CORFU – ISLAND OF THE ARISTOCRATS (TWO-DAY EXCURSION)
DEPARTURE
- Chalkidiki, Thessaloniki
EXCURSION THEME
- Entertainment, Historical, Pilgrimage
EXCURTION TYPE
- 1-16 (persons) Sprinter, 1-2 (persons) Car, 1-6 (persons) Mini Van, Individual
GUIDE SERVICE
- With Guide, Without Guide
DURATION
- 2 days
SHORT DESCRIPTION
GALLERY
ROUTE
| Time | Description |
| 06:30:00 | FIRST DAY Departure from Thessaloniki |
| 08:30:00 | Arrival in Igoumenitsa, ferry boat to Corfu Thessaloniki |
| 11:30:00 | arrival in Corfu |
| 11:45:00 | Kanoni, Monastery of Vlacherna, Pontikonisi |
| 13:30:00 | stop for lunch in a traditional tavern |
| 14:30:00 | Church of St. Spyridon, Liston, Old Town |
| 18:00:00 | arrival at the hotel |
| 21:00:00 | sunset (Peroulades) |
| 07:30:00 | SECOND DAY breakfast at the hotel |
| 08:45:00 | production of kumquats (liqueurs, sweets) |
| 09:45:00 | Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi |
| 10:30:00 | Paleokastritsa |
| 12:00:00 | Lakones, stop for lunch in a traditional tavern |
| 13:15:00 | Makrades |
| 14:30:00 | Achilleion |
| 16:45:00 | Arrival at the port of Corfu, ferry boat to Igoumenitsa |
| 18:45:00 | arrival in Igoumenitsa and departure for Thessaloniki |
| 22:00:00 | Return to Thessaloniki |
EXCURTION DESCRIPTION
Corfu
Corfu is one of the most northern and western islands of Greece and the Ionian Sea, belongs to the Ionian Islands. The north-eastern coast of the island is located quite close (about 2 km from the city center).) from the coast of forty in Albania.
Corfu has an elongated shape, wider in the northern part, narrowing to the South. The coastline has a total length of 217 km. and forms several bays and capes. The region is mostly mountainous, especially in the northern part.
It is a medium-sized island with an area of 588 sq.m. km, and according to the 2011 census with a population of 101,113 inhabitants. Although unofficially the population is larger, approaching 150,000, Corfu Town (the capital of the island) is home to 30,000 people. The length of the island from end to end does not exceed 61 km. and its width is 27.
It is one of the most populous islands in the Mediterranean with a population density of 193 inhabitants per square kilometer and, in percentage change, ranks third in Greece in terms of population density after Athens and Thessaloniki.
Foreigners call the island Corfu, a distorted version of its Byzantine name Verto. Byzantine sailors named the island so because of the two peaks that first appear on the horizon when a ship approaches its shores. These peaks, the highest peaks of Corfu are: Mount Pantokrator (ancient Mast, 914 m.) and Stravoskiadi (849 m.)
Holy Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna and Kanoni
The Holy Monastery of Vlacherna is one of the most famous and recognizable places of Corfu, attracting hundreds of tourists every day. It is located in the immediate vicinity of Pontikonisi. The monastery occupies a small island, just a few meters from the Kanoni Peninsula and Corfu International Airport. The island is connected to the coast by a stone pier, and visitors can easily reach the monastery. Pontikonisi is located behind Vlacherna, but can only be reached by boat (in summer they leave for Pontikonisi every 10 minutes).
The monastery dates back to the 17th-18th centuries, but ceased to function in 1980. Today, only a small church inside is used for celebrations and is open to tourists and pilgrims. There is also a gift shop in the courtyard. Most of the photos of the Vlacherna monastery were taken from the bridge that connects Kanoni with the village of Perama. It offers wonderful views of the lagoon, Pontikonisi and the airport. These three locations are often cited as the most photographed attractions on the island. Here you can” catch ” the moment of takeoff and landing, when huge aircraft fly just a few meters above the bridge and the monastery.
Cosmopolitan Kanoni is one of the most famous sights of Corfu, it covers the entire peninsula 3 kilometers south of Corfu Town, here in ancient times there was the first settlement founded in the 8th century BC.Allah. with the ancient Temple Of Artemis, other buildings and the Acropolis.
