QUESTIONS ABOUT ESTIMATE
1 - When I send a form to ask for an estimate, is the owner the one who is going to answer me ?
No , a person from our agency is going to answer you. Consequently it isn't necessary to send several forms. If you desire an estimate for more than one accommodations, send only one form. Go to : Form for several requests

2 - Do I really have to fill in all the gaps of the form and what happens to the personal information I have sent if I decide not to reserve ?
Your personal information is kept for our statistics, and possibly for sending you a brochure. We will never communicate or sell these data to any other company, without your written agreement.

3 - Is it probable that I will receive an immediate response ?
Of course, you just have to tick the appropriate option in the form. We will kindly ask you to answer us, even if you are not interested.

4 - I have already sent you one or more forms and I have not received an answer yet. What's going on ?
Sometimes, for example around Easter and July-August, the flood of e-mails can cause some delay. Please, excuse us for this disadvantage. Usually, to avoid this, it's better to check your information before sending the form. Firstly, check carefully your e-mail address : without a correct one, it's impossible for us to answer ! Please note that we answer by phone only in case of emergency.
Then, we would be glad if you checked also carefully your dates of stay (i.e. dates of arrival and departure) and the number of overnight stays. Can you imagine that about half of the e-mails received include an error of this kind ? You could count discreetly on your fingers, or on your agenda.

RESERVATION

DOWNLOAD HERE THE RENTING CONDITIONS OF THE ODYSSEAS AGENCY

5 - When should I make a reservation ?
You can book until one week before your arrival. This is because if you want to book before your arrival we cannot receive your deposit, so consequently we cannot guarantee your accommodation. In this case, please, come directly at our agency and we will let you know about the last minute offers, if there are any.
Here is a summary on when to book if you are thinking about coming in high season making sure to find the best accommodation :
- for a villa, a three-room or four-room apartment, contact us before the end of February
- for a two-room apartment, contact us before the end of April
- for an one-room studio, contact us before the end of June

6 - What do I have to do to make a reservation ?
Here are the steps to follow :
A-AUTOMATIC RESERVATION ON-LINE
For many of the residences, you will find there is the possibility of making the reservation on-line. In this case, what you have to do is choose the residence you are interested in, click on "booking" and follow the instructions.
B-TRADITIONAL RESERVATION
If you are interested in a residence that doesn't offer the possibility of booking on-line, you will have to use the traditional way to contact us : you click on "contact by e-mail" and then fill the form.
Confirmation
After the confirmation on our behalf about the availability, please confirm, in the following 48 hours, by e-mail (possibly by fax or by telephone) that you intend to book the accommodation agreed. The indispensable information at this step is the name of the tourist complex, the type of accommodation (hotel room, studio, apartment consisting of two, three or four rooms, villa, etc ...) and possibly any optional services (more frequent cleaning, breakfast). We also need : the number of persons, the age of your children, the number of nights, your dates of arrival and departure, family name, name and passport number (or identity card for EU citizens) from at least one responsible person per accommodation, your telephone numbers, e-mail, fax and postal address.
Provisional reservation
At this step, you will receive a booking number. Keep it for any later correspondence. We will inform you about the amount to deposit, the number of our bank account (IBAN, BIC - SWIFT) at the Agriculture bank of Greece, and finally about the details concerning the payment of the balance at your arrival. You have three working days to carry out the international banking transfer, in shared mode (SHA, shared expenses as usual). During this period we will guarantee the availability of the accommodation.
Sending the deposit
As soon as you send the deposit, please send us, as soon as possible, a copy of your bank receipt by fax or by e-mail to prolong the waiting period until the confirmation of its reception.
Reception of the deposit
Usually, the reception takes place after 2 to 5 working days (if you send it from a E.U. country). You will be informed by e-mail in the following 48 hours. Then your reservation is confirmed. At this step, we will ask you the following information :
arrival and departure time at & from Kefalonia (airport or port of boarding), so as to indicate the way to follow to reach our agency (if your accommodation is around, i.e. at Trapezaki, Lourdas or Karavados) or to your accommodation directly (at another part of the island).

