Corfu, Leora

Corfu, Ionian Islands, 49100 Greece

About The Area

Corfu is one of the Ionian Islands, located in the most northwestern part of the Ionian Sea. It is reachable by air (duration of flight is 45 minutes from The Athens International Airport, while there are also flights from Thessaloniki and major European cities) as well as by sea (links to Patra, Igoumenitsa and ports of Italy). Also, boats link Corfu to the island group Paxoi and the small islands Othonoi, Ereikoussa and Lazaretto.Corfu is a destination of elegance and nobility. The island has incurred a long period of Venetian dominance and this is depicted in the uniqueness of its architecture and monuments. The old town of Corfu is included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO, while Spianada is the biggest square in the Balkans. Fortresses, palaces and picturesque villages along with tiny islands and romantic beaches combine into a unique mosaic.The island of Corfu was a favorite destination of Empress Elizabeth of Austria, who built there a summer palace and named it Achilleion, after Achilles, the hero of the Trojan War. Her palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is open to visitors as a museum. On the island one can find many museums of great interest, such as the Museum of Far Eastern Art (the only one of its kind in Greece) and the Olives Museum that displays traditional tools and processes for olive oil production.Music is inextricably linked to daily life in Corfu. There are many bands that offer free music lessons, perform at Spianada square and participate in the traditional Easter ceremonies of the island. One of the most famous local products is the kumquat orange, a tiny type of orange that is used to produce aromatic spoon sweets and liqueurs. Furthermore, the island possesses a premier golf club that connoisseurs characterize as one of the best hidden secrets in Europe.For those who are keen on discovering dreamy beaches, the island group of Paxoi is the ideal suggestion for a daily or weekend excursion from Corfu.