Historical Holidays on Corfu

The chances are that you will want to spend at least part of your holiday relaxing, soaking up a little sun and recharging the batteries, but what then? Maybe you are you one of the increasing numbers of people taking time abroad to discover and explore the mysteries of the ancient (and not so ancient) world? If so, why not travel to and explore the Greek island of Corfu next time? Holidays in Corfu offer a microcosm of Ionian history. Corfu holidays open up a treasure-trove of ancient relics and monuments and are a living witness to thousands of year's worth of endeavor. You don't need to dilute that historical experience by staying in an ultra modern hotel either Villas in Corfu offer all the space, splendor as well as the flexibility that you need to make the most of your visit.

Corfu, possibly the best known of the Greek Ionian islands, lies in the Adriatic sea 100km (63 miles) east of Italy and south west of Albania. The second largest and greenest of the Ionians, its area of around 500 square miles includes all kinds of landscapes. An A1 Mediterranean holiday destination and star of Gerald Durrell's 'My Family and Other Animals', Corfu is one of the best known Greek islands. In fact the island has been a favourite Mediterranean destination as far back as Victorian times and Corfu is still sharing its sunshine, its warm hospitality and breathtaking scenery with many thousands of British holidaymakers year after year. Some10,000 British ex-patriots have even gone as far as setting up home there.

Corfu has perhaps more history that you might expect. Corfu is a land of heroes, heroines, myths and magic, of ancient gods and legend. Known as Kerkyra in Greek, Corfu derives its name from the close ties to both Poseidon, god of the sea, and the Greek river of Asopos. The favoured tale of where Corfu gets its name, is its link to the nymph Korkyra, who was brought to the island by Poseidon (him of the Hollywood blockbuster adventure!) as part of an abduction.

Corfu's strategic location has seen her fiercely contested over throughout history. Between the 7th Century BC, when the first recorded naval battle in Greek history was fought in her waters, and her liberation from German occupation in 1945 by the 40th Royal Marine Commandos, the French, Russians and Venetians have all taken turns in running the islands and imposing their own unique forms of rule. If you look carefully you will see all manner of fascinating cultural and architectural blends and styles still over the island.

A stay on the island would be incomplete without at least one visit to the capital Corfu Town, now a World Heritage site. Despite severe damage in the Second World War, the town still has two huge and impressive forts as well as the 16th Century church of Áyios Spyrídhon, other delightful French and Venetian architectural splendors as well as art galleries and museums. Around the island there are the ancient monasteries of San Salvador and Peleka that are well worth visiting, as much for the magical Corfu scenery as the locations themselves!

A beautifully, charming island bursting with great places to go and lots of activities to enjoy, Corfu holidays offer a perfect combination of head and heart as well as some of the very best in Mediterranean holiday accommodation.

Mark has experienced various different Corfu holidays for many years. He has stayed in villas in Corfu and different hotels, getting to know the island.