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Corfu 100 Years Of Stylish Summer

By: Mark Bartley


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Though Corfu's reputation has been hampered as cheap package holidays began to influence certain parts of the island, much of Corfu fortunately remains unharmed by this reducing trend. It's a relief that many of Corfu's best beaches and most picturesque villages and fishing ports across the island, as well as much of its interior, remain original and charming for it.

The real Corfu is there for everyone to explore. Corfu, known as Kerkyra in Greek, is located in the Adriatic Sea, to the east of Italy and within sight of Albania. Just 36 miles long, and about 17 miles wide, it is the second biggest after Crete and the greenest of the Ionian islands.

It has an ancient and interesting history full of myth and legend. Its Greek name, Kerkyra is related to both Poseidon, god of the sea, and Asopos, a strategic Greek mainland river. Legend has it that Poseidon fell in love with the beautiful nymph Korkyra, daughter of Asopus and river nymph Metope and abducted her (not an uncommon thing for a Greek God to do in those days as legend has it). Poseidon brought Metope to Corfu and offered her name to the place. Throughout history the island has been the scene of many conflicts and battles for control. From the first sea battle recorded in Greek history in the 7th Century BC to the British Royal Marines freeing the island from German occupation in 1945, Corfu's position between so many conflicting interests has brough more than its fair share of conflict and agression. Thankfully things are now a shadow of their former self and peace reigns supreme. Now the most heated things might get is the early morning scrum for sun loungers at some of the cheaper, less discerning hotels. Fortunately though there are plenty of higher quality holiday alternatives when it comes to more exclusive, stylish accommodation on this beautiful island.

Island life on Corfu revolves around the coast. Rent a luxury villa in Corfu and you can enjoy the island at your own pace, with all the freedom and flexibility you want to make the most of your visit. But staying put in your hotel or villa would mean you would miss so much the island has to offer. Corfu has hundreds of miles of coastline and virtually wall-to-wall summer sunshine a perfect combination for a perfect beach holiday. If you are looking for peace and quiet though, be sure do your homework.

Whilst offering a number of pretty and unspoilt destinations such as Agios Stefanos, (a favoured location by the Victorians and now home to many British ex-pats), the east of the island is heavily developed and can become very busy during the summer. The north of the island too, though lacking the volume of sandy beaches on offer elsewhere and dominated by mountains, offers only a handful of resorts such as Peroulades that have escaped the over-development and overcrowding that blights many resorts - Ipsos and Corfu Town on the east coast, Kavos in the far south for example.

Inland Corfu is also an interesting place to visit. Many people say that for the very best holidays in Corfu instead of selecting a resort on the coast look inland for the wildest most unspoiled countryside. Whilst mountains feature in the northern areas, in the south and centre you will enjoy across lush farmland, the wild flowers, olive groves and cypress trees alongside the genuine warmth and hospitality of the many friendly locals who still farm the land as they have done for centuries.

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It is certainly a beautiful island and Mark thinks holidays in Corfu owe their popularity not only to the scenery but also the lifestyle offered there. With many UK ex-pats renting out their homes during the summer, villas in Corfu are widely available.

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