Η ΠΕΡΙΦΕΡΕΙΑΚΗ ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ – CORFU (part 2)
Corfu – south of the Island
Today we are heading for a fun day out – you could be anywhere in the world for this but today you are in Corfu. Aqualand Corfu Water Park. Just 11 kms from the Winery and a good fun day out. You are on holiday after all!
Not far from there, (about 7 kms) you will find Kaisers Throne in Pelekas. This is a great vantage point with 360° panoramic views across Corfu, also offering the most stunning sunsets. German Kaiser Wilhelm II used to go there to escape routine and watch the sunset, so you could say it almost has majestic views.
17kms south head to Hafen Vagionaki, Melitiei. You will need to park up and walk the last bit (but it’s those last bits that make the trip). Here you will find a little quiet bay with a few boats and a rock harbour wall. The other side of the wall there are outcrops of rocks and the snorkelling here in the clear turquoise water is very good.
On to Lake Korission (about kms), however just 3 kms, almost enroute to the Lake, you will find The Governor’s Olive Mill in Agios Mathaios, where you can have a tour around the working olive mill. Owned by the Dafnis family who for 3 generations have farmed and produced award wining olive oil.
The lake, another 9 kms further south, the largest on the island, is famous for the bird life – said to be 126 species recorded and on a good day you will also see flamingos. Thousands of butterflies, white lilies and over 14 different species of orchids. Lots of sand dunes (don’t get lost). From there, either swim across the lake or drive round the lake to Halikounas Beach where you will find sunbeds and umbrellas, some aerobatic displays of kite and windsurfing. Go to Bioporos farm for sunset home-made drinks and traditional Greek food, and accommodation if you need it.
From here we are heading to the most southerly tip of Corfu Island, Asprokavos, about 27 kms away. However just outside of Biopros you will find Mavroudis Olive Oil. This Olive grove has been in the Mavroudis family for generation, they have over 2000 trees of which some are over 700 yrs old. They call their olive ‘Liquid Gold’ and we believe them.
There are hiking trails around Asprokavos and also the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary not to mention the amazing views from there. Heading back up the east coast, we are going to by-pass Kavos because it is a busy tourist resort but of course you can always call in and have a look.
Boat hire is available in both Messonghi and Moraitika, these are both tourist resorts but not so busy as most. They also have some lovely beachside bars and tavernas. There’s also a local jeweller in Messonghi, Sophie, who makes the most gorgeous jewellery and ornaments if you are looking for gifts or something for yourself. If you fancy something a bit faster than a boat, a little further up the coast you will come to Agios Ioannis Peristeron where you will find jet skis for hire.
Next you will get to Benitses. This is a busy bustling town and it’s huge compared to most Greece villages. It also has a marina where you can get a boat to Paxos and Anti Paxos. Just opposite the Marina you will find the ruins of ancient Roman Baths. Many conquerors have left their mark on Corfu but you don’t tend to see too many left by Romans. A few a scattered around various villages but in Benitses you can see the Roman bath with mosaic tiles.
Benitses is quite a long resort, and just before you arrive into Benitses you will pass Faliraki, from there the road splits, you have he coast road up to Benitses or a road that branches left, if you take the branch to the left and follow this road for 2 or 3kms (quite a zig zag road, you will arrive at the Achilleion Palace, museum and gardens. Built in the 1800’s for Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) and later bought by German Kaiser Wilhelm II as his summer residence. This is another location for the James Bond ‘For Your Eyes Only’ movie. Going back to the coast to Benitses, as you drive along the coast road you will see the ruins of the Kaiser Bridge that was built so Kaiser could have quicker, easier and private access to the beach. There is a lot of history around the palace so definitely worth a visit.
3 kms up the road you will see Pontikonisi Island (also known as mouse island). A beautiful islet located right in the entrance to Chalikiopoulos Lagoon and opposite Vlaherna Monastery, a tiny monastery surrounded by water and directly under the flight path at the airport – you may well have seen it as you landed, it feels like you are going to land on it. Hundreds of migratory birds find shelter at the lagoon and many predatory birds threatened by extinction from all over Europe fly over the Albanian coast and nest in the islets around Corfu.
The best way to see these islands and the coast around them is to either hire a boat or take a boat trip and visit Pontikonisi and feel its magic. A lot of history there that includes Poseidon and Odysseus …
And this brings us back to where you started at the airport.
Hope you’ve enjoyed your tour, look out for our blogs of other Greek islands and mainland.
