Day trip to Kefalonia

Hi Kerrie (or anyone else who has booked the tour whilst in Zante), can you please advise how much it cost per person?

We really enjoyed our trip to Kefalonia with Nefis Travel in Tsilivi.  Once again, Jackie gave us an expert guide for the day. We actually got married in Zakynthos this year so we took both our mums on this tour as a wedding gift and they loved it! The coach was air-conditioned and very comfortable. The Dragonati cave was amazing! Worth the 171 or so steps climbed! We visited a church where a monk used to live in a cave under the church! You can actually climb down into it, so interesting. The Island is very lush compared to Zakynthos, beautiful scenery. Was a long day so we were pretty tired at the end of it, but got some good memories to look back on! Highly recommend this tour through Nefis Travel, you get a much more personal service.

We actually really enjoyed our trip first week in July with the very informed Vera and found Kefalonia quite lovely ? Don't think I would have been quite so pleased had the bus broken down with no AC though

We booked through our rep(thomas cook) , because we believed the hype about dodgy local operators and wanted a proffesional service. the extra money put us on a coach which broke down and was repaired but then had no air con ! The guide spoke only broken english and then repeated everythng very slowly " so the non english speakers would then understand" . The poor french and italian tourists must have been even more disapointed than the english. We were herded around like cattle and taken to the most expensive food stops on the island ( 13 euros for 2 milk shakes). after 12 awfull hous on a coach with no air con on a very hot day the guide actally had the cheek to ASK for a tip for herself and the driver because it is customary to offer a "thank you" after a lovely day ! . Needless to say almost every one left the coach in disgust and without leaving the requested tip.

 we have been to zante several times  when one year we thought we would  go on the trip to kefalonia  may i add never again.  we went in early oct  so the heat  would not be as bad but what a mistake. yes some of the places they take you are lovely like the caves and the lake  but the so called  wine tasiting in the monastry  only good enough  to go to the loo.  the coach was supposed to be air conditioned   yes it was  by the  drivers window  with no  proper air conditioning  opperating at all.  you were herded like cattle  from one place to another.the  little  place they take you for your lunch  is pathetic   very expensive service slow and the food appaling. no wonder the driver took his own sandwhiches and stayed on the coach.    the last oort of call  i foget  the name of the town  was where you  could taste ice creams   yes  very expensive  even dearer than carte d'ore.   the  view of  the beach  from where captain correli manderin was fimed  is at the top of the cliffs and you  see it  for 5 mins at most.   if we ever went back to kefalonia  from zante (which i doubt as the locals  seem to be pig ignorant)  we would hire a car and go on the ferry ourselves as the  ferry crossing is only about  an hour and 15 mins. and the ferry is quite comfortable.  that way  we minght see  how the  real kefalonia  is   and not feeling like  cattle

booked through mytravel rep, was told about places you would visit wouldn't waste my money again as when you get there its all extra costs on top of the original price and if you fancy spending the full day driving around on a coach who thinks he is in a rally race around mountain this is the trip for you if you want to be sat on the edge of your seat and cliffs

 !!!!

My partner and I went on the last trip to Kefalonia for this year.

We booked through our rep and travelled with Fidelity Travel.

Our guide for the day was Jo,she was very informative yet funny and approachable.She always had a smile on her face and we could tell through the tone of her voice that she had a passion for her job.

Kefalonia is a beautiful island,and don't forget to sample the Kefalonian Meat Pie while you are there....Yum! We found the recipe on the net and had a go at making it this weekend...with very good results.

Jo,if you are reading this then yes Nigel (Ebay) and Simon (16 times visited!) made it home safely and look forward to seeing you again next year.

sfparton@yahoo.co.uk

booked through local tourist shops. Excellent value for money. The trip was lovely & peaceful.  Very relaxing & liked the places of interests we visited especially the underwater cave where u went on the rowing boats. Loved the way the sun shone through the cave onto the water.

We went on the day trip to Kefalonia with Thomas Cook booked though our rep. A little more expensive than if you book in one of the agents in the street, but we knew it was going to be well worth it as the tour itself was extremely well organised. We sailed from St Nicholas Port, (which is beautiful) and was on the ferry for approximatley 1 hour 20 minutes. The cost of the ferry for those hiring a car and going under their own steam is 4 euros each way. We were taken to the Drogarati Cave which is breath taking, but for those who are a little astmatic or who have difficulty with steps might want to stay at the top and visit the little shop or have an icecream as the cave is 95 metres down. We were also taken to Mellisani Lake which is simply beautiful. Booking with Thomas Cook, we were able to get special passes (for a little extra cost, but hey you're on holiday) which enabled us to go straight through as you can be queueing for quite some time to get down to it. The boat ride is great with very entertaining rowers, and who are also happy to take your photograph in the sunlit area. We had lunch in the little town of Agia Efimia where the local speciality is beef pie and that is very tasty! We stopped off at Myrtos beach (or 500m above it) which gives you a fantastic view and an excellent photo opportunity. If you are afraid of heights, this could be slightly heart stopping for you as on the way back to Argostoli you take the coast road which is quite exhilirating to say the least. But the coach drivers are very confident and skilled and they do not go at the speed of light! The trip lasts the whole day but you get taken care off and you also get to learn a little of the history, myth and legend provided by the experianced tour guide. Definately worth a do.

