TRAVELCorfu GUIDE www.oliverstravels.com One of the largest and greenest of the Ionian Islands, Corfu’s appeal extends far beyond its trademark blue-hued seas and sandy coastline. With its UNESCO World Heritage status and unbeatable strolling opportunities, there is no better place to start exploring than the main town and its historic old quarter, where ancient churches, scattered ruins and a handful of museums mean Corfu’s layers of history can be found just about everywhere. CORFU 101 CURRENCY EURO TIME ZONE GMT -2 HOURS ELECTRICAL TWO PIN HIGHEST TEMP. 16° C LANGUAGE GREEK LOWEST TEMP. 39°C EMERGENCY 112 PEAK SEASON APRIL- MAY www.oliverstravels.com TRANSPORT TALK The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location. BY WHEELS BY BIKE BY TAXI Dozens of car rental The island is crisscrossed Licensed regulated Taxi companies operate in with bike-friendly networks services are available all Corfu and most will deliver of road and dirt tracks. Bike over Corfu. Take note - your wheels to the airport rental is readily available and rural taxis are more or straight to your hotel. If hiring two wheels will put expensive for one-way you don’t arrange car hire secluded beaches and trips! before you go, the likes of hidden corners of the Hertz and Avis have desks countryside at your at the airport. fingertips. BY WATER BY AIR BY BUS OR TRAIN Ferries and hydrofoils Flights to the island from Local buses cover most bob back and forth UK shores take around areas within a half-hour between Corfu and its three and a half hours drive of Corfu’s old town, neighbouring Ionian and land at Corfu while a second, long- Islands on a pretty International Airport, distance network regular basis. They also which is just a couple of connects the town centre put the rest of the Greek kilometres south of the to destinations all over isles in island-hopping city centre. the island. distance . www.oliverstravels.com HIDDEN GEMS AND ACTIVITIES Sidari Mount Pantokrator For the best beach in Corfu head to Sidari. Erosion This medieval ghost town dates has shaped the cliffs along the village’s coastline back to the 1400s but has been into striking, otherworldly shapes, tiny coves, and a uninhabited since the 1960s. channel that has the power to help its swimmers Today, you can wander its become lucky in love, or so the legend goes. cobbled streets and rustic stone houses. When it’s time to refuel, there are a handful of tavernas worth visiting in the main village square. Roda Kassiopi Sidari Mon Repos Palace Angelokastro castle The small but perfectly formed Angelokastro castle is great for Gouvia Mon Repos Palace, the some exploring. short of an birthplace of Prince Phillip, was underground chapel and a handful built in the 1820s and served as a of ruins, it’s a must-visit for the Corfu town residence for British governors, a views alone. This Byzantine castle school of fine arts and later, a was built on the highest peak of summer residence for the Greek Corfu’s shoreline and on a good day royal family. After a long court you can see out to the Old Fortress. battle over ownership, the hilltop palace was declared property of the Greek state and is now open to the public as a museum. Kavos Hidden Gems Picks for Kids Best Activities Foodie Delights TOP PICKS : FOR KIDS Aqualand Mavroudis Casa Parlante When you need a break The family-run Mavroudis Casa Parlante one-off from the beach, head to company has been heritage site in Corfu’s Aqualand. The mix of crafting olive oil for old town gives a glimpse into the life of the island’s slides, splash zones and generations. Having 19th-century nobility. The pools keep kids cool and tracked down olive oil treasures and artefacts entertained for hours, making machinery from on display are slotted into plus there are usually as far back as the mid- settings brought to life by loungers, pool bars and 1800s, they’ve set up an noises, smells, animated cafés for grown-ups! intimate museum. figures and robotics. Nautilus Underwater Trailriders Experience Corfu Walking Tours Explore Corfu To see Corfu’s marine life Get under the skin of adventurously with this in its natural environment, Corfu’s atmospheric old guided tour on foot, boat or head out on a glass- town with Corfu Walking horseback with Trailriders. bottomed boat cruise Tours, who’ll lead you You’ll have the best of the with