The Twelve Months:  Corfu is the greenest of the islands.  It has a higher average rainfall than the rest of Greece, with the highest monthly rainfall being in December.  The summer months are almost entirely dry.  During the tourist season between the months of May and October the average daily sunshine is 10 hours, lessening towards the end of the season, with an average temperature in July/August of about 32C.  This is the hottest time of the year and the temperatures have been known to go up to 38C-40C and above. 

The latter part of September is the start of the rainy season, bringing welcome relief from the intense heat of the summer.  October can bring a mix of warm sunshine, showers and spectacular storms but tourists and locals alike continue to go to the beach on good days. 

November and December can be very wet and chilly and the resorts close down, apart from a few bars and restaurants which remain open for the winter. 

During January and February mornings are often cold enough to bring a cover of frost and occasionally snow, during which time the view across to Albania is stunning, with its snow-capped mountains.  Mount Pantokrator and the villages below sometimes have a coating of snow too, which entices many families out to build snowmen.  If you happen to be here at this time of the year it is a pleasure to wrap up warm and go walking. 

From March to April, sunny spring days bring a hint of the heat to come.  The mornings can be chilly but by mid-morning it can often be warm enough to sit outside without jackets.  This time of the year it can be showery but very warm when the sun comes out. 

May and June are two of the nicest months of the year, the early part of the summer season before the heat really begins to take hold.  May can occasionally be showery but warm enough to swim or sunbathe on good days.  June is often very hot during the day and the evenings also start to warm up.  The flowers are bright and fresh and the countryside is still very green.

The population of Corfu is about 110,000 and over a third of the population live in the capital, Corfu Town. The Corfiot people themselves are some of the kindest and generous that you could wish to meet. They are very welcoming of the visitor and if you stumble across a tiny taverna in the mountains it is highly likely that you will be invited into the kitchen to discover what is on the menu for the day.

Much of the population is involved in tourism in one way or another.  Many businesses, such as bars or restaurants are family run and all members of the family are involved in the running of the business.  This often includes extended members of the family such as cousins or inlaws. 

The way of life here is much more laid back than in the UK, but during the rise of cheap package tourism in the 1970’s and 80’s it gained a reputation as a “party island”.  Although this was generally restricted to a few enclaves, over the years most of those have mellowed considerably and Corfu now has a much quieter, up-market feel. It has become a perfect holiday location for people with families of all ages and has much to offer.

An estimated third of the working population is somehow involved in tourism. Around 55% of the land has olive trees, of which there are around 3.5 million. The rest of the cultivated areas are used for vineyards, vegetables and grazing. There are more olive trees here than tourists, of which there are almost 1 million annually.

In the past many local people earned a living from olive oil production and back then that was their only income. Today, however, many of the same people and their families rely on tourism as well. The olive season lasts from the beginning of November and carries on into the spring.

The spectacular scenery, sunny beaches and charming capital have enchanted millions of visitors over the years, including writers and artists over the centuries. Many eminent foreigners, from the Rothschild family who have a beautiful private estate on the island  to the Empress of Austria have visited the island and several members of the Royal family have spent holidays here as well as many celebrities, who are assured tranquility and relaxation.

It is a well-known fact that Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was born here in 1921 at the elegant villa of Mon Repos, built on the Kanoni peninsula just near Corfu Town.

During the 1930's the Durrell family came to live in Corfu for a few years during Gerald Durrell's childhood.  Corfu was later immortalised in the famous book by Gerald, 'My Family and Other Animals'.  In recent years a television series was made about this story and much of it was filmed along these unspoilt shores.   The White House in Kalami was where Gerald's brother Lawrence Durrell lived for a time and wrote his book 'Prospero's Cell'.     

