When you think of Greece, what comes to mind is beautiful blue, green water, beaches, boats, islands, Greek food, and unforgettable scenery – an escape that enriches the soul and lures some to even change their lives. The island of Corfu captured this and more. It is one of the Ionian Islands, and lies off the coast of Sarandë, Albania. The principal old town, also called Corfu, welcomes tourists, is lined with cobblestone streets and alleyways, has Venetian and Bysantine architecture and features an assortment of shops and restaurants that beckon the visitor to say hello. The island is also deeply connected to Greek mythology and ancient historic battles. According to myth, the Greek God Poseidon fell in love with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, and brought her to Corfu where they married.
The island is divided by mountains, small villages and has breath taking beaches. Two high and well-defined ranges divide the island into three districts; the northern is mountainous, the central undulating, and the southern low-lying. If you rent a car and drive across the island the Bay of St. Georges is a lovely spot to stop and enjoy pristine views and take photos of the landscape and cove. In addition, there are equally spectacular views of vast wildflower valleys and pine forests with small terracotta tiled roofed villages holding up ancient cinder block houses. This landscape high above in the hills looking down and across to Albania seems to stretch as far as the eye can see. This Corfu landscape is vastly different from Santorini and Crete, which are arid and dry. Corfu has definite seasons, different flora and fauna, almost sub-tropical.
While site seeing the island, make it a point to stop, park your car and walk in some of the villages. Many are hundreds of years old. You can see the age in the buildings, cobblestone streets and if you lucky, you will see locals dressed in traditional Greek dress. Their attire is not elaborate, but very simple. The women wear mainly cotton smocks in dark colors with an apron tied around their waist and their hair pulled back with a scarf on their head. You may also see a Greek Orthodox minister in traditional clothing. There is no rat race in the villages; days go by, television is watched by some via crooked antennas on the rooftops, but most of the locals stay to themselves, catch up with the local gossip in the village square and are not concerned with modernization.
The island of Corfu has a thriving agricultural base. As you drive around the island there are miles of olives groves, pear, pomegranate, apple, and fig trees, and vineyards. Much of the wine that is produced in Greece, the vines and production takes place on the island. Also kumquats are planted and thrive to make kumquat liquor, which is sold in many of the tourist shops in the old town of Corfu.
The old town of Corfu is based off of a marina that receives Cruise Ships and has daily transport ferries sailing to Albania, other Greek Islands and ports off of the Adriatic coast of Italy. The old citadel (Palaio Frourio literally: Old Fortress (Παλαι? Φρο?ριο)) is an old Venetian fortress built on an artificial islet with fortifications surrounding its entire perimeter. The old city's architectural character is strongly influenced by the Venetian style since Venetian rule of Corfu lasted for a long period of time. Near the marina is the Palace of Sts. Michael and George. Te statue of Sir Frederick Adam, a British governor of Corfu, is at the front. The palace grounds provide a nice picnic area for families and is extended directly across the street where people gather under shade trees and sit and chat.
The new citadel or Neo Frourio (Ν?ο Φρο?ριο, "New Fortress") is a huge complex of fortifications dominating the northeastern part of the city; the huge walls of the fortress dominate the landscape as one makes the trip from Neo Limani (Ν?ο Λιμ?νι, "New Port") to the town, taking the road that passes through the fishmarket (ψαραγορ?). The new citadel was until recently a restricted area due to the presence of a naval garrison, but old restrictions have been lifted and it is now open to the public, with tours possible through the maze of medieval corridors and fortifications. The winged Lion of St Mark, the symbol of Venice, can be seen at regular intervals adorning the fortifications.
The lovely undisturbed life of the Corfuians can also be told in the laundry that hangs from windows and along clothes lines draped from one alleyway across to the other. It is a patchwork of color and part of daily life, as children plan in the streets, neighbors stop by ones open windows to chat and visitors walk through the old town maze taking it all in.
Below are several Web sites to help you plan your escape to Corfu:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g189458-Activities-c7-Corfu_Ionian_Islands.html
http://http://www.greeka.com/ionian/corfu/corfu-excursions.htm
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