The Island of Corfu

The most northerly of the Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece, Corfu has been a popular holiday destination for decades. Steeped in mythology, the island features in many tales of Ancient Greece. Inhabited since the Palaeolithic era, Corfu has had a turbulent and colourful history, still visible in current times by the remains of fortifications and look-out posts around the island.

Often understated, today's Corfu is an island of outstanding beaches, spectacular coastlines and scenic countryside. Some of the most beautiful beaches and colourful villages in Greece can be found on the island, with Corfu hotels providing traditional styling and genuine quality for visitors who want to experience the real Corfu and its exotic range of things to do, sights to see and places to relax and recharge. Far from being just another package holiday destination, Corfu is being rediscovered by travellers looking for a more upmarket leisure retreat.

Relaxation with added interest is one way of describing Corfu. A major attraction of holidays in Corfu is the combination of exciting and adventurous activities with some tranquil locations. For example a kayak trip around the coast can take in some incredibly tranquil bays, where the rugged cliffs stand unchanged since the times of the Greek myths. Completely empty beaches that seem untouched by human life yet burst with a myriad of flora and fauna can turn the most uninterested visitor into a nature enthusiast. Corfu simply is a place of discovery, and a holiday here completely debunks the modern misconception that the island is just another of those cheap flights destinations offering not much more than the bare minimum.

Corfu's holiday heritage goes right back to Victorian times, and while the same natural beauty of the coast and countryside can still be discovered, the range of things to do has improved over recent years. Thanks to the warm and clear Mediterranean waters, swimming, wind surfing and jet skiing can be enjoyed at a variety of levels, with plenty of places to hiring out equipment and offering lessons and more new sports to try out as you could cram into your break on Corfu.

A healthy number of days at the beach is recommended for any visitor to Corfu, and beaches on the island can vary from overdeveloped and crowded to some hidden away gems that remind you what holidays are all about. Glyfada on the west coast is one of the cleanest on the island, and with it a great range of water based activities to enjoy, a regular destination for water sports lovers.

If you venture inland on Corfu, you can stumble upon hidden villages and secret locations with mountains, olive groves and all the colour and intrigue of an island whose crowded resorts can quickly fade from memory as the warm Mediterranean waters lap the side of your boat or kayak. With plenty of good diving schools. It is possible to spend your entire holiday on Corfu doing the things you want to do, be it windsurfing, sailing or just lazing on the beach, without the hustle and bustle of some of the more popular resorts. The island's tourist board is actively encouraging a better, more cultured and leisure focused image to appeal to the more discerning visitor.

Take a closer look at Corfu before you plan your next summer break. There are frequent flights to the island, and plenty of villas in Corfu that offer comfort and luxury by the best beaches and most scenic coasts. More visitors are discovering why Corfu became so popular in the first place, and its reputation is changing from one of cheap and cheerful package holidays to luxury villas, relaxing beaches and that typically warm Greek welcome you would expect from one of the most popular of the Greek islands.