Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Greece / Ionian Islands / Corfu
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| | | | A peaceful holiday
We visited Aghios Gordios, on the west side of Corfu island. It was a beautiful village with a gorgeous beach and really friendly people. Not much nightlife which was great for us.
When we went back to Corfu the following year we visited the people of Aghios Gordios who all remembered us from the previous year and even asked us to just call them to book in for this year.
There is plenty of places to eat and the food at the Sea Breeze is out of this world.
Would strongly reccommend this part of the island if you are looking for a peaceful holiday with value for money.
Travel Guide: Corfu
As lively as you want it
My boyfriend and I went to Sidari in July 2002 and it was the best holiday ever!
There is so much to do in this particular resort, it can be as lively as you want it to be.
We went out on excursions every day and visited so many different places on the island. It was all really cheap to do and was well worth it. There were also fully air conditioned coaches which was great!
We had beautiful weather for the whole week we were there and our hotel was perfect. We stayed in Hotel Astoria which was very central and even better...literally on the beach.
Sidari has a range of watersport activities which we definitely tried out.
The nightlife there is good and really friendly. The main street is bar after bar after shop after restaurant, so there's plenty of variety to eat and drink. It is suitable for anyone - couples, singles and families.
Corfu town itself is a lovely town, lots of old fashioned buildings, nice scenery and plenty of shops.
All in all I don't think we could have asked for a better holiday and would recommend Sidari to anyone. We will certainly go back there again.
Travel Guide: Corfu
So good I sent my parents
I went on holiday to Kavos in 1996 and returned back in 1997 for two weeks of fun. I had a great time, and with so many bars, the nights never end.
We did some trips and saw some fab beaches. Paxos was so Greek, it seemed unspoilt.
I recently sent my parents on a last minute getaway to Kavos. They said it was too loud for them and said how much it had changed.
They managed to find a quiter spot and some quieter bars and they enjoyed it.
Travel Guide: Corfu
Family holidays in Greece
From the Daily Mail
When it comes to holidays, Greece offers the best of finds and - if you are not careful - the worst, too.
What it does well, it does brilliantly: small, attractive seaside villages which have slowly developed into charming resorts with simple accommodation and cheap, reliable tavernas. The people are hospitable, generous and friendly, the atmosphere relaxed, safe and perfect for escaping the stresses of life back home.
What it does less well are the bigger, brasher family resorts. Too often they are scruffy and tired-looking, with bumpy roads, narrow, crowded beaches and ageing hotels. In short, they are desperately lacking in the kind of investment that countries such as Spain have poured into tourism. There are some great exceptions, however, and to help you plan the perfect family holiday this summer, here is our guide to finding them.
So where should you go to find the best of Greece in 2001? According to many tour operators, the 'in' destination for 2001 will be Kefalonia - still riding a wave of popularity stemming from the novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin, which was set on the island. There is no doubt that this stunning Ionian island merits the interest - it has great beaches, attractive villages and towns (though many in the south of the island had to be re-built after earthquake damage).
Luckily it is big and mountainous enough to absorb the influx of curious holidaymakers. Even so, if you want to visit, you might consider avoiding the August peak and choosing a quieter time of year. June or September should be perfect.
Other newly emerging destinations are the islands of Ikaria and Patmos in the eastern Aegean. Both are probably a little too quiet for all but the most escapist of families, though there are some good beaches - especially on the north coast of Ikaria. If you prefer to stick to the more tried and tested destinations, here's my selection for summer:
For fun in the sun, my pick would be not a specific resort but a type of holiday, in this case - a sailing club holiday, of which there are several in Greece, offering an excellent mix of children's clubs, sailing and watersports. As a way of occupying (and exhausting) the children while you either relax or try some sailing yourself, they are the epitome of a well-organised, well-thought out package holiday.
If you don't like the thought of organised activities, the north-east coast of Corfu is another excellent option - especially if you prefer somewhere relatively quiet but have teenage children who want to be near some nightlife.
At several points along this stretch of the coast there are small clutches of villas dotted around the hillsides above the sea. Most are just a short drive from Kassiopi, the biggest and most attractive resort on this part of the island and great fun in the evenings.Among the string of small resorts just south of Kassiopi, those that stand out are Kaminaki, which is tiny but very attractive, and Agios Stephanos (sometimes called San Stephano), one of the prettiest, although it has a very small beach.
Corfu has some other good, lively alternatives, especially on the west coast at Agios Gordios, which has a big sandy beach, and Glyfada, a little quieter but also with a good beach. Other islands with a successful mix of nightlife and good beaches are Naxos, Skiathos and Paros.
