BRIMMING WITH NATURE ‘”CORFU ISLAND”

BRIMMING WITH NATURE
‘”CORFU ISLAND”

DAY 1

Arrival to Corfu Island, meet with our representative and transfer to your hotel.

Explore Corfu Old Town, a certified UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has this accolade because of the stunning Venetian architecture and history.

Walking around the streets you can see the Venetian influences and will be awed at the beautiful buildings everywhere.

DAY 2

After breakfast, drive through the wonderful Corfiot countryside, full of olive groves, pine, cypress, lemon and orange trees. Approximately 25 minutes later, you arrive at one of the most beautiful spots on the island, the bay of Paleokastritsa, called the “Capri of Greece”. Once you are there, you visit the Byzantine Monastery of the Virgin – still inhabited by a community of monks - and its small museum, housing a unique collection of Byzantine icons and church relics. From the Monastery gardens you can admire breathtaking views over the beautiful bays of Paleokastritsa below, with their crystal-clear waters and the rocky promontories. According to the local myth, in one of these bays the legendary Odysseus met the beautiful local Princess Nausica after his shipwreck. After your visit at the monastery you will have some free time at the beach of Paleokastritsa, where you will have the option either to hire a boat in order to admire the caves or even enjoy a quick swim at the crystal blue waters of this area. The tour continues to the picturesque traditional village of Lakones, situated high up to the mountain slopes, from where you can enjoy a panoramicview over the whole bay of Paleokastritsa. Driving onwards, you arrive at the traditional village of Makrades, where you will admire an old tradition village of Corfu with it’s narrow streets and the village life.

Our next quick stop will be at the area of Martin (in Greek = Helidoni), from where you will have the chance to see the north of Corfu island, as you would have seen it if you were a martin. Our next stop and as per your preferences can be at one of the best sandy beaches of the island, St George Pagoi, where you will have the chance to stay for some time (even have lunch at a seaside tavern).

Your tour continues to the village of Old Perithia, which was built in the 14th century while the island was under the Byzantine rule, and is located on the northern flanks of the Mount Pantokrator at about 400m above the sea level. The surrounding land was ideal both for sheep farming and the cultivation of olives and vines, and Old Perithia was soon relatively prosperous.

Times were harder by the 20th century, however, and as tourism began to bring wealth and jobs to Corfu’s coastal areas, the village’s residents were drawn back down the mountain in search of work. Today, the village is a protected heritage site with 130 houses, many built in a Venetian style, which lie abandoned in varying states of dereliction. A few civic buildings also survive, including a school that remained in use until the middle of the 20th century. Surrounding the village are eight churches, one for every 150 of the village’s 1,200 former residents.

Old Perithia is no ghost town, however, thanks to the presence of a bed and breakfast and a handful of tavernas serving excellent mountain fare. Apart from good food, the village offers visitors a fascinating insight into Corfu’s history, jaw-dropping views, and an ideal “base camp” for anyone wishing to hike up to the summit of Mount Pantokrator, which takes about an hour.

Your coach then drives you down the north-eastern coastal road of the island – facing the shores of Albania, just 2 nautical miles away - passing by the beautiful bay villages of Kerasia, Kouloura and Kalami – the latter made famous by the British author Lawrence Durrell who lived there, and the coastal resorts of Barbati, Dassia, and Kontokali, before arriving back to your hotel.

DAY 3

Have your breakfast and get ready for an amazing cruise to fabulous islands of Paxi and Antipaxi, two islands that distinguish for the lush greenery and the exotic water. Our first stop is the amazing Paxos caves, that hide significant mythological history that .Make sure you have your cameras with you in order to capture one of the miracles of nature.

Next stop is one of the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean sea– Voutoumi – where you will be fascinated by the magnificent views of the gold coastline creating a unique contrast with the crystal blue-azure water.

After a relaxing swim, the last stop of our day will be the island of Paxos and the capital city, Gaios. There you will have the opportunity to spend more than 2 hours, strolling around its narrow alleys ,discovering the cultural heritage of the island and grab the experience of enjoying homemade lunch in one of the small,family run tavernas of the village! Some of the most expensive yachts in the Mediterranean will be docked at the port.

After breakfast, will go to “Blue Lagoon. It is an excursion dedicated to those who love nature and adventure, but not only. This cruise is a relaxing and easy trip to the azure coastline of the Greek mainland, where you will have the chance to explore the deep blue sea and nature of unique beauty.

Our day will begin with a first stop at the historical cave in which the

Greek submarine «Papanikolis» was sheltering during its patrols at Second World War. Then, we sail to the breathtaking and remote beach of Bella Vraka. Next and most beautiful stop of the day is the Blue Lagoon bay where you may swim and discover the virgin underwater scenery or try your abilities by taking place in our champagne diving contest You may swim and enjoy the azure water and the optional watersports! Last stop of the day is the picturesque fishing village, of Sivota, where you will have 2 hours to stroll around the port or the village tiny alleys, visit various cafes and tourist shops or enjoy your lunch in one of the many local tavernas.

DAY 5

After your breakfast, visit the Old and the New Fortress close to town, both offer panoramic sea views, so be ready to snap photos. Then you must visit the Achileion, the summer residence of Elisabeth of Bavaria, Empress of Austria, a wonderful palace! You may also visit the Korission Lagoon, which is surrounded by cedar forests and golden sand beaches, spot pretty pink flamingos, cormorants and Mediterranean turtles, or just sunbathe in the shadow of skyscraper-sized sand dunes overlooking the pristine golden sands of Issos Beach

End your day in Can D’ Amour! one of the most romantic places on the island.

This wave-worn rocky corner of Corfu attracts the romantics visiting the island. That’s because legend has it that couples who swim between the sea walls here stay together forever.

DAY 6

After the breakfast, you will be transferred to Corfu Airport to return back to Athens for your international flight. You have just experienced the perfect holiday vacation!

Special rate per person in DBL room, from 938 Euro, which includes:

➢ 5 nights in total in Corfu Island, in a Standard 4* hotel on BB basis

➢ Round trip private transfers Corfu APT-HTL-Corfu APT

➢ FD bus tour to Corfu green countryside & wonderful villages

➢ FD cruise to Paxi & Antipaxi islands, a paradise on earth!

➢ FD tour to Blue Lagoon & Sivota, a picturesque village with tiny alleys