 |
|
|
The Greek Island of Corfu - Part 2
<< Go back to Corfu Island part 1
Touring the island further south on the east coast is the popular resort town Benitses that has toned down its wild image over the years; besides lots of accommodation and good food, there is traditional village with winding streets, a fine shell museum, and ruins of a Roman bathhouse. Further down at the tourist resorts of Moraitika and Mesongi the beaches are better and Ano Moraitika has an unspoilt village a steep walk up At Boukari the coast of pebbled beaches is quieter and, inland, is the out of the way woodland of Argirades, ideal for nature lovers and peaceful walks. Almost at the southern tip inland, amongst lovely olive groves, is Corfu's second largest town, Lefkimi, situated on the largest plain of the island; some interesting architecture and several pretty churches can be seen and as its limits extend to the sea it is a port of call and has a lovely bay and cape.
Coming up around from the southern tip through Agia Varvara, the lovely sandy beach sweeps up toward Lake Korission (5km long), surrounded by dunes and marshes and inhabited by tortoises, turtles, lizards, indigenous birds. Traveling up past numerous beaches, is the inviting Halkouna beach and then Prasouda, and Paramonas. Going inland toward a 13th century castle and further inland are the wooded slopes of the promontory of Agia Deka; below the peak is a monastery and flourishing orchards. Back to the beach at Agios Gordios, popular with backpackers because it's near Mt. Deka and continuing upward are the best beaches on the west coast. Pelakas, reknowed for its lovely beach and spectacular sunsets that can be viewed high above the village at Kaiser's Throne; broad, sandy Glyfada, and the very charming Myrtiotissa whose praises Lawrence Durrell sang in "Prospero's Cell" complete the trio. The area has many large, luxury hotels and facilities for water sports.
Still northbound, the busy resort of Ermones is in a pretty verdant setting with the mountains in the background. Inland on the Ropas plain is the Corfu Golf Club which is perhaps one of the largest in Europe. The stunningly beautiful village of Paleokastritsa with its coves, luscious greenery, dramatic rocky promontory and indescribably beautiful blue green water is certainly the gem of Corfu. It may have been the Homeric city of Scheria where Odysseus was washed ashore and Nausica brought him to her father, the Phaeacian King Alkinous. Diving, water sports, and boat trips to other beaches and seawater caves or grottos offer "fun in the sun" and fantastic views of the coast. Perched above the village is the picturesque 13th century monastery of Theotokou that has a museum with an impressive collection of Orthodox icons and relics of the church. The ruins of the 13th century Byzantine Fortress of Angelokastro built by the Despot of Epiros is 6 km up the coast, accessible from the village of Krini, which offers more spectacular views from above the coast. Nearby, inland, is another unspoilt village, Lakonos.
Further up the coast is Agios Georgios, a busy windsurfing center. The long, sandy beach of Agios Stefanos attracts families; a boat trip from the harbor is a great way to explore the Diapondia islands: Erikousa, Othoni, and Manthraki, thinly populated but boasting stunning views. More tourist resorts wind up around the northern coast: the hilly and picturesque Avliotes, Sidhari (near camping facilities), and Roda with its rocky, swampy beach in parts, camping and horse riding. . Aravi offers a route to the slopes of Mt. Pandokrator, the island's highest peak, passing small hamlets like Lafki and Agios Martinos, another entry point to the slopes, winds north to the western side of the mountain after Pyrgi. Strinylas is a popular village with walkers. Almyros beach is one of the longest on the island. Northeast, the Andinioti lagoon, a haven for birds is near Cape Ekaterinis, the northern end of the Corfu Trail, a 200 km, ten day hiking path opened in 2001 whose southern end is at Cape Asprokavos.
Coming down south from the cape is the resort and fishing village of Kassiopi, another port of entry; it is said that the Roman Emperor Tiberius once had a villa there and the 16th century church of the Panagia Kassopitra may have been the site of a temple of Zeus. Not to be missed: the idyllic setting of the harbor and bay of Kouloura, amidst the pine trees; Kalami, a quaint village noted for its most famous resident, Lawrence Durrell, who lived in the White House (now a taverna) and wrote "Prospero's Cell:" and the cove of Agni where flocks of people come to taste its exceptionally good Corfiot food. Winding down the steep mountain road one comes to Barbarti, the best beach on the northeast coast and popular with families. Closing the circle, outside of the town to its north is the yachting marina of Gouvia and the very popular, narrow pebbled beaches and tree-lined bays of Ipssos and Dassia.
Wherever one goes on Corfu there is always seductively good Corfiot food beckoning in tavernas be it sofrito, bourdetto, traditional Greek dishes or fresh grilled fish and an island nightlife of live Greek music, discos, or local tavernas where guitars strum Corfiot melodies. Accommodations range from back packers specials to quaint or modern apartments to luxury hotels in idyllic locations. Whether its diving in crystal clear waters, walking through olive groves, mountain biking, sailing, windsurfing, horse back riding, or island excursions Corfu offers a unique holiday on an island of rich historical and cultural heritage and much to satisfy one's curiosity.
| |
|
