Corfu or Paris in May. Where would you go?
Apr 1st, 2016, 05:02 AM
#1
Corfu or Paris in May. Where would you go?
Dear Fodorites, We have 4-5 days in late May to enjoy a getaway, and have narrowed our choices to Corfu and Paris. We will be traveling from Vienna, so there are no jet lag concerns. Though we have visited Paris five times, each was always as part of a work trip for DH, so while he has seen the major attractions, his visits have never been solely "holiday." On the other hand, neither DH nor I have been to Corfu, and based on what we read in a recent Aegean Airlines onboard magazine, the island looks lovely. Our interests run the gamut, and we somehow manage to have a memorable holiday almost everywhere we have traveled. Where would you go?
In advance, thank you.
In advance, thank you.
Apr 1st, 2016, 08:21 AM
#4
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I agree, that's a good time to do an island, for 4-5 days. I don't get the Paris thing about how because prior trips were combined with work, that it makes any difference. If you have a week in a place, but 1-2 days were work, it's no different from someone who had a holiday there for 5 days. So that can't be the reason alone, if it were that almost all the time was taken up by work, that's another thing. A lot of people tack on their own extra time to a work trip, also.
Apr 1st, 2016, 08:35 AM
#5
Christina, with respect to DH's travels to Paris, his work encompassed practically every day of our stay, and because we usually overlapped with a school holiday our "holiday" time was very limited. We both love Paris and would like to savor the city without external influences, but are equally intrigued by Corfu; hence, the difficulty in making a decision. 
Apr 1st, 2016, 08:53 AM
#6
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Paris - just because. But them I am not greatly enamored of islands, beaches or sun.
(And I have done a couple of business trips there where you barely have time to take the client out to dinner and sleep - and not see anything except the streets between hotel and conference center or research facility - working days are often 12 to15 hours).
(And I have done a couple of business trips there where you barely have time to take the client out to dinner and sleep - and not see anything except the streets between hotel and conference center or research facility - working days are often 12 to15 hours).
Apr 1st, 2016, 11:07 AM
#7
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So completely opposite places. It would be easier to recommend between two islands or two cities, based on your interests.
However, much as I love Paris, I would choose Corfu. I am also not a big island person. Most of the time, a day or so, a tour, a bit of walking around and I am done, but Corfu is one island to which I would like to return. It has everything from busy little city areas and restaurants to lovely hotels to gorgeous beaches and bays, to hiking and boating. Just google some images.
Also, Paris is nice for even a day or two, and when you have more days, Paris could be easily combined with other destinations in Europe.
Corfu can't be easily combined with other places. May is a great time to go. 4-5 days is enough time to enjoy it.
However, much as I love Paris, I would choose Corfu. I am also not a big island person. Most of the time, a day or so, a tour, a bit of walking around and I am done, but Corfu is one island to which I would like to return. It has everything from busy little city areas and restaurants to lovely hotels to gorgeous beaches and bays, to hiking and boating. Just google some images.
Also, Paris is nice for even a day or two, and when you have more days, Paris could be easily combined with other destinations in Europe.
Corfu can't be easily combined with other places. May is a great time to go. 4-5 days is enough time to enjoy it.
Apr 1st, 2016, 02:03 PM
#11
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May is wonderful month for Corfu, the greenest of all Greek islands.. It will be full of flowers, weather will be warm enough and sunny and that will give you the opportunity to explore a fascinating island, that is totally different from what most Americans have in mind when it comes to a Greek island.
Corfu is the only Ionian island that wasn't hit by the terrible earthquake in 1953, and Corfu city is one of the most beautiful Greek cities with Venetian, British and even French influence.
The island is rich in history, it has many lovely old villages, and a lovely countryside to explore, that won't get you bored during the 5 days of your stay....
The old city of Corfu is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and that for a reason.
Corfu is the only Ionian island that wasn't hit by the terrible earthquake in 1953, and Corfu city is one of the most beautiful Greek cities with Venetian, British and even French influence.
The island is rich in history, it has many lovely old villages, and a lovely countryside to explore, that won't get you bored during the 5 days of your stay....
The old city of Corfu is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and that for a reason.
