There was an article on Naxos last week:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/tr...eece.html?_r=0

Having been to Corfu, Naxos and Santorini last year, I would DEFINITELY choose Naxos over Corfu. Like you, I was determined and went out of my way to see Corfu. I was very disappointed. I thought Naxos is so much prettier. Actually, I thought Santorini was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Yes it's crowded and touristy but, touristy for a reason.

I have very good friends who visited Corfu last year and were also disappointed. They felt the good beaches were very far out on the island, hard to get to and isolated from town. I haven't been, so just reporting what they said.

If you really want to split your time, what about Naxos and Paros, which are on the same boat line? Paros has some wonderful beaches- look at Golden Sunshine Beach- and a lovely port town, Nauossa. In fact I love it there so much, we are going back this summer!

Good luck with your choice. Hard to go wrong in the Greek islands!

Corfu is a very green island, the opposite from the Cyclades.
Also the architecture is totally different, as it has a strong Venetian influence.

I love Corfu , it has a totally different flair. The city of Corfu is of unique neauty with a lot to see and do.
There are beaches close to the city, such as Dassia, but to explore the island and visit the nice beaches you will need a rental car.

I wouldn't dare to compare Corfu to any of the Cyclades island, they are both beautiful in their own way.
Corfu is actually unique in Greece, after the sister islands of Kefalonia and Zakinthos were destroyed by a big earthquake in the 50s.

I can't understand why someone would be disappointed from Corfu, unless there were wrong expectations.. ( which happens when someone associates Greece with the Cyclades, which is only a very small part of Greece)