ESCAPE TO CORFU PART 1

Summer is finally here and we thought we would look at a last minute summer holiday suggestion: CORFU

Corfu is the largest of the Greek Ionian islands located to the west of mainland Greece.  It is a truely beautiful place with a rugged coast line, crystal clear turquoise waters and rolling olive groves. The North Eastern corner of Corfu is perhaps the most breathtaking and tranquil. If you are booking a last minute break we could not recommend Corfu enough. The weather is still warm right up until the beginning of October so here is our guide on what to do when you get there:

Where to stay:

There are no hotels in this corner of Corfu due to planning restrictions - most people rent villas or apartments. There are lots of options for all budgets. The Courtyard near Avlaki beach is very peaceful- you can book through CV Travel.

The Courtyard, Avlaki

If you want to be up in the hills above the coast then the beautifully designed Rou Estate is for you with varying sized villas that can be booked through Simpson Travel.

 The Rou Estate

  

Villa Trifylli in the Rou Estate

Agni Travel also have a great selection. The Olive Press is located in a traditional olive grove above Agni bay with the original olive press being one of design features and a beautiful multi-tiered pool.

The pool at the Olive Press

What to do:

There is so much to do during the day if you are not a sun worshipper.

The best way to explore the area is by boat. The roads are precarious due to the local driving and winding roads. Companies such as Agni boats or San Stefano boats rent boats by the day of varying sized engines and with differing degrees of quality. Be warned!

San Stephano boats

If you have rented a boat you can go snorkeling off the the island of Kaparelli. However be wary of the booze cruise boats which come up from the south of Corfu and moor off the island at various times during the day.

Kaparelli Island (Saranda, Albania in the background)

For the more culturally inclined a day trip to Albania is a must. You can catch the ferry from the Corfu town ferry terminal that takes you to Saranda. From here you can explore the world heritage site of  Butrint or travel on to 

Gjirokaster, the birth place of Enver Hoxha. 

If water sports are more you thing there you can go waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing or take a turn on the  ringos or banana ride at Nissaki Beach watersports - again best to go there via boat. There is also windsurfing and sailing at Avlaki beach through Corfu Sailing Events where you can book lessons and rent all the necessary equipment. 

Avlaki beach

If you want to escape the pool for a day and head to the beach, Piedra Del Mar on Barbati beach is the place to go. The food here is excellent and they have a large list of iced coffees and juices. You can spend the day on a sun lounger, take refreshing dips in the sea or relax on the shaded sofas. There is also a resident DJ in the evening.

Piedra del Mar

NEXT BLOG: ESCAPE TO CORFU PART 2

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