As always, Julie and the team at Abbotts Travel came up with some fantastic options for our desired week on a Greek island.
We were advised that White Rocks Kefalonia had many repeat bookings from Abbotts Travel customers, which helped us decide on staying there.
It was our first time using Jet2 and we were very impressed with them - plenty of staff at the airports and they were friendly, welcoming and attentive. The flights were fine, no dramas and only three hours from London Stansted Airport.
Our hotel was a short 10 minute taxi ride from the island’s airport and on arrival we were struck by White Rock’s modern and stylish feel. Our room was in the main building block and was spacious and comfortable, only slightly spoilt by the poor view as we were at the front of the hotel.
Throughout our stay the weather was superb. We enjoyed 30C every day, which meant it wasn’t too hot (bearing in mind the raging heat in other parts of Europe).
We spent most of our days on the hotel’s private beach and the associated inexpensive beach bar provided us with all of our daytime drinks and food. The sea temperature was very pleasant, if a little cool, but it was only June so later in the summer it should be warmer.
The hotel staff were great, very friendly and extremely helpful. When we originally booked we wanted a seaview room/bungalow but they had all gone. The room we had was fine but was at the front of the hotel, so we asked at reception if they had any seaview rooms available later in our week. Fortunately we were able to upgrade for the last three nights to a fantastic seaview bungalow at a reasonable extra cost, and what a difference it made! The room was superb and the view was just incredible, looking out of the room-wide window all you could see was the Ionian/Mediterranean Sea. There was a lovely balcony with loungers and a short walk to the private beach.
We opted for half board and the food was incredible. Served in a buffet style, there was plenty of choice with different menus every night. Not to mention, the desserts were the best we have ever had - anywhere! Expect to gain a little weight if you decide to stay here.
We took some trips into the island capital, Argostoli, just a 10 minute taxi ride away. A bustling little town, with a good atmosphere at night and the attraction of the local fishermen feeding the huge loggerhead turtles that live in the port/harbour area in the mornings.
We found the local people to be very welcoming and friendly (and everyone speaks good English). We also went on a day trip organised with the Jet2 rep (the lovely and helpful Claire) to the sister-island of Ithaca via coach and boat.
It gave us a chance to see some of the beautiful, unspoiled and very green island of Kefalonia, as we had to cross it from West to East to pick up the boat. It was a fun and interesting full day going round the entire coastline of Ithaca (which is steeped in Greek mythology as being identified as the home of Odysseus), with three stops, including a swim off the boat in a picturesque bay, a stroll around the capital Vathy and lunch at a harbour restaurant in the quaint and pretty village of Kioni. We left at 7.45am in the morning and arrived back to the hotel at 6.30pm, so a long, tiring day but worth it and good value at €50 per person (excl lunch).
Thanks to the team at Abbotts Travel for booking a very special holiday for us, it is perfect if you are looking for a romantic, relaxing beach getaway in the sun and just a few hours from the UK. We can understand why there are so many repeat bookings - we definitely intend to go back.
Howard and Jean