Astrakeri: a bay with a quiet, sandy beach and a few small
tavernas. On May Day an unusual and very lively fiesta takes place,
on the seashore, organised by the Karoussades Cultural Society.
Not to be missed if you are in Corfu at that time.
Karoussades: a village of some 1300 inhabitants, established
in 20 BC by the Karousses, refugees from the Pontian region of
the Black Sea. During the Byzantine period it was a command post
with a well-developed economy. In 1453, the Theotokis family settled
in the village, a great and historic family which played a leading
role in the economic and political life of the island. Their grand
family mansion, built in 1500, still exists.
Sidari: A top tourist resort which is
known all over the world.The soft, sculptured rock formations
of the coast lend this area an almost extraterrestial allure.
Peroulades: a traditional village with
a rich architectural inheritance dating from Venetian times. You
will see arches, doorways, old-fashioned grocers' stores, and
the ruins of the house where the poet Andreas Calvos lived. From
this point a road leads to the spectacular shoreline at Cape
Drastis.
Afionas: a peninsula which affords a fantastic view towards
Agios Georgios Bay and over the open sea. >From here you can
see the island of Karavi (Ship) which has been the inspiration
for many myths and legends. According to Pliny, it was the petrified
ship of the Phaeceans, while in the surrounding villages they
speak of the historical queen Pamphlagona, who ruled the city
of the same name. It was said that her husband went away to fight
a foreign queen, with whom he fell in love, and they fled together
on his boat. The deceived Pamphlagona invoked Saint Nicholas,
who punished her unfaithful husband by turning his ship to stone
The village of Afionas was first inhabited in the 6th century
BC but it was abandoned shortly afterwards and re-inhabited in
the 6th century AD by a dark-skinned race, probably members of
a Mongolian tribe.
Agios Georgios (Pagi): a huge sandy beach
on the bay of the same name, with crystal-clear, cold water. The
afternoon wind, the 'maestros', makes it a favourite venue for
fans of windsurfing. At the southern end of the beach, just where
the road runs out, a footpath leads, after a walk of about ten
minutes, to the picturesque 'Fisherman's Taverna'.
Pagi: a pretty village which managed
not only to escape the raids of barbarians and pirates but has
also avoided being exploited in the name of tourism, retaining
its beautiful old houses. From here you can take a largely unmade
road which leads to Vistonas. The road is passable and runs through
some lovely areas.
Krini: This is the place to stop and quench your thirst
from the well of ice-cold water which stands in the little village
square. Or you can order a Greek coffee at the adjacent cafe,
and sip it till the sun's heat dies a little, then, rested, set
off for the climb to Angelokastro.
Angelokastro:
a Byzantine fortress, probably built in the 13th century by Michael
II, Despot of Epirus. It is sited on a rock 160m above sea level,
washed by the sea on three sides. with only one narrow passage
connecting it to the land. Here, in 1537, 3000 people from the
surrounding villages took refuge in the fortress, fleeing from
the Turks. Up to the time of its abandonment in the time of the
British Protectorate, the fortress remained impregnable. At the
summit stands the little church of the Archangels Michael and
Gabriel, while close up to the north-west wall a cave forms the
chapel of Agia Kyriaki.
Lakones: a most picturesque village with
narrow streets. Close by is the famed Bella Vista, which is said
to have one of the best views in the Mediterranean. The village
owes its name to its founders, refugees from Lakonia in the Peloponnese,
who established a settlement at this spot.
Palaiocastritsa:
is situated about 25 kilometres from town, linked to it by one
of the widest and best laid-out roads on the island. Consisting
of two impressive headlands and six coves, the area's unique combination
of lush vegetation, precipitous cliffs and sandy beaches has established
it as a top-class resort. The northern promontory belongs to the
Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was founded in 1225.
The building we see today is of a later date and houses a museum
of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons. Alipa Bay, apart from being
the site of a naval base, has a small marina where visiting yachts
and local fishing boats anchor. In the immediate surroundings
of Palaiocastritsa you will find some of the island's biggest
hotels, best restaurants and liveliest bars. Special note should
be taken of the wonderfully clear, deep sea of the area, a favourite
spot for scuba diving and harpoon fishing.
Kolovri: is the name of the rock which
rises out of the sea in the bay of Palaiocastritsa. It is one
of the many rocks reputed to be the petrified ship of Odysseus.
Liapades:
a beautifully built village of 900 inhabitants, renowned for its
wine, produced from grapes of the kakotrygis variety. Ideal swimming
is to be found at the nearby beach of Liapades, and boats may
be hired to take you to other beaches in the area.
Kyprianades has very ancient roots and was once prosperous and
well-populated. Today, few folk remain, but it is worth visiting
this corner of Corfu to marvel at the surrounding natural beauty.
The Tyflos River, with its wonderful flora and fauna, passes close
by. As well as eels and turtles, freshwater whitebait and spawn
live in the river. Riverbank footpaths lead to Kefalovriso, where
you can drink clean, cool water from sources on Mt. Pantokrator.
.
Agii Douli: a quaint village with Venetian
houses and Byzantine origins. The 'agii douli' (holy slaves) were
the servants who worked the land belonging to the Church in Byzantine
times.
Skripero: a large village with old mansions
and an outstanding musical and folkloric heritage. Its Philharmonic
Society was founded at the turn of the 20th century.The Albanian
word for hillside is 'skrip', and this may be directly connected
with the name of the village, although the Italian 'scrivere'
(write) remains from the time when Skripero was the capital of
the Municipality of Epilimnion, the base for local authorities
such as magistrates and police.