Argostoli 

Cephalonia, or Kefalonia, is the largest of the Ionian islands and one of the most visited and well-equipped, since it offers two harbours, two marinas and some good anchorages.

Mainly known  for the terrible genocide of 1943, where five thousand Italian soldiers were executed, Cephalonia also lived a terrible earthquake in 1953 which literally devastated the island and its villages.

But, of course, Cephalonia is also much more. Rich of history, maybe the original seat of Ulysses's kingdom according to the legend (instead of Itaca), Cephalonia is characterised by important mountains (Mountain Eno reaches 1620 m), wide forests, pine trees, rich cultivations of vines and olive trees, whose products are exported all around the world. Since it was under the Venetians' control for a long time, it still preserves some typical Venetian buildings and a beautiful castle in Assos.

Among beaches, the most appreciated is that one of Myrtos, on the north-western coast of the island; tourists can even visit many grottos and the charming Lake Melissani (also known as "the grotto of nymphs), an underground lake partially made of fresh water and accessible by specific tourist boats.

On the western coast, there's Assos, a small fishing village located on a narrow isthmus of land: even though it's not an ideal place where to stay at anchor (since it completely exposed to all winds), it deserves a visit anyway because it hosts numerous wonderful coves and white-sand beaches.

Finally, we suggest a visit to Fiskardo, a small town in the northern edge of the island and the only area which was not involved in the earthquake of 1953. It remained intact and it deserves a visit to appreciate its architectures, its typical pastel Venetian houses, its beautiful taverns and the nice path, flanked by pine trees, which leads to the Venetian lightouse.

Argostoli, municipality of Cephalonia, is located on the western coast, inside a narrow bay. The city offers some museums, such as that one dedicated to the genocide of the Italian soldiers during World War II in 1943. Not far from the city, there's also a particular wheel, once used to feed a windmill; the whole island is rich of underground channels which link the numerous grottos and let water flow under the surface.

Getting Argostoli is a little difficult: both the harbour and the town are located inside a picturesuqe narrow gulf, which presents many rocks and sandbanks.

After entering the gulf, there are two possibilities: the public port on the west side, near the town, or the unfinished marina on the east side, with all its abandoned vessels. The marina offers a better shelter then the harbour and greater depths (3.5-4 m versus 2 m in the harbour). However, it offers no services and its about 15 minutes far from the town.

The harbour, on the contrary, offers water, fuel (on demand) and not more. But in the town there're some chandler shops.

Argostoli offers an excellent shelter from almost all winds and this is why it's usually preferred to the harbour