ESCAPE TO CORFU - PART TWO

The Venetian allure and old fortifications mean that Corfu Town is well worth a visit if you have a car. Tiny little cobbled streets link crumbling piazzas. 

Shopping:

Most of the shops sell the usual tourist tat. However there are a couple of little gems.

This little shop, run by a French lady, sells amazing sarongs imported from India and beautiful jewellery from all over the world using unusual stones and beads. 

Anti-Kaipoi Dimarchio Sqaure 

Tel: +30 26619 43090

Indian sarongs from Anti-Kaipoi

There is also Kombos which sells lovely cotton kaftans with silk lining and an assortment of jewellery, beach bags and hats. 

Kombos 27 Palaiologou St

Tel: +30 26610 41256

There is an amazing little jewellery store called Kai To Ploio Ferei selling very unusual pieces, mainly in silver with turquoise and coral stones. He displays everything so beautifully.

Kai To Ploio Ferei 109 Nik. Theotoki

Where to drink:

Corfu town has lots of bustling bars Petite Fleur & Cafe Bristol (neither are particularly Greek sounding)are great places to watch the world go by.

Away from Corfu town there are several great local bars - the most outstanding is Damianos Bar in Agios Stefanos.

Damianos Bar Agios Stefanos

There is an extensive cocktail list with something for everyone - though the mojiots can not be recommended enough. 

 Damianos mojitos

Where to eat:

There are a plethora of Tavernas along the North East coast that are best reached by little motor boats that are available to hire. However not all are built equal. Having sampled a few, here are our favourites:

Taverna Kouloura is a great lunch time spot right on the water overlooking a quaint little harbour - highly recommended - the deep fried courgettes and small cheese pies.

The view from Kouloura

Toula's - a slightly more sophisticated Taverna serving delicious lobster pasta and Toula's prawns.

Toula's Agni

Taverna Glyfa is also outstanding and is right on the water just along the coast from Barbati beach. 

Arguably the best taramasalata on the north east coast and certainly the best drunken mussels on the island.

Taverna Glyfa Barbati

Galini's in Agios Stefanos is where to go if you're looking for traditional Greek food. The lamb Kleftiko and the veal Stifado are outstanding.

To Dimarchio is the best restaurant we found in Corfu Town serving Greek traditional dishes with a more modern Mediterranean twist.

To Dimarchio

There is also an excellent ice cream shop and patisserie in Corfu town which has the best pistachio ice cream we've ever tasted. 

Papagiorgis N. Theotoki 32

Tel: +30 26610 39424

Useful numbers:

Dinos Boat - water taxis +30 69444 72007
Phillipos Taxis - Kassiopi +30 2663 032 400

AN ENGLISH SUMMER GARDEN

After a recent visit to Petersham Nurseries in Richmond we were reminded of how inspirational the natural English Garden can be.  Their stunning range of garden and home accessories, not to mention the exquisite plants for sale, help create that quintessential worn and eclectic space (they also offer a range of dates to dine amongst the plants by candle light over the summer if you're lucky enough to book one of very sought after reservations!).

Here are some of our favourite images and how you can try to replicate a similar feel in your own garden...

INSPIRATION

Clockwise from the Top Left: Rose Archway 'Rose Garden of Ca' delle Rose' from Stefano Scata Photography II Potting Shed from Visualphotos.com II Box hedging with worn stone Box hedging with worn stone II  Overgrown window box with bistro table and chairs II Stone archway with climbers II Outdoor dining with overhead wisteria from House Beautiful II Dining under a green canopy with an overhead outdoor lantern from Just the Design II Planting selection from Petersham Nurseries II A display of a gardener's tools from Vita Ranunkler

GET THE LOOK

1. Collection of cushions from Toast II 2. Recycled glass bird feeder from Anthropologie II 3. Gardener's twine from Garden Trading  4. Small forged iron scissors from Not On The Highstreet II 5.  Ivory Epoch pot from Anthropologie II 6. Copper watering can from Haws II 7. Pair of stone troughs from Holloways Garden II 8. Gilt and brass lantern from Patrick Jefferson II 9. Four terracotta pots in a box from Liberty II 10. Linen napkins from The Linen Works II 11. Willow cutlery basket from Not On The Highstreet II 12. Planters from Garden Trading II 13. Pashley Bicycle from Pashley II 14. Iron chair from Heveningham II 15. Fois de Bois outdoor candle from Diptyque Paris II 16. Antique marble urn from Holloways Garden Antiques