Corfu, Greece

Sitting atop the Ionian island chain in the Adriatic Sea, Corfu is an ideal place to start a vacation in the “Greek Tropics.” Clear turquoise waters and inviting beaches are the hallmarks of the islands off the west coast of Greece. These lush, mountainous islands have an unsurpassed blend of natural beauty from the skies to the sea. Beaches are soft sand or smooth pebbles, waterfront towns have inviting restaurants and tavernas with fresh local specialties, and you can expect warm hospitality everywhere.

The Corfu airport is only 15 minutes from Marina Gouvia and the Moorings base. Our base at Marina Gouvia has a wide range of facilities. Your comfort is assured by extensive amenities, including a laundry room, hotels, parking, restaurants, a bank and a supermarket.

Sailing in the Ionians is delightful. The daily northwesterly maestro breezes gently build through the day and fade, leaving comfortable evenings after a gentle sail. Destinations are close, with line-of-sight navigation and easily spotted hazards in the clear, deep waters. Many anchorages use stern-to anchoring against the shore, and marinas usually require Mediterranean mooring.

Plan to spend some days exploring the town of Corfu. You must visit the Old Town and its delightful maze of ancient streets filled with shops and restaurants nestled among neoclassical architecture. Around the island, you’ll find plenty of beaches, historic attractions and tavernas. You won’t go wrong working your way around the coast and stopping in several places like Petriti Bay at the island’s south end.

From Corfu, you can skip along the coast and hop between islands along the length of the Ionian Sea. Stop on gorgeous islands like Paxos, Lefkada, Zalynthos and Ithaki. Along the coast are gems like Parga, which has fantastic beaches and excellent restaurants. You can also visit the Cave of Aphrodite.

This region also has a rich ancient history that predates even Odysseus’ meandering journey through the island chain. Thanks to the region’s seismic activity, ruins are often all that’s left, but there are still intact forts, walls, monasteries, and churches dating back centuries on almost every island and town.

The Ionian islands are rich and fertile, and the local food and drink specialties are not to be missed. The Venetians heavily influenced this region for many years, which carries through to everything from the architecture to the food. Try the cheese in Kefalonia, the Salami in Lefkada, or the smoked and cured pork on Corfu. The foods are seasonal and fresh, and you may find the best flavors in the small, out-of-the-way places that make their products from locally sourced ingredients.

Corfu is easy to reach from all over Europe, with direct flights from almost every major city. Travelers from North America will need to connect or take a local airline.

AMENITIES

Hotels

Restaurants

Supermarket

Bank