On a visit to the island in the 1860s the beautiful Empress Elizabeth of Austria fell in love with this part of Corfu and after much unhappiness and the tragedy of losing her only son, she returned to Corfu and purchased the land to build the Achillion Palace in 1890. The building is a mixture of different styles of classical architecture and was designed by two Italian architects. The idea was conceived by the Empress as a tribute to her spiritual hero Achilles. The building was filled with statues, paintings and 19th century furnishings.

Over half of the island’s holiday visitors are British and come here on holiday during the summer season which lasts from around the beginning of May to the end of October. In recent years there has been a big rise in the number of people visiting during the autumn and winter months, mainly due to the fact that many of these people have had villas built and continue to have holidays here out of season.

In the past most villages closed up their tavernas and cafes for the winter and most people went to Corfu town for their amusement, however, now with the growing number of winter visitors many of these places remain open all year round.

The beautiful island of Corfu, or Kerkyra, is situated just off the northwest coast of mainland Greece. The closest Greek Island to Italy, it is one of the seven Ionian Islands. Corfu’s acknowledged history begins in 734 B.C, when the Corinthians established a colony called Corcyra in an area south of what is now Corfu Town, called Paleopolis (Old City). Archaeological digs have turned up evidence of this and the famous 6th century B.C. Gorgon pediment from the Temple of Artemis, now housed in the Archaeological Museum, is the single most important surviving artefact of classical Corcyra.

Geographically speaking, Kerkyra was the ideal stepping stone between the main lands of Europe, thus it became prone to invasion. Corfu’s safe harbours, fertile soil and strategic position between the Adriatic and Ionian seas made it a prize worth contesting by the many powers fighting for control of the region. After changing hands on several occasions, the island fell to Roman forces and formed part of the eastern empire of Rome. As Turkish rule spread throughout Greece during the 16th and 18th Centuries, Kerkyra was able to withstand numerous attacks due to the fortification of the island. The Franko-Venetians ruled the island and put a stop to a number of invasions including a 6 year siege by the British who eventually made their stand on the island for 50 years, only to hand the island back over to Greece.

Only a few ruins remain today from the past, as Mussolini bombarded and occupied the island with the Germans. Apart from the brief occupation during the Second World War the island has remained Greek ever since. The first foreign visitors in the 1950’s renamed the island and Kerkyra became Corfu. To this day both names are still used.

The modern name of Corfu is said to derive from the Greek word Koryphai, which means ‘summit’ or ‘peak’, in reference to the hills of the Old Fortress of Corfu Town. The older name for the island, Corcyra, or Kerkyra as it is known in modern times, is said to be in honour of the mythological nymph, Kerkura, who was abducted by Poseidon and brought to the island. According to mythology, the Greek goddess of harvest, Dimtra is believed to have thrown her syckle into the Ionian Sea where it petrified, thus forming the syckle shaped island we know and love today, Corfu, or Kerkyra. Corcyra could also have been Gorgyra or Gorgo (the demonic Medusa) as she is depicted on the Gorgon pediment recovered from the remains of the Temple of Artemis, now housed in the Archaeological museum.

The religion in Corfu and all over the rest of Greece is Greek Orthodox.  There are churches in all of the villages on the island and each one is named after Greek Orthodox Saints.  Probably the most famous church on the island is the church of St. Spiridon, the Patron Saint of Corfu.  This church is situated in the centre of the town and its red-domed tower can be seen from many positions. 

St. Spiridon - The Patron Saint:  Spiridon was brought up as a shepherd on Cyprus.  He first became a monk, then a bishop and many minor miracles had been credited to him before his death in 350 AD.  When it was discovered that his remains had not decayed he was taken to Constantinople but was later smuggled out, along with the remains of St. Theodora, before the Turkish occupation of 1453.  Unceremoniously strapped to a donkey the remains arrived in Corfu in 1456.

This church is undoubtedly the most famous of all the island’s churches and houses the relics of this saint who is credited with saving the islanders from famine, various plagues, invasions and other disasters.  On special days of the calendar the mummified remains of St Spiridon are paraded around the town with much pomp and ceremony.  The actual casket containing his remains is exposed annually on St.Spiridon’s Day, which falls on the 12th December, at Easter and on 11th August.  In the church the casket is situated to the right of the altar, in a small chapel of its own.

