classicus". The area of this site consists of three main habitats as follows: a) The Abies forest, very often at moderate altitudes mixed with species of macchie vegetation; b) the rocky slopes which are characterized by looser vegetation but with only a few very important species, and c) the rocky summit and unforested area which houses most of the endemic species of the Kefalonian and Ionian flora. The area of the site has been characterized as a National Park. From a geological point of view, limestones and dolomites constitute the bedrock of Mt. Kalon Oros. The slopes of south and southwest exposure have steep gradients whilst all other slopes are characterized by gentle gradients. The vegetation cover presents a low diversity since it is mainly composed of macchia with the dominant species of Quercus coccifera, Pistacia lentiscus and Arbutus unedo. Macchia vegetation is very dense on eastern and northern exposed slopes, while on the south and southwestern slopes it is very sparse. In higher altitudes up to the peak, rocky grasslands with sparse individuals of Quercus coccifera occur on the west exposed slopes. These areas were cultivated in the past (olive trees, vineyards) but are now abandoned. Source: Natura2000 viewer, European Comission.

In the historic salt pans: In Alexandros Salt Pans (Kariotes) The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: linear (the start point is the same as the end point) Route’s duration: 40 minutes (oneway) Route’s length: 2,600 metres (oneway) Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting. In summer, you should avoid the midday hours because there are no shady places along most of the route. The route A gentle flat route in the special landscape and surrounding area of the salt marshes and the eastern lagoon of Lefkada with its scattered fortifications. The route starts from the Provincial Road of Lefkada - Vasiliki at the settlement of Karyotes. At the start of the route there is a bus stop and an information sign pointing to "Drepano bay" in Latin characters. Also on the provincial road there are, from both directions, brown information signs pointing to 'Alexandros Alykes'. We follow the small asphalt road to the east where after about 200 metres we reach the shores of the salt pans. We continue for another 200 metres in the shady surroundings of eucalyptus trees and we change direction to the east, always next to the salt marshes. At this point and on the sea side (south) is the beautiful and unique beach of Karyotes. In about 250 meters we meet the chapel of Agios Panteleimon, which basically marks the end of the shady path. From this point, and especially from the point where the "tongue" that separates the salt marshes from the lagoon narrows (where there are some ruins of stone-built houses), the landscape has changed dramatically. On the one hand, we have the salt marshes and on the other the fortified lagoon with the castles located on the small islets of Forti and Fortino (the smallest to the north), while on the opposite side the castle of Agios Georgios dominates. Right in front of us, the sailing boats pass quietly by, while on the side of the salt marshes the birds have set up their own fair. This special landscape is marred by the necessary high-voltage electricity poles, but they also add their own touch to its peculiarity. We continue on our way to the end of the tongue, here it should be mentioned that there is no way to get to the opposite side and complete our route in a circle, and therefore we return by the same route. The route can also be done by car and is therefore suitable for disabled people. It is also suitable for cycling. On the island of Lefkada there are: Citizen Service Centres in the town of Lefkada, in Nydri and in Vasiliki. Police Headquarters in the town of Lefkada and a Police Station in Vlyho. In addition to private health structures there are: Hospital in Lefkada Town, Health Centre in Vasiliki and Regional Medical Centre in Syvros. Alexander Salt Pans Alexander Salt pans in Karyotes began their operation in the 17th century, south of the old salt pans of the city and near the port Drepano. They stopped producing salt in the late 1980s. In 1993 the Ministry of Culture, recognising their cultural and historical value, declared the salt pans and the accompanying fortifications Alexandros and Konstantinos a listed monument. It is now a Protected Industrial Museum and part of the Natura 2000 Network. The latter is perfectly understandable, and necessary, since the salt marshes area remains to be an area of rich avifauna and flora even today. The industrial museum, is non-existent, since everything is now in ruins, except for the natural salt pans and two restored buildings. Salt used to be one of the main export products of the island. The first to organize the regular production of salt in Lefkada were the Frankish rulers of the island, Charles I Tokkos and his wife, Frangiska Atzagioli. Salt was one of the most profitable commodities at that