The Cannon is named after a large cannon installed by the French on the southern tip of the peninsula in 1798 – which strengthened the protection of the island, it is still here.
There is a theory that the Port of Kanoni gradually became inaccessible to navigation due to sediment, which forced the inhabitants to move to a new place where there was already an old fortress for their protection. In fact, the ancient city of Corfu was completely destroyed by the Visigoth invaders in the 5th century AD.Allah., which forced the inhabitants to abandon it.
Saint Spyridon Church
One of the most important Byzantine and Christian monuments in Corfu is the Church of St. Spyridon. The church is located in the center of the Old Town, in the so-called “Koutouki of St. Spyridon”, and you can easily find it from the bell tower that rises above the city. The construction of the temple was completed in 1589. It was the private Church of the Voulgaris family, to which the holy relics of the Saint belonged.
Although Spyridon is the patron saint of Corfu (his memory is celebrated in a procession four times a year), he never visited the island during his lifetime. Saint Spyridon was Bishop of Trimythounda in Cyprus in the 4th century AD.Allah. He held so high a position, though he was an uneducated Shepherd by the people. However, he was distinguished by his spirituality. Being a priest, he very quickly gained the trust of the public and other clergy.
Spyridon died in 358 m.Allah. and soon after he was declared a saint. His remains were taken to Constantinople when Cyprus was conquered by the Saracens and lay there until 1456. Then, after the fall of Constantinople, in order to save the holy relics, a priest secretly transported them to Corfu.
Eventually, the relics of Saint Spyridon passed into the ownership of the Voulgaris family around 1520 ( until 1925).
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The Old Town of Corfu
The Old Town of Corfu is a unique gem of the whole of Greece. Byzantine and Venetian architecture, narrow couches, small squares scattered through the streets, the sounds of music from Philharmonic rehearsals – all this creates a unique setting that you will surely remember for a long time. For most visitors, the historic center resembles Italian neighborhoods and makes sense, as The Venetian protectorate in Corfu lasted about 400 years, saving it from the Turkish yoke and giving the island the opportunity to flourish as a cultural, Christian and commercial area. The historic center of the city is UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007
The first thing that impresses travelers arriving in Corfu Town is the two fortresses: the old and the new, which protect Corfu Town from both sides. They are fortifications of the Venetian era, designed to protect the city from attacks, mainly Turkish.
Kumquat products
The golden orange is called “kam kwat” in its homeland in China, while its English name used in Europe – kumquat. This citrus shrub has been cultivated in Corfu since 1924. It is said to have been brought to the island by the British agronomist Merlin. Following the ministry’s decision in 1994, it was declared a product of a Protected Geographical Indication.
Kumquat is a citrus shrub and does not exceed 2.5 meters in height. The fruit ripens in December and, like other citrus fruits, changes color from Green to Orange. Thus, the most suitable collection period is from January to February. The fruit is smaller than the Mandarin, elongated, has seeds and is eaten with the peel. Like all citrus fruits, it is rich in vitamins A and C. However, its taste is very spicy and bittersweet, so it is usually not eaten raw. But it is great for liqueurs, jams and desserts. Thus, most of the products are processed directly on the island of Corfu, and a significant part of the manufactured products is exported to the countries of the European Union.
Kumquat is intensively cultivated in Corfu and specifically in the northern part of the island, in the area of Plato. Here, the soil, mild climate and a sufficient amount of water contribute to good harvests. The plantations cover a total of over 500 acres. With annual Kumquat production approaching 140 tons.
Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi
The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi in Paleokastritsa is male and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. According to legend, it was built in the place where the icon of the Theotokos appeared. The monastery was built on the rock, the location made it not only a spiritual center, but also part of the island’s defense system. The monastery is located 26 km northwest of Corfu Town and is built on the highest hill on the Right Bank of the Gulf of Paleokastritsa.