The tall, red-domed church is like no other on the island and is a famous landmark of Corfu Town. You will find that most families in Corfu will have at least one family member called Spiros, named after the Patron Saint.  Visitors are welcome in most churches, however, as in all churches in Greece, it is important to be quiet and dressed respectfully.

Other Religions and Churches:  There is a small Catholic community and services are held at the beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral situated in the Town Hall Square in Corfu Town, quite close to the Esplanade.

There is also a little Anglican church, The Holy Trinity, in Corfu Town and English services are held on Sundays.  This church is very much involved in the local community and often holds little functions to raise money and awareness for good causes.  At Christmastime, Carol singing and other services are arranged.

In the old part of the Town there is a synagogue for the small Jewish population.

Greek Easter:  The most important festival of the Greek year is Easter. Church services are held throughout the week, called the Megali Evthomatha,  leading up to Easter Sunday.  One of the most important services is the ceremony of the Deposition of the Cross, which takes place in churches everywhere.  Funeral processions of the epitaph, adorned with flowers are conducted and everyone follows with lighted candles.

Easter Saturday night,  the stroke of midnight is a time of joy. At this time there is a fireworks display and people greet each other with shouts of “Christos Anesti” (Christ is risen). There is then a big procession of people up the main street, all carrying lighted candles which are taken home and a sign of the cross is made with the candle above the door as a token of good luck. 

Easter Sunday is celebrated with a huge feast of spit roasted lamb and much partying.  If Easter falls during May the weather is usually warm and sunny and families will lay their tables outside in the sunshine and watch the lambs cooking whilst enjoying ouzo and mezes. 

Carnival:  The big build up to Easter starts with the Carnival.  During the 3 weeks before the start of Lent, 6 weeks before Easter around February-March, carnivals take place around the island, the biggest one being in Corfu Town. The main carnival takes place on the Sunday before Lent.  It is a real fun atmosphere and every one of all ages dresses up in costumes. Fancy dress parties are held in all the villages.

Kathara Deftera:   Also known as Clean Monday in English, this is the first day of Lent and families celebrate by going on picnics, (weather permitting), eating lagana bread, taramosalata and octopus amongst other things.  During the period of Lent many Greek people do not eat meat or dairy products.  Some people are not so strict and will only follow the 'rules' on Wednesdays and Fridays.  However, may people will fast correctly during the last week of Lent. 

Pot-Throwing Custom:   If you are lucky enough to be in Corfu Town on Easter Saturday morning there is the remarkable custom of pot throwing. At 11am pots of all shapes and sizes, and some are huge earthenware types, are thrown from the high windows and balconies of the Liston area of Corfu Town to crash down onto the streets below. The windows from which the pots are thrown have large red flags draped from them.  Obviously, for safety reasons this is quite a controlled affair but it attracts a huge crowd of people and is fun to watch. This custom also takes place all around the island and is unique to Corfu.

Explanations for this custom range from it being a reference to Judas’s betrayal of Christ, to prehistoric rituals of pottery breaking at burials, to the joy of the Virgin Mary discovering Christ’s tomb to be empty and even that it derived from the Venetian custom of throwing out old goods at the turn of the seasons.

Christmas: Christmas is celebrated here but not in such a big way as Easter. There are lots of church services and the day is celebrated with a big feast of turkey and trimmings just like in the UK. Presents are generally given to children on New Year's Day instead of Christmas. People with names such as Christos and Christina celebrate their Name Day and they will often hold a big party and receive presents.

Panayiris:  Many of the villages hold festivals, locally called Panayiris, during the summer season. Many of them celebrate miracles that happened in days gone by. During these festivals there will be music and dancing and often lambs are roasted on spits. Everyone, locals and visitors alike are encouraged to join in.

