Corfu, the best island of Greece

by Victor Grigore, Webphoto.ro

Though it is not the biggest Greek island, Corfu attracts the western tourists with the green and turquoise waters of the Ionian See, the rocks with vegetation that emerge from the water and the welcoming locals. The island look like a giant residential neighborhood, with villas spread all around on the winding roads that go up and down the hills. Most of the houses have generous spaces in between, with gardens of olive trees, lemon and orange trees. The highest point of the island is the top of Mount Pantokrator, 906 m.

The main city is named like the island, Corfu, which the locals call Kerkyra. The city is quite romantic, with the remains of the 300 years Venetian occupation. The streets are narrow, with lots of historic buildings, and there is even a fortress on the shore, surrounded by a moat. By short boat trips you can see the clear waters around or get to Albania (which can literally be seen from the shores of Corfu) or to Bari and other Italian cities. The nearest Greek town in the mainland is Igoumenitsa.

Tourism is the main activity in the area, and the best beaches can be found at Paleokastritsa, Gyfada or Barbati. The palm trees, oleander and other flowers are planted at the sides of the road, as well as on the balconies of the typical white houses. But beware that these decorative plants, as well as those that wildly grow on the island won’t provide any shade, so it’s better to stay away from the burning sun during mid-day in the summer. The number of British tourists that come to Corfu is important so the locals generally know enough English to make their foreign guests feel comfortable.