Today’s the Day—Journey to Kefalonia

I can hardly believe it. Today I begin a journey to the island where my grandfather was born and lived until he was 15—Kefalonia, a place that has lived in my imagination through stories, old photographs, and the quiet ache of ancestral memory. And now, I’m finally on my way.

The Beaches of Kekalonia

This lush, soul-stirring Ionian island is known for its stunning beauty—turquoise coves, dramatic cliffs, pine-covered mountains, and villages that seem to grow out of the hillsides. But for me, Kefalonia is much more than just a beautiful destination. It’s a return to origin. A step into the living tapestry of my family’s story.

You might recognize Kefalonia from the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which captured the island’s rugged grace and emotional depth. But no film, no photo, no secondhand story can compare to what I imagine it will feel like to walk those same paths, breathe in that same sea air, and meet relatives who carry the same blood and history.

I’m filled with emotion—gratitude, excitement, wonder. What stories are waiting for me there? What echoes of my grandfather’s life will I find in the land, the people, the language, the food? What part of me will feel strangely at home?

From the mystical Melissani Cave to the peaceful charm of Assos and the elegance where we’ll be staying in Fiskardo (near my family’s Germanata!) which I have dreamed of in detail. And soon, I’ll be there.

Just above the jewel-toned harbor of Fiskardo lies the tiny village of Germenata, where my family roots stretch deep into the land. I’ve heard it’s  not a place most tourists pass through—and that’s exactly its magic. I’ve seen images of stone houses with red-tiled roofs which peek out from wildflowers and olive trees, and the view of the Ionian Sea from the hillside is something I’ve only seen in dreams. In my mind it’s a village that breathes with stillness, where time moves slowly and memories live in the walls. I can’t wait to experience where my grandfather once walked, played, and dreamed—and now I get to walk those same paths.

Kefalonia, I’m coming. I’m listening. I’m open. I’m ready.