During May, for example, there are festivals in Roda on 1st May, at Sidari, Gastouri and Benitses on the 4th May and in Kassiopi on the 8th May. This particular one celebrates the miraculous healing of a blind boy, called Stefanos, who had unjustly lost his sight for a crime he did not commit. After spending the night in the church of the Panayia Kassopitra his sight was restored. This is celebrated each year.

During June there are festivals held at Lakones and Kontokali among others. On the island of Paxos there is a yearly festival to celebrate St. Gaios at Gaios. July brings festivals at Lefkimmi, Avliotes, Agios Mattheos, Benitses and Ipsos. August 6th celebrates Saviour’s Day and there are pilgrimages to the monastery on the summit of Mount Pantokrator, which is the highest point on the island. The church here is from the 14th century. If you are able, it is well worth visiting as the views from the top are astonishing.

Weddings: It is still quite common here for a couple to get officially engaged before getting married. Traditionally it happens in two stages, the first one being where, in the presence of both families, the couple gives their word to each other. The second stage is more formal and involves more friends and family and there is more of a party mood. During this stage the actual wedding rings are exchanged and worn on the left hand. Often the bride-to-be will be showered with gifts of gold. Occasionally for the duration of the engagement period the future bride may even move into the groom’s family home.

A few days before the actual wedding takes place it is still traditional for a ceremony described as ‘making the bed’. Many of the wedding guests will be invited to this. It’s actually a kind of good luck wish to make the marriage prosperous and involves, traditionally, two young unmarried girls, (nowadays it seems all the women try to get involved and is a very merry affair), who make up the double bed in new white linen and lace. Then, all the people present throw money onto the bed. Finally a young male child is thrown onto the bed, again traditionally, in the hope that the first-born child is a boy. This ceremony is still carried out but nowadays most people generally wish for a healthy child, boy or girl. Some of the older generation does still wish for the firstborn to be a boy, but these days this is quite an old-fashioned view.

Occasionally, the couple to be married may organize hen and stag parties during the week before the wedding, or the evening before but this is not as traditional as it is in the UK.

What to expect at the Wedding:  Greek wedding ceremonies are fairly informal and very merry, the congregation stands up and often the church becomes noisy with people chattering.  The priest conducting the service may often tell everyone to be quiet but it's not usually long before the noise starts again.  The groom usually waits at the church entrance for the bride to arrive, often on foot with a band of musicians behind her playing traditional music.

During the ceremony all members of the congregation will be handed a little bag filled with rice and sugared almonds and after the priest has conducted the necessary formalities of the service such as the blessing of the rings and exchanging of the wedding crowns, the rice and almonds are thrown by everyone over the couple.  This basically signifies health, wealth and happiness to the couple.   An amusing part of the ceremony is at a crucial part of the service where the bride and groom have to be very quick to be the first to stamp on the other's toes, signifying which of them is going to be 'the head of the household'.

Weddings are generally held late afternoon or early evening and after the church service photographs are taken.  Usually at this point, the invited guests head off to the venue where the reception is to be held.  Again, this is very informal, there are no seating arrangements, only for the bride and groom and their immediate family and guests.  Tables will be laden with drinks and meze starters for everyone and it is usual for everyone to start eating and drinking as soon as they arrive, no need to wait for the bride and groom.  Often the bride and groom will be held up having photographs taken for a long while.  However, as soon as they arrive the music, usually a live band, will start up and everyone will be clapping and toasting the newlyweds.  A very noisy tapping of plates with knives indicates that the guests want the bride and groom to kiss and this will happen from time to time during the evening to much laughter.  A Greek wedding is a very happy affair. 

It is not usual for a couple to make a wedding list as they often do in the UK, but gifts are often delivered to the couple's home before the wedding.  Alternatively, as is most often the case, the guests will put money into an envelope and they will give it to a member of the family at the church. 