time. The first mention of salt being loaded from the port of Lefkada onto ships from Ragusa was made in 1415. Shortly before that date, the construction of the first salt marshes is estimated to have taken place. With the conquest of Lefkada by the Venetians in 1684, a larger and more scientific exploitation was carried out with the organization of new salt pans, the Alexandros salt pans, south of the old ones and near the port of Drepano. At the same time the old Frankish saltworks were expanded. In 1948 the operation of the old saltworks was stopped. The buildings were abandoned and deserted and the pans were filled with silt. In 1990 the site of the old salt pans was bazaared and offered for the expansion of the town of Lefkada. Of the salt produced in Lefkada, most of it was transported to the warehouses of the monopoly in Venice or Corfu, while a part of it remained in the warehouses of the salt works to be sold for the needs of the inhabitants of Lefkada, Preveza, Vonitsa and Kefalonia. The working conditions during the period when the salt works last operated were harsh. The majority of them were women working from morning till night, often barefoot, carrying the salt on their heads.  Karyotes Only 4 km from the town of Lefkada is the settlement of Karyotes with its salt pans, surrounded by dense vegetation and next to the stunning beaches of the eastern side of the island. The old village was abandoned, due to landslides, and the current one is a modern settlement, with a modern layout and plenty of greenery. Karyotes is located in front of the historic hill of Koulmos, on which there are ruins of the acropolis of the ancient city of Nirikos. Forti Near the village of Karyotes in Lefkada, there are two almost unknown islands, Forti and Fortino. Forti, before it was cut off at the beginning of the 20th century, was the tip of the peninsula of Nea Alykes.  There used to be a small fort there, called Alexandros, but it is better known as Touri or Toreta, meaning Little Tower. The fortress had existed since the Venetian period and was particularly important for the protection of the island, due to its location at the entrance to the strait of Lefkada. It was named Alexandros, in honour of the Russian Tsar, when the Russians renovated it in 1807, to protect the island from Ali Pasha's expansionist plans. Fortino Fortino is a small island, just north of Forti. Here, there is also a small Venetian fort, which covers the whole island, and served as a lighthouse and outpost. The chain was attached to it, which, in case of emergency, closed the southern entrance to the lagoon of Lefkada. As in the neighbouring Forty, the fort was rebuilt in 1804 by the Russians, who gave it the name "Konstantinos" in honour of the then Tsar's surrogate, Alexander. In Roman times there was a bridge here, which connected the island with the opposite mainland of Akarnania.

Above the Navagio (shipwreck): Monastery of Agios Georgios Krimnon- View of the Navagio - and the cave of Agios Gerasimos The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: linear Route’s duration: about 30 minutes Route’s length: 1,500 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, weather permitting. In summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route A linear route with intense landscape changes and spectacular views of the Navagio. The route starts from the entrance of the Monastery and heads west, via the dirt road, to the chapel located less than two hundred meters away from the Monastery. After visiting the imposing spot with the Cross, we return to the chapel and continue along the path that exists, also to the west. The path is not signposted but most walkers can see it, although it takes a fair amount of attention. The direction is towards the asphalt road and especially towards the dirt plateau next to it (visible from most points on the trail). After reaching the asphalt road, follow it towards the sea and after about six hundred meters, you reach the organized viewing area of the wreck. After descending the stairs, the path to the second viewpoint (and to the cave of Agios Gerasimos), head north. This is an easy to follow, but unmarked, trail that requires increased caution. The trail goes parallel to the large cliffs that exist in the area but at a sufficient distance in order not to be dangerous. The walker should follow it paying attention and not get disoriented and follow a second parallel path, towards the side of the cliffs, which requires particularly increased caution and experience. The second viewpoint is easily discernible from a distance and is about three hundred metres from the parking area. The return is by the same route. The duration of the hike (without any stops) is about half an hour, not counting the return time. Note: We suggest that the walker should not proceed towards the cave of Agios Gerasimos and this is because continuing to the cave is considered to be difficult - dangerous for the average walker. In particular, the path leading