Kefalonia

Kefalonia’s star quality was clear to see long before it was thrust into the spotlight as the backdrop to the 2001 film, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. For starters, the dramatic Ionian island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, including pine-fringed Horgota and milky-white Myrtos, the island’s pin-up. To these you can add secret snorkelling spots like Dafnoudi and Emblisi, where slabs of limestone turn the water electric blue; the photogenic harbour towns of Assos and Fiskardo; the giddying heights of Mount Ainos, a national park where wild horses roam; and natural attractions like the Melissani Cave, a subterranean cenote hidden away for thousands of years before it was discovered after an earthquake hit the island. Foodies and oenophiles will find much to admire too – Decanter recognised four Kefalonian vintages in its 2022 awards – and the whole island moves to a relaxed and friendly pace, making it perfect for families and those looking to slow down.