This is exactly the holiday we're doing in June - one week in Kioni, 2nd week in Assos. I'd also looked at going independantl but ended up booking with http://www.ionianislandholidays.com/ - they are not particularly cheap but they do private boat transfers between the islands, include car hire with some of the properties (we have one in Assos) and as an early booking offer we got 3 days free boat hire on Ithaca.

I found it difficult to get definate information on the ferries but I got the impression that there were 2 main ferries a day and that most of the tour operators flights missed the early one and had to wait until the late night one - which sounded like a hassle to me. I also didn't fancy having to catch a ferry to get a flight, which could lead to problems in bad weather or more hanging around. I think there are possibly more smaller boats that the tour companies don't book on but I could get any definate information on this.

If you are not going until 2008, I should be able to supply some better information after my visit.

When we went to Kefalonia a couple of years ago I did look at doing DIY as we wanted to stay in Agia Efimia but ended up going with Olympic as DIY was twice the cost.

I loved Kefalonia - we hired a car and got out and about and we visited Assos, which was lovely. The island has so much to offer. Infact, I've just booked up to go for a week this summer on my own whilst my hubby is off on his annual mountain biking holiday and I can't say I'd feel comfortable goining it alone to a lot of places.

Hope you get sorted.

Two very useful replies thanks.
I must admit it seems a complicated process to DIY so I'll look at the other options.
Look forward to hearing your views when you return MariaH