Nestling on the northern side of the Ionian Sea, the lamb-chop shaped island of Corfu sits a short distance from the mainland of Greece and Albania.
Its stunning landscape, unique culture and historical architecture have inspired writers from Homer to the Durrells, and has been a magnet to untold thousands over the centuries.
Modern visitors enjoy picturesque beaches, ancient hillsides, whitewashed houses, Byzantine churches, and the remains of Greek temples and Venetian fortresses. Today’s package holiday makers flock from Europe and around the world to sun themselves by a dazzling, azure sea, to wander the ancient streets of the Roman village of Kassiopi and promenade along Esplanade of Corfu Town. But being on the ancient trade route from Italy to Greece, they are simply the latest who’ve been drawn to the island over the millennia.
While mass tourism has altered its charm, much of its character remains. Old towns and villages remain a delight to explore, with hidden lanes, bustling squares and the impressive Old and New Fortresses standing guard over the main town’s harbour.
While the island’s beauty, history and beaches are the focus of many, the White House at Kalami Bay, the family home of the Durrell authors is a must for some. Sitting on the water’s edge, it now welcomes with a restaurant and accommodation.
Then there is Mon Repos Palace, the elegant neoclassical villa set in wooded grounds just south of Corfu Town. Built as a summer residence for the British Lord High Commissioner and the birthplace of the late Prince Philip, today it’s a museum. Its peaceful gardens offer an escape from the bustle of modern tourism.
Corfu has undoubtedly changed over the centuries, yet beneath these changes, its Venetian heritage, sparkling coastline and unhurried Mediterranean spirit remain. An island gem that retains a timeless inspiration.
A DECADES AGO VISITOR
The island has changed since my visit many decades ago, on a ferry stopover between Patras and Italy’s Brindisi.
Corfu Town of that time had a wonderful, slightly faded charm. Its narrow Venetian streets, tall pastel-coloured buildings with washing strung between balconies, and little family-run shops gave an atmosphere of another age. The cafés and tavernas were places to linger, watching the world go by over a glass of retsina, or far more than a single glass of Mythos beer.
None of the rows of sunbeds, beach bars and water-sports of today. We explored the island on ancient, hired motor scooters. Discovered secluded coves framed with olive-covered hills and deserted stretches of sand. We spread out a towel and savoured the clear Ionian Sea without interruption.
ALL PART OF THE STORY
In the epic action-adventure novel Outback Danger, before becoming a Flying Doctor nurse in remote Central Australia, the main female character journeys on a European working holiday. There, her time is both blissful and harrowing.
Euphoric Corfu days with a heart-pounding new boyfriend become seared in her memory. Until her old lover mysteriously arrives in her new home of Alice Springs, challenging her plans for the future.
Corfu - a timeless inspiration.