Which means holy in three flavors: female, male and plural. You'll meet them everywhere. Corfu has more than 800 churches and monasteries, from orthodox churches like St. Spyridon to older churches dating back to the 5th century.
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Corfu town - view from the old fortress to Esplanades (right)
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But it's not as holy as it seems. Corfu is a very touristic place unless you leave the beaten path. It is the most north-western of all Greek islands and has a very mild mediterranean climate. Because of its luxuriant vegetation, it is also called the green island. I have visited Corfu several times, I love to come back and I love to leave. Corfu is the perfect place to take a break for a week or two.
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Favourite spots: |
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A quiet square in the middle of the maze
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Corfu town (Kerkyra in Greek) is probably the most beautiful city in Greece and despite its small size of 36000 residents, it has an international flair. Architecture was strongly influenced by the architecture of the Venetians (1204-1453), the French (1797-1815) and the British (1815-1864). The town is a maze of narrow streets dominated by the 16th century fortress. Around every corner can you can find a chapel, old mansion or secret garden. It was a French idea to turn the Esplanade - the central square, occupied with restaurants, bars and coffee houses - into a public place. They designed the square and the arcades along it following the French style and planted it with trees and flowers. When you visit Corfu town, come twice: the first time in the morning, to stroll through the market and shopping area and a second time when it's late afternoon. To watch the twilight creeping in while you are sipping a coffee at Papiris, a small tavern in the middle of the Cambiéllo area.
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What's really great: |
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Paleokastritsa and Liapádes
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If you don't bring your own mountain bike (which would be an excellent idea, by the way), rent a car for a couple of days and you won't regret it. The island isn't big but too many beaches are waiting for you... the most beautiful beaches are at the north and west side of the island. The north: Sidári - half way between the picturesque village Paleokastrisa and Kassiopi - is best known for its sandy beaches and sculpted sandstone cliffs. If you travel outside the peak season (in May or September), you have a good chance to find a beach for your own.
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Sights: |
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Cliffs on the north coast
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Central: Old fortress in Corfu town, the Esplanades, the market. Achillio, the palace of the Empress Elizabeth of Austria. West coast: Glyfada, Pelekas, Levant Hotel & restaurant on the summit of Pelekas hill. Cloister Panagia Theotóku tis Paleokastritsa (an enchanting place with lots of flowers). North coast: Kassiopi, Sidari and the cliffs along the road.
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Accommodations: |
My personal favorite is Pelekas (the mountain village) and Pelekas Beach on the west coast. Famous for its sunsets and overrun by backpackers and hippies in the seventies, it's still an absolutely charming place. http://www.pelekas.com http://www.levanthotel.com http://www.pelekas.com/rollingstone/
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Nightlife: |
Also on the west coast is Ermones beach. It was here that Odysseus was washed ashore after being shipwrecked on his long journey home to Ithica.
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Hangouts: |
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Freshly fished sea-urchins. You eat the eggs raw with some olive oil, while they are still alive.
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If you want a taste of the real Corfu life, however, visit the south! Less tourist crowds, no sightseeing, lots of olive forests and interesting people who are as curious about you as you are about them. Milás ellinikà - do you speak Greek? It will help here...
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Published on Wednesday June 2th, 2004
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Sat, Jun 05 2004 - 10:24 PM
 by downundergal
Fantastic report!
I have just added Corfu to my ever growing wish list.
Thanks,
Kerrie |
Thu, Jun 03 2004 - 01:02 AM
by mayaehrsam
Oh ich war schon sooo lange nicht mehr auf Korfu und habe beim lesen deines Artikels Erinnerungsgefuehle bekommen. Danke |
Wed, Jun 02 2004 - 11:24 PM
by britman
Great article illustrated with good photo's...I enjoyed reading it!
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