Dedicated to all our guests
INDEX Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: House Rules Chapter 3: Information 3.1: The island of Lefkada 3.2: Lefkada town and its history 3.3: The village of Tsoukalades 3.4: Kaminia Blue & the surrounding area Chapter 4: Siteseeing 4.1: The best beaches of Lefkada 4.2: Museums & art 4.3: Churches & monasterys 4.4: Other villages & traditional events
Chapter 5: Well living 5.1: Taverns & restaurants 5.2: Coctail bars & night clubs 5.3: Other activities 5.3.1: Wind & Kite surfing 5.3.2: Watersports 5.3.3: Scuba diving & snorkeling 5.3.4: Paragliding 5.3.5: Horse riding 5.3.6: Hiking Chapter 6: Maps 6.1: Map of the island 6.2: Map of the town 6.3: Map of Tsoukalades
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION Thank you for chosing Kaminia Blue for your holidays. We hope you have a pleasant stay at our faculty, enjoy everything our small island has to offer and create many happy memories!!!
„ a good life is a collection of happy memories “
Chapter 2 HOUSE RULES & F.A.Q. We would like to point out some house rules in order to make your stay easier and our presence at the house less necessary. 1.Do not throw toiler paper or any other objects in the toilet. 2.Smoking is not allowed inside the house. If you are a smoker, please smoke outside, always use the astrays and put out carefully your cigarettes. 3.Do not leave wet towels on the beds. Use the cloth line in the back of the house to hang & dry wet clothes/towels. 4.If the weather is cloudy, there might not be enough hot water. Turn on the boiler switch in the electric switches panel (located in the kitchen wall) for 20 ~ 30 minutes. Don't forget to turn it off before you take a shower. 5.If the weather is rainy, please collect any mattresses or pillows from the garden.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1.Where are the switches for the lights in the garden & the parking space? There are switches for the garden lights and the path lights on the 3rd pillar next to the exterior table. The switches for the parking space are on the wall near the BBQ. 2. Can I leave food or food leftovers on the exterior table? It's best if you dont leave food unattended or food remains on the table after you eat, unless you want to attract ants. 3. Where can I throw away garbage? There is a garbage bin in the cupboard under the kitchen sink. 4. The trash bin is full. Where can I throw away the trash bags? There are large garbage containers in Tsoukalades village. Green colored containers are for general trash and blue containers are for recycling materials. Please don't leave trash bags outside the house because they will attract ants & various bugs.
5. Can I flush toilet paper or other objects in the toilet? No you can't. The pipes in Greece are narrow, so throwing items in the toilet or sink can cause pipe clogging. You should use the trash bins provided. 6. How often do you change linen & towels? Bed linen and fresh towels are provided every 3-4 days, depending on your total days of stay. 7. We are staying for a long period. Where can we wash our clothes? You can take your clothes for washing in any cleanwasher in Lefkada. See the map at the end of this guide for marked locations. 8. Where is the first aid kit? The first aid kit is in the cupboard under the bathroom sink. On the cupboard next to the mirror, you will also find basic medicine. 9. Where is the hair dryer? The hair dryer is in the cupboard under the bathroom sink.
Chapter 3 GENERAL INFORMATION 3.1 The area around the houses The houses “Kaminia Blue” are located in an area of 5000 sq.meters , only 20 meters above the sea level. The surrounding area – as well as the beach – is known to the locals as “Kaminia”. Kaminia, plural for Kamini, ( a thermally insulated chamber, a type of oven, that produces temperatures sufficient to complete some process, such as hardening, drying, or chemical changes. ) were used to make asbestus aka quicklime = CaO , for those with chemistry knogledge. They were 2 kaminia remaining in the area until the mid 90's.
3.2 The village of Tsoukalades
Tsoukalades is a small village on the north west of Lefkada, only 6 km. away from the town. It's a traditional village, located on a plateau 200 m. above sea level , with a fantastic view to the Ionian sea, amongst countless olive trees. The village took its name, most likely to the red clay that's in the soil, and was used by the first residents to make clay pots (tsoukalia). In Tsoukalades you can find taverns, cafeterias, grocery stores and buy excellent quality olive oil and local wine. There are 3 beaches near Tsoukalades, that are can be reached by car: Kaminia beach, Gialou Skala and Pefkoulia, the later one being the biggest of them.
3.3 The town of Lefkada
Lefkada is the capital and the main town of the island. It has approximately 8000 residents who live mostly on tourism and agriculture. What is typical of Lefkada Town is the unique architecture. Forget the ordinary white-washed houses and buildings you come across on most of the Greek islands. The Town suffered from two major earthquakes which destroyed almost the entire island. When the town was destroyed by the earthquakes of 1948 and 1953, the buildings were re-built from scratch and that is what lead to its distinct architecture This time the buildings were made of wooden skeletons and coloured sheets of metal. It is not the typical Greek island architecture and you will
certainly not find such buildings in the mainland either. Be open-minded, embrace the local aesthetics, and the welcoming nature of the locals together with the beauty of the nature will reward you!