Baptisms: Children in Greece are mainly baptized during their first year. Traditionally the godparent is the person who was best man at the parents wedding, (the koumbaros), but nowadays that is rarely the case. It is usual for the parents to wait for someone to offer to be godparent rather than to ask the person they really want, but again times have changed slightly and, quite often the parents will decide who they want to be godparents and ask them first.

For the baptism ceremony it is the obligation of the godparent to buy all the necessary items required. These include a full set of clothing for the child, a gold cross, a large elaborate candle, soap for the priest to wash his hands afterwards, cotton wool, a small bottle of oil and a large piece of square, white material and a towel. These latter items are used to wrap the child in after it is lifted out of the font as the child is rubbed all over with the oil and completely immersed into the water three times. Part of the ceremony also includes cutting off three little bits of hair and afterwards the child is given to the mother to be dressed in its new clothes. The godparent will also pay for any other expenses incurred for the church ceremony.

Most Greek children are only called by their name after they have been christened and usually up until the ceremony, babies are referred to as ‘beba’, for a girl and ‘bebis’ for a boy. However, it is not uncommon nowadays for the parents to decide what their child will be called and start calling them by their name from birth. If the name becomes public knowledge but the parents still refer to the child as ‘bebis’ or ‘beba’, it is the done thing for others to follow suit until it becomes official at the baptism ceremony.

Occasionally, children are baptized when they are older, usually for no other reason than the families just haven’t got round to arranging things. Obviously, in these cases the children, (occasionally even adults), are called by their names, but when they do eventually get baptized the ceremony still requires complete immersion into the water. On these rare occasions another type of suitable receptacle is used, such as a large bowl to stand in, and the priest will pour the water over them. It is still traditional for the firstborn child to be called after the grandfather on the father’s side, this is why in some large families many of the children, cousins for example, have the same names. However times are changing and often the parents opt for another name of their choice and sometimes will use the grandfather’s name as a middle name.

St. Spiridon’s Day: To honour his miracles, of which he has reputedly saved the island from the plague, famine and the Turks, a major procession of the casket that contains his remains takes place on the 11th August. It is well worth visiting Corfu Town on this day.

15th August: This is a National Holiday to commemorate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. There are processions and festivals held throughout Greece. Anyone with the names Maria or Marios will celebrate their Name Day on this day and it is a big day for all.

21st May: This is a local holiday, the Ionian Day. It celebrates the Ionian Islands union with Greece, in 1864. It is also a Name Day for anyone called Kostas or Eleni.

Name Days:  Greeks are more likely to celebrate their Name Days rather than their birthdays as the Greek Orthodox religion observes Saint Days.  As a rule, guests do not wait to be invited to visit the person celebrating their Name Day, it is the done thing just to turn up, any time of the day or evening.  Many people organize a big 'trapezi', (table, dinner party) in the evening, there is usually lots of food and drink, no set time and you can stay as long as you like.  Guests would normally take a small gift.  Some of the most common Name Days are listed below:

Male.                              Female.                              Date. 

Vassilis                         Vassiliki                              1st January

Ioannis (Yannis)          Ioanna                                7th January

Alexios                           Alexia                                  17th March

Kostas/Eleni                 Konstandina/Eleni           21st May

Marios                            Maria                                  15th August

Alexandros                    Alexandra                          30th August

Dimitris                          Dimitra                               26th October

Fillipos                                -                                      14th November

Spiros                            Spiridoula                          6th December

Siesta:  Many local people enjoy their afternoon siesta, generally between the hours of 2 and 5, summer and winter. However, mainly this happens in the hot summer months when it is usually far too hot to do anything else. There are no real rules but generally things quieten down during those hours, bars will not have blaring music and even the childrens’ playgrounds will remain shut.