7 - Can I cancel my reservation ?
The cancellation must be notified as fast as possible by telephone or e-mail and confirmed by recommended letter to the agency, at the following address :
Lionel VIDONI – ODYSSEAS Agency, Afrato 28100 Mousata, Kefalonia (Greece)
The sending date appearing on the enveloppe will be accepted as base to calculate the expenses of cancellation.
See in details the progressive fees of cancellation

PAYMENT OF THE BALANCE
8 - Can I pay the balance the day of arrival ?
Yes, but only if your accommodation is located near the agency, in a radius of 5 km (villages of Karavados, Mousata, Trapezaki, Vlachata, Lourdata ou Simotata) and moreover you will have to pay an agency fee of 15 Euros for each accommofation. Otherway, the balance is due at least two weeks before your arrival.

9 - Can I pay the balance with my credit card ?
Yes. The balance at our office is preferably paid with credit card (no additional fees). Here are the acceptable cards : Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard.

10 - Can I pay the balance at the end of my stay ?
No, the payment of the balance has to take place on the day of your arrival, or possibly the next day in case of a late arrival (after 9 pm).

ACCOMMODATION
11 - Is the accommodation fully equipped? Could I make any questions on this subject ?
Precisely, Here are all the facilities and equipment that you should find in every accommodation (studios, apartments or villas) for rent in our site :
- running water and electricity (gas is not used)
- kitchenette (two hotplates, sink, mini-fridge) or fully-equipped kitchen, except for hotel rooms
- kitchen utensils, plates, glasses, saucepans, stove, cups, Greek coffee-maker
- towels (changed every fourth day)
- sheets and pillowcases (changed every fourth day)
- pillows and blankets
- television set (you should possibly ask the owner for them)
- bathroom with shower (possibly bathtub) and WC
- hot water (except possibly for a while if all the clients are using it at the same time)
- toilet paper and soap
- broom, floorcloth, bucket and cleaning product for surfaces (you should possibly ask the owner for them)

What is sometimes missing (see the indications on the site) :
- washing liquid for plates
- oven & cooker-hood
- big fridge
- electric coffee-maker or electric tea-maker
- air conditioning and heating
- large bed (in the bedroom of an apartment)
- toaster
- bowls
- daily cleaning

What is rare to find (see the indications on the site) :
- micro-wave oven
- hair-drier
- video recorder or DVD-player
- radio or hi-fi system
- satellite television
- telephone & internet connection
- breakfast
- curtain and mat for the shower in the bathroom (Greeks use a floorcloth)

12 - What time can I check in the accommodation and when should I check out ?
Usually, you can enter in your accommodation between 12 am and 1 pm. On the day of your departure, you have to leave it by 11 am.
In some residences, mainly in villas or large apartments, a some hours cleaning can be necessary, and in this case, you won't be able to enter in your accommodation before 2-3 pm.

13 - Our ferry-boat departs from Cephalonia in the evening. Could I stay at the appartment or the studio until late afternoon ?
If there is no reservation after yours in the same accommodation the morning of your departure or if the residence has enough free rooms or apartments on this date, the owner usually accepts that you vacate the accommodation by 6 pm. From 5th to 20th of August, don't hope that the owner will accept your request. If the owner agrees, he can possibly ask you to pay a supplement like 50 % of the price for one night.

DAMAGE & SECURITY
14 - What are my responsibilities if I cause damage ?
If the fair wear and tear is not clearly the cause of the damage, you can be financially responsible to the owner who could ask for you a compensation. You wouldn't have to pay a broken glass, but you will surely have to pay back for the remote control of the air conditioning, if broken or the key of the accommodation, if lost. In any case, please inform the owner as soon as possible.

