In the island of Cephallenia, also called Kefalonia, west of the Gulf of Patraïkós, Greece

 “Life is largely a matter of expectation. ”― Homer

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The island of Cephallenia, also called Kefallonia, is the largest of the Ionian Islands, west of the Gulf of Patraïkós. With the island of Ithaca and smaller nearby islands, it forms the department of Kefallinía in modern Greece. The island, with an area of 302 square miles (781 square km), is mountainous, and Mount Aínos (ancient Mount Aenos;) is often snowcapped for months. In the west a gulf penetrates the island from the south; on its east side is the capital and port of Argostólion. Once an important Mycenaean center, in the Peloponnesian War it sided with Athens and later became a member of the Aetolian League. It surrendered to Rome in 189 BCE but later revolted and was subdued. During the Middle Ages it was captured by the Norman adventurer Robert Guiscard, who died there during a revolt in 1085. It then was ruled by various Neapolitan and Venetian families until it fell to the Turks at the end if the 15th century), only to revert again to Venetian rule. In 1797, France briefly possessed it, and in 1809 it was taken by the British, who established a protectorate over the Ionian Islands by the terms of the Treaty of Paris (in 1815). The islands were ceded to Greece in 1864. Perhaps the most enticing of all the Ionian islands, magical Kefallonia is a place where it's easy to lose track of time, amid air thick with oleander and the sound of goat bells. Perhaps the most varied of the Ionian islands, there is space to breathe here, and its convoluted coastline conceals lots of captivating coves and beach-lined bays lapped by gin-clear waters teeming with colorful fish. Despite the devastating earthquake of 1953 that razed much of the island's historic Venetian architecture, ravishing harbor-front villages such as Fiskardo and Assos (depicted here) still project Italianate good-looks, while the lush and mountainous interior, dotted with wild meadows, Mediterranean oak forests, and vineyards, invites endless exploration. Not far from the beautiful Myrtos bay, the charming village of Assos is a delightful place on Kefalonia island, in an area is green with many Cyprus trees. Upon entering the village visitors immediately reach a small square with old restyled houses, some romantic traditional Greek restaurants and a pier built for private boats and local fishermen. Though the local beach is small, the sea water here is known for its an amazing blue color. One side of the village is a peninsula-like extension connecting Assos village with its old castle -- a 15th-century fortress built to protect this part of Kefalonia from the pirates of the sea. The charming, bloom-filled village of Assos on Kefalonia is one of the most compelling reasons to visit the Greek Islands. This village at the bottom of a hill, is surrounded on three sides by the deep-blue Mediterranean. Spend some time on its pebbled beach before enjoying local food in one of the great restaurants lining the marina.