All the buildings of the monastery are designed in the Byzantine style and date back to 1228. But the monastic cells and the courtyard with arches were built in the 18th century. Also in the monastery there is a traditional olive press and a small museum with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons (Cretan School of the 15th-18th century). One of the most important exhibits is the Icon Of The Assumption of Lambardos (16-17 centuries), as well as the icon of Panagia Skopiotissa, painted on Bull skin, dated 1494. The museum also contains sacred vestments, books, religious relics and utensils.
In the 19th century, during the British rule, the monastery was used as a military hospital, in parallel a road was built to the very village of Paleokastritsa and the monastery. An old Russian cannon with the coat of arms of the Romanov dynasty at the entrance reminds of the presence of Russians in the region in 1799.
Today the monastery is one of the landmarks of the island and, with its unparalleled natural beauty, attracts a large number of not only pilgrims, but also ordinary tourists.
Paleokastritsa
Paleokastritsa is one of the most famous resorts of Corfu. Picturesque bays and sandy beaches, olive groves, green hills, steep cliffs and caves that are hidden inside, create a unique atmosphere that attracts visitors to the island and residents of the area.
According to historians, during the reign of Alkinoos, the King of the Phaeacians, the capital of the island was located here.
The city is located just 25 km from the city from the capital. The area was made famous by 19th century English travellers and artists who were inspired by its sophisticated and romantic atmosphere. The British also built the first road in the area, connecting the Castle-Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi with the city of Corfu.
Paleokastritsa began to be inhabited and built relatively recently, in 1950. It was then that the first housing and gradually the tourist infrastructure appeared. Surprisingly, the development of tourism, the construction of hotels, taverns and shops practically did not affect the appearance of the region. Paleokastritsa remains the greenest part of Corfu with forests and olive groves that blend perfectly with the blue sky and the sea.
Paleokastritsa has six bays: Agios Spyridonas, Agia Triada, Agios Petros, Ambelaki, Alypas and Platakia. The landscape, of course, is characterized by the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea and the beautiful sandy beaches. If you have heard that the sea water in Corfu is cold, then this is most likely due to Paleokastritsa. Here the sea is deep enough, and cold currents pass.
Paleokastritsa is popular to divers – thanks to its rocky cave-shaped shores. Ordinary tourists can see the caves during small boat trips.
Not far from the entrance of the port, you will see a rocky islet called Petrokaravos. According to legend, it was an Algerian pirate ship that turned into stone outside the coves of Paleokastritsa after the prayers of the abbot of the monastery.
Achilleion
Achilleion is undoubtedly one of the most famous royal mansions in Europe and has long been a trademark of Corfu. It was built in 1890 by the Austrian Empress Elisabeth and designed by Italian architects Rafaele Carrito and Antonio Landi. The Queen decided to settle on the island, the climate of which had a beneficial effect on her health.
The mansion was named after Achilles, Elizabeth’s favorite hero. The palace is surrounded by lush gardens dominated by vigorous bougainvillea and tall palm trees. The gardens contain a large number of sculptures, the most remarkable of which are dedicated to Achilles himself. The first is Ernst Gustav Herter’s “Achilles dying” in 1884, in which the hero tries to pull a deadly arrow from his heel. It is believed that the Empress acquired the statue in memory of her son, who tragically committed suicide. The second is Johannes Götz’s “Nicon Achilleus”, who was installed later, under William II. Who also placed an inscription: “To The Greatest Of The Greeks by The Greatest Of The Germans.”
Achilleion is located just 9 km east of Corfu Town, on the green Gastouri Hill, and is a Pompian style palace built between 1889 and 1892 its main feature is the many statues depicting characters from Greek mythology and heroes from Homeric epics. Among the most impressive statues are the Olympic gods and the peristyle with 9 muses.
MAP
- The old town of Corfu is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (wife of Queen Elizabeth II) was born on the island of Corfu.
- Corfu was never occupied by the Turks.
- Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of an independent Greek state and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, was born in Corfu.
- Spianada Square (in Corfu) is the largest in the Balkan Peninsula.
- The shape of the coves in Paleokastritsa looks like hearts.
- Kumquat is cultivated in Greece only on the island of Corfu.
- Total kilometer distance of the excursion (with departure from Thessaloniki) – about 790 km.
- Wear comfortable shoes for your safety.
- The program of the excursion can be changed for reasons beyond the control of the company (force majeure); weather conditions and at the discretion of the tour guide, if necessary.