15 - Could I leave my belongings in the accommodation without worrying about it ?
In principle, yes. thefts are pretty rare on Cephalonia, but don't forget to make sure that the doors and windows are closed, mainly on the groundfloor, before leaving. Don't leave any object of value, or leave it in the safe-box, if the accommodation offers one. You have to know that the few cases of thefts are the work of other tourists. Anyway, the owner cannot be considered responsible for a possible theft committed in his residence.
Please note that the owner or the cleaning staff could enter in your accommodation when you are missing, just to swithc off forgotten air conditioning or close open windows (in a windy day).

SERVICES
16 - How is the cleaning of the accommodation done ? Do I have to leave my keys ?
Some residences offer daily cleaning (indicated by an icone which figures a cleaning lady). Most of them offer it twice a week (when changing sheets and towels) and others only when clients are coming or leaving. You don't need to leave your keys. The cleaning staff, often the owners themselves, have a spare key. The cleaning is usually done between 10 am and 1 pm. In some big residences, cleaning can be done in the afternoon.
Sometimes, the cleaning could not be completely done if the person in charge finds the accommodation too much cluttered with suitcases, dresses, etc ... If you want to clean by yourself, let the owner know. The change of sheets and towels takes place each fourth day (i.e. after three nights).

17 - The accommodation has a barbecue. How can I use it ?
The barbecue is still in free access (without supplement). Please inform the owner of the residence that you desire to use it a few days before in case of another client or the owner himself wants to use it. The owner can inform you about the cancellation of the barbecue because of the wind, for reasons of safety.
The owner is not obliged to provide you with coal. One can easily find coal in almost every supermarket. Meat can be bought in a butchery in the main town of Argostoli, or on the way to Poros (villages of Vlachata, Peratata and Pastra). Fish can be found on the market at the port of Argostoli (you will find the best offers at around 8 am).

18 - I would like to have breakfast. What should I do ?
Some residences which have a bar give the possibility to have breakfast in your room or on the terrace. Continental breakfast (for example coffee, tea or hot chocolate, orange juice, croissant, bread or toasts, butter, honey or marmelade) usually cost 5 Euro per person.
For a complete breakfast (with cereals, ham, eggs and cheese), The price above will be increased following mutual agreement. Likewise, for a succinct breakfast (for example coffee + croissant), the owner or the employee at the bar will offer you a better price. It's often possible to have a reduction for a family with little children.
Breakfast has to be ordered at the bar the day before. The payment takes place at the end of the stay, at the time of the settlement of drinks, ice-creams and other orders at the bar.

BEACHES & ACTIVITIES
19 - Am I obliged to rent a beach set ? And how much does it cost ?
No, you are not obliged since private beaches are forbidden in Greece. Beach set rentings (1 parasol + 2 deck-chairs) are concessions allocated yearly by the municipality. Renters have theoritically to leave large spaces empty, but in reality, they are occupying the best parts of the beach. Renting a set is for all day and costs from 6 to 8 Euros, depending on the number of people on the beach. If you carry your own set, you are free to place it wherever you like, no matter what the renter tell you.

20 - Where can I moor my sailing boat or yacht ?
Cephalonia offers two new, well-equipped marinas at Argostoli and Lixouri. Besides those two, there are, of course, several ports where it's possible to moor, if you find an empty place : Sami, Poros, Vathy, Fiskardo, Katelios & Agia Efimia. In any case, for more information contact the Port Authority :
- Argostoli : 0030 26710 22224
- Sami : 0030 26740 22031
- Poros : 0030 26740 72460
- Vathy (Ithaca) : 0030 26740 32909
Finally, there are numerous fishing ports, often tiny ones, such as Spartia, Assos, Trapezaki, Lourdas or Pessada, but at first glance you will find hardly any place to moor in July - August. If you get one, moor your boat solidely and in the evening, take its engine with you to avoid theft. Such incidents have recently been documented.