Chapter 4 4.1: The best beaches of Lefkada I. Porto Katsiki
Location: 45 km south west of Lefkada Town Description: Porto Katsiki is the most famous beach of the island and among the best in the Mediterranean. With an impressive landscape and exotic water, Porto Katsiki gets very popular in summer.
II.
Egremni
Location: 40 km south west of Lefkada Town Description: One of the most impressive beaches of Lefkada, Egremni has an immense sandy coastline and exotic water. Visitors have to climb up and down a lot of steep steps. NOTE: As of 2015, the only available access to
Egremni beach is with the daily cruise boats.
III.
Kathisma
Location: 15 km south west of Lefkada Town Description: This long beach has exotic water and sandy coastline. It is considered among the finest beaches on the island.
IV.
Agios Ioannis
Location: 3 km west of Lefkada Town Description: The most popular beach resort on Lefkada is Agios Ioannis, located a few km west of the main town. Due to the strong winds that blow in the area, this beach is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
V.Mylos
Location: 14 km south west of Town Description: Mylos is a remote beach between Agios Nikitas and Kathisma, on the western side of Lefkada. A trekking passage leads to this beach, which is a nice spot for relaxation.
VI.
Agios Nikitas
Location: 13 km south west of Lefkada Town Description: The small beach in front of Agios Nikitas, a lovely fishing village on the western side of Lefkada, has exotic water and a nice ambience.
VII. Avali – Kavalikefta – Megali Petra
Location: 15 km south west of Town Description: Those 3 beaches with crystal water, near Kalamitsi offer a nice spot to relax. The rock formations on the shore give them a wild aspect .
VIII. Pefkoulia
Location: 8 km south west of Lefkada Town Description: This long beach is located after Tsoukalades, on the way to Agios Nikitas village. It attracts many free campers.
IX.
Agiofili
Location: 40 km south of Lefkada Town Description: This is a small beach in close distance to Vassiliki, the popular windsurfing spot on the south of the island.
X.
Gialos
Location: 35 km south west of Lefkada Town Description: This long, sandy beach is located on the way to Egremni and Porto Katsiki, the two most popular beaches on the island.
4.2: Museums & art I. Archaeological museum Location: Town The Archaeological Museum of Lefkada is housed in the newlyconstructed building of the Cultural Centre in Lefkada Town. Its four rooms cover a large chronological period, from the Paleolithic times till the late Roman years.
II.
Ecclesiastical museum
Location: Frini The Ecclesiastic Museum of the Faneromeni monastery is ideally located on the outskirts of the village of Fryni, which is at 4 Km from the picturesque town of Lefkada. The majestic museum of Ecclesiastic Art showcases objects of art collected from the many temples and convents of Lefkada island spanning a period from the second Turkish occupation (1479-1684) to the time of the islands amalgamation with mainland Greece in the year 1864.
III.
Orpheus folklore museum
Location: Town The Orpheus Folklore Museum was founded by the Musical and Literature Association called Orpheus, which also runs a radio station, a choir, a musical and a theatrical school in the island of Lefkada. The museum opened its doors in 1937 and was named The Folklore Museum Pantazis Kontomixis. Its collections include important exhibits of objects and items from the everyday life of the Lefkadian people, e.g. dresses, tools, textiles, looms and hand-made items, among others. In addition, the Orpheus Folklore Museum has a room that was modified to look exactly as a traditional Lefkadian house, in order to get a better view of the island's culture.
IV.
Museum of Lefkadian embroidery
Location: Karia The Folklore Museum of Lefkadian Embroidery is a small private museum that was established by Mrs Maria Koutsohero in Karia. Through folk items, visitors see the different patterns and techniques of the local art of embroidery.
V. Phonographs museum
Location: Town The private museum of phonographs is placed in the main square of Lefkada town, close to the old city. It was founded in 1980 by a private collector and contains some very interesting items including models of old phonographs, gramophones and radios. The museum also houses many decorative items, from which some musical instruments stand out, apart from old newspapers, old postcards, guns, swords, pieces of jewellery and coins, which date from 1880 to 1950.
VI.
The museum of Angelos Sikelianos
Location : Town The visitors of Angelos Sikelianos museum, housed in the poet's home, have the opportunity yo admire more than 100 exhibits, tracing the personal life of this acclaimed poet whose international appeal is seen in his 9 nominations for the Nobel prize in literature.
4.3: Churces & monasterys I. Monastery of Faneromeni Location: Frini This is the most important monastery and religious centre of Lefkada. It is situated in a lush green are about 2 km from Frini village.