- The route includes ferry crossing (Igoumenitsa – Corfu – Igoumenitsa).
- Do not forget to take with you the essentials, the route includes accommodation on the island of Corfu (3 * hotel, accommodation in triple or double rooms).
1,150 €
Φόρμα Ενδιαφέροντος
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THE PRICE INCLUDES
- All transfers made with comfortable transport (depending on the selected category).
- Guide services (unless you have selected the “no guide” service).
- Accommodation in a 3 * hotel on the island of Corfu in double or triple rooms with breakfast (for accommodation in a single room – 30 euros per person). In the case of selecting a Sprinter (1-16 people) the hotel is paid extra.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Lunch/ dinner.
- Tickets to museums and archeological parks.
- Ferry boat tickets (Igoumenitsa – Corfu – Igoumenitsa).
- In the case of selecting a Sprinter (1-16 people) the hotel is paid extra.
SUGGESTED EXCURSIONS
TOUR IN ATHENS AND THE MUSEUM OF THE ACROPOLIS
CORFU – ISLAND OF THE ARISTOCRATS (TWO-DAY EXCURSION)
Cruise to Albania: Saints Saranda and Vouthroto
PILGRIMAGE TO THE MONASTERIES OF CORFU
DISCOVERING NORTH CORFU
FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH GREECE (PREMIUM, THESSALONIKI)
METEORAS – DELPHI (TWO DAYS)
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EntertainmentMETEORA – ATHENS (TWO-DAY EXCURSION)
1,350 €A two-day trip to Meteora – Athens gives you the opportunity to get to know the Orthodox, cultural and natural sights of mainland Greece and the capital of the country, a city that is the trademark of the achievements of classical Greece. From on the one hand, Meteora is the place where God’s providence meets unique natural landscape. Where is the strength of the human spirit and the desire for knowledge led to the triumph of creation and harmony. And on the other – the uniqueness and originality of Athens, which combines a history of five thousand years with the life of a large city of the 21st century.
Day one: Kalambaka and Meteora monasteries
Medieval Orthodox monasteries of Meteora, located on steep cliffs of the Thessalian plain, are considered to be one of the most significant historical, Orthodox and cultural sites in Greece. This is the second most important monastic complex in Greece (after the monastic Republic of Saint Athos) annually attracts a large number of travelers from all over the world. And this is not surprising – Meteora monasteries are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Moving to Delphi and check-in at the hotel.
Day Two – Athens / Acropolis Museum / Thermopylae
During a sightseeing tour of Athens, you will get acquainted with the main sights of the center of the capital of Greece. Your path will run along the Kifissos River, which, according to one version, is the legendary Eridanus, where the son of the solar god Helios Phaethon fell into, strucked by lightning of Zeus for the inability to cope with the chariot of his father. You will see Cape Piraeus, where the main port once appeared, Athens, which retains such significance today. And marvel at the size columns of the temple of Olympian Zeus, which can surprise even now. Follow the steps of the Evzones – soldiers of the national guard, carrying guard at the parliament building in the very center of the city. take a selfie in the background of Olympic Stadium Kallimarmaro, where the first Olympic modern games were held. You will follow the paths of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle along the agora of ancient Athens and the path “Peripatos” around the hill of the Acropolis, in the honour of which the Peripatetic school of philosophers was named. Dive into the hustle and bustle of the Plaka – one of the old districts of Athens, conveying the mood of the second half of the 19th century. On the way back, a stop in the Thermopylae Gorge is provided, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans accomplished a feat that even today is not forgotten not only by the Greeks, but by the whole world.
After your visit to the Acropolis, the excursion continues to the new Acropolis Museum, which in 2009 moved from the premises next to the Parthenon to a new building.
On the way back, a stop is waiting for you in Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans gained eternal glory.
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Entertainment
TOUR IN ATHENS AND THE MUSEUM OF THE ACROPOLIS
610 €The trip to Athens is one of those trips that will not leave any traveler indifferent. And it’s not just about the the spirit of a modern European metropolis, the atmosphere of the capital or the sequence of objects you visit. The bottom line is that you touch the pages of school textbooks and books about ancient Greek history and mythology on and on again, and, at the same time, discover a lot of new things&facts for yourself.
