Kimilia beach

You’ve dreamt about this beach. It’s close to perfect. But if you want it, you’re going to have to work for it. Your journey will begin in Fiscardo, at the northern tip of Cephalonia, the Greek island frozen in time by Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

If you head one street back from the blue harbourfront in this pretty Venetian-style village of traditional pastel houses, now home to the bars and restaurants that power Fiscardo’s economy, you’ll come to Ellie Tselenti’s bakery.

Ellie gets up at 5am every day to make the sourdough bread, Cephalonian meat pie and baklava you’ll need for your picnic. Her family has been here for generations and its recipes have changed little. Pick up some feta (every village’s is different), olives and salad a few doors down and you are good to go.

Thesundaytimes.co.uk