LASSI

Lassi as a resort has developed due to its amazing beaches of golden sand. The two main beaches are Makris Yialos (Greek for 'long sandy beach') and Platis Yialos (wide sandy beach). The beach shelves gently into beautifully clear and clean waters providing a safe haven for children. The beaches are accessed at various points by steps or slopes and these are well sign-posted from the lanes that run parallel to the main road which runs from Lassi into Argostoli.

On the beaches of Lassi, the area is divided up into different territories according to the operator's licence to offer catering facilities, rent out beach equipment or operate water-sports. Parts of the sandy beach are 'free seating' where you can take your beach-mat and own sun-shade. Other areas have been set up with sun-beds and beach umbrellas in place and in orderly lines.

The largest of these is in the centre of Makris Yialos beach and has a snack bar with red, yellow and blue beach-umbrellas in front. Alternatively you can rent your beach equipment from a vendor and set it up to your own liking. The beaches here are usually quite busy from June to September.

The beach at Platis Yialos is operated by the local town council and is kept meticulously clean. The employees seem to have a great respect for the beach and water its flowering borders and keep a watchful eye out for a stray piece of litter. The beach has a row of changing rooms and showers on a platform above the rocks. The council runs the cafe and the sun bed and beach-umbrella hire. On this beach there is room for hired sun beds as well as free areas for placing your own beach mat. This beach tends to attract the locals and gets busier at the weekends. It is below the hotel White Rocks which has its 'own' private strip of beach known as Torkopothero offering free sun-beds and beach umbrellas to the hotel's guests.

Paleo Stafida is known locally as Antonio's beach (named after Antonio's beach umbrellas).

Antonio's Beach is called 'the quiet beach' and when there are waves at Makris, the sea seems calmer at Antonio's, which is ideal for children.

You can also start at the Mediterranee Hotel and go to the beach either by taking the hotel lift down to beach level which is great for anyone with walking difficulties or by a pathway to the left of the hotel after the car par which is open to the public and has a flight of steps down to the sandy beach next to the hotel's snack bar. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for hire here and the beach has showers. You can also reach the beach by steps down from the hotel's swimming pool which is for private use of hotel guests only. The hotel's self-service snack bar by the beach is open to all. The Paleo Stafida beach has a cantina serving snacks close by. On the beach there are umbrellas and sunbeds to hire although the sunbeds are set out in rows rather close together.

Apart from the larger beaches there are delightful sandy coves throughout the resort of Lassi and one of the least known is Kalamia Bay which is in a rural setting on the coastal road towards Argostoli.

Swimming here is ideal and the atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful. Snorkellers will love the nearby coves of Gradakia beach with their easily accessible sea-caves.

Gradakia Beach is a small sandy bay with rocky outcrops suitable for sunbathing and snorkelling. There is a local cantina selling drinks.

At Makris Yialos, try the Costa Costa Beach Club for drinks and snacks day and evening. Look out for the posters for their 'beach parties' in high season.

Yianni the hunk, delivers freshly made doughnuts along the beaches of Makris and Platis Yialos.

The locals are proud of their tradition of serenading and you may well hear some local renditions, accompanied by guitar and mandolin, as you take your evening stroll along Lassi 'strip'. Or you may hear some loud cheering as some local waiters set the ground on fire while they dance on a table. It's always best to get your orders in before they start such entertainment!

Life is centred around the beach or pool by day and taverna by night. Some of them offer 'Greek nights', which vary from fun entertainment by the waiters, to fully-costumed displays of Greek dancing.

Albatros is the long-established centre for water-sports on the beach of Makris Yialos.

The Albatross water-sport centre is next to a shaded beach cantina and below The Staircase beach bar and Kalafatis Taverna.
Here you can learn to water-ski and have fun on the Jet-skis. If there is a group of you, a whiz round the bay on a 'banana' or 'doughnuts' bouncing along on the water behind the speed boat is great fun. If you want a more leisurely pace and a longer time for your money, take a trip out on a pedaloe. If you are with children, take a pedaloe with a water-slide and create your own floating water-park

Water-ski lessons are on a wake-board with a free ski if you have learned how to do it! After that, you pay per 10 mins water-skiing. The Jet-skis take one or two persons for 15 minutes per session. The Oxoon Hydro-Jet is good fun which you can take out for half an hour periods.

The most recent addition is the Costa Costa sports club which is situated at the end of Makris Yialos near the rocks which divide Makris from Platis Yialos.

Motor boat cruising in the area, offers coastal hugging cruising from Makris Yialos beach to Platis Yialos beach and the beach of Torkopothero. Beyond are some coves with dramatic white rocks only accessible by boat. Or you can visit Vardiani island, locally known as the rabbit island. This tiny island, whose only inhabitants are wild rabbits, has an abandoned monastery and is surrounded by rocks which are great for snorkelling. An alternative coastal cruise would be hugging the coastline towards Argosoli, past the famous lighthouse and water wheel at Katavothres. Opposite Lassi you can see the Pali Peninsula famous for its red sand beaches. Take a motor-boat to cruise over to Meggas Lakas or Xi beach famous for its red sand and mud-baths.

Lassi is a perfect holiday destination and is a great base for exploring the rest of the island.
For advice and suggestions about holidays in Lassi contact
www.cephalonia-connections.com
email
homers@otenet.gr