II.
Agios Ioannis Antzousis
Location: Agios Ioannis Situated 3 km west of Lefkada Town, this is the oldest church on the island. It was built by the Franks on the top of a rock, on the site where an older church used to stand. Some said that Apostle Paul once stopped here, on his way to Rome, to teach Christianity.
III.
Santa Mavra
Location: Town The old stone church of Santa Mavra is situated inside the enetian Castle of Lefkada .
4.4: Other villages and traditional events I. Karia
Location: 13 km south west of Lefkada Town Description: The mountainous village of Karia is located at an altitude of 500 m, amidst an area of lush greenery and nice waterfalls.
II.
Agios Nikitas
Location: 13 km south west of Lefkada Town Description: The seaside village of Agios Nikitas is spread around a bay and has a lovely fishing port where fishing boats and yachts moor in summer.
III.
Sivota
Location: 32 km south of Lefkada Town Description: One of the most picturesque villages of Lefkada, Sivota has a small port where fishing boats and yachts moor. It is famous for its delicious fish taverns.
IV.
Egklouvi
Location: 19 km south west of Town Description: A small village in the inland of Lefkada, Eglouvi is surrounded by lush greenery. It distinguishes
for its traditional architecture and the lovely square.
V.Nidri
Location: 17 km south of Lefkada Town Description: The small port of Nidri is the most popular resort on Lefkada. It attracts thousands of visitors every summer and from there boats to close islands depart.
Cultural events I. Traditional wedding
In August, the residents of Karia organise a revival of a traditional wedding, during which the bride is decorated and then the wedding procession takes place.
II.
International Folklore Festival
The International Folklore Festival of Lefkada aims to reunite people with common traditions. It is held annually during the last week of August, including a parade and interesting events with famous dancing groups.
Chapter 5 Well Living 5.1 Taverns & restaurants
You can find many good taverns & restaurants in Lefkada and discover the local cuisine. Our recommendations are:
i) Kambos family tavern (Tsoukalades) Enjoy delicious greek cuisine and a variety of grilled meat. ii) Psaropoula (Tsoukalades) One of the best fish taverns on the island, with a fantastic garden. iii) Margarita (Lefkada) The best option for fish in the town of Lefkada.
iv) Old Navy (Lefkada) Greek & italian kitchen in one of the oldest restaurants in town. v) Festino (Lefkada) Italian kitchen in the heart of Lefkada vi) Zimis (Lefkada) Try the best handmade pizza in town. vii) Gogo's Gefsis (Lefkada) Enjoy your ouzo with a tasty variety of apetizers. viii) Rachi (Exanthia) Very good food with an amazing sunset!
Note: You can't make a reservation and the average waiting time is about 2 hours...
ix) Pantazis (Nikiana) If you always dreamed to enjoy your dinner on the beach, this is the place for you.
5.2 Coctail bars & night clubs
The night life in Lefkada starts early in the night and can last till the first morning light. Some of the best places to enjoy a drink are:
i) Taratsa (Lefkada) ii) Baccara (Lefkada) iii) Hartes (Lefkada) iv) Joy (Lefkada) v) Havana (Lefkada) vi) Octopus' garden (Lefkada) vii) Captain's corner (Agios Nikitas) And for those who want to stay up late: viii) Lagoon (Lefkada) ix) Karma (Lefkada) x) Capital club (Lefkada)
5.3 Other activities 5.3.1 Wind & kite surfing Mylos club in Agios Ioannis offers kite & wind surfing lessons and equipment for rent. 5.3.2 Watersports In Nydri or Vasiliki you can enjoy various water sports, as water skiing, crazy sofa etc. 5.3.3 Scuba diving & snorkeling While the west coastline of Lefkada has the best beaches for swimming and snorkeling, the east coastline has ideal waters for scuba diving. In the village of Nikiana & Nydri, you can find scuba diving schools for lessons or equipment.
5.3.4 Paragliding The village of Exanthia, due to its location, is ideal for the daring travelers who want to experience the joy of paragliding. 5.3.5 Horse riding You can enjoy a ride through Lefkada olive groves & beaches, on the back of a horse or a pony, from Aramis farm in Apolpena village. 5.3.6 Hiking If you want to explore the nature of Lefkada, there are many trails that you can follow, a few of them are: i) Melissa Gorge: walk through the most beautiful canyon in Lefkada ii) Rekatsinata: an old abandoned settlement near Karya village iii) Skaroi: an ancient oak forest near Nikiana. iv) Nydri waterfalls: swim in the natural ponds under the waterfall
Chapter 6 6.1: Map of the island
6.2: Map of the town
6.3 Map of the area around Tsoukalades
Kaminia Blue visitor's guide 2018