Corfù Dimension. Greece trip

We started on 17 August 2005 by our beautiful Sicily to embark from Brindisi at a time of what we were told it was really nice island. As the title of this little story I chose to travel "Size Corfu" because in some areas of this wonderful island you will find it in another dimension, where time and the places they dress in colors and unique scents that together create atmosphere capable of wrapping the most stressed out tourists in a relaxing, deep and warm embrace. But the feelings are hard to describe, so I start with describing our adventure!

 

The arrival

On August 18 calling at Corfu. I am 6 am and all is silent in Kerkyra beginning to wake up between light flashes of light. Left the port we head toward the agency CorfùMare where incredible but true, Claudio was there waiting for those that are common Corfu tourists, but for him the 'pargoli "to assist (Claudio great!).
We come in agency and after having enjoyed a delicious espresso "From Salernitano (can not remember the name!)", We decide to make a first trip to the center of Corfu and we head towards the center, ie towards the Esplanade. Walk the street along the harbor, walking first under the New Fortress and then entering for the first patrol the streets of the city where the atmosphere is that of "knights and ladies", that is, we meet to take a dip in the past between lanes accoglienti where no one can not walk without having a specific goal.
On the afternoon we spend in the Dassia beach, where it seems almost to be a beautiful swimming pool in "natural": in short, a real charm.
Spend the evening while we sat at the Esplanade, and with the lights of the night is really a romantic place where you decide to try a liqueur typical of Corfu without, alas, ask about the main ingredients of this "drink" ... in short order an ouzo and I served with a glass of white liquid and a glass with water, believing that the water was just to drink, drink the white liquid that perhaps would have been good even if I were diluted with water that I had served - something that was done but I discovered only after and if you have not been a strong concentration of a herb that hatred, anise

First day

Having recovered the forces (esauritesi during the trip), 19 we start our exploratory tour starting in a southerly direction towards the Achillion, located close to Gastouri (where you can enjoy an excellent bread baked in wood-burning oven).
Achillion is located at the famous building once the residence of Queen Elizabeth of Austria (and Princess Sissi): The building, in neoclassical style, is surrounded by a wonderful garden where there are numerous statues (Shakespeare, Achilles Vinto and Triumphant, by Lord Byron and the nine muses). Leaving the residence of the princess continue our tour passing by just outside Benitses, where the country we see the remains of the deck of the Kaiser (Wilhelm II), a bridge that once joined the Achillion to the beach for easy access by the Kaiser in the period in which the Achillion became his property.
We continue to descend towards the south, and we are in the village of Moraitika, where walking through the streets and meet a nice friendly old parlucchia that the Italian, after a pleasant chat buy from him (after being in his basement) of the good oil olive, and of course greek home made a real spectacle for our taste buds!
In the walk that takes us back to the car, we stop to help two Greek ladies at that time trying to download from their overflowing wood offroad: contente of their noble gesture kept repeating: "Italian bravo, bravo ... Italian." Really nice.
For lunch we stop by Spyros on the beach in Messonghi where, in addition to a nice beach, there is the river mouth dell'omonimo. And 'our first Greek culinary experience and decide to try Gyros and Souvlaki, and is also the time that we fell in love with the divine Tsatsìki (a goodness!) That will welcome the torment of my traveling companion.
The afternoon continues to KORISSION Lake, lagoon-shaped elongated, which stretches for about 600 hectares. Interesting fauna and flora surrounding it have been observed here over a hundred different species of birds, many wild ducks, cormorants and herons silver, all in the vicinity of a particular grove on the sand made up of cedar, white lilies and other types of orchid.
But the real spectacle awaits us, because after a jump in the ruins of a Byzantine castle of the thirteenth century around the site Gardiki, we begin the climb (by car between paths in an infinite and evocative olive enriched by beautiful oak) to Aghios Matheos where even higher we come to the monastery of Pantokrator (south). Arrived there on foot forward between the forest and find the location of a nice man (I believe the body belonged to the forest) and a crystal clear English tells us many things of the place, and of monks who live on the mountain. From here the view is magnificent: a vast landscape where the sand dunes of Lake KORISSION seem to be painted on a canvas ... seems to be inside a postcard!
Finished our tour everyday, tired and satisfied we head home to finish the day with a flourish in a local Edem Dassia, very nice beach where we conclude the day between drinks and Koum-Kouat (typical liquor Corfu based mandarin Chinese : a delight!).

