We visited Fiscardo Kefalonia at the end of May 2010 for 7 nights staying at the Emelisse Hotel. The hotel itself was set in a fantastic setting, the staff couldn't have been more helpful and made our stay very enjoyable and relaxing.
A couple of points we didn't like were: when trying to use the pool restaurant on the Sunday evening we were asked if we had a table reservation, which we hadn't and then taken to one of three tables at the edge of this area in an official manner. The selection on the menu was limited and we felt we were actually in the way! For guests in a 5 star hotel (on their board), we shouldn't have to reserve a table to eat there in the evening. To reserve a table was not on the any of the information provided on our arrival.
Besides the pool bar there isn't an actual bar area in the hotel to sit and drink in during an evening. The reception area (very large) does provide a drinks facility but not an area you can comfortable sit in to have a drink. Mini bars are well stocked in your room.
The side sea view rooms with balconies were excellent.
The hotel at night is lighted all the way through with both electric and candle light creating a very romantic effect. The owners lit a small fire in one of the seating areas overlooking the bay each evening and to watch the sunsets is something very special.
The gym is excellent and there is a tennis court. The hotel has rooms with individual swimming pools shared by two sets of rooms, they also have a main pool with a smaller children's pool and a separate smaller infinity pool in a different area. They also have a good selection of bikes which you can borrow free of charge.
The hotel operates a free of charge shuttle service to and from the village at regular times.
A short walk down the road is a beautiful small bay/beach, typical of the Greek islands. Fiskardo itself is a short walk from the hotel (about 15 minutes) and this is delightful. It is a bay for lots of yachts and expensive motorboats. To sit at one of the restaurants and enjoy either a coffee or meal watching these coming and going is quite entertaining. The little shops provide lots of tourist bits and pieces. The prices are as reasonable as anywhere for both eating and gifts.
A short walk from the hotel and on route to the village is the Panorama restaurant, which does give you a fantastic view over the countryside and bay but be warned, at the time of our visit, he takes CASH only no cards. His lamb cooked in wax paper is excellent.
There is a walk (we visited the Parma travel office to get the details of this) which took us out of Fiskardo and through a couple of almost deserted villages enjoying some of the traditional way of life and very quiet countryside. Lasted about 2 hours and well worth it.
We also did a short walk to the lighthouse but it is not open to the public.
The environmental museum in the village is well worth a visit as it gives you an insight into the history of the area. Opening hours are a bit hit and miss!
There is a small boat hire company which hire out little motor boats. If you hug the coast line you can go to the different small bays around the island.
There are the larger sailing yachts you can hire and a scuba diving yacht which operates trips for those interested in marine life.
If you want to get about the island, you will need a car - watch out for goats in the middle of the road and large vehicles on corners! There are a couple of ferries running day excursions to other islands but that is it. They run on a regular basis but can be hit and miss in bad weather.
We flew with Monarch airways to and from the island. Be warned on landing, it is a short runway and the plane we landed on braked heavily to stop. I'm not a lover of flying and found this very unnerving as the pilot didn't inform us that this would happen. Fortunately the air hostess was positioned near to us, informed us as we landed.
The island is very peaceful, very green and rocky with very little traffic around Fiskardo which was a treat in itself and if you just want to chill out and relax, you will certainly go home feeling this after your visit here.
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