We returned to Kefalonia for the third time in July 2004 going to exactly the same hotel as we stayed in during our first visit eight years previously. I'll admit that I wasn't certain that this was the right thing to do as we had enjoyed our previous visit so much. I needn't have worried! The island has changed so little that I was quite amazed.

Perhaps there was a little more traffic and the main resorts of Lassi and Skala might have been slightly busier than before but the change has been so slight as to be negligible.

If anything the island is even more beautiful than I remember it. I found it possible to sit for ages just staring at the scenery. Every corner you turn there is another amazing view. The only draw back to touring round the island is that you really have to drive because public transport is almost non-existent, and driving is a real experience in Kefalonia. The Greeks, who are normally such a placid, laid-back people, turn into raving lunatics when they get into a car. Overtaking on a blind bend with a sheer drop at the side of the road is considered normal. Couple that with very steep, twisty roads of dubious quality and you really have to keep your wits about you if you are going to avoid becoming part of the scenery instead of just looking at it!

Kefalonia is situated in the Ionian Sea between Corfu and Zakinthos (or Zante if you prefer) it has a comparatively mild climate with enough rainfall to keep the island green, even in summer.
The island is sparsely populated and doesn't attract too many tourists although the main resort of Lassi in the west is quite busy. Many places on the eastern coast are difficult to reach because of the mountainous centre of the island and some are only accessible by boat.
Unfortunately Kefalonia is in a region subject to earthquakes and, although they haven't had a serious quake recently, most old buildings have been destroyed. While we were on our first visit we experienced a mild quake but having just left the bar at 1am I wasn't sure what was happening to start with :-)).

You will probably know that the book "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" was set in Kefalonia and based on events that took place during WW2. The film version was shot on location in the island. This does mean that you will find "Captain Corelli's Bar" or even "Corelli's Car Park" around the island. The latter is actually where they filmed scenes of the Italian camp.