Travel Guide: Corfu
By far the prettiest resort
It's by far the prettiest resort I've been to for years. Warm weather, lush, green scenery and the impressive Cypress trees.
We found the people very friendly. Loved the quiet walks into little villages. We also enjoyed strolling around the shops of Corfu Town and bought lots of interesting jewellery there.
The best holiday I've had for ages. I would recommend it to anyone. No lager louts around, thank goodness.
Travel Guide: Corfu
Sleepy isle where life can be so wild
From the Daily Mail
Finding the Strawberry Pink Villa took for ever, but it was worth it. Leaving the busy coast road near Corfu Town, I headed inland, climbing through olive groves into the elegant suburb of Perama.
The house was hidden behind an overgrown garden. In five minutes I'd swopped noise and pollution for leafy green peace - and entered a world unchanged since the Durrell family lived here in the Thirties.
This is the Corfu immortalised by Gerald Durrell in his book My Family And Other Animals.The Durrells lived on the island from 1935 to 1939: the villa was their first home. There are still people on Corfu who remember Britain's best-known family of expats, who led a comically adventurous, lotus-eating life in what was then an unknown Mediterranean backwater.
Following in the Durrells' footsteps is less a matter of tracking down particular sights than entering into the spirit of Corfu. Walking is a better idea than driving. An appreciation of nature and a sense of humour are musts, as is the ability to swim. Optional extras include a huge appetite and the ability to knock back several glasses of retsina without falling over.
Corfu is different from the rest of Greece. This sickle-shaped island has been colonised by a succession of rulers. The Venetians built fortresses above Corfu Town and planted the olive trees. The French added grand public buildings and an esplanade modelled on the Rue de Rivoli.
The British chipped in with a cricket pitch, still in use. The Greeks, in turn, have brought volatility and a love of life (plus a seemingly equal love of chaos) to an already loopy mishmash of cultures. It was Durrell who noted that life on Corfu was occasionally similar to a comic opera. But he also described the island as a garden, and - despite some overbuilding along the coast - so it remains.
Walking in the interior takes you through scenes that haven't changed for centuries. In the hills north of Barbati, one of Durrell's favourite haunts, an ancient donkey trail winds its way upwards into a landscape of deep green hills, crisscrossed by valleys lined with cypresses. The mountain village of Episkepsis might never have seen a foreign visitor.
Travel Guide: Corfu
Making a getaway
My husband David and I weren't too sure about the late deal our travel agent turned up. Wasn't Corfu full of lager louts and hotels overrun by kids? Thankfully, the answer is no.
Yes, there are areas to avoid if you want a quiet life (like Benitses) and yes, the idyllic island described by Gerald Durrell has become over-commercialised, but it still has some lovely spots - Paleokastritsa is one of them.
Corfu Town is an interesting place, with its esplanade where we watched cricket and had coffee in the elegant Parisian-style arcade, which is lit up with lovely old lanterns by night. An easy place to spend a day.
We went in September when the season's winding down and is more pleasant. Hiring a car, we explored the north and west coasts. Every now and again we hit a pocket of mass tourism, but simply jumped back in the car. Heading away from the coast is also a good plan - in the island's interior Mt Pantokrator can be found among some more traditional mountain villages.
Travel Guide: Corfu
Lovely sand beaches and friendly locals
I have just come back from a holiday in Arillas, Corfu and all I can say is that it was the best holiday that I have had.
It was warm with lovely, sandy beaches. Everyone was friendly and the accommodation was really good.
I will definitely be flying out to Corfu again for my next holiday. It was absolutely wonderful.
Travel Guide: Corfu
Great family beaches
We have visted Corfu twice now and it is definitely our favorite destination. We went to Sidari on a last minute booking and it was better than our honeymoon.
But even better is Corfu's best kept secret Arillas. It's not very touristy but has lots of self catering apartments and wonderful people.
We were treated like family at the Hotel Marina and at the accompanying restaurant. Our 18 month old daughter was treated like a daughter and every morning we had free range eggs from their hens and fresh oranges from their tree. When we left , they bought presents for all the kids.
There was a long shallow beach so you can relax with the kids. It was the perfect holiday. We wouldn't dream of going anywhere else and our saving hard for next year.
Travel Guide: Corfu
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| | | | Ideal for families
For a family break with younger children where all you are looking for is peace and quiet, good local food and a beach, Paxos, just to the south of Corfu, is an excellent choice.
It's a small island (just seven miles long) of olive groves and pine woods with a handful of little ports and villages to enjoy and explore.
