Just looking for general information and insight on Corfu.

I was there quite a number of years ago, but I loved it and hope to return. <BR>It is not like some other Greek islands in that the landscape is quite lush with foliage, olive trees, etc. It is not as dry as some of the others. <BR>Its history is also not like some of the other islands because it changed hands several times, being "owned" at one time or another by England, Venice, and Turkey. As a result, the architecture in the main town of Corfu <BR>looks more Venetian than Greek, and <BR>there is (was) a cricket field in the center of town. <BR>A car was useful to us to get from one side of the island to another. There were taxis, some buses I believe, and motor bikes to rent. <BR>Corfu is geographically closer to Albania than it is to the mainland of Greece. <BR>I stayed at that time at the Corfu Hilton which was very nice then, beautifully landscaped, and situated above a private beach. <BR>The beach however was "shingled" (pebbles) rather than sand, so a pair of rubber bathing shoes came in handy. <BR>Food at the restaurant was expensive and mediocre; we far more enjoyed the meals we had at restaurants in town or on the road. <BR>For sightseeing and shopping, 2-3 days would do. However, in late June, the weather was glorious for sunbathing and swimming. We spent 5 days there.

Elaine, <BR>Thanks for the superb detail! I am actually planning on trading my time-share in Palm Springs for a week on Corfu in June/July...I will definitely use your helpful information! Thanks!

Corfu a definite must is August 11th the feast of St Spiridan just go its out of this world.Miriads of torchlight processions and boats lit up over the bay.We stayed at the Corfu Palace 4/5 star - superb.

Some of the resorts in Corfu are very popular with British (and German?) tour operators, who offer very cheap deals, and attract a lot of heavy-drinking young people. <BR> <BR>For me, this has 'spoiled' many of the resorts on Corfu, as the local culture has disappeared behind mass-market tourism. <BR> <BR>If you want to avoid this, avoid Kavos, Ipsos, Gouvia, Dassia and Benitses. <BR> <BR>Personally, I find the north of the island is much more 'traditional' Greece.

Again based on my trip from years ago, <BR>I have very fond memories of a drive we took to the northwest of Corfu to an area called Paleokastritsa. <BR>Gorgeous beach (at least then) and overlooked by a monastery high up on a hill--we toured the grounds and the vine-draped pergolas <BR>Sigh