Second day

20 spend the morning in what I think is one of the most beautiful places on the island. It is of course a matter of taste and perhaps Nissaki is my favorite beach (although the choice between the beautiful places of Corfu is very difficult). Nissaki beach is a tiny cove of white pebbles where the sea is crystal clear and the water quite "cool." Maybe that corner I was particularly impressed, as well as the panoramic frame, due to its size, because, for the limited space, seems to be a place for a few intimate friends really love.
For lunch we move into a tavern by the sea at the bay of Kalami, yet very beautiful inlet where it overlooks the White House (not American!) Where the brothers lived Lawrence (writers), and for coffee after lunch we maintain at the lovely Venetian port of Kouloura (stop just over on the main road to take some pictures with the harbor seen from above).
For a quick dip after lunch we opt for the less crowded Imerolia (beach little more about Kassiopi), then spend a few hours in the tourist Kassiopi and it was the turn of the "greek coffee": there are things that need to be tested in life. And objectively it was not really that bad, although I advise you strongly not to swallow what is left on the bottom of the cup especially if you are ... "weak stomach"!
Concluded our carefree shopping in the delightful shops (among other things present in almost all locations), continue for a goal that certainly attracts the attention of a tourist catanese: the goal is Zigòs. This is a village with few inhabitants, where a church is perhaps unique in Greece, only for the year of construction (1536) and the Holy which is dedicated to this ancient building: Agia Agathe (our patron Sant'Agata).
Concluded our tour we are at home between iassù (hello), kalispera (good afternoon) and between the smiles of welcome and hospitable Greek people (especially the elderly).
Spend the evening at the premises of Gouvia night, and touring around the souvenir shops that stay open until late at night.

Third day

Day 21: it is the turn of Sidari. We head towards the known location where the so-called Love Canal. The beach, sometimes clayey, is broken by large rocks friable stone shaped by water and wind (in these rocks are various engravings of couples of sweet-voiced lovers) all combined with a sea that seems to be a table, makes the landscape truly unique.
We move to the heading to lunch Afionas. From here on the view is spectacular, and the opportunity to do some photos with the island of Karavi as wallpaper, it is said that this is the petrified ship of FEACO (version of Pliny), while in the area tells of the Queen Pamflagona, who reigned on the homonymous city. Once the husband of Queen left for fighting a foreign queen, which in the end fell in love, and after reaching the ship tried to escape with her. Pamflagona, betrayed, called St. Nicholas, who puni unfaithful husband turning into stone his ship.
To stay on "fairy tales", to enjoy a fabulous Afionas Moussaka which apparently has much in common with the "gods" of the place.
Spend the afternoon at the beach of Agios Georgios (beach formed from boulders in the south, and sand in the north). We conclude the evening with a walk to the seafront at Ipsos, and then finally to "four jumps" at the Blue Bay of Dassia.

Fourth day

Spend the morning of 22 on the beach of Kassiopi. The sea here has been nicknamed by many "The Swimming Pool" (not wrong!), Even this small stretch of pebbles is very welcoming and bottoms offer a truly beautiful show.
As usual for lunch we decide to move and this time the case leads us to Agni, inlet less frequented but equally enchanting bays of the other! Here lunch from Nikolas that Ghemistà us with delight, a dish made of lamb (which I do not remember the name) and by Imam melanzane Baildì (all really delicious!), Due to a tasty nectar of the gods (wine) pass the Our afternoon in the arms of Morfeo.
In the evening we rely on the move for a fun tour of the souvenir shops (the beautiful Olive Wood full of crafts made by modeling the olive wood in the area: the scent of these shops are unforgettable and indescribable...).

Fifth day

The weather the morning of 23 are not on our side ... in other words the time in which we are immersed is not indifferent. However we decide to walk for the umpteenth day of wonders. The destination is Paleokastritsa.
One of the positive surprises of the day is that we move the time we leave behind us, and arrived in Paleokastritsa the sky is beautifully blue. Go on to visit the monastery of Panagia, where one breathes a quiet surreal. Needless to say that the monastery is a love that has completely white walls and paths inside are adorned by colorful and beautiful flowers. Inside we visit the museum here and admire the beautiful Byzantine icons.
After leaving the monastery we head towards the beach. Paleokastritsa is formed by two peninsulas, and six delightful bays. The combination of lush vegetation, beautiful backdrop, a rocky cliff overlooking the sea, sandy beaches and sea of indescribable colors makes this place really charming (but for my taste is somewhat 'too "tourist"). After our rilassantissimo diving and sunbathing, with a delicious lunch Gyros Pita accompanied by a refreshing Nescafé Frappe (very drunk beverage in the whole island).
Around 19 we head into the agency and Chrystos simpaticissimi Claudio (who as always give their customers a reception that has no equal). The evening is dedicated to Moussaka kindly provided by Claudio at the restaurant "Castellino, at a height of 300 meters on the village Làkones. Arrived at the restaurant we enjoy so-called "Bella Vista" in the Mediterranean almost a terrace overlooking the sea and the bays of Paleokastritsa which are so beautiful by sembrar fake!
We conclude the evening with the local wine ... and, alas, with another substance to fight my unexpected sunburn (the miracle of the great council datomi Claudio, who in turn received by a wise old Greek).