If even that sounds too busy, its tiny neighbour Antipaxos has a population of about 30 people, a few holiday houses and some lovely beaches.
Other good islands for quiet family holidays include Lemnos, Skopelos and Alonissos.Rural Greece is much neglected by holidaymakers - as a result they are missing out on some wonderful scenery and sights.
One of the best holidays of my life was a tour of the Peleponnese where we found some excellent empty beaches, glorious mountain landscapes and fascinating ancient sites.
It's true that this is not the sort of holiday for families who like nothing but sun, sea and sand. But if you like to get out and about, and enjoy being flexible - perhaps stopping for a few days by a beach, before spending a couple of days in the hills - then it's hard to beat.
As well as the Peleponnese, I recommend Crete. Last year I had a week in a quiet hill village but we were only 20 minutes from the beach. We felt part of the village, and had great fun exploring the vineyards, olive groves and local sights. Almost anywhere in the interior of the island is worth considering - though do check how far you will have to drive to get to the coast.
A warm welcome
Not a souvenir shop or tourist menu in sight. I arrived in the plateia, watched by a few curious locals, one of whom filled a bottle with water from a spring and passed it to me.
I fielded a few typically Greek questions - how much did I earn, was I married, how many children did I have - before setting off again, refreshed.
And just as Durrell encountered many colourful characters on his rambles so, on a high ridge, I ran into the local beekeeper. He seemed pleased to see me, waving me on with a gap-toothed salute.
Time was when visitors to Corfu insisted on being by the sea. Wise ones, like the locals before them, have forsaken the high temperatures and overcrowding of the coast for the cool, quiet interior.
My base was a rented villa near Kalami, tucked away in the olive groves with a terrace looking over the bay to the mainland. Kyria Eleni, the owner's black-clad granny, arrived on my first morning bearing a litre of olive oil and some cheese. This gesture of welcome was a reminder that the Greek word for 'foreigner' is the same as 'guest'.
She chattered in lopsided English, while I tried even more lopsided Greek. Goodwill is more important than grammar in this situation. We shared a cup of coffee in contented silence.
Off in the distance, fishing boats trailing delicate wakes crisscrossed the pale blue bay. Kyria Eleni pointed a bony finger out at the view and smiled. 'Poli orea,' she said. Yes, indeed. Very beautiful.
To see Corfu at its best, you need to get out on the water. Skimming over the waves in a rented boat, I headed towards tiny bays that reached out towards seaborne arrivals like an encircling arm.
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| | | | The lotus eaters
At Kalami there was another Durrell connection. Here, just as it was 60 years ago, was the White House - once the home of Gerald's brother Larry and now a holiday villa available to rent through a British travel company. Nosing down the coast from bay to bay, I stumbled across the Shrine of St Arsenius.
From a platform of flat, slab-like rocks, I dived into a crystal-clear pool, with the tiny, white shrine standing guard above, and no sound but the lapping of water and the whirring of cicadas. Time for lunch at Agni. Three tavernas sit in a deserted cove, the oldest dating from 1879. You tie up your boat at the jetty and find a table at the water's edge.
At Toula's, the middle taverna, the house speciality is fresh prawn pilaff. But it's best in Corfu to order as the locals do and ask for ligo apoola - a bit of everything. This means little plates of mussels, marinated anchovies, peppers stuffed with feta cheese, grilled squid, salad . . . it takes copious amounts of chilled retsina to wash down.
Afterwards, feeling like a wine cask on legs, I staggered off into the shade, clutching one of Toula's free sunloungers for a siesta. Bliss.
It's easy to see why the Durrells fell in love with Corfu: with its crystal light, blue water and noisy, friendly people. The family left the island just before the outbreak of war.
What is best about Corfu has not changed. At sunset, in a cafe high above the peninsula of Kanoni, I looked across the sea to the Strawberry Pink Villa. Durrell's 'chessboard fields', marshlands rich with wildlife, glittered in the silvery evening light. It was easy to picture a young British boy there, rambling without a care in the world. 'If I could give a child a gift, I'd give him my childhood,' said Durrell before his death in 1995.
The rest of us might not be so lucky, but we can go to Corfu and sample the Durrells' lotus-eating life, if only for a while.
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| | Destination Guide : Corfu |
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| | | Beautiful Greek island |  | Why go on holiday to Corfu?
With its beguiling landscape of vibrant wildflowers and slender cypress trees rising out of shimmering olive groves, Corfu is an extremely picturesque Greek island.
