Continuing your traveling to the Southern part of Kefalonia, you enter the Leivatho region beginning at the village of Minies. The airport is located here and it can accommodate international flights. Then you pass through the village of Svoronata, where there are the beaches of Ammes and Ai Heli. At Domata, you can stop at the Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary), with its marvelous gold-plated icon screen and the temporary coffin of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Gregory the 5th. At the lower part of the village of Kalligata there is the beautiful beach of Avythos. Nearby is the island of Dias, with a chapel dedicated to the Panagia of Vlahernon (Our Lady of Vlahernon).
Then you arrive at Kourkoumelata, an exquisite modern village with many villas, garden with very beautiful flowers along the planned street, a stadium, and Cultural Centre. It was built according to Swiss building standards by the benefactor G. Vergotis.
Lord Byron stayed in Metaxata for a short time before he went to Mesologhi. He used to enjoy the view a little further up the rock at the site of Kallithea (Fine View) of Lakythra village. Lakythra is the capital of Leivatho, a big village with nice houses, squares and broad streets.
An exquisite museum is housed in Saint Andrew’s Monastery of Milapidia, with many Byzantine icons. Saint Andrew’s right sole is kept here. To the right of the Monastery are located the villages of Keramies, Pessada and Spartia. In Keramies, the mansions of the Vallianos family stand out. As a gift from the Vallianos family there is the high school of the village which consists of very fine complex buildings.
From Pessada, you can easily go to Zakynthos (Zante) by taking the ferry-boat at the port. At Mazarakata, Mycenian graves have been discovered by the Greek archaeologist Mr. P. Kavadias and the Dutch archaeologist Mr. Gekop. These findings are kept at the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli.
The fortress of Saint George rises above the village of Peratata in an imposing way. It was the first capital of the island until 1757. It covers an area of 16,000 square metres and a perimeter of 600 metres. Its shape is polygonic and it consists of three parts: the outer wall, the inner enclosure and the rocky top at the centre of the enclosure. There are ramparts, embrasures and watch-towers. There are many buildings inside the fortresses, such as storehouses, quarters, a hospital and prisons. There were also splendid churches, such as the churches of Saint Nikolas, Saint George and four catholic churches. A tunnel started from the ramparts and ended up at the Koutavos lagoon in Argostoli, serving as an emergency exit. It is really worth visiting.
Crossing the villages of Peratata, Poriarata, Mousata and Vlachata, you come down to Lourdata and you arrive at the marvelous beach of Lourdas. It is a sandy beach with many small eating houses and many visitors, ideal for sea sports. Going up again to the main road, you reach the villages of Simotata, Platies and, at the crossing you turn right and pass through the villages of Hionata, Valeriano, Thiramona, Mavrata and you end up at Katelios. Here, you can find fresh fish and local wine.