Highlights of Corfu Island in Private

Leaving the port, the coach follows the road leading out of the town to the traditional old village of Gastouri for a visit to the Achilleion Palace, built by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1891 and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. You visit the rooms of the Palace open to visitors, offering a glimpse into the life of the “Sad Empress” as Sissy was commonly known, as well as its beautiful gardens with spectacular views over Corfu Town and the sea. Filled with exotic flowers and adorned with classical statues of Ancient Greek mythological figures, the gardens give evidence of Empress Elisabeth’s fondness of Ancient Greek History and Mythology.

After boarding your coach again soon you are found in the beautiful dense Corfiot countryside, driving through olive groves interspersed with pine and cypress trees, vineyards and fields carpeted with wild flowers and shrubs.

Approximately 45 minutes later, your coach reaches one of the most beautiful spots on the island, much celebrated for its unique natural beauty, the bay of Paleokastritsa, known as the “Capri of Greece”. You visit the Byzantine Monastery of the Virgin, still inhabited by a community of monks, and its small museum, housing priceless Byzantine icons and church relics. From the monastery’s gardens you have spectacular views over the beautiful bays of the area with their crystal-clear turquoise waters and rocky promontories.

From Paleokastritsa, you are driven into Corfu Town for a visit of the historic centre of this elegant old town. Built by the Venetians more than 400 years ago, the Old Town looks more like Napoli or Venice rather than any other Greek town. Constructed between the two Venetian Fortresses, it is a maze of winding narrow cobbled streets “kandounia”, little piazzas (squares) and high tenements in pastel yellow and brick red colours. Leaving the coach by the central “Esplanade Square”, you explore the town on foot accompanied by your guide. You visit the 300-year old church of St. Spyridon, the Saint Protector of the island, with its priceless collection of icons and offerings to the Saint. There is also free time for shopping and wandering around on your own before returning back to your coach for your transfer back to the port and your ship.