7429 Greece 2020 Corfu.qxp 23/11/2019 12:19 Page 24 Greece | Ionian Islands | Corfu 24 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7429 Greece 2020 Corfu.qxp 23/11/2019 12:19 Page 25 Greece | Ionian Islands | Corfu Aharavi Kassiopi Avlaki Kalami Agni Nissaki Corfu Barbati Paleocastritsa this most northerly of the Ionian islands is the Liapades Gouvia Corfu greenest and, perhaps surprisingly, one of the most v Town t o traditional of them all. Corfu’s charm and beauty have P A Agios Gordis X o captivated visitors for generations and remain as S intoxicating as ever. Perivoli Lefkimi Corfu’s variety also plays a part in its Go north and you will find a different intrepid hiker to find these beauty new Archeological Museum which enduring popularity. With over 200 scene: a rocky, twisting coastline of spots. the walks lead to some of the reopened in 2018 following a 6- kms of coastline, the island really can cliff and ravine, curling round the most beautiful beaches you will ever year/4.5 euro upgrade. the mazy offer ‘something for everyone.’ great mountain called Pantokrator, see.” streets of the old town contrast with “Beautiful, flower-filled, washed with ‘Lord of Creation’. the north east, Corfu town is different again, and the Venetian and French elegance of soft Ionian light,” Corfu is impossible with its white-pebble coves, different too from all other Greek the centre – and very English cricket to describe in a few words. stupendous views and countless towns, the result of long successive is played on the Esplanade green! Groves of tall, silvery-green olive and walks, is particularly magical. years of Venetian, French and British So don’t miss out on Corfu. As any cypress trees cover the slopes of the the Corfiots are the most friendly rule. By reason of its two massively one of its regular visitors will tell you, central hills tumbling down to the and generous people, especially the strong forts it never yielded to the to know this particular island is to be steep west coast, famed for its country folk. they work hard on their turks. We’d recommend a visit to the captivated by it. sweeping sandy beaches and land and many still follow traditional magnificent sunsets. our small resort lives. Corfu InformATIon of Aghios Gordis here appeals to all Walkers, botanists and ornithologists Getting to Corfu generations of different nationalities, will find an inexhaustible source of Monday flight Gatwick or and families particularly appreciate interest in Corfu. the Corfu trail, Manchester (other regional flights the fact that there is no coastal road which winds from north to south on request). Then 30-75 mins by running behind the superb beach coach or taxi (see resort through some of the island's most descriptions). For flight details see here. beautiful and enduring landscapes, page 270. Still among olive trees, netting can be tackled in small chunks and multi-Centre options spread at their feet ready for the runs close to all our chosen resort Corfu with Paxos (Corfu first), or any harvest, the south levels out. our tiny areas (and even through Liapades). Corfu resort with any other. hideaway of Maltas combines an to quote from ‘Landscapes of Corfu’, Car Hire See page 268-9 for details. untouched countryside, rich in “Walking on Corfu is sheer bliss. You representative traditional ways, with one of the best will be spoilt by a kaleidoscope of Based in Corfu Town –visits all areas. sandy beaches on the island. landscapes, and you needn’t be an 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk Greece & Cyprus | 25 7429 Greece 2020 Corfu.qxp 23/11/2019 12:19 Page 26 Greece | Ionian Islands | Corfu Our chosen areas behind has all the facilities you should need – North East Coast North Coast Aharavi over twenty tavernas, a good choice of cafés, a Transfer time 60 minutes handful of bars and a number of small shops. Barbati & Kalami Yet, because Gordis attracts such a mixed Past the tip of the island is the start of Transfer time 40-60 minutes clientele (the village is popular with all ages Almiros beach, one of the longest on Corfu and nationalities) it lacks the excesses of the For years the north-east corner of Corfu has and remarkably little-developed until larger resorts. Some nightlife there is, so safe attracted the discerning visitor, for this Aharavi a little way along. this small resort options for older teens (in August there are a winding stretch of coastline packs a huge is generally low-key and the beach is couple of music bars) but most people staying scenic punch. the rocky coast restricts magnificently sandy. Some fine walking is here have come to quietly relax: on the beach development, so here narrow roads run also to be had from here. steeply down to white-pebble coves and