The main meal of the day in the Greek household is usually lunch, and often the family will siesta for a couple of hours afterwards in the coolness of their homes. Another reason many people have a siesta is that quite often they have jobs that require working all morning and evening and late into the night, so they really need that afternoon nap. A great many people that come back year after year find that they too enjoy an afternoon nap and adopt it as an essential part of their relaxing holiday. After all, there are many late evenings to enjoy…

Corfu is not just about its coastal, beach resorts and lively bars anymore. There is so much more to see. Times have changed and in an age where climate change is making the headlines on a daily basis and we know we have to be more careful about the risks of sunbathing, it is really worth making time for other things whilst you are here. It would be a shame to ignore the remote inland and mountain villages, the fabulous scenery and unspoilt rural areas, the wonderful Greek cuisine and a relaxed, different way of life.

Many people do come to Corfu to relax and spend the days swimming and sunbathing by pools and on beaches, but there are also a great many who also come that want to learn more about the island and the way of life here, and about its people and its history. Therefore it is true to say that Corfu has something for everyone.

Old Perithia and Mount Pantokrator:  The remote village of Old Perithea, set on the northern slopes of Mount Pantokrator, is named after one of the many churches surrounding the area. The name literally translates as ‘around God’ or ‘holy vicinity’. For many years Old Perithea was the capital of the Kassiopi province. Time has certainly turned things around as, around 740BC, coastal settlements were frequently invaded and forced the inhabitants to move to safer regions inland. Fast forward and the residents of this ghost town eventually left to find work in the richer, coastal areas. In recent years a couple of tavernas have sprung up between the crumbling, stone houses and churches and to sit and ponder the past is a most relaxing experience.

Old Perithea is an enchanting village. It was due to be used to film scenes for the Hollywood film “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, as it dates back to the time the book was set. It was a perfect spot as original villages in Kephalonia had been destroyed by earthquakes. However, disputes between the municipalities of Corfu prevented filming so the Hollywood team built a reconstruction in Kephalonia instead.

In spring, this valley is a perfect spot for naturalists who can enjoy watching many species of birds, butterflies and wildflowers. It is possible to reach the top of Mount Pantokrator via a path from Old Perithea. The climb will take at least an hour and it leads to the highest point on Corfu. The views from here are spectacular and on clear days there are stunning views of the island of Corfu from every direction. A monastery sits on the summit and there is a pilgrimage here every 6th August to celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Whilst out traveling you may well come upon other abandoned farmsteads and old villages, originally established by people looking for safe haven from repeated pirate raids on their coastal settlements. Ruins of old villages can be found in other hidden places on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator, such as Old Sinies and on the west side at Rou, where the beautiful old houses are currently being restored and brought back to life to be used as an up-market retreat from the stresses and strains of everyday life. 

A place worth visiting is Strinilas, one of the highest villages before the peak of Mount Pantokrator.  Taking the hairpin bends up towards this delightful little village you will eventually arrive at Strinilas' little square, shaded by a large elm tree.  An ideal stop for lunch as there are three tavernas to choose from.

On a clear day take a drive up to Porta, a little village with windy roads and maybe stop at the taverna at the top, called Panorama.  From here you can enjoy a traditional Greek meal and admire absolutely fabulous views of Corfu Town.

The Travel Corner has maps of the island and will advise you where to go if hiring a car.

You will not have to travel very far before seeing some beautiful scenery and there are plenty of lovely beaches to visit. There are around 100 beaches around Corfu and many have been awarded Blue Flags by the EU in recognition of cleanliness and beach facilities.  There is a real mix of pebble beaches and soft, sandy beaches all around the island. It is recommended that you wear some sort of footwear for the beach, mainly for your own comfort.

If you are searching for sandy beaches in the north of the island it is worth visiting Roda, Sidari and Acharavi. They are fairly large resorts with plenty of amenities. There is also a pretty little sandy cove at St. Spiridon. You will find cafes and restaurants along most of the beaches offering a wide choice of food and beverages all day long. Corfu boasts very clean and safe beaches, however, not all of them will have a lifeguard and it is always important to keep an eye on youngsters and weak swimmers. It is very easy to find more secluded beaches along the coast, especially if you hire a car or a boat.

