Kefalonia: best months to visit

Kefalonia (Cephalonia), the largest Greek Ionian island: 35,000 inhabitants over 780 km² south of Corfu. Made famous by the Louis de Bernières novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin (1994) then the 2001 film with Nicolas Cage. Rebuilt after the devastating 1953 earthquake (95% of the island destroyed, one of the worst earthquakes of the 20th century in Europe). June is my favourite month (9.5/10): 21-27°C, 11% rain, sea at 22°C. July-August drop to 6.9/10 due to the heat (23-30°C) and the crowds (Italians, British in the majority). September stays excellent (8.8/10). From November to March, expect 9-16°C and 33-48% rain: mild but rainy, many hotels close. Highlights: Myrtos Beach (the most famous in Kefalonia, one of the most photographed beaches in Greece along with Navagio, white cliffs 200m, unique turquoise water thanks to the light reflecting on the clear bottom, panoramic point from the road above), Antisamos Beach (where the film Captain Corelli's Mandolin was shot, near Sami), Melissani Cave (underground lake discovered 1951, turquoise water lit by a hole in the vault at solar noon, 30-min crossing by boat), Drogarati Cave (stalactites/stalagmites, sometimes concerts inside for its exceptional acoustics), Argostoli (capital, port, restaurants), Fiscardo (one of the only villages spared by the 1953 earthquake, preserved Venetian architecture, smart port), Assos (picturesque village on a peninsula with 16th-century Venetian fortress), Mount Ainos (national park, endemic Kefalonian fir, highest point 1628m). Excursions: Ithaca (Ulysses' return island according to Homer, 30 min by ferry from Sami), Lefkada, Zakynthos. Try kreatopita (meat pie), aliada (garlic puree), thyme honey, Robola wine (local AOC white grape, ideal with fish). Kefalonia airport (EFL).