NICE WEATHER ;)
21 - Is Kefalonia always hot as today ?
The weather is often nice and hot. Sometimes even hot and nice, mainly in summer. (this is a belgium joke, anyway funnier in French)

22 - Is Kefalonia always windy as today ?
No, some days are windy and others not. In fact, it depends. OK, more seriously : usually wind comes from the sea late afternoon at about 4 pm, due to the anebatic & codebatic phenomena.

23 - Last week, I was on Zante and it was really less hot than on Kefalonia. It was impossible to have our breakfast on the balcony. And now, our kids have got a cold. How could you explain that ?
Certainly. In fact, everything began with the subtle wings movements of a butterfly in Crete at dawn... and ended with the hum of the air conditioner at the twilight.

24 - Last week, I was on Zante and it was really hotter than on Kefalonia. It was impossible to have our breakfast on the balcony. And now, our kids have got a sunburns. How could you explain that ?
No comment.

CUISINE
25 - I don't remember the recipe of the Tzatziki sauce. Can you help me ?
Take some fresh Greek yoghurt, some fresh cucumber and a clove of garlic (why not fresh too !). Cut the cucumber and the garlic in small pieces. Be careful not to mistake your fingers for cucumber.
Mix it with the yoghurt, still fresh. Salt it, pepper it , sneeze (not in the mixture though) and that's it. Serve it with salads, skewers and Greek sandwiches (souvlaki). Kali orexi (bon appétit) !

26 - Where can I eat Greek food on Kefalonia ? I'm searching for a typical Greek taverna.
To tell you the truth, almost everywhere, and that's not surprising if you think that you and 99 % of the tourists hope to eat Greek food in Greece, and if possible "typical Greek food".
One can classify restaurants in five categories :
- Authentic Greek tavernas : they are very rare because once people didn't often go to restaurants. As you will see, it's better to talk about snacks or canteens. They are disappearing because they don't fill nowadays requirements, for example nobody cares about non-smokers (the room is often small), the offer is very limited and many plates reheated and finally you will hardly find a menu.
The most known : Tzivras in Argostoli

- antique style tavernas : they are open all year round. Sometimes it's a matter of a completely new restaurant, other times of a renovation of an old business. the establishment wants to show a familial or country appearence (plates deliberately bracing and you will never find an orchestra there). The service could be slow and the choice limited. Prices are vary.
The most knowns : Hersonas in Troinata, Mavri Gata in Spartia, Petrino Spiti & Sorrento in Peratata

- Modern Greek tavernas : There are restaurants which are adapted to tourism (Greek and foreigner), where the owners often come back from abroad, with a fast & multingual service (at least English). One can often find the menu at the entrance. Chefs have often studied ... cuisine.
Those tavernas are not ashamed to offer vegetarian or children-adapted menus and indeed to organize Greek music nights. Prices are vary.
Some restaurants to recommend : Koudouki and Mandolino in Argostoli, Thalassomilos on the way to the Lighthouse of Saint Theodoros, Dum Spiro Spero in Svoronata, Medusa in Katelios, Klimatis in Lourdas (during the season), Enastron in Trapezaki (during the season), Spiros & La Mer in Vlachata (during the season)

- Chic Greek restaurants : It could sound illegal but nevertheless you can find them even in Cephalonia. it is about family cooking of "high level". Prices are accordingly.
The most famous : Tassia in Fiskardo & Mythos in Argostoli

- Greek fast-food : One can mainly get Greek sandwiches (pita gyros or pita souvlaki). Prices are usually cheap.
Among many others : Obelix in Lakithra, To Gyro tou Kastrou in Travliata, To Gyro tis Platias in Argostoli