Nautilus Underwater down ancient alleyways island’s natural beauty on Experience and discover and into pretty old showcase and really help the kaleidoscopic world squares, revealing the you get to grips with its beneath the waves. secrets of the city as you history and culture. go. www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR KIDS Sidari Roda Kassiopi Trailriders Nautilus Underwater Gouvia Corfu Walking Tours Experience Casa Parlante Corfu town Aqualand Mavroudis Kavos Hidden Gems Picks for Kids Best Activities Foodie Delights CROWD PLEASERS: BEST ACVITVITIES Crazy Speedboat Mountain Bike Tour Spa Retreat If you’re in the mood for a If you like to keep it For an indulgent dose of boat trip full of thrills, you’ll active, cycling tours are R&R, head to one of love the Crazy Speedboat. the best way to enjoy Corfu’s luxury spa and This over-water adventure Corfu’s scenery. You’ll wellness centres. One of showcases the best of the cycle through pretty olive Corfu’s top-rated spas is island’s scenery with plenty groves and the rural the Asian Spa Ayurvedic of Corfu’s party spirit village of Old Perithia, for & City Retreat. thrown in for good views well worth the measure. effort! Achilleion Museum Wine Tasting and Tours Paleokastritsa Beaches Seek out a slice of culture Anyone can go home an The village of at one of the island’s expert on Corfu’s wine Paleokastritsa offers a excellent museums and scene thanks to Corfu’s range of local taverns galleries. Every vineyard tours and wine overlooking the clear bay. extravagant inch of the tasting sessions. There Surrounded by olive tree Achilleion Museum are plenty of local labels forests you’ll be celebrates Greek culture. to try at Theotoky Estate captivated by the and Corfu Wine Tasting beautiful scenery on your Tour. visit. www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR GROUPS Corfu Mountain Bikes Kassiopi Sidari Roda Gouvia Paleokastritsa Beaches Asian Spa Ayurvedic & City Retreat Theotoky Estate Corfu Walking Wine Tour Corfu town Achilleion Kavos Crazy Speedboat BEST FOODIE DELIGHTS Pyramid Trilogia Restaurant Corfu Vitamins Taverna Pyramid offers sea views Everyone is catered for at The beachfront Trilogia and a private stretch of Vitamins Taverna. Run by Restaurant is located beach. This top-rated the same family for 30 beneath the ancient restaurant serves classic years, the restaurant castle walls. The kitchen Greek dishes featuring specialises in nourishing here is run by a master fresh ingredients from is Med cuisine. And while chef, you’ll be hard own gardens. Plus, there meat-free diners can pushed to find a better is a stylish beach bar, feast here, carnivores and setting for a cosy meal perfect for pre cocktails. pescatarians will also for two. have plenty of choices. Avli Corfu Sailing Restaurant Dishes to Try Featuring everything from One of Corfu’s signature Positioned inside the baked feta to grilled pork plates is sofrito, a hearty historic old fortress in sausage, the menu at Avli dish of veal or beef Corfu Town, Corfu Sailing is traditional Greek cooked in white wine. Restaurant is surrounded through and through. The Sofrito is usually served by history. The dining setting is also pretty with potatoes or beans. room is right on the special, with a homely water’s edge and serves indoor dining room. a menu of fresh fish, seafood and classic Mediterranean dishes. www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR FOODIES Pyramid Trilogia Restaurant Corfu Sidari Roda Kassiopi Vitamins Taverna Gouvia Avli Corfu Sailing Corfu town Kavos We’d like to think we know travel pretty well. Since we first hatched Oliver’s Travels in 2003 it’s been essentially all we’ve talked about. You could call us obsessed. Our extensive blog, Oliver’s Journal has got tons of information and inspiration on locations across Europe and the Caribbean. It’s a one-stop shop for family-friendly holiday fun, the best group activities, foodie finds and a good dose of adventure. If you found this travel guide useful, (we hope you did!), you can find a whole host more on the blog, too! At Oliver's Travels we don't do ordinary. From family villas in France and luxury cottages in Devon, to Mediterranean villas with pools and Caribbean beach villas, we have something for everyone, everywhere. Get in touch Follow Us 0800 133 7999 www.oliverstravels.com.