Corfu Odyssey, including Paxos island & Ancient Albania

Let’s travel to Corfu to start our holiday on this Inion Island. At the airport let’s meet our friendly local representative, before travelling onwards to our hotel. 

Let’s explore the enchanting streets of Corfu Old Town with our guide on a walking tour, where history and charm come alive. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a blend of Venetian, French, and British influences, reflected in its architecture and narrow, winding alleyways, named kantounas with (slippery) cobblestones. As we stroll through the picturesque squares and past elegant mansions, we will visit the church of the island’s holy patron, Saint Spiridon. 

You have the afternoon free to enjoy more the vibrant local culture of Corfu Old town, and for example have a look at its fortress. There’s also plenty of nice restaurants with good food in the old town. 

Today is yours, so you can just relax by the hotel swimming pool or just sunbathe on the hotel private beach and have a dip in the crystal-clear waters.

As no Greek holiday is complete without a boat trip, today we will have the opportunity to visit the picturesque town of Parga which lies on the Greek mainland and the romantic island of Paxos located close to the southern coast of Corfu. Departing from the harbour of Corfu, we have a unique view of the old town, protected by its two Venetian fortresses. Heading towards the south of Corfu we go around Kanoni peninsula and pass the Palace of Mon Repos where Prince Phillip was born. Sailing south, we pass the tourist resorts Perama, Benitses, Moraitika, Messonghi, the quaint fishing village of Petriti, the village of Kavos to the cape of Asprokavos which is the southern-most point of Corfu Island.  
We have two ports of call for the day trip – one Paxos and the Parga.
The legend is that Paxos was formed when Poseidon severed the tip of Corfu with one mighty blow of his trident and dragged it south to create an idyllic retreat for his love, the nymphet Amphitrite! Its up-market reputation continues today as millionaire yachts sit at anchor alongside local fishing boats. Entering the narrow channel, which leads us to the picturesque small port of Gaios village, we see a breathtaking view of the two islands Panagia and Agios Nikolaos. From the harbour close to the centre of Gaios village you can easily walk through the wonderful narrow streets and get your lunch at one of the traditional taverns. 
Then we head towards the Greek mainland to the picturesque harbour village of Parga with island character, a rich and eventful history, rare physical beauty, interlaced beaches, emerald sea, calm bays, olive groves, a healthy climate, romantic side streets and pathways with two three-storey houses forming an amphitheatre under imposing remains of a Venetian castle. 
As we return to Corfu, we travel close to the mainland enjoying another wonderful view of the impressive rocky coastline and the sandy beaches.
 

Today is another day free to relax and take in some further sightseeing. Our expert local guide will be happy to suggest activities and advise on must-see highlights. For example, 2km away from the hotel, there’s the Mon Repos Palace, set in beautiful gardens and offering a peaceful escape with great views of the sea.

Today we’ll discover more, visiting another country: Albania. After our departure from the port of Corfu we travel along the Albanian shores, and we will approach the port of Saranda city. Once our passports are checked our local tourist guide will introduce us to the ancient city of Saranda. Then a coach will take us on a 20km tour of the south coast with its virgin shores and scattered islands. Moving on from the mainland we pass small, picturesque villages, endless fertile plains leading to a great lake. 
The highlight of our day will be the excursion to Butrint - designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1997. Over the centuries, the ancient town had disappeared under layers of silt and vegetation - but archaeologists have uncovered one of the best remains of a working town in the Mediterranean. At the edge of the lake where the ancient city of Vouthrota is situated, with its well-maintained archaeological monuments and ancient theatre, we are taken 2500 years back in time to the 3rd century A.D. The ancient gymnasium, the Roman ablutions, and the ancient temple with the priceless mosaic floor and the enormous stone walls will take us back to a time not known to man. Upon our return to the city of Saranda lunch is served. The afternoon allows for a tour of the town, until we depart from the land caught up in time.
 

Enjoy your last day at leisure on Corfu Island. If you’re a gourmet, don’t forget to indulge yourself in traditional Corfiot cuisine at a seaside taverna. Try local dishes like sofrito or pastitsada, accompanied by local wine or ouzo. Corfu has some vineyards so you can try the island’s signature Kakotrygis.

The time has come to say goodbye to the sunny island of Corfu and set off for our home island as we travel with guide assistance to the airport.