Do expect to see a lot of development especially on the eastern side of the island - this will be a plus if you're looking for resort nightlife and hotel kiddies' clubs. Corfu is also a good jumping-off point to visit other Ionian islands.
How much does it cost?
Self catering packages start from around £250 for a week in May to more than double that in the peak season. Those brave enough can hang on for a late deal, which if you're lucky can be had for as little as £150. Flights only can start as low as £100 return to Athens, around £200 to island destinations.
When should I go?
August is the hottest and most expensive. The season runs from May to October with less heat and so less cost at the beginning and end.
July-August average temp: 32C (90F) but can rise to 40C (105F). Winters are mild, December -January average temp: 15C (60F), so a winter break will be warmer than UK but not swimming and sunning weather.
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| | | See a Loggerhead turtle |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Yachting (or if you don't have one try island-hopping by ferry), windsurfing, snorkelling and diving, trekking and walking, and all the usual sun'n'sand beach activities. As a general rule for a quiet time stay in the west of Corfu; for a non-stop party head east, even though the beaches aren't as good.
Take sightseeing trips to Corfu Town and the less-developed western villages. Go by boat to swim off deserted coves only accessible by sea.
What's to see in Corfu Town?
Corfu Town is a surprisingly lively and charming place. Make for the Campiello or old town. It has a fort, a cricket green and numerous shops (which tend to close in the afternoon), bars and restaurants around the Liston and Spianada.
There is a strong Italian flavour with beautiful Venetian architecture. Visit the Archaeological Museum with wonderful classical sculpture - including the famous gorgon Medusa, and the Byzantine Museum which has an outstanding icon collection.
Also worth seeing is the mummified body of Corfu's patron, St Spyridon, in the eponymous 16th-century church. The Corfu festival of dance and music is held in August and September.
And outside Corfu Town?
Tired of your resort beach? Then try these days out: a visit to the Vido - a large wooded island which is a privately-run bird sanctuary and picnic spot. Go by boat from the old port.
Spend a day wandering on the Kanoni Peninsula, 5km south of Corfu Town, which is scattered with ancient ruins. Visit Nisaki and Agni on the north-east coast set in beautiful scenery.
South of Corfu Town is the Ahillion Palace near the village of Gastouri - it's a pretty confused piece of ornate architecture but it sits in gorgeous gardens packed with rather kitsch statues of Greek mythological heroes.
Where's best for adventurous types?
Windsurfers and nature lovers should head for Lake Korission and Issos beach respectively.
Issos has the best windsurfing but its long sandy beach is a nesting site for endangered (and legally protected) loggerhead turtles, so do not go near it at night.
Agios Georgios is the haven for watersports enthusiasts. The isolated Diapondia islands, by ferry from Sidhari, Corfu Town and Agios Stefanos, will make a nice change from rather overdeveloped Corfu.
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| | | Family friendly | | Where's good for nightlife?
Most resort towns are packed with nightlife opportunities with watering holes, tavernas, clubs and discos.
Corfu Town's disco strip is 2km from the new port. The Hippodrome has even got a pool, Apokalypsis and Coco Club are brash and pricey.
For those who would rather not visit club-land, the English-language monthly magazine The Corfiot has listings of concerts, exhibitions and traditional festivals.
What's the food like?
As the Turks never occupied Corfu, the cuisine has its own very distinct flavours.
Indulge in island specialities like sofrito (veal with garlic, vinegar and parsley), pastitsada (beef with macaroni, cloves, garlic, tomatoes and cheese) or burdeto (fish with paprika and cayenne).
All Greek favourites are also present; meze with fresh fish/octopus can be fantastic.
Retsina is not the only wine - try Kefallonian whites, Corfu's own Kakotrygis whites and Petrokorythos reds. Mythos is the only local beer, and ouzo is an anise-flavoured spirit that needs to be diluted with water to drink.
What should I buy?
Take home some of the superb, locally-produced honey and olive oil. Look out for olive wood salad bowls, ornaments and toys that can be found in Corfu. The wood has a lovely greenish sheen and will be from the hillside groves so these are prized objects.
All over Greece ceramics are a good buy and Corfu is no exception. You can still buy traditionally-made lace and embroidered linens - if genuine these are very labour intensive so don't expect them to be cheap.
Tagari woven wool bags make cheaper presents - they were so fashionable in the '70s that perhaps they're due for a revival.
What is there for children to do?
Most resort hotels have good facilities including children's pools and playgrounds, cots, highchairs, etc - but you must check with your tour operator/hotel. Most resorts are family-friendly, and Greek restaurants are welcoming towards children.
