DISCOVERING NORTH CORFU
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- DISCOVERING NORTH CORFU
DEPARTURE
- Corfu
EXCURSION THEME
- Entertainment
EXCURTION TYPE
- 1-16 (persons) Sprinter, 1-6 (persons) Mini Van, Individual
GUIDE SERVICE
- With Guide, Without Guide
DURATION
- Full Day
SHORT DESCRIPTION
GALLERY
ROUTE
Time | Description |
08:00:00 | departure from the hotel (depends on the place of residence) |
production of kumquats (liqueurs, sweets) | |
Paleokastritsa | |
Lacones (photoshop) | |
D'amour channel | |
Cassiopeia - free time | |
Reed (photostop) | |
16:30:00 | return to the hotel (depends on the place of residence) |
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.
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.
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.
Sidari and Canal d'Amour (Channel of Love)
Sidari is another corner of the island of Corfu, rich in beauty, concentrated, despite all its scale and impact on humans, in a relatively small area. Located on the shores of the Bay, the azure waters of which attract everyone to plunge into them this beach has long become the most famous on the northern coast of Corfu.
One of the most amazing creations of nature here is the Canal D’amour – a complex of bays that form a unique natural landscape of rocks and caves, the result of unstoppable “work” of winds and waves. Rocks of clay frame the graceful bays of the Canal D’amour.
The legend about this romantic place says that if two swim together in the waters of the canal, they will immediately inevitably fall in love with each other. There is another myth: if 2 lovers cross this Bay together, holding hands, then their feelings will last forever. The third legend tells of two lovers, whose passion was so strong that the gods envied them and turned them into two rocks separated by a gulf – but the love was so strong that the gulf between the rocks took the form of a heart.
Kassiopi
Kassiopi is one of the most picturesque villages of Corfu. Unlike most similar places on the island, which, as a rule, cannot boast of such a long history, Kassiopi was known in ancient times – and not as a village, but one of the largest cities on the island of Corfu.
The ancient city dates from the rule of the famous King of Epirus Pyrrhus, and played an important part during his reign in the latter’s conflicts with the Romans.
The settlement from the very beginning of its history had the character of a fortification. The Romans, having captured Corfu, built their fortress here. According to another version, the city of Cassiopeia was founded by the Epirots after the conquest of the Kingdom of Epirus by the Romans.
Sometime during the Roman period Cassiopeia was known for a highly respected local temple of Cassius Zeus. Also the city served as one of the points where Roman ships on their way from West to East and back, dropped anchor.
Kalami - Durrells White House
In the northeast of Corfu is the picturesque coast of Kalamio, around which there are nine small villages. It is no coincidence that this grammatical Gonia of the Emerald Nissi has lost the nickname “Black Pearl of Corfu”. Venetian-style houses here are surrounded by beautiful olive groves.
At the beginning of the 20th century Kalami beach became famous throughout Europe and became one of the favorite vacation spots of the London aristocracy, which turned this part of the island into a closed area. Europeans have long chosen this place for their summer getaways. And to this day, in addition to the British, traditionally vacationing in Kalami, the French and Germans also make up a significant part of the tourists of the region.
The peculiarity of velvet sea water is underground springs that flow into the sea right on the shore. They travel a long way from their source to the neighboring mountainous regions. There is a version that Nurbanu Sultana, The wife of Sultan Selim II and the mother of Murad III, was born in these places and spent her childhood here until she was captured by the Turks and ended up in the harem.
However, for those who have read the works of the brothers Gerald and Lawrence Durrell, the word Corfu or Corfu is identified with their last name. Probably none of the many writers and poets who glorified Corfu advertised the island as much as these two
MAP
- The coastline of Corfu has a total length of 217 km.
- Paleokastritsa is popular to divers – thanks to its rocky cave-shaped shores. Ordinary tourists can see the caves during small boat trips.
- Corfu is still called the “island of the Phaeacians”.
- If 2 lovers cross the D’amour canal together, holding hands, then their feelings will last forever.
- Total kilometer distance of the excursion – about 130 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.
550 €
Φόρμα Ενδιαφέροντος
Συμπληρώστε την φόρμα και θα επικοινωνήσουμε μαζί σας το συντομότερο δυνατό!
THE PRICE INCLUDES
- All transfers made with comfortable transport (depending on the selected category).
- Guide services (unless you have selected the “no guide” service).
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Lunch
- Boating in Paleokastritsa.
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
Cruise and BBQ
DISCOVERING NORTH CORFU
FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH GREECE (PREMIUM, THESSALONIKI)
METEORAS – DELPHI (TWO DAYS)
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Entertainment
METEORA – 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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Entertainment
CORFU – ISLAND OF THE ARISTOCRATS (TWO-DAY EXCURSION)
1,150 €The two-day trip to Corfu gives you the opportunity to get to know one of the most amazing islands of Greece. An aristocratic Island, unique architecture and huge historical and cultural heritage. The classic Greek beauty of Corfu has fascinated sailors, travelers, aristocrats and artists for centuries. The Venetians, the French and the British left behind a legacy in the architecture, culture, daily life and gastronomy of the island. Today Corfu is a mix of eras and cultures, blending traditional Orthodox Greece with the Cosmopolitan influences of Western Europe.
Day one – the city of Corfu.
Once you step into the atmospheric old town of Corfu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will find yourself in a fairytale world. You will hear the footsteps of kings, nobles and Knights who once walked on the cobbled sidewalks and quacks. And the labyrinth of narrow streets will lead you to the Church of St. Spyridon, protector of the city and one of the most revered saints. The port of Corfu, one of the most well-fortified ports in the Mediterranean, is characterized by two fortresses – Old and New. An ideal place to enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the magnificent Ionian Sea.
Pontikonisi and the Monastery of Vlacherna off the coast of Kanoni are some of the most famous and photographed sights of Corfu. Here you will not only enjoy the picturesque landscapes, but you will have the opportunity to take truly unique photos (with planes flying just a few meters above the Monastery of Vlacherna).
The evening awaits you a walk in the north of the island, where, on the edge of a cliff in Peroulades, the most romantic sunset awaits you.
Day two – the island of Corfu.
The day will start with an acquaintance with the traditional production of liqueurs and sweets from kumquat, which have long been the trademark of the island and are widely exported to European countries. Then to Paleokastritsa, which is a favorite destination for all visitors and locals 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. Here, on a cliff, dominates the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, whose history will be interesting not only for pilgrims.
At the end of the route – visit to Achillion, the summer house of the Austrian Empress Elizabeth (Sissi). This is undoubtedly one of the most famous royal mansions in Europe. It was built in 1890 and designed by the Italian architects Rafaele Carrito and Antonio Landi.
It is 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.
A two-day trip to Corfu will give you the opportunity to get acquainted with the most European, cosmopolitan and aristocratic island of the Ionian Sea and the whole of Greece.
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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.