in the daytime and in the tavernas at night. In fact walking everywhere in the north is a beaches. this is a land of small villages and the beach can be busy but is long enough major attraction. Serious walkers will find fishing hamlets dominated by Mount to accommodate all and has plenty of Mount Pantokrator offers unlimited scope, its Pantokrator above. Especially beautiful are sunbeds (free if your patronise the café or slopes awash with flowers, birds and the views to Albania. Boat hire is a big deal restaurant behind). Apart from one large butterflies in the spring and early summer. here - the indented coastline is made for it - hotel at the far end, the majority of Casual walkers will enjoy the coastal routes, and both our resort areas have motorboats accommodation is housed in smaller units as tracks over the headlands link the coves in available for rental. dotted amongst the trees. mainly easy walking. Barbati marks the start of the north-east Excursions run, and there is an efficient bus coast and has one of its best beaches - a service to Corfu town only 16 kms distant. mile-long stretch of pristine shingle shelving Hire of a car will enable easy exploration of gently into a sparkling sea. Backed by a West Coast Aghios other beaches and the pretty hill-top village handful of fashionable beach bars and Gordis & Liapades of Pelekas, which reputedly has the best restaurants Barbati has a chilled 'beach life' views (and sunsets) of all Corfu. vibe. Up on the main road above you will Transfer time 45-60 minutes Liapades is located at the northern end of find more restaurants (some very good - Aghios Gordis’ steep verdant hillsides and the Ropa Valley. A network of country lanes Barbati has a growing reputation for the rugged cliffs plunge into an aquamarine sea and donkey paths crisscross the area, making quality of its food), some low-key bars, a and typify Corfu’s central western coast. the it wonderful for walking (the Corfu trail runs couple of supermarkets, a church and a shell vistas of mountain and sea are spectacular, through here). Some lead down to a number museum. Views are good too, over the sea particularly as the sun goes down (this of beautiful coves and beaches; others to to Corfu town's fortress. coastline is famed for its sunsets). some of Corfu's loveliest villages. Halfway up the north-east coast, at its heart, Gordis is family-friendly by virtue not only of Liapades old village is a kilometre inland and is pretty Kalami. the village is small, albeit its long sandy beach but by the fact that it typically sleepy, its small but pretty square busy in season, but has not been overly has only one narrow street leading down to overlooked by the 17th century church of spoiled by its claim to fame in the shape of the sea and no beach road. Ayia Anastasia. Between the village and the the Durrell family who lived here in the the beach is one of the best – a kilometre- beach you will find a good choice of small 1930s, their house now a pleasant taverna long stretch of sand (some shingle outcrops) shops, cafes and taverna restaurants. the above the sea. there are three more in a glorious natural setting. the small resort beach is a mix of sand/shingle, about 100m tavernas on the sheltered shingle beach and long. Flanked by the rocky arms of the one up on the hillside behind. headland the sea here is sheltered and calm, there are some lovely walks available from and the most wonderful shades of Kalami, using coastal paths and steeper aquamarine. It is organised, with sunbeds, inland tracks. A 15-20 minute pleasant walk canoes and motorboats for hire. south over the wooded headland - via the Buses run up to five times daily from the old gleaming white-pebble beach of Yaliskari village above to town. Alternatively small (excellent snorkeling) - brings you to boats will take you to sea caves as well as to peaceful Agni, one of Corfu's most scenic nearby beaches, many of which can only be bays and home to three of the island's best reached by sea. one you can get to quite known taverna restaurants. two of them easily is gorgeous Rovinia, just a ten minute operate a boat-taxi service from Kalami in walk over the headland. the evenings for their customers, making for an atmospheric alternative dinner venue. Aharavi beach Going north you can walk to the picturesque village of Aghios Stefanos in around 75 minutes, via Kouloura and Kerasia beach. Kalami Aghios Gordis 26 | Sunvil 020 8758 4758 www.sunvil.co.uk 7429 Greece 2020 Corfu.qxp 23/11/2019 12:19 Page 27 Greece | Ionian Islands | Corfu St George’s Bay Country Club & Wellness Spa Aharavi If you are looking for peaceful and beautiful and beach towels are provided for a small surroundings in which to recharge your batteries refundable deposit.