Lourdata, Greece
Lourdata stretches on a rather steep cliff, towering as an amphitheatre above the sea at the foot of the majestic Mount Enos (Ainos). Right above, there is the highest point of the Lourdata mountain range. You will not regret it, if you arrange yourself travelling to this whitish top.
Lourdata has an extremely favorable location - 14 km from the airport and 16 km from Argostoli - the capital of Kefalonia (Cephalonia). It is equally easy to get to the famous beach of Myrtos as well as Poros and Sami, where you can catch a ferry to the neighboring Ithaca or the mainland. If you have time to visit the island of Zakynthos, please, go to Pessada located just 8 km from Lourdata – a small ferry sails daily from this town to the island.
Hikers will spend perfect time walking along the coast towards Trapezaki. Along the way, you probably will not be able to resist the temptation to take a dip in the bays that you will meet along the way, admire the ruins of ancient buildings, and sunbathe on a wild beach. Although, be careful: the road may take few hours. Moreover, be sure to take into account the fact that the "return to civilization" can only happen if you turn back or reach the next town, because the break towering over the shore almost does not provide for rising to the top.
You can also make your way through the top road before reaching a pretty, little church and the beach Trapezaki. There is a hiking trail winding between tiny mountain streams and green, lush, and almost tropical forest.
Before reaching a bend to Trapezaki, you can turn to a secluded small beach Kanali, to which you will be lead by a narrow path that runs along the steep slope, where the locals manage to break the vegetable gardens growing in abundance tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, potatoes, cucumbers, and other eco-friendly edibles.
To the south of Lourdata, there is the Sission monastery. To get to it, you have to go up to the motorway heading towards the rocks, walk or drive to the sign indicating the right direction, and go down the paved road to the monastery, which houses a miraculous icon. Then, the asphalt turns into gravel and leads to the ruins of the old building of Sission that was destroyed by the earthquake.
Proceeding along the path further down, you will be taken to a wild beach with boulders and scenic coastline - no wonder the locals call it Paradisi, that is a “little paradise”.
From the motorway, just above Lourdata, the serpentine leads up to the nature reserve located on the top of the Mount Enos, the monastery of Saint Gerasimos, and the fortress of St. George. Along this way, the local people make the procession carrying the miraculous icon from the Sissia monastery to the Church of Annunciation (Church of Evangelistria) located near the fortress at the very top of the hill.
A perfect place for the wedding ceremony would be the church of Agia Paraskevi secluded among shaggy pines. The history of the church dates back to the 14th century. Restored recently, it is made of stone of a sand shade and is famous for its hagiography.
Cute Lourdata is sure to enchant you with its own unique charm, comfort, silence, and sweet aroma of herbs and flowers, beckoning to come back here again. Sincere hospitality of the locals will conquer you with its warmth and simplicity. It is not surprising that many, if not all, are keen to experience again and again that feeling of heavenly calm and serene joy that overcomes you in Lourdata and is almost universal in Kefalonia (Cephalonia) gently washed by the sky-blue waters of the warm Ionian Sea.
P.S. For the convenience of tourists, from 2014 on the beach of Lourdas - Trapezaki beach - Vlachata runs a mini bus (subject to yearly confirmation by KTEL).