Tourist office
Hellenic Tourism Organisation, 4 Conduit Street, London W1S 2DJ. Tel. 020 7495 9300.
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| | Fact File : Corfu |
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| | | Corfu | | Did you know?
Small pieces of blue glass resembling eyes, worn round necks, are to ward off the evil eye - an ancient belief linked to the worship of the sea.
Language
Greek, Italian spoken by older inhabitants, English for most tourist activities.
Visas
None required for UK citizens on a visit of less than three months.
Getting there
Flights from Glasgow, Manchester, Stansted, Gatwick, East Midlands, Newcastle, Cardiff, Bristol or Luton direct to Corfu. You can also fly to Athens and take a train to the ferry at Patras or one of three daily internal flights. From Patras you can get ferries to most of the Ionian islands.
Flying time from London
Three hours 10 minutes.
Getting around
KTEL bus services are useful to get from towns to resorts and beaches. Although regular, they are not frequent nor do they go to out-of-the-way places. Local buses also serve Corfu town and surrounds. Hire cars and mopeds are ideal as it's a small island but remember the road fatality rate is the highest in Europe. Greece recognises all national driving licenses.
Currency
Euro
Costs
Litre of petrol 50p, moderately-priced restaurant meal for two with wine £20, 24-exposure camera film £2.50, bottle of beer £1 and four-mile taxi ride about £3. All prices will vary.
Weather
The season runs from May to October with less heat - and so less cost - at the beginning and end periods. July-Aug average temp: 32C(90F) but can rise to 40C(105F). Winters are mild, with Dec-Jan average temp 15C(60F).
Time difference
Three hours ahead of GMT in summer, two hours in winter.
International dialling code from the UK
00 30 661
Voltage
220V 50Hz, standard continental plug shapes. UK appliances will need adaptors.
Opening hours
Banks, 8am-2pm Mon-Thurs, 8am-1.30pm Fri. Post offices, 7.30am-2pm Mon-Fri. Summer shop hours, 8am-1.30pm and 5.30pm-8.30pm Tues, Thurs, Fri and 8am-2.30pm Mon, Wed and Sat. But many are open all day in big resorts.
Health - Before you go
No vaccinations are required to enter Greece. But recommended routine jabs are tetanus, diptheria, polio, and hepatitis (for package tours it is probably not necessary). The UK does have a reciprocal health care agreement with Greece - to use this you need an EHIC form from the UK Department of Health.
Health - When you are there
Rabies is uncommon but present in Greece, don't go cuddling any animals you see by the roadside - if bitten or licked on broken skin seek medical advice. To use the health agreement you need to visit an IKA office with an E111 from the UK. Even using the IKA scheme there are some charges, you may find it simpler to just buy adequate travel insurance.
Warnings
Be wary of sea urchins when swimming (they look like suspiciously regular black holes in the rock until you stand on them). Do not zoom round like the locals without a helmet when on motorbikes/mopeds - you don't know the roads like they do.
Emergency
Corfu General Hospital Tel: 45 811. Police - contact the "tourist police" through your hotel/local tourist office for visitor-based issues such as rip-offs or even regular theft as they will act as intermediaries with the regular police. British Embassy in Athens: Ploutarhou 1, Athens 106 75. Tel: 723 6211. British Consulate in Corfu Town: 0661-30 055 Menekratou 1.
Customs
Toilets are usually western-style, but some are still squatting-style, and neither will flush away loo paper - put it in the bin. Greece is quite a traditional country so tone down your dress or your un-dress in non-resort areas. Nudity is not tolerated.
Pets
Greece is a qualifying country for the Pet Travel Scheme but check with your vet for details.
Tipping
Service is included on restaurant bills, but it is customary to leave a small tip. The same holds for taxis, unless you feel brave enough to haggle.
Tourist office
Hellenic Tourism Organisation, 4 Conduit Street, London, W1R 0DJ. Tel. 020 7495 9300.
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| | Available rental properties in Corfu |
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| |  | | VILLA ANEMONE
A luxurious spacious villa (250m2) with panoramic sea views in the cosmopolitan island of Corfu. Very peaceful, surrounded by two acres of land.
|  | | villa eleni
villa for 4 person self catering with a lovely private garden 100 m from the sea
|  | | villa eleni 2
lovely villa near the beach set in a garden of 4000m2
|  | | evis loft
a great loft in acharavi 100m from the beach
|  | | Ipsia Apartments
Beach holidays at Ipsia Apartments. Set in a stunning scenery close to the center of Paleokastritsa away from noises. All rooms have view to the sea.
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Holiday Rentals in Corfu |
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