The village of Kourkoumelata is one of the more unusual on Kefalonia having been totally rebuilt after the big earthquake of 1953.

Funded with money from the Vergotis family, (who were friends with Onassis from nearby Lefkas) the shipping magnate had the village levelled and a new totally funky, new village errected on top.

It's hard to imagine a village so kitsch, bar Port Merion in North Wales. Strange musoleums, candy-box churchs and an overexhuberant sense of style reflect a post-war extravagence found nowhere else on Kefalonia.

The huge temple-like community building surely wins the award for being the most over the top. It's so flamboyant its almost embarrasing.

A nice twist in the tale are the gardens of Kourkoumelata which are forever green on account that the Vergotis family continues to pay the bills as long as the gardens are kept up to the standards of the village architecture.

As for a snack or a drink, there is the boat-shaped Marina Cafe nearby, where fabulous views over the region of Livathos offset the somewhat overpriced drinks.

Alternativley, you could cycle out here which would take a little over an hour if you were to do it at a leisurely pace. It's a bit of a climb out of Lassi and up hill just before the villages themselves. You can, of course, drive out here.

A day spent mooching around the whole of the Livathos region would be a day well spent. By bike it would be ideal, but car is also fine.

This lush, green region, its villages and its history make it a definate day out for anyone who wants a genuine experience of Kefalonia. Why not treat yourself to a car hire whilst you're on Kefalonia so you get the most out of your visit. Click here for Kefalonia Car Hire