Not only history and gods with heroes will fill with special content your acquaintance with the city of democracy, but also a number of pleasant surprises and surprises will open Athens for you . And first of all it will be an acquaintance with the uniqueness and originality of the city, which combines a history of five thousand years with the life of a 21st century metropolis. This amazing symbiosis in Athens does not just mean the neighborhood of the majestic ruins of the 5th century BC. e. with modern trading centers and buildings of the 19th century, built in neoclassical style, but also a special atmosphere in which antiquity meets the era of technological progress.
During a sightseeing tour of Athens, you will get acquainted with the main sights of the center of the capital of Greece. Your path will run along the Kifissos River, which, according to one version, is the legendary Eridanus, where the son of the solar god Helios Phaethon fell into, strucked by lightning of Zeus for the inability to cope with the chariot of his father. You will see Cape Piraeus, where the main port once appeared, Athens, which retains such significance today. And marvel at the size columns of the temple of Olympian Zeus, which can surprise even now. Follow the steps of the Evzones – soldiers of the national guard, carrying guard at the parliament building in the very center of the city. take a selfie in the background of Olympic Stadium Kallimarmaro, where the first Olympic modern games were held. You will follow the paths of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle along the agora of ancient Athens and the path “Peripatos” around the hill of the Acropolis, in the honour of which the Peripatetic school of philosophers was named. Dive into the hustle and bustle of the Plaka – one of the old districts of Athens, conveying the mood of the second half of the 19th century. On the way back, a stop in the Thermopylae Gorge is provided, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartans accomplished a feat that even today is not forgotten not only by the Greeks, but by the whole world.
After your visit to the Acropolis, the tour continues to the new Acropolis Museum, which in 2009 moved from the premises next to the Parthenon to a new building.The layout of the museum building provides transparent floors, so the basement of the exhibition is the excavation of the districts of ancient Athens. On the ground floor there are finds of Athenian pottery, in the first – finds, found mainly during the excavation of the “Persian ravine” – a pit in which were buried details of buildings and sculptural decorations of the Acropolis of the Archaic period of the 6th century BC. after the destruction of the buildings by the Persians in 480 and 479 BC. Also, in the same area, a large number of so-called kouros and koras are presented (statues of young men and women of the archaic period).
The top floor houses the original sculptures of the Parthenon, which are on display in the museum to protect them from the harmful effects of smog, rain and pollution: metopes, fragments of surviving pediments and details of the Parthenon frieze. The Acropolis Museum contains 40 plaques, the British Museum – 56, stolen in 1801-1805 by Elgin.
On the way back, a stop is waiting for you in Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans gained eternal glory.
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Cruise
Cruise to Albania: Saints Saranda and Vouthroto
50 €Albania is located just 2 nautical miles from the island of Corfu and the history of its southern coastline is the history of Greek settlements.
A one-day cruise in Albania will acquaint you with the monuments of ancient times, the natural beauty and the customs of this country.
As part of this route, you will visit the town of Agioi Saranda, called the Southern Gate of Albania due to its key position throughout its centuries of history. The main purpose of the trip is the Butrhoto Archaeological Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
And at the end of the program, you will have a short tour of the medieval castle Le Cures, located on a hill above the port.
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CruiseBLUE LAGOON CRUISE
30 €Dreams of relaxation for most people are associated with azure of the sea, endless white sandy beach or sea cruise. The Blue Lagoon cruise is a great opportunity to spend an unforgettable day at the sea and get a lot of pleasant impressions.
Chalkidiki is called “a kaleidoscope of green and blue” because of the rich vegetation that borders the waters of its coasts. The beaches are long and sandy, scattered over small or large bays. The sea is perfectly clean, safe, transparent and calm. The seabed is teeming with life, and if you take diving goggles you can see fish, small octopuses and other marine life.
The cruise will start from the bay of Ormos Panagias and its itinerary will be lie to the south – towards the openwork coast of Vourvourou, after swimming in open waters you will travel to the only one of the inhabited islands in the region region – Ammouliani, where you can stroll through the atmospheric village and relax on the beach.
