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Last update: 05/04/02

Corfu Trip 2001

As well as the photo links below don't forget to check out the links page for other Corfu sites

In May 2001 we returned to Arillas, scene of our holiday the previous year (click button to the left to view our 2000 trip). After a hairy minibus transfer (sheer drops and windows that were opaque with dust) we got to Arillas and found that we had been alocated the same room as last year. Most things haven't changed, though the hotel next door to the Rainbow and the Lambada had both closed, for unknown reasons. Dmitiri and Spiros were still running the Rainbow in their usual style and, as soon as we walked in, started winding us up over the coming Greece v England World Cup qualifier.

The biggest trip we did this time around was 'The Gand Island Tour' - a whole day coach trip around the north and centre of the island. This included a visit to Corfu town, the home of the late queen of Austria, the Achilleion, and supposedly the most beautiful view in the Med, Bella Vista.

In Corfu town (Kerkyra) we went to vantage point overlooking the famous Mouse Island' and a small island containing a Chapel. In fact you actually flie over these on arrival and departure, as the main runway actually points straight at them. Watching planes fly over the islands and touch down really close to us was an experience!

The Achilleion was the home of the Empress of Austria, Elizabeth. It was built in neo-classical style and was home firstly to Elizabeth and then, following her assassination, to the Kaiser of Germany, Willhelm II. We found that the statues and gardens were the best bits, though th chapel with its Byzantine-style cupola is well worth a visit. In the gardens to the rear of the palace are two statues of Achillies: a marble statue which dates to the completeion of the palace and a huge statue raised by Kaiser Willhelm. The carving on the marble statues is truly incredible - you can even see the veins! The huge statue looks out over beautiful vista.

Bella Vista ('Beautiful View') was named by the occupying Italian army during WW2 - what it was called before is a mystery. The water here is incredible: deep blue to turquoise to cerulean to luminescent green. The beach is pretty pebbly and, on hte day we were there, pretty crowded. After lunch at a beach-side cafe we went to a monestry on the hill overlooking the bay before driving up the mountains to really appreciate the view below.

We also went to on a shopping trip to Kerkyra and had a look around the 'New Fort' before heading to the Liston for lunch.

Under our own steam (rather than a bus trip) we walked over the headland to the next resort of St. Georges. At least that was the plan - after an hour of walking we couldn't see the beach, though we were told afterwards that we were only 10 minutes away (bum!).