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24 December 2012

An Essential Guide to Corfu

By Steve Alexander


To make Greece and its islands such a fascinating location, there are many ingredients that combine together. Distinct local culture is offered by all of the Greek islands, from Crete to Corfu, accommodating various tastes, proclivities, interests and budgets. Here is an essential guide to the island of Corfu, whether you're a surfer, sailor, beach bum, night clubber, hiker, gastronome, or a sightseer.

Corfu is the destination featured on most package holidays, mainly because it has it all so when looking at Greek islands, this location is simply unavoidable. It really does cater to the English market with guaranteed sun, cheap alcohol and plenty of nightlife. A number of British themed restaurants and karaoke bars are juxtaposed with local culture and lazy beach life.

Corfu is also one of the larger Greek Islands, approximately 33 miles long and 15 miles across. Don't be put off by images of inescapable tourism on the island, because it is quite easy to bypass the traditional hotspots for more peaceful and authentic experiences. For sightseers, head north and you'll find yourself at Mount Pantokrator. Here, the scenery is beautiful, with winding roads, enviable coastlines and little coves and inlets to discover.

You'll find a good balance between historicism and modernism in Corfu, which is always a hard thing to pull off. On one hand, it's about exploring fine cuisine, contemporary bars and clubs, family excursions and utter placidity, while on the other, you get to experience a lost time, an ancient Greece, full of olive trees, rocky terrain, dusty topography and Homeric imagery.

A popular thing to do whilst on the island is to visit nearby Paxos, by boat. It's a tiny island, probably not best to spend the whole holiday on, but great for a day or night stay. The barely-seven-mile-long island is made up of three fishing towns - Loggos, Gaios and Lakka - all unique microcosms of the culture.




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