Corfu
Corfu is perhaps the greenest of all the Greek islands, so do not expect the stark contrast of white sugar-cube architecture with the barren land of the Cyclades here. The island has had various foreign influence. The Venetians ruled it for four centuries until 1797 and built two impressive fortresses here that is worth a visit. Then came the British Protectorate that lasted for almost half a century, before the Ionian Islands were reunited with Greece. British intellectuals and tourists have loved Corfu for centuries too. Corfu Town is the place to start exploring the island. The Old Town, with its narrow medieval streets and stone houses, is under protection now as a UNESCO World Heritage. On the seaside, an esplanade called Spianadha separates the Old Town from the Venetian citadel. On the northern half of the Spianadha lies Liston, an Parisian style arcade where cafes are lined up to see and to be seen. You could be surprised to find Mon Repos, one of the few organized beaches of the island, just 1 km off the center. 8,5 kilometers south from Corfu town lies the islet Pontikonisi, which is one of the most photographed spots of the island. The islet is connected to the mainland with a tiny boardwalk. A white monastery called Panagia Vlaherna sits on it with a nice belvedere. Albania is just accross and can easily be seen! The 16-km steep coastline on the north-east between the villages of Nissaki and Kassiopi is perhaps the most exclusive part of Corfu. Here you would find untouched coves with pebbled beaches and luxury villas. Thanks to limited road access, the best way to explore the less developed north-east coast is by hiring a boat. 36 kilometers from the Corfu Town, another natural wonder awaits you, just next to Sidari village: Canal d'Amour (or the Channel of Love). These unique rock formations hide a series of coves and canals to be explored on non windy days.
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Ikos Dassia, Dassia
A luxury resort located on a huge sandy beach 15 minutes from Corfu town, offering sunset cruises.
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The Corfu Imperial, Kommeno Bay
Perhaps the most exclusive hotel of the island, set on a peninsula. Its sister hotels managed by Grecotels Group worths a try too: Eva Palace and Daphnila Bay.
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Etrusco, Kato Korakiana
Gourmet restaurant of the chef Ettore Botrini, nestled in a village and serving best local ingredients.
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Taverna Agni, Agni
This family institution has been around since 1972 on this pristine bay, serving as a beach during the day. Their stuffed sardines are great!
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Achilleon Palace, Benitses
The summer house of the Austrian Empress Elisabeth (also known as Sisi) offers spectacular gardens, where there is also a stunning sculpture of Achilles.
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Danilia Village
This little village destroyed by the earthquakes of 1953 has later been restored and turned into an open-air museum. Featured in 1981 James Bond movie For Your Eyes Only, and the popular TV series The Durrels, today it is owned by the Grecotel Group and only open to the hotel guests of The Corfu Imperial.
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Museum of Asian Art, Corfu Town
One-of-a-kind museum dedicated to art and antiquities of the Far East and India. 10,000 pieces donated by Greek diplomat Gregorios Manos in 1928 are displayed in the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George.
Paxos & Antipaxos
These twin islands that are 7 miles south of Corfu both have a unique natural beauty, with emerald green hills, turquoise waters, amorph rocks and silky white sand... They probably have the best water quality all around the Mediterranean. The first olive groves of Paxos were planted by the Venetians in the 14th century. At the World Fair in Paris in 1800s, Paxos was the island to be awarded for its olive oil. The legend has continued ever since and the Harrods, the famous department store of London, still sells organic olive oil of Paxos today. Gaios is the main port of Paxos, easily reached by hydrofoil or ferry from Corfu. Lakka and Logos are two other picturesque settlements of the island, nestled in small bays full of boats and cafes. The most gorgeous beaches of the whole Ionian island group, on the other hand, are in Antipaxos: Voutoumi and Vrika.
Kefalonia
The largest of the Ionian Islands has quite a rugged green landscape. 2001 film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed here and attracted much attention to the island, but Kefalonia might still be regarded as off the beaten path. Argostoli is the buzzy capital of the island, but you should head to the picturesque town of Fiscardo and Assos village, to stay away from everything. Although an earthquake in 1953 erased most of the island’s old Venetian architecture, you can still feel the Italian style in those settlements. The island hides many natural wonders: Myrtos Beach is one of them, with its white pebbles and deep azure water. Melissani Cave Lake near Sami town is another miracle that lies 25 meters beneath the earth level, surrounded by a dense forest. Getting into the cave on small rowing boat is spectacular! Antisami beach nearby also worths a visit. Kefalonia has more than 6 wineries, so remember visiting some of them while you are there...
Skorpios, Ithaka and Others...
There are many smaller islands in the archipelago that are worth a visit on a day trip as well. Lefkada, for example, is known as “The Caribbean of Greece”, thanks to the exotic blue color of its water. This windy island is accessible from the mainland via a bridge. Its main town Nydri could be a good overnight base for boats, but there is no more interesting places around the island, which is a favourite low-cost vacation spot for British families. Meganisi just off Lefkada could also be reached easily from the port of Nydri. It is worth a visit for its lace-like shores and Papanikoli Cave. Skorpios, on the other hand, is a private island where Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis got married to Jackie Kennedy. Now it is a forbidden zone for tourists, after is has been purchased by the daughter of a Russian business magnate. The last but not the least, laid-back Ithaka is suitable for romantic couples, as well as families. Just off the main port of Ithaki, there is a picturesque islet with a tiny church on top! The mythical island of Odysseus is easily accessible from Kefalonia by a daily boat trip as well. Located south of Kefalonia, Zakynthos is famous for its crystal-clear water and nightlife. Navagio, perhaps the most photographed spot of all Greek Isles, is also here with its steep cliffs and a shipwreck right on the beach.