My Return Visit to Arillas in Corfu
We stayed in the resort of Arillas at the Marina Hotel. The hotel is right on the beach and our room had a full sea view. The hotel is run by very good friends of ours Anita and Vasili. We met them during 2000 when we were both reps for the resort of Arillas and of all the places and hotels we worked in during 10 years working overseas this is the only resort and hotel we return back to.
The resort of Arillas is the perfect spot for relaxation. The beach is sandy and the sea is very shallow so safe for children. The resort is small having a couple of bars and shops and a handful of family-run tavernas – which are all excellent. Arillas is in between the resorts of St George North and San Stefanos and both linked to Arillas by cliff top walks. The original jetty remains in the resort and from here you can see the locals taking out their boats daily for the catch of the day. Arillas is well known for its sunsets and they are spectacular as the sun sets into the sea.
Corfu is very special to Roy and I as this is where we met, so we hired a car for the 2 weeks and visited some of our favourite places.
In the South of Corfu is the resort of St George South. Having the longest sandy beach on the island this resort is again very popular with couples and families. The nightlife is lowkey and centred around the restaurants and a few bars. The main feature of this resort are the watersports. The new All Inclusive Sandy Beach hotel is situated right on the beach and the watersports here are excellent.
Our favourite place is off the beaten track in the centre of the island on the slopes of Mount Pantakrator. The deserted village of Perithia is a small town, originally built in Byzantine times. Its located in the mountains between Kassiopi and Acharavi. It is unique, in that it is almost completely uninhabited. At one point occupied by over 1,500 people, the village lost all its inhabitants due to population changes over the last century.There are now two tavernas in the old village and we stopped here for mountain lamb, bekri meze (spicy pork), greek salad and of course a jug of locally made wine.
Corfu Town is the capital of the island and is one of the most interesting towns in Greece due to the heavy influence of the Venetians who for centuries controlled the island. Like the other Ionian islands Corfu was never occupied by the Turks, which gives it a character very different from the rest of Greece. The town is a maze of narrow streets dominated by the 16th century fortress. Around every corner can you can find a chapel, old mansion or secret garden square. The cafes at the Liston: built by the French in the same style as those in Rue de Rivoli, Paris; is where we stopped to 'people watch' one evening. After refreshments we continued into the shopping streets which are dominated by gold and local craft shops.
When driving around the island you cannot fail to notice the amount of olive trees that dominate Corfu. The locals will tell you there are 3 million olive trees on the island. Corfu is one of the greenest islands in Greece and even though they had had no rain since May the grapevines and fields growing aubergines and courgettes were flourishing. We even saw the local women on their donkeys transporting fire wood through the villages.
There is something for everyone in Corfu. If you are looking sandy beaches then the resorts on the west of the island are best, such as Roda, Arillas, St George north, San Stefanos, Agios Gordios, Paleokastritsa, Pelekas and St George South. If you are looking for a quiet and relaxing resort then look no further than Arillas and San Stefanos, and for a livelier holiday the resorts of Sidari and Kassiopi.
I lived in Corfu for 6 years and know the island like the back of my hand - far too much to include in this journal. If you are thinking of visiting Corfu please give me a call as I have numerous hotel and resort recommendations for you. I am sure you will enjoy Corfu.