Corfu: 10 Days to Remember

After much hesitation we decide to leave for Corfu. We rent an apartment online in the Paleokastritsa area, in the north-west of the island. The departure was rather stressful: after three hours queuing in the sun to collect the ticket we had already booked and paid for, we board and, after an hour and a half's delay, we weigh anchor for Corfu. The inconvenience of the departure was, however, well repaid by our stay on the Greek island. The apartment was delightful, with a wonderful view over the bay of Paleokastritsa, which is definitely the best area of Corfu, made up of 6 "gulfs" and with a stunning sea. Renting boats without a skipper is very cheap on the island; we rented one twice. The first time right in Paleokastritsa and so we were able to visit all six inlets: each one more beautiful than the last.

The second time we went to the opposite side, the point closest to Albania (and indeed it was very close) and in Kalami we rented another boat. On this side too the sea is wonderful, clear and clean. Unlike Paleokastritsa the coast is gentler; here too there are many inlets but less rocky. In Paleokastritsa the spot that fascinated me most is "La Grotta"; it is right in front of the Hotel Paloekastritsa, and is an inlet with cliffs plunging into the sea, reached by a steep staircase, where you find yourself in front of an artificial wooden balcony with a small bar too. Sun umbrellas and chairs are provided. You go down to the sea by a wooden staircase directly off the cliff, or by using a diving board anchored to the rock, or, for the bravest, by climbing a rock face (I saw it done and trembled for the daredevil).

Another breathtaking sight is the Canal d'Amour near Sidari (north of the island) with tongues of land shaped by the wind pushing into the sea, here too azure and wonderful. Going from Paleokastritsa towards Sidari you pass Angelokastro, a fortress on a cliff over the sea (unfortunately we couldn't visit it because it was closed). While we spent most mornings immersed in the water — the seabed is very rich — in the afternoon we moved from beach to beach and discovered that there aren't only rocky and pebble beaches but also a beautiful, well-equipped beach of fine golden sand (Glifada). There are countless water sports you can do on the island. But Corfu is not only sea and sun. The capital Kerkira is a very welcoming city and its centre is lively with little souvenir shops and restaurants.

A visit to the New Fortress, from which you enjoy a view over the whole city from above, and to the Old Fortress is essential. In Kerkira there is also a beautiful garden whose only flaw (if you can call it that) is the deafening sound of the cicadas: there really are a lot of them and they are huge. A visit to Pontekonissi is essential, a little church set on the sea and linked to the mainland by a road you can only walk along. Near Kerkira you mustn't miss a visit to the Achilleion, the palace of Princess Sissi. From Kerkira, going north, after a few kilometres you come to Gouvia and Dassia, two truly delightful places. But it is by continuing up to Ipsos that you find the nightlife. The seafront is lively with plenty of venues where you can dance, all very nice and with free entry, as well as little shops and bars where you can enjoy a good ice cream.

But the real fun we found in Sidari, which has a lovely beach by day but guaranteed fun by night. Walking along the main road you are bombarded by music of every kind at full volume coming from the venues, one after another, all carefully decorated, here too with free entry and with boys or girls outside inviting you in to dance and have fun. Another very pretty little place is Kouloura with a lovely little harbour. In short, Corfu is truly welcoming and offers various possibilities for fun; moreover, not being too big, it is easy to get around (but only if you have a car or other vehicle — we brought ours but there are numerous places where you can rent a means of transport); in ten days we visited the whole northern part from Paleokastritsa to Kerkira.

We didn't go to the south, also on the advice of the Corfiots themselves; they told us in fact that the sea is less beautiful and that Kavos, where the British rule, is not recommended for us Italians, unless you want to run into brawls. The prices for eating and staying aren't very high, only espresso coffee is a bit pricey: 2 euros, but it's quite good; well, as good Italians we couldn't give it up for 10 days.