to the cave from one point onwards is difficult to distinguish and passes through rocky and steep areas. The path must first be opened up and properly marked and then made accessible to average walkers. On the island of Zakynthos there are: Citizen Service Centres in the settlements (from north to south) of Alykes, Zakynthos Town, Machairado and Pantokratoras. Police Station in Katastari and General Police Directorate in Zakynthos Town. A number of private clinics, medical centres and pharmacies and public health facilities are located in Zakynthos Town, General Hospital, and a Health Centre in Kallithea. Monastery of Agios Georgios Gremnon In 1535 two monks, Makarios and Varlaam, arrived in the deserted area of Kremna (or Gremna), in the northwest of Zakynthos. They address the commissioners of the monastery of Anafonitria and ask them to take over the administration of an ancient small temple known as Kato Ai-Giorgis Gremnon. The temple was located on the islet of Agios Georgios, in other words, on the peninsula that today surrounds the beach of Nafagio to the south. After fifteen years of residence on the cape of Agios Georgios, the place was transformed. The monks built a house, cisterns, cultivated vineyards, while others followed their example, shaping the area. Thus, in 1550, initially, and by a later decree of 1554, the Venetian State assigned to the monks all the wider area from Stomio to Halorachi, together with the monastery of Kato Agios Georgios Gremnon, in order to create an autonomous and self-governing monastery. The monastery has a long and rich history, due to the great personalities who have practiced in it. We mention the monk Gerasimos Notaras (later Agios Gerasimos, patron saint of Kefalonia), but also the Zakynthian theologian and teacher of the Nation, Monk Pachomio Roussanos. The frescoes in the catholic of the monastery were painted in 1606 by Loukas Romanos, but unfortunately they are not preserved nowadays. The tower of the monastery with its circular base began to be built in 1561 to defend the monks from pirates. Of particular interest is the history of the monastery's library, which was important and famous. It contained the manuscript codes of the monk Pachomius, which are now in the Marcian Library in Venice and are known as the Nanian Codes, after the Venetian Admiral Nani, who smuggled them to Italy. During the last few years, a serious effort has been made to restore and maintain the monastery, as well as to systematically record its valuable relics. Apart from the religious and historical value of the Monastery, we are also in awe of the place itself, where it is built, a wild and imposing place, with an excellent view of the Navagio, the most famous beach of Zakynthos. Navagio beach This is the most famous beach of Zakynthos and the most photographed. It is located in a steep place, on the eastern side of the island, near the mountainous village of Anafonitria, and can only be reached by sea. It is surrounded by towering vertical cliffs, its sand is white and its waters have a wonderful turquoise blue colour due to the sulphur springs that come up from the caves in the area.  The German traveler E.L. Salvatos mentions in 1901, for the area of Navagio, that it was a very small beach with black stones. According to older inhabitants of the area, until 1920 there was a very small beach called Spirili. After 1922, landslides initially created the first noteworthy beach, which was approximately up to where the boat is located today. The last landslide after the Navagio created the present beach. There is also the opinion that the ship itself caused the sand to gather around it and formed the beach. In the past the coast was called Agios Georgios. Today it is called Navagio or "Panagiotis" after the name of the ship that in 1980 was carrying contraband cigarettes of great value, and after sailing for three days between Kefallonia and Zakynthos, it washed up on this particular shore, while the crew escaped to the village of Volimes. The carcass of the ship is still there and is a feature of the beach. Cave of Agios Gerasimos In 1952, in the monastery of Agios Georgios Krimnon, the monk Gerasimos Notaras (later named as Agios Gerasimos and became the patron saint of Kefalonia) was a monk. One kilometre north of the monastery was a cave, which Agios Gerasimos knew and asked the abbot's permission to practice in it. Agios Gerasimos stayed in the cave for four consecutive years, cultivated a bush and built two cisterns to meet his needs for food and water.  On October 10, 1967, the cave was converted into a church of Agios Gerasimos by the Metropolitan of Zakynthos. During the route, the walker will encounter QR information signs at the following points: a) at the entrance towards the monastery b) at the chapel (near the Stavros), c) where the path meets the asphalt road, d) in the formed area with a view to the Navagio, e) on the path (where the gate and the stone mantra are), f) at the second viewpoint of the Navagio.