Apr 1st, 2016, 06:13 PM
#12
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I said Corfu but the time of year can be an issue ...we went in May one year and the spring rains were late and we did not have good weather and it is pre season..that can be good and bad..not so many people but too early for swimming and some places not open outside the main town.
Apr 2nd, 2016, 12:11 AM
#13
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Corfu should be beautiful in May with all the spring flowers. It is a beautiful island. We stayed in Kalami Bay where the Durrell's had their house (incidentally a TV series about the Durrell's in Kalami starts this Sunday in the UK). Corfu Town is a delight. Old windy streets and great Tavernas.
Apr 2nd, 2016, 12:40 AM
#14
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If you live in fear, Corfu is less likely than Paris to be the site of an ISIS attack.
That being said, in "The End of Elsewhere" by Taras Grescoe (highly recommended reading BTW: http://amzn.to/1X5ANjy ), he had this to say about Corfu:
<i>I'd chosen it for its reputation as a paradise overrun by German package tourists and yobs in Union Jack shorts who emerged already legless from their charters to turn the Mediterranean into their personal vomitorium. Like the Spanish islands of Ibiza and Majorca, and like Ios and Mykonos in the Aegean, Corfu -- Kerkyra to the natives, "Cor, Phew" to the lads -- had the reputation of being an accessible, downtown party center, a kind of Blackpool-on-th-Med that offered moussaka-and-chips and 24-hour full English breakfast. Now that I was here, in the 40-degree-Celsius sticky heat, I realized I couldn't have chosen a more perfect hell for myself than an over-touristed island full of boozed-up louts.</i>
That being said, in "The End of Elsewhere" by Taras Grescoe (highly recommended reading BTW: http://amzn.to/1X5ANjy ), he had this to say about Corfu:
<i>I'd chosen it for its reputation as a paradise overrun by German package tourists and yobs in Union Jack shorts who emerged already legless from their charters to turn the Mediterranean into their personal vomitorium. Like the Spanish islands of Ibiza and Majorca, and like Ios and Mykonos in the Aegean, Corfu -- Kerkyra to the natives, "Cor, Phew" to the lads -- had the reputation of being an accessible, downtown party center, a kind of Blackpool-on-th-Med that offered moussaka-and-chips and 24-hour full English breakfast. Now that I was here, in the 40-degree-Celsius sticky heat, I realized I couldn't have chosen a more perfect hell for myself than an over-touristed island full of boozed-up louts.</i>
Apr 2nd, 2016, 01:17 AM
#15
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Like most other islands with international airports, there are spots still quiet even in high season, if only you take the trouble to find them. The description quoted above by sparkchaser applies to July and August, and then only in certain resorts. The description could also be applied to certain resorts on Crete and Rhodes. Even the most notorious party islands are quiet in May.
It is true that sea water is very cool in May, and that weather is still changeable. If you want to see Greek islands dressed in their greenery, May is a good time to visit.
It is true that sea water is very cool in May, and that weather is still changeable. If you want to see Greek islands dressed in their greenery, May is a good time to visit.
Apr 2nd, 2016, 02:58 AM
#16
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As a regular visitor to Blackpool, I don't recognise that description of Corfu. Yes there are some popular spots on Corfu which may be rather lively but I wouldn't know as my stay there didn't include them in my itinerary.
For the record, Blackpool has some very attractive parts.
For the record, Blackpool has some very attractive parts.
Apr 2nd, 2016, 05:32 AM
#17
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I actually happen to be a Corfiot ..... the only area that i would personally skip, would be Kavos in the South... which is very similar to Malia Faliraki/Laganas ( on other islands).
Corfu is definitely not a party island !!
" Greek Islands don't come to life until June. Plus, in May the sea is still too chilly for a swim."
While this is true when it comes to smaller islands ( the Cyclades for instance with the exception of Syros), Corfu has a larger permanent population and is also a University city.
There are no spring rains, since there is no rain season..but it is more likely to rain on Corfu than anywhere else in Greece...
Of course i would never compare the mild climate of Corfu to that of Paris...
Corfu is definitely not a party island !!