27 - Is it true what people used to say about Greek cuisine ? Will I lose weight if I eat Greek food ?
On the contrary. We are not in a village of poor Cretan fishers, who know pigs only from a post card. In fact, here (and in the rest of Greece) everything commences with some hors-d'oeuvres, next to all drowned in olive oil, and usually fried (squids, peppers, cheese)... in olive oil. A nice salad of the village follows (khoriatiki with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese and onions, basted with a torrent of oil, but you could aspect it) which one is permitted to eat picking in the common bowl using your fork. Next, one attacks the main plate, cooked in oil too : stuffed tomatoes, moussaka, pasticcio, rabbit with wine sauce, meat-pie etc... Greeks rarely take a dessert and you can understand why after all that they have already eaten. Note that : Greeks haven't eaten well if their dishes are empty !
If you absolutely desire to get thinner, count less than 10-12 Euro by people.

MISCELLANEOUS
28 - Are there any important differences that I have to know about Greece ?
Let's begin with what is similar :
- The common European currency, the Euro (for Brits only : those strange coins with an Irish face that you get at your bank before you leave ;) )
- The seasons : Greece has a mediterranean climate, which means four seasons. Summer coils up usually from the first days of June. Autumn interfereS in around the end of September. Winter comes in from mid-November to the beginning of March. Springs gets in and out sometimes from February.
- Occidental clothing costums, except at the entrance of some monasteries
- The religious calendar which is almost identical (Christmas, Assumption ...) except Easter which is always brought forward.

What Greek people tolerate (more or less depending on the place) :
- Topless on the family beaches
- Nudism on the beaches with difficult access
- Noise until midnight in the estate
- Acquisition of puppies and kittens (contact a vet for compulsory vaccines and customs formalities)

What Greek people would not like :
- Being in a state of intoxication on the public highway
- Throwing the toilet paper & sanitary towels in the WC (you have to throw them in the bin to avoid pipe blockage)
- Leaving the air conditioner switched on during your absence, or with the window open
- Using towels as carpets when going out of the shower
- Bargaining in the shops
- Not leaving a tip at a coffee-shop or in a restaurant
- Making remarks on the accommodation (please, inform us before)
- Picking a fruit or a vegetable without the agreement of the owner

What is punished with a fine :
- Driving in a state of intoxication
- Exceeding speed limits
- Not wearing a helmet on a motorbike (or scooter) or the belt in the front seats of a car
- Camping wherever (on the beach for example)
- Scuba diving with a fishing gun
- Acquiring / Picking up and transporting wild animals (turtles, starfishes...), plants (for example growth of olive trees) & antiquites (pottery, amphoras ...). A strong fine could be accompanied with a prison penalty.
- The use of a camera close to military plants. Probable arrest accompanied with a possible prison penalty (for spying, and it's really not a joke !).

What could be dangerous :
- Swimming far away from the shore on some beaches (sea streams)
- Leaving a child or an animal closed in a car (including with an open window)
- Setting fire in summer (give up the idea of having a barbecue on a windly day)
- Runing or biking between 10 am & 6 pm, from June to September, cause of the heat
- Staying more than 1 hour under the sun without a protection (hat or suncream)


29 - What should I do in case of an earthquake ?
Don't worry, all the residences are built with reinforced concrete and according to the anti-seismic regulation. Here are the instructions to follow in case of an earthquake :
- Don't go out of the building, you could receveive a tile or any other unsteady object on the head
- Leave all the doors open
- Stay in the corner, under a strong wall, or failing that under the frame of a door and wait until the end of the tremor
- Go away from the hotplates if you are cooking
- Switch off all the electric devices, if you can
- Don't go out of the house unless the tremor has finished

30 - What about a tidal wave in Greece ?
There are rare phenomenas : historically, once or twice each millenium, considering only those reported with victims. Anyway, if you note a sudden ebb tide (on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea tides are few perceptibles), go away from the shore as fast as possible to reach a height or the floors of a building.

31 - I heard about the fires in 2007. Should I be concerned ?
Yes and no. Yes, because everybody has to care when there is a heat wave. One telephone number to remember : 199 (fire brigade). No, because small fires are expected each year in the high season. It's really normal in Greece.