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Assos |
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island of Kefalonia is renowned for the variety of its natural landscapes.
For sheer awesome beauty, the stretch of coastline that runs from the
northern tip of the Lixouri peninsula in a great sweep to Cape Dafnoudi in
Erissos, is unmatched in the Ionian.
At the very heart of
these magnificent and wild cliffs is the world famous Myrtos Beach, with
its crescent of crystal sands and azure water, broken only by the
incessant surf, said to be one of the seven finest beaches in the whole of
the Mediterranean. |
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Dramatic
precipices, overhanging a restless sea, and steep mountainsides of rocky
outcrops, where only falcons hover, do not spring to mind as havens of
peace and tranquility. The first view of the craggy headland of Assos that
juts uncompromisingly out from the mainland, complete with the remains of
a massive Venetian stronghold, only reinforces the feeling that this is an
awesome place, magnificent certainly but a haven, never! |
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closer look from the safety of a lay-by on the high main road to Fiskardo,
will reveal a cluster of whitewashed houses, with striking red roofs,
perched on a narrow isthmus connecting the headland to the shore. A side
road sweeps down in a series of windy bends through old vine terraces on
the hillside, and suddenly a small land-locked harbour appears, sheltered
by the isthmus itself and the steep slopes of the headland. |
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There's
a peaceful, tree-lined plateia behind a small beach, three or four
tavernas and a cluster of picturesque houses clinging to the hillside; the
village of Assos, a true sanctuary. When viewed from the small stone quay,
with fishing boats moored alongside and a few yachts at anchor in the bay,
the headland appears much more benign with a scattering of green pines
breaking up the bare hillside. The afternoon sun turns the castle walls to
a warm orange and the sound of children playing in the shallow water
drifts across the harbour. The Assos of war and invasion is transformed
into a peaceful paradise.
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All our properties in Assos share virtually the same fantastic location on
the narrow isthmus above the village and harbour. Here, the Nine Muses of
Greek Myth sat and guarded the passage to the heights of the headland. It
is a short stroll either down the narrow road or a stepped lane to the
village centre Paris plateia, named in honour of the French city that
raised funds for the rebuilding of the village after the earthquake of
1953. |
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single, narrow street leads away from the sea, overlooked by traditional
cottages and houses. It soon branches and the left hand continuation
zigzags steeply uphill to join the original Venetian road which can be
followed all the way up to the main road, a wonderful walk which is one of
the highlights of our Walk and Cruise holiday. The castle, currently being
restored, is well worth a visit. A spectacular cliff path to the fortress
has also been repaired and joins up with the original road to make a
wonderful expedition. Despite its relative isolation, Assos is only half
an hours drive from Fiskardo to the north and the unspoilt villages. The
high central plateau, can be linked in a circular drive that includes Agia
Efimia, Karavomilos, with its famous Melissani flooded cave, and Sami,
returning in time for sunset on Myrtos. |
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Click
here to see our properties in and around Assos |
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