Corfu, or Kerkyra in Greek, is the capital of the Ionian Islands and one of the most magnificent cities of Greece. Much of the island of Corfu is given to tourism and package holidays but there are still some beaches and beauty spots off the beaten track.
Corfu Town is a markedly Venetian city built from the 14th century onwards. From the initial settlement, the Campiello where three or four-storey houses are cramped together in narrow streets paved with cobblestones (the famous kantounia), the town expands to elegant squares and central promenades with some of the finest houses to be found along the Esplanade, one of the largest squares of Europe. Grand palaces and fortresses make the historic centre of Corfu Town a top tourist attraction.
At Corfu’s north coast, Sidari heaves with tourists eager to swim through its famous Canal d’ Amour and sample the myriad of restaurants and bars. At the northeast Nissaki, Kaminaki and Agni are quieter, while in the west, Paleokastritsa and Glyfada are some of Corfu’s celebrated beauty spots.
Due to its Venetian heritage Corfu has a long and significant musical tradition and a rooted appreciation of the opera in particular. Local delicacies to be sampled include sofrito (veal lamb of Venetian origin), honey cakes with sesame (pasteli and mandolato) and tzitzibira, a traditional ginger beer of British origin.
Corfu, or “Kerkyra” in Greek, is located just off the west coast of Greece, with the North side being more mountainous and wider than the South. The island's total size is approximately 597km 2 and enjoys almost 92 charming beaches, with one of the most famous being the “Canal d'amour”, French for “Channel of love”. The inhabitants enjoy a cosmopolitan way of life, mainly sustained by tourism and agricultural products such as high quality olive oil and various mouth-watering specialties such as Sofrito, Savoro and Kou Kouat which is the trademark of the island. The tasty wines are without any chemical additives and they are usually produced by families that enjoy each and every stage of the process. Famous brands of wines include Kakotrigis and Moschato, both being excellent choices for white wine, sweet or dry and are waiting to accompany the fresh and exciting Greek food in every local tavern.
The island offers many vivid festivals and celebrations either religious or not, throughout the year and especially during summer. In the village of Ano Korakiana and during August, the “August Cultural Events” take place that involve a variety of social and cultural events that can be enjoyed during one's stay in the island. During September one can participate in one of the most amazing festivals of the island, the “Festival of Corfu” which consists of concerts and theatrical performances executed by Greek or foreign artists. Last but not least, the Patron of the island is Saint Spyridon and his memory is celebrated on August the 11 th and on Good Saturday. Other memorable festivals include “The sound and light show”, The Varkarola, and the Cricket Festival. Besides the entertainment events, Corfu has more than enough museums worth visiting, including the museum of the country's national poet “The Museum of Solomos, ”, “The Byzantine museum of Corfu”, “Shell museums” and “The museum of Asian Art”.