" Greek Islands don't come to life until June. Plus, in May the sea is still too chilly for a swim."
While this is true when it comes to smaller islands ( the Cyclades for instance with the exception of Syros), Corfu has a larger permanent population and is also a University city.
There are no spring rains, since there is no rain season..but it is more likely to rain on Corfu than anywhere else in Greece...
Of course i would never compare the mild climate of Corfu to that of Paris...
Apr 2nd, 2016, 05:55 AM
#18
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Not sure what above post is saying but the point is more likely to have rain may and early June than July and August and honestly all bets are off on norms given the strange climate everywhere these days. I also recall temps being much cooler than expected in May...fine for most activities but just mentioning in case poster is really looking for a beach holiday..swimming and hot weather.
Apr 2nd, 2016, 07:50 AM
#19
Great responses, everyone. Thank you. On our drive home from a day trip today I read the comments to DH, and we decided on Corfu.
Beach weather is not a priority; we're not very good at sitting still and lounging on the sands, but certainly love beach combing.
The threat of terrorism is a priority, but a low one. We lived in Washington, DC in 2001 during the Pentagon attacks, the anthrax scares, and the sniper. Here in Vienna we were but an hour from the borders across which refugees (some may say, terrorists) streamed last autumn. And just this week we returned from three impressive days in Cairo (we tagged along on a work trip for DH). It isn't that we perceive the threat of terrorism to not be real; we just don't put ourselves into obviously dangerous situations and always maintain situational awareness, even here in Vienna, where neo-Nazi extremism is on the rise, and there have been numerous reports of aggressions against refugees and others considered to be "Non Austrian." No place is guaranteed safe any longer.
As for the weather, who knows. On rainy days we'll eat delicious food indoors; and on good weather days, outdoors. It's win-win, we think.
And so begins the happy problem of planning. Thank you, again, everyone!
Beach weather is not a priority; we're not very good at sitting still and lounging on the sands, but certainly love beach combing.
The threat of terrorism is a priority, but a low one. We lived in Washington, DC in 2001 during the Pentagon attacks, the anthrax scares, and the sniper. Here in Vienna we were but an hour from the borders across which refugees (some may say, terrorists) streamed last autumn. And just this week we returned from three impressive days in Cairo (we tagged along on a work trip for DH). It isn't that we perceive the threat of terrorism to not be real; we just don't put ourselves into obviously dangerous situations and always maintain situational awareness, even here in Vienna, where neo-Nazi extremism is on the rise, and there have been numerous reports of aggressions against refugees and others considered to be "Non Austrian." No place is guaranteed safe any longer.
As for the weather, who knows. On rainy days we'll eat delicious food indoors; and on good weather days, outdoors. It's win-win, we think.
And so begins the happy problem of planning. Thank you, again, everyone!
Apr 2nd, 2016, 10:17 AM
#20
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fourfor,
I am excited for you -- Corfu is a wonderful choice!
One of my all time favorite memories is of an October day in Corfu; we were docked on a cruise and it was chilly, windy and pouring, pouring rain. We ducked into a cozy "bar," Petite Fleur, a tiny thing off the beaten path for what turned out to be homemade hot chocolate (and beer for my husband). We sat at the bar and chatted with the owner who had a charming story about settling in Corfu to be close to family there. We watched him meticulously make my hot chocolate, but he was a little disappointed that I wanted it straight up, not flavored as he prefers. He so wanted us to taste a flavored version that he made us a second complimentary mug. We hated to leave!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petit...17744258236721
I am excited for you -- Corfu is a wonderful choice!
One of my all time favorite memories is of an October day in Corfu; we were docked on a cruise and it was chilly, windy and pouring, pouring rain. We ducked into a cozy "bar," Petite Fleur, a tiny thing off the beaten path for what turned out to be homemade hot chocolate (and beer for my husband). We sat at the bar and chatted with the owner who had a charming story about settling in Corfu to be close to family there. We watched him meticulously make my hot chocolate, but he was a little disappointed that I wanted it straight up, not flavored as he prefers. He so wanted us to taste a flavored version that he made us a second complimentary mug. We hated to leave!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petit...17744258236721