The north east area of Corfu is mainly pebbly. Around Kassiopi, Avlaki and St. Stefanos the coastline is stunning and swimming can be done off flat rocks and shingly beaches. If you enjoy walking, follow the little tracks you come across around the Kassiopi area, along the coast, and you may be surprised to find other quieter beaches.  There are some water sports at Kassiopi and sailing in Avlaki. It is a great area for snorkeling.

On most of the beaches, umbrellas and sunbeds can be hired at a small cost.  Whether you prefer pebbly or sandy beaches, one thing all Corfu's beaches have in common is that they all boast crystal clear waters and no tides.

 Listed below are several beaches worth visiting in the vicinity of Kassiopi:

Kassiopi's Beaches:  Situated all round the headland of Kassiopi, below the ruins of the castle are several pebbly and shingly beaches with crystal clear, turquoise waters, all with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire.  Safe to swim, the beaches are called Kanoni, Bataria, Pipitos and Kalamionas.  You will find cafes and tavernas for all day refreshments and meals.  Approximately 15 minutes walk is the beach of Imerolia and its fine taverna.

Avlaki and Coyevinas:  For walkers, Avlaki is approximately half hour from Kassiopi, Coyevinas is about 15 minutes.  Just a few minutes by car, both beaches have a long stretch of white pebble beach and Avlaki has two tavernas, pedaloes, canoes and sailing facilities. Both areas are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.  For undisturbed peace and quiet, Coyevinas is a delight as there are just a scattering of villas along the beach, no tavernas or bars, just the water lapping over the pebbles. 

Kerasia:  Situated along the coastline between Ag. Stephanos and Kalami this long stretch of pebbly beach has just one taverna.  It is a perfect area of coast for swimming and is a very popular spot with locals who want to get away from it all at the weekends.  Only accessible by road from Ag. Stephanos or by boat.  

Kalami:  A large, horseshoe-shaped bay of white pebbles.  Boat hire, watersports and pedaloes as well as several traditional tavernas, including the one at The White House, a property made famous by the Durrell family.

Agni:  Reached by a narrow, winding road or the pleasant alternative of arriving by boat, this stunning, sheltered bay is a must-see.  Several traditional tavernas with menus offering all kinds of mouth-watering Greek specialities line this narrow stretch of beach.  Over the years this area has become a favourite with regular visitors to this part of Corfu. 

Kalamaki:  The nearest sandy beach to Kassiopi, about 10 minutes drive.  Very shallow waters, safe for children.  There are a couple of tavernas and a beach bar, and sunbeds and sunloungers for hire. 

St. Spiridon:  Very close to Kassiopi, a nice sandy, crescent -shaped bay with amenities such as a tourist shop and taverna.  As on most beaches there are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire.  Clear water, but deeper nearer the shore than Kalamaki.  Suitable for everyone.

Corfu Town, also known as Kerkyra, is a very elegant and charming capital.  Recently added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, the old town, with its Venetian forts and neo-classical housing was inscribed as a fortified Mediterranean port town of high integrity and authenticity.   It is estimated that almost half of the population of Corfu live in the main town. 

Its cosmopolitan atmosphere and fabulous architecture are a big attraction to visitors. The Venetian influence is very strong in Corfu Town, but very much in evidence are French and English styles. The elegant terrace of buildings with arches along the front is known as the Liston and was built by the French in the style of the Parisian rue de Rivoli.  At the northern end of the Liston is the impressive Palace of St. Michael and St. George, the most striking relic of the 50 year presence by the British on Corfu from 1814 till 1863.  These days the palace houses a fine collection of Asiatic Art.  During this period the British built some fine buildings, established cricket and introduced ginger beer.

Corfu Town offers plenty for the serious sightseer as well as many shops, bars and restaurants for refreshments and relaxation.