A plot twist, a pregnancy, and a plane ticket
Let me set the scene. It’s 22/2/2022 — one of those dates that just feels important. You’ve been feeling off for a few weeks. Your partner gently suggests the unthinkable: “Maybe you should call the doctor?”
The doctor asks, “Could you be pregnant?”
You laugh. Then pause. Then test.
When that test came back positive, I felt like someone had shaken my whole world in a snow globe. I was terrified. And excited. But mostly terrified.
Spoiler alert: oh yeah, in case you hadn’t guessed, that was me.
And that tiny blue line? It changed everything.
But before the nappies and night feeds kicked in, Mr Rick and I decided to take one last trip, just the two of us. A babymoon, if you will. And let me tell you — Kefalonia, Greece, turned out to be the ultimate destination.
Why Kefalonia?
We’d had Kefalonia on our list for years. My parents loved it so much they considered moving there. My best friend once lived there as a travel rep. Somehow, though, we’d never made it over. That changed with this trip — and honestly, I think we saved it for the perfect moment.
Quick facts for the unfamiliar:
- Kefalonia (also spelled Cephalonia) is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece.
- Known for: turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, underground caves, and the warmest locals you could hope to meet.
- You may recognise it from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which was filmed here — especially around the town of Sami.
Where we stayed
- Village: Agia Efimia
- Accommodation: Garden Villas — cozy, quiet, and perfectly placed.
Agia Efimia is one of those sweet little harbour towns where you can stroll to the bakery, say hello to the same people every morning, and eat the freshest food in a different family-run restaurant every night. Utterly charming and not overly touristy.
Getting there & getting around
- We flew direct from London Gatwick to Kefalonia. Super easy. And our contact at Garden Villas arranged a taxi to pick us up.
- Once on the island, we kept it spontaneous and hired a car mid-week from a local rental place. No pre-booking, just a friendly chat and keys in hand.
Driving tips:
- Roads are decent but occasionally cliff-hugging with no barriers. Pack your courage and definitely skip the ouzo after dinner!
- Four days with a car was the sweet spot — long enough to explore without feeling rushed.
What we did (a mix of chill and thrill)
There is so much to do in Kefalonia (even with a bump!).
Beaches we loved
- Fteri Beach – Hidden gem alert! You can only get there by boat — we found a guy on WhatsApp who sorted the water taxi (as you do). It’s hands-down the clearest water I’ve ever seen. Absolute paradise. There aren’t any facilities on the beach (no cafés or toilets) so make sure you pack a picnic and enough water. When you arrive in Zola (where you catch the water taxi), you’ll be asked what time you want to come back. If memory serves, they leave on the hour so you can be on the beach for however long you like. Found their website here if you fancy a sneak peak – and yes, it’s as chill as the beach itself.
- Myrtos Beach – The poster child of Kefalonia. Think epic cliffs and blindingly blue water. Definitely worth a stop. We spent a few hours soaking up the sun one day (do be warned that there is a dip from the sand to the water… we saw a few people struggling to get out!), and then went back for a stunning sunset another day. The road down is windy and has a few ‘breathe in and hope for the best’ moments, but it’s 100% worth it.
- Antisamos Beach – Cool beach club vibes, comfy loungers, phone-in service for food and drinks. Slightly party-ish, but still laid back. There are also a load of restaurants where you can sit in/out just before the sand, in case you don’t want to eat on the beach itself. We did both because… eating for two!
Best day ever: boat hire in Fiskardo
We rented a boat for the day in Fiskardo and cruised along the coast like a couple of Greek island pros. Found secret beaches, swam off the boat, and felt like we’d achieved our peak coolness. They give you a map of the nearby islands (which looked more like modern art to me), but we enjoyed winging it and it worked out perfectly. Apart from the almost-lost GoPro, and the not-so-graceful moment I had trying (and failing) to haul myself back onto the boat in the middle of the sea (imagine a seal attempting to climb onto a rock that’s slightly too high… yep, you get the picture)! Highly recommend.
Caves + natural wonders
- Melissani Cave – A magical underground lake. You hop in a small rowboat and glide through the clear water under a collapsed cave roof where light beams in. Pure magic. We arrived just before 11:30AM and got straight on. When we came off our boat, the queue was snaking its way back to the car park. For the best views (the sun hits the cave roof perfectly and the water looks a bright cyan colour), it’s recommended to visit between 12 and 1pm — which definitely explained that queue. Apparently there used to be a viewing platform from above which I imagine was spectacular, but it seems a tourist jumped in and so now that part’s closed.
- Drogarati Cave – More of a walking tour through an ancient cave full of massive stalactites. Eerie and stunning in equal measure. We pretty much had this one to ourselves as it’s less instagrammable than Melissani, but we loved it.
- You can grab a dual ticket to visit both — worth it in my opinion!
Cute towns to explore
- Assos – Like a painting come to life. Bright houses, a hilltop castle, and coastal views that pull you in time and again. We visited during the day and then came back another time for dinner in one of the beautiful restaurants and to catch sunset.
- Fiskardo – Northern Kefalonia’s beautiful harbour town. Pastel buildings, bobbing yachts, and a seriously photogenic vibe. This is where we hired our boat from and we just turned up to see what was available on the day.
- Sami – Film buffs will spot this as Captain Corelli’s stomping ground. Lovely beach and a very Greek-meets-Hollywood feel.
The trip took a turn (because it’s me)
On our final night, a full-blown thunderstorm lit up the sky like something out of Mamma Mia: The Apocalypse.
The next morning, I gracefully (read: clumsily) slipped on some gravel, landing flat on my knee. The bump was fine (thankfully), but I spent the rest of my pregnancy on crutches. I guess we can’t really hold that against Kefalonia though… but I definitely recommend wearing sturdy shoes if it’s rained — the ground just isn’t built for soggy drama like it is back home in England.
Would I recommend Kefalonia for a babymoon?
YES. With bells on.
Kefalonia is not only bump-friendly — it’s one of the most laid-back, family-friendly Greek islands we’ve been to.
It gave us serenity when we needed it, a splash of adventure when we craved it, and some seriously delicious moussaka (Mr Rick made sure he tried it in most restaurants as everyone makes it slightly differently). It was the perfect mix of rest and romance — exactly what a babymoon should be.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat.
Only next time, I might pack knee pads.
Quick tips for your own Kefalonia babymoon
- Best time to go: May–September (we went in early June — glorious!)
- How long to stay: 5–7 days is a lovely pace
- Must-pack items: Reef shoes, maternity swimwear, a Kindle, and suncream
- Car hire tip: Local companies are super friendly — no need to overplan
- Foodie musts: Fresh fish, Kefalonian moussaka, anything with feta cheese
Planning your own babymoon — or just craving a sun-drenched escape? Let me know in the comments!
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