Kefallonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece. The island is covered by dense vegetation and offers plentiful natural beauty including beaches -- many of them inaccessible from land -- and spectacular caves. Mirtos, the most famous of these beaches, is a major tourist attraction, and has been ranked fifth worldwide for its scenic view.
Kephalonia's tallest mountain is Mount Ainos, elevation of 1628m (almost the same elevation as Denver, Colorado in North America). To the west-northwest are the Paliki mountains, where Lixouri is located. Other mountains include Gerania.
A large number of tourists visit Kephalonia during the peak season but, as one of the largest islands in Greece, it is well-equipped to handle them. Most tourists stay in or around Lassi, a serene resort a few kilometres from Argostoli, and their numbers have increased since the best-seller, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, became a movie shot on the island itself.