In the ruined villages: Monastery of Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pilarou - Palaia Vlahata - Palaia Poulata - Karavomilos The walker’s orientation and safety is solely their responsibility. The present report, the relevant tracks (gpx) and the rest of the informational material are just supplementary. The proper equipment is necessary, depending on the weather conditions and the nature of the route.  Route’s type: linear Route’s duration: 3 hours Route’s length: 9,200 metres Level of difficulty: easy Suggested season: All seasons, if weather conditions permit it. During summer, you should avoid midday hours. The route The trail starts from the Monastery of the Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pylarou, or more simply from Themata. From this place, apart from the proposed route (which is not signposted), there are other routes, known as the 'hiking routes of Mount Agia Dynati'.  From the well-kept and lush area of the monastery, with its magnificent view, we go downhill on the asphalt road and after about 900 metres we turn east on the downhill dirt road. The landscape is rocky, with olive trees and other types of low vegetation, and the view is always magnificent. In a short while (about 1200 metres from the start of the dirt road) we come across the stream "Vathi Avlaki", the crossing of which is not challenging, because most days of the year there is no water. We continue our way downhill in the same area, enjoying the special nature and the view to the strait of Kefalonia - Ithaca. The dirt road does not present any difficulties in crossing it and although the shady places are not enough, they do exist. Along the way, we will also come across many farming activities. When we approach the abandoned and ruined settlement of the Palia Vlachata, at the junction with another dirt road, we follow the southern direction (on our right as we descend) and we reach the old square of the settlement, where a tour of the ruined buildings is considered essential, since, apart from their architectural value, they take us back in time. After Palia Vlahata, we continue our southern route along the dirt road (ignoring the asphalt road) to Palia Latavinata, another abandoned and ruined settlement. To the west and on the mountain above, there is the geological phenomenon of "Lakovitsa", but it is not visible from our route. A deviation and a short climb is required to observe it. From Latavinata, we change direction to the east, towards Karavomilos, avoiding once again the asphalt road and we continue along the dirt road, where after about a kilometre, we find ourselves on the outskirts of the settlement. Through the streets of the settlement we continue our way, until we reach the famous and particularly beautiful lake cave of Melissani. After the visit to the lake cave, we continue our way to the beach and the beautiful lake of Karavomilos, which marks the end of the route. The duration of the path is about three hours, not counting stops - visiting the various sights of the route (Palia Vlachata, the lake cave, etc.). As a linear route it can also be done from the reverse of the proposed direction, but this is not recommended, because in this case the route is continuously uphill and therefore tiring. It should also be noted that the areas through which this route passes have a number of other interesting places to visit, such as the ruined settlements of the Palia Tarkasata and Livathinata, the restored settlements of Drakopoulata and Poulata, as well as other particularly interesting geological phenomena, such as the Drogkarati cave, the caves of Aggelaki, Agii Theodoroi and Agia Eleousa, the Zervati cave in the settlement of Karavomilos, etc.  Due to the special character of the route (a continuous downhill route) and its relatively long length (more than nine kilometres), it is recommended that the walker should have a means of transport at Karavomilos, because as it has already been mentioned, the return to the start of the route (Themata) will be tiring, especially if the walker has visited the other sights of the area. In Kefalonia there are Health Centres in Sami and Hospitals in Argostoli and Lixouri. There are also police services in Fiskardo, Sami, Poros, Lixouri and Argostoli. Citizen Service Centres are in Argostoli, Livathou, Poros and in Agia Efthimia. Monastery of Iperagia Theotokos Thematon Pylarou The Monastery of Themata is built on the slope of Agia Dynati, near Makriotika in the province of Pylaros. It is an ancient monastery, probably of the 9th or 10th century, built in a magnificent location, in a forest of holly trees, with a wonderful view of Ithaca and the Ionian Sea. It