From what I have read its best to book this trip through Pelargos Tours. Is it worth it though? My boyfriend really wants to see the caves you see... Is the ferry ride any fun or a nightmare? Also, do you know how much extra you have to pay for the caves etc? Thanks

The best advice i can give is to do this trip off your own backs.Hire a car get permission to take it off the island from the rental company {usually not a problem as long as you ask them}.Drive up to the port at skinari and get the ferry {usually departs about 8.00am}.Once you have got to the other side the day is at your leisure.You can stop when you want, go where you want and see what you want before getting back to the port for the ferry {departs about 6.oo - 6.30pm}.It might seem a bit daunting having to drive onto the ferry but its quite easy really as they usually guide you in.It might work out to be a little more expensive than an coach trip unless you hire the car for say 3 days on a buy 2 get one free offer then you get to see all of zante too.Just get a good map and give it a go.Ive done it both ways and i know which way id do it next time.Better still if your adventurous spend an extra 25- 30 euros and book a room for the night in Lassi then youve got all next day to explore too. 

i like to know if spiris the to tourist guide that i wanted to thank him got my mail. how can i be sure? do you have his own e mail? he worked for spring tour

Did our trip to Kefalonia through Smile Tours on the main street in Kalamaki.  The girl in the office was very good & told us all about the extra entrance fees & the steps to the caves before we even booked it!  It was advertised as €33 each we got it for €30 each and it was €40 each through the rep.  Was a long tiring day and an early start.  We have an overcast day so the heat wasn't uncomfortable.  Our guide (can't rem her name) was Greek with excellent English & very nice.  We didn't do the caves because of the amount of steps but the lake was good & the lunch stop in a beautiful little harbour.  We stopped in the capital Argostoli for nearly an hour to do some shopping but totally not worth it as there are no shops!!  There is a supermarket & one souvenir shop!  It absolutely poured down there and we shelted in little cafe on waters edge, killing time with a coffee as bus was locked.  Also toilets to this cafe were across the road, so you had to dodge puddles in the lashing rain to go to them!  Last stop was to the Monastery of St. Gerald.  Ladies will have to cover up bare shoulders in flowery smocks provided by the nuns!!  Driving away from the Monastery we noticed a winery and thought a trip there would have been much better than the hour in wet Argosoli with nothing to do!!  Maybe this is something the company could consider for the future!  Saying that Kefalonia is beautiful, not at all touristy or built up.  Very wild and rural with mountain goats everywhere.  Was nice to see another island though.

We decided to try the trip to Kefalonia on the 1st of Sept with Tsilivi Travel. The coach was organised to pick us up at our doorstep at 7.10 and home in the evening by 8.30. Although the day was rather long and tiring, we enjoyed our visit to the beautiful island on Kefalonia. The first visit that was made after our arrival waz to the caves and then to the lake. Both these excursions are your choice as your visit will be at an extra charge. The caves were interesting to see and worth the money, aslong with the Lake. The boat ride on the lake did not last very long, and i think we probably queued longer than the actual length of time that we spent on the boat. We then stopped for lunch at the harbour which was extremely beautiful with lovely scenery and plenty of choices of places to have lunch. Our final visit of the day was to the monastry in which you were able to visit the monks and light your own candle to make a wish, but watch wat your wearing-youll probably have to cover up before entering!!We only stopped once for around half an hour for a drink as we always had to meet a time deadline to be back at the ferry in time, which was fair enough, but it would have been nice not be be stuck on a bus all day long!!! I advise you with small children, not to take them along!!!! We didnt even  stop at a beach in the afternoon for a swim which was unfair as everyone was hot and bothered after being stuck on that buss all day. But all the negative aside, the island is a peaceful and beautiful place and is worth the visit in my eyes!!!

Refererring to last comment Pelargos tours, in Kalamaki (Eleana).

we did this trip with thomson, the day was good and had lots to tell us but because the island is so spread out it ment alot of time on the coach, i'm glad i went on a daytrip there and not holiday because i would have bein very dissapointed.

on 14th of guly we took a trip to kefalonya with spring tour.

DON'T DO IT 

WE WENT WITH SPRING TOURS. THERE WAS ONLY 6 ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLE ON THE COACH AND THE GUIDE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING IN GREAT DETAIL IN GREEK AND THEN IN SHORT SENTENCES IN ENGLISH. WE BARELY UNDERSTOOD WHERE WE WERE GOING AND WHY.WE HAD ALREADY PAID 30 EUROS THEN HAD TO PAY ALL OUR OWN ENTRANCE FEES. THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS VERY POOR. THE SCHEDULE WAS VERY TIGHT AND WE SPENT HOURS AT A TIME ON THE COACH. SUPPOSED TO GET BACK AT 8.30pm, THE BUS BROKE DOWN ON THE FERRY AND IT WAS NEARLY 11pm WHEN WE EVENTUALY GOT BACK. YES THE LAKE IS BEAUTIFUL AND THE CAVES ARE AMAZING BUT IF YOUR GOING TO VISIT THEN DO IT YOURSELF

TINA AND RICH (NORTHUMBERLAND)

So don't bother

Have visited the island a few years ago and the trip was great. We went a few weeks ago and if you like sitting on a coach all day (pick up 7.00am - 9.30pm) and seeing none of the island and having a really bad tour guide then this is the trip for you. Kostas our guide repeated himself all day - the lake was really pretty until Kostas started singing very badly and ruined the peace and quiet. Stopped off at a restaurant organised by the company (food cold) then sat on the coach for most of the day.