<i>As a regular visitor to Blackpool, I don't recognise that description of Corfu.</i>

Taras Grescoe is Canadian so that's probably the explanation.

I personally think it's torture to visit a beach town and not be able to take a dip in the water.
Summer is the best time to experience beach towns, à mon humble avis

<i>Yes it is!</i>

Use < and > instead of [ and ].

<I> Thanks, Heimdall </I>

<b>You got it!</b>

<u>yup, and am now an expert at it</u>

Good luck planning your holiday. Will be interesting hear where you go and to read any feedback, if you get the time.

GinnyJo, I could travel with you! DH and I do not often have much control over our holidays (school breaks, tag along work trips, and so forth), so I have learned to make the best of wherever I am, whenever I am there!

KodakMoment, I agree, mostly. But if it comes down to not dipping into the water versus not traveling at all, I can forego the dip. :)

Stevelyon, I'll do my best to report back. I have relied tremendously on Fodorite reports for our travels, and always try to offer our experiences from a holiday.

By coincidence, a new series of <i>The Durrels</i> starts today on British television, and I am watching it now. The series is based on Gerald Durrel's trilogy of memoirs, when the family relocated from England to Corfu back in the 1930's.

I suspect Corfu will gain in popularity this year!

Thanks Heimdall, I watched it mainly for the scenery (not a lot of it so far) and found myself engrossed by the characters. We stayed at Kalami Bay where the Durrells had their house - a delightful spot. I didn't see either flamingos or pelicans - maybe I was there wrong time of year.

Now that you've settled on Corfu, you just need to decide which part of the island to stay at. As clausar says, avoid the Kavos area, it's teens/twenties and booze, but as it's way down at the southern end of the island, it's easy to miss.

If you want a central coastal spot to see the island by car,(do rent a car-it's well worth it) then maybe Gouvia or Ipsos. Otherwise the small resorts from north of Ipsos round the coast to Sidari are lovely. Paleokastritsa and the area down to Glyfada are nice too, but maybe a bit too busy and out on a limb. For a 4/5 day trip, I'd choose Ipsos or Nisaki.

Deciding upon Corfu was the easy part.

I have been looking at accommodations and have cancellable reservations at both Bella Venezia and Corfu Mare until we sort out what we think we want. However...since we will have a rental car, should we spend a couple of nights elsewhere on the island, or stay put in Corfu Town and take day trips from there?

The island is not that big...
It would be better to stay in Corfu Town and do day trips..
Corfu Town in the evening, with the Spianada and all the small streets ( kantounia as we call them in Corfu) is a delight....

I know both hotels that you have booked...
Bella Venezia is just 2 minutes away from Spianada ( Esplanade) the central square of Corfu), while Corfu Mare would require a car ride to get to the centre...
Bella Venezia is moderate, while Corfu Mare more upscale... but i would personally choose the first one, as being in the city is what i personally like..
Cavalieri is another hotels located directly at Spianada, even though rooms might be a bit dated.... but the location is unbeatable.

"...I could travel with you!"

Fourfortravel - I would love that!

Smart move choosing Corfu - In Paris, May is chock-full of holidays and "ponts" (3 to 4 day weekends) when people go on their "practice" vacations (while waiting for the real ones) and participate in protest marches which disrupt traffic and other things.

If the sun cooperates - which isn't always the case in Paris in May - you won't have to worry about swimming, just find a nice terrace and enjoy yourself.

I wish Fodors had a way to connect the trip report to an earlier request for travel help. Small problem, I know.

But, in lieu thereof, here is our trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...an-getaway.cfm

<i>Small problem, I know. </i>

Maybe but it is a big of enough annoyance that it's worth complaining about.