By Lydia Gard, Evening
Standard
An early package-holiday
destination, Corfu remains distinctly pretty and
easy-going. We give you the warts-and-all
lowdown to help you choose where to - and where
not to - visit
The reputation
Hailed by author Gerald Durrell as a 'delectable
landscape', Corfu suffered a hazardous tourist
influx in the Sixties.
Luckily it managed to maintain
its dignity and remains known for its green
hills, olive and citrus groves and Blue Flag
beaches.
The culture capital of the
Ionian Islands, it is not classic
package-holiday territory, although, in July and
August, the remaining population of
Greece descends en masse to strut its
Mediterranean stuff.
The reality
Lying in a crooked line between
Italy and mainland
Greece, its northern tip almost touches
Albania. Host to a million sunseekers every
year, it is still family-friendly and a peaceful
island.
There's no denying that the
club scene has taken the south-east and squeezed
the daylights out of it, but the most prevalent
tourists are moneyed townies, who come to rest
in their villas, and sporty types seeking solace
in the hills. A pleasant prevailing wind in
summer attracts boaters and windsurfers, and
diving is growing in popularity in the crystal
waters.
We've broken up the island
into four main regions. Click on the links below
for the lowdown on each one:
•
Corfu Town
•
The North-East coast
•
Mount Pandokrator and the north
•
The South
Short cut to Corfu
Top-five hotels
• Bella Venezia, Corfu Town: Recently renovated
and just behind the main square with lovely
gardens (00 30 2661 046 500,
www.bellaveneziahotel.com, Doubles from £61.)
• Hotel Levant, Pelekas: Elegantly restored, set
in a romantic location, with a panoramic
restaurant (00 30 2661 094 230,
www.levanthotel.com. Doubles from £65 B&B).
• Fundana Villas, Paleokastritsa: A pretty
Venetian farmhouse converted into studios and
apartments (00 30 2663 022 532,
www.fundanavillas.com. Rooms from £25pp).
• Corfu Palace Hotel, Corfu Town: Seaside charm
and a vast salt-water swimming pool (00 30 2661
039 485, www.corfupalace.com. Doubles from £155
B&B).
• Hotel Zefiros, Paleokastritsa: An Italianate
hotel with chicly renovated rooms (00 30 2663
041 244, www.hotel-zefiros.gr. Doubles from £29
B&B).
Top five restaurants
• Aegli, Corfu Town: Excellent spanakopita (the
traditional Corfiot flaky pastry and spinach)
and lamb souvlaki. (00 30 2661 043 330, £10-£12
for two).
• Mouragia Ouzeria, Corfu Town: Bistro-like,
rustic place with great sea views and pavement
tables. Inexpensive, delicious fresh fish (00 30
2661 033 815, £15 for two).
• Nikterida, Liapades: Yorgos, the affable
owner, makes salad from the garden, with feta
and olives. The calamari is spectacular (no
phone, £8-£12 for two).
• Taverna Sebastian,
Agios Gordios: The oldest and most traditional
taverna in the village. Eat on the gorgeous
terrace overhung with vines (00 30 2661 053 256,
£15-£18).
• Toula's, Agni: Great traditional Corfoit
dishes. Most famous for its Sunday lunches (00
33 2663 091 350, www.toulasagni.com, £15-£20).
Villas and tour operators
• Simply Travel: 0870 166 4979,
www.simplytravel.co.uk.
• Meon Villas: 0870 909 7550,
www.meonvillas.co.uk.
• CV Travel: 020 7384 5850, www.cvtravel.co.uk.
Weather: Sunshine from May to October,
although prevailing winds can make the
north-west blustery.
Visa requirements:
EU citizens do not need a
visa to visit
Greece for up to 90 days.
Currency:
£1 = €1.45.
Getting there:
Avro (0870 458 2841,
www.avro.co.uk) flies weekly to Corfu until
mid-October.