Corfu
is arguably the most beautiful of the Ionian Islands. It is
set in the northern Ionian Sea at the entrance to the
Adriatic. Today, the 100,000 citizens of Corfu offer their
land to tourists at a high price, but anyone who has been to
the island would argue that it is well worth it. Corfu’s
tremendous turquoise beaches tantalize, and the lovely
land’s allure leaves you wanting more. But if the
sun-drenched landscape is not sufficient, the island’s rich
history and reputation for hospitality are sure to please you.
Because the land is somewhat divided, it is well equipped to
please a wide range of tourists.
Within Corfu there are three entities, each
of which attracts different types of people. Corfu, the
island, is the place to be if the classic vacation elements
are what you are looking for. The island is encircled by
beaches and filled with delicious restaurants, resorts ranging
in price from inexpensive (for students) to very expensive,
and is home to a vigorous nightlife. Corfu town is a more
sophisticated place where the emphasis falls on history as
well as Greek, Italian and French culture. Corfu’s mainland
interior is a quieter, lesser-known haven of villages,
vegetation, and agriculture. Most tourists, young people
especially, opt for the excitement of Corfu Island, which
boasts of having over one million visitors per year.
Corfu has inspired artists and historians
alike. It is said to have been a favorite place of artists
like Alfred Sisley and literary giants like Wilde and Goethe.
Homer’s Odysseus visited the island on his journey home, and
marveled at its splendor. Shakespeare’s The Tempest was
inspired by Corfu. Even Napoleon was awed by the land’s
magnificence. And when you visit, you will quickly realize why
so much brilliance has been born in and of Corfu. Its beaches
are like no other, and its atmosphere of relaxation is
instantly recognizable