owes its name to the leader of the Byzantine "Thema" of Kefallinia (local governor of the island), who had his headquarters in the area. Throughout the existence of the Thema of Kefallinia, the monastery played an important administrative and spiritual role. In later years, the passage and teaching of Cosmas Etolos in the monastery in 1777 is memorable. In 1953, the monastery was destroyed by the devastating earthquakes that struck the island. The carved wooden iconostasis, some icons and manuscripts were saved. In the period 1970-1974 the monastery was rebuilt from the ground up. The miraculous and ancient (12th century) icon of the Virgin Mary is solemnly celebrated on Easter Tuesday (Panagia Portaitissa of Agio Oros) and on the 15th of August (Kimisis tis Theotokou) with widespread participation. Palaia Vlachata Palia Vlachata is a village of Kefalonia that was inhabited before the 17th century, but unfortunately it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1953 and its inhabitants were transferred to the present-day Karavomilos. During its prosperity, it had 800 inhabitants, of all social classes, nobles, merchants, farmers (villans) and fishermen (buranelles). In the village there were three churches, schools, shops and three olive mills. A point of reference for the local community was the saristra, the central square of the settlement, which hosted the festival of Zoodochos Pigi, as well as dances and carnival masquerades. Today, all that remains are half-ruined buildings, old cisterns and winding dirt streets, often covered by over-aged olive, wisteria and pomegranate trees. One of the buildings, the biggest part of which has managed to remain standing, is the church of Agios Ioannis tou Prodromou (Saint John the Baptist). The church, built in 1871, has paintings on the inside and parts of the floor, recesses where the chalice and the icon of the saint were placed, are still visible. In the ruins of the old village, every summer, the three-day festival SARISTRA takes place with music, art, cinema and many parallel activities. The festival is very popular and attracts many visitors from every corner of the island. Unfortunately, the festival has been cancelled in recent years due to the pandemic. Karavomylos (and its lake) Karavomylos is a picturesque fishing village located west of Sami and 2 km from its port. What characterizes and gives Karavomylos a special character is an underwater spring of a large supply of brackish water. The spring is of great geological and biological interest. It is one of the most important springs of the wider network of the area and it is connected through an underground system with the sinkholes of Argostoli. The spring has been isolated by a wall from the sea, creating an artificial lake. This lake is almost circular, with brackish water gushing out of the bottom and ending up in the neighbouring sea, in the bay of Sami. The diameter of the lake is 50 m, it is about 1 m deep and its bottom is covered with seaweed and mud. The settlement of Karavomylos, and therefore the spring and the lake, took their name from a watermill that operated there, using an iron ship's wheel. Water mills were already operating in the area since the 19th century, using the waters of the spring. The village is an attraction for visitors to the island, as some of the most famous and beautiful natural attractions of Kefalonia are located within walking distance. These are the cave of Drogarati and the lake of Melissani. Melissani Lake Cave The Melissani Lake Cave is located 2 km northwest of Sami, in Karavomylos. It was discovered in 1951 by the caveologist Giannis Petrochilos. It takes its name either from the myth of the nymph Melissani who committed suicide here because the god Pan refused her, or from the tradition that the shepherdess Melissanthi was killed by falling into the lake while chasing one of her sheep. In the middle of the lake there is a small island on which worship objects of the god Pan have been found, proving that the place was already sacred in prehistoric times. The natural entrance to the cave is vertical (40 x 50 m) and was created by the fall of part of the roof, probably due to an earthquake. The lake is 20 m below ground level, about 160 m long and between 10 and 40 m deep. Stalactites dating back 20 000 years, with strange shapes, decorate most of the cave.  The Melissani Lake Cave can be visited from an artificial entrance, which leads through an underground tunnel to its main hall. The tour is guided by boats along the entire length of the lake. The absence of a roof in the main hall allows sunlight to enter the cave and color the waters in a unique way, especially at noon.