Sixth day

Day 24 we decide to change the "Day & Diving Tintarella" (also due to my erythema) for a trip to Mount Pantokrator.
The Pantokrator is the highest mountain on the island (917 m) and needless to say, from the top of the mountain you can admire a beautiful panorama.
At the top we visit the picturesque monastery (built in 1347 and later destroyed and then later be rebuilt in the late seventeenth century): the air here is very "bubbly" and the place is surrounded by a calm that seems to what is very family in Corfu.
After a few 'photo begin to fall by opting for a dirt road, or rather say "sgarruppata" which from the top of Pantokrator PERITHIA leads us to (the street we sgarruppata yielded about a pound of harvested more on the way).
A PERITHIA really seems to be in a film ... in fact, this village was abandoned in the twentieth century and currently has a population only a few (probably less than 10!), I believe that people are the same people who run the three taverns in the country. Dine here and turn to the case half the time was perhaps the most beautiful moment of the holiday, magic words for those who want to relax in every sense and for those who want the illusion, if only briefly, that time may in some way be stopped.

Last day:"The tour de force!" :-)

Day 25, alas, is the day of departure. The program for this sad day included a "tour de force" that we were able to follow only in part.
The first step is Kanoni, Kerkyra in a little village with views over the lagoon Chalikiopulos, the monastery Vlacherna and Pontikonissi (called the island of the mouse for its shape resembled that of this animal). The monastery, which is joined to the mainland by a narrow passage, it's really beautiful ... it is said that this, with the island of Pontikonissi as wallpaper, the landscape is the most photographed of the island. Even here it seems to be inside a postcard!
We continue our tour to stop Paleopoli. Near the entrance, which was originally the residence of British governors and later became the summer residence of the kings Greeks, we see the remains of a temple dedicated to Juno and the ruins of the Basilica dedicated to Aghia Paleopoli Kerkyra (Kerkyra Santa). We are moving towards the former royal residence, and spend a lot 'of time immersed in the paths in the large garden where the real spending part of their time.
Inside the museum we visit the residence of Mon Repos, while wandering the garden to continue for the remains of a Doric temple (which compared to the other temples is preserved well enough).
Let the gardens, the program includes a visit to the monastery of Platytera. Here the church is really a love, full of very beautiful frescoes including one that depicts the Madonna di Platytera (greatest of the heavens), and in this monastery are buried the count John Koper (first president of Greece) and Photis Tavella, hero revolutionary.
For lunch we return to Corfu, and having lunch in one of the characteristic narrow streets, we decide to facilitate the digestion with a good climb up the New Fortress.
Construction (excluding domestic buildings which are the work of the English) was built by an Italian architect and is considered a real miracle of the defensive! Inside you will find a bar, a gallery and a room where there are art exhibitions. Zompettiamo between the walls and come "on the top" is necessary to say that the view from up here is wonderful? In fact the highest point you can admire the entire city, near the Greek coast of Vido el'isolotto which is only 1200 meters from the coast Corfiots (in the past to communicate between different parts of the city were used in underground tunnels, called " mines and is said to Vido in Corfu is connected by one of these galleries).
Concluded the tour on the New Fortress, we decide to make a stop at the Esplanade, a large square once used as a training camp by the Venetian and that owes its existence to strategic reasons, today is also known as the largest square in the Balkans .
Seated comfortably at the Liston (street with arcades, the work of the French, in the western part of the Esplanade) finally enjoy Tsitsibeera (beverage produced only in Corfu, made with lemon juice, lemon oil, ginger-ginger-chopped, water and sugar really good!), that because I was one of the big wheel of the trip (more smash was the phrase: "Ops ... but you look a olive tree." This is because Corfu is really a huge olive grove, it is enough think that in the eighteenth century, olive trees were about two million). Together with Tsitsibeera delighted our taste buds with a delicious cake: the Galaktoboùreko (good and less sweet Baklavàs which, if taken in small doses, is quite good).
Having recovered somewhat 'forces, are going to admire from near the Royal Palace (beautiful Georgian building, where you'll find the Museum of Asian Art), then the tour continues with a walk among the streets of Kerkyra, interrupted by the continuous browse among the many souvenir shops that are also in the smallest of alleys during the walk we see the Church of Saint Spiridon (Saint of Corfiots) where the relics of the saint, through the guidance of Claudio I learned that some believe that Aghios Corfiots Spyridon you go out alone to the city, and every year the people of Corfu gives a new pair of slippers to the Holy, because it is argued that the slippers are old are consumed to use!
The walk continues with the visit of a Catholic Church (I believe they are few because most of the Corfiots is Orthodox) and not very near the Town Hall where you can see the mutilated monument all'ammiraglio Morosini (always the guidance of Claudio, learned that the monument was mutilated as it was the Parthenon in Athens after the infamous bombing ordered by the same Morosini in 1687).
Our tour ends for lack of time and especially of forces! We conclude the day in first agency in the company of Claudio and Christos and then in a restaurant (by Claudio consigliatoci who dispenses advice as always useful!), Where our journey will conclude with a delicious dinner (people say that the food sucks in Greek Truth has never tasted any dish greek!).
Our journey ends with hope to return soon to Corfu to continue to explore what is perhaps the somewhat 'less touristy ... More of a particular thanks go to Claudio and Christos for the enthusiasm and professionalism with which carry out their work.