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Travel advice for Greece
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Gemma Lake
updated 14.01.2021
The greenest of the Greek islands, it is easy to see why Corfu is widely considered the real-life inspiration for Scheria – the Homeric island of the Phaeacians where ‘tall thriving trees – pears, pomegranates, apples with glistening fruit, sweet figs and rich olives’ bear ‘fruit that never fails or flags’.
Like its imaginary counterpart, Corfu has a warm yet humid climate and fertile landmass dominated by diversely flourishing fruit trees. Its fecundity and position as entry point into the Adriatic have attracted much attention over the years, from the Romans to the Ottomans and Napoleonic France. The Venetians, in particular, left indelible marks on the island’s identity: its culture, architecture, language, and most markedly, its food, bringing with them a range of Eastern influences, from myrrh to pepper.
A culmination of years of political upheaval, Corfiot cuisine is defined by its curious nuances: simple ingredients, decadent designs and full-bodied flavours.
10 days / from2608 USD
The Historical and Mythological Cyclades islands
The Cyclades islands include two of the most famous Greek Islands: Mykonos and Santorini. Visit these and some of the smaller, quieter, islands. With white washed houses, narrow cobbled streets, blue domed roofs and stunning beaches, they are what Greece is all about.
customize ⤍9 days / from2205 USD
A secluded villa stay on Mainland Greece
Stay in a secluded private villa with magnificent views to the sea and explore this beautiful corner of Mainland Greece with your own rental car. Under the impressive Mt Taygetos in Southern Peloponnese, the region of Mani will give you a snapshot of authentic Greece.
customize ⤍10 days / from1993 USD
Along the Coast of Crete: from Heraklion to Platanias
As Greece's largest island, Crete's culture and atmosphere is distinctly different from mainland Greece. Thousands of years of unique culture and rich history complement the island's untamed natural beauty. Explore Crete at your own pace with this unique self-drive trip!
customize ⤍8 days / from1579 USD
Cultural and natural sites of Athens and the Peloponnese
Welcome to wonderful Athens for an unforgettable adventure. Enjoy getting lost in this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient. Venture out into the Peloponnese on mainland Greece, and discover historical, cultural and natural wonders the region is blessed with.
customize ⤍10 days / from3408 USD
An Odyssey Adventure in Ancient Greece
Learn the secrets of Ancient Greek mythology and history visiting the world-renowned site of the Acropolis, explore the unspoiled landscape of Peloponnese, become a true Spartan warrior in Thermopylae and much more - this self drive tour takes you on a real Greek adventure.
customize ⤍15 days / from2661 USD
Explore Classical Greece: self-drive motorhome trip
This 15-days motorhome road trip will take you to Athens, the city of legends and some of the most fascinating classical sites, such as Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi and the man-made marvels of the Corinth Canal and Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. A perfect tour for history.
customize ⤍4 days / from933 USD
Athens: City of the Gods
Welcome to wonderful Athens. Wander this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient; discover the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the crowning architectural achievements of the Classical Age; indulge your sense with delicious Mediterranean food at local tavernas.
customize ⤍9 days / from2321 USD
Discover Naxos in style
Stay in a secluded private villa and explore Naxos at your own pace in your own rental car. Lasting just above 1 week, this itinerary leaves plenty of room for relaxation and exploration of the amazing island of Naxos, with its authentic mountainous villages and magnificent sea views.
customize ⤍8 days / from1516 USD
Epirus and Athens: The Ancient Sites
Discover the ancient cities of the Epirus region and Athens. Shrouded in myths and legends of Greek gods and Roman and Byzantine warriors, the sites in the Epirus region of Greece, temples, castles, fortresses and rivers, all have tales to tell.
customize ⤍9 days / from2502 USD
An exclusive stay in Milos
Get to know the most exotic island in the Aegean by staying in a private luxury villa by the sea. Volcanic rocks paint the beaches red, pink and orange, white rock formations, emerald green waters and caves eroded by the sea, are steeped in stories of pirates. Milos is truly unique.
customize ⤍10 days / from3604 USD
Greek Island-Hopping Honeymoon
Hop between the islands of Milos, Naxos, and Amorgos on this romantic trip. Drive around stunning coastlines, explore mountain villages, visit ancient sites, and luxuriate on golden beaches as you are transfixed by the allure of the Aegean’s turquoise waters.
customize ⤍7 days / from1505 USD
Relaxing discovery of classical Greece
Spend a wonderful few days exploring Athens and the ancient sites surrounding the capital on mainland Greece. Blessed with glorious weather, nature and beaches, see sites that rival anything which you may find on the Greek Islands.
customize ⤍11 days / from4738 USD
From Athens to Milos, Naxos and Santorini
Stay in Athens, Milos, Naxos, and Santorini, as well as a day trip to Mykonos. Immerse in history at the Acropolis, bask in the Cycladic charm of Milos, explore Naxos's ancient sites, and savor sunsets in Santorini. Cruise the Aegean, savor food tours, and relish private excursions.
customize ⤍13 days / from4282 USD
Greek Dreams: Athens, Corfu, Santorini and Crete
A private journey through Athens, Corfu, Santorini, and Crete, staying in exquisite accommodations. Explore ancient history, savor Mediterranean cuisine, and unwind in stunning settings, creating beautiful memories throughout.
customize ⤍8 days / from1760 USD
Athens, Meteora & Santorini
Experience Greece's best: Athens' culture, culinary adventures, Meteora's monastic marvels, and the breathtaking beauty of Santorini. An unforgettable journey awaits!
customize ⤍10 days / from4600 USD
Majestic Greece: Temples, Monasteries, and Myths
Go on an epic 10-day journey through Greece's ancient wonders and natural beauty. From Athens to Meteora, Delphi to Olympia, experience history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, all culminating in a journey of a lifetime.
customize ⤍9 days / from3858 USD
Mainland & Islands: Athens, Paros and Santorini
Embark on a 9-day Greek odyssey! Begin with an Athens Acropolis tour, relax on the idyllic island of Paros, and then immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of Santorini. Explore history, unwind on stunning beaches, and relish unforgettable moments on this incredible journey.
customize ⤍Soutzoukakia © Gemma Lake
Soutzoukakia—a dish of beef meatballs and grilled peppers served with a spicy tomato and yoghurt dressing—first came to Corfu with Greek refugees from the Anatolia peninsula, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Afionas-based chef and owner of Panorama Restaurant Aggelos Gialopsos attributes Its popularity on the island to local ingredients. “Our Corfiot-Greek version of soutzoukakia here at Panorama is made with local produce and olive oil produced in the surrounding hills. We grew up with these dishes. The flavours, they are a part of our identity, and remind us who we are and where we come from.”
Greek traditional gemista, stuffed tomatoes and peppers © Lupulupupu/Shutterstock
As its name suggests, gemista (from the Greek word gemizō, meaning ‘to fill’) are vegetables (green bell peppers and tomatoes, mainly) stuffed with rice and herbs. This lathera (‘made with oil’) dish is then baked in extra virgin olive oil until tender, a method which is said to have been introduced to Corfu as a result of population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The Corfiot staple found in restaurants and tavernas across the island is typically served cold on long balmy days in summer.
Fattoush, a Corfu salad made from toasted or fried pieces of khubz combined with mixed greens and other vegetables © Cristina.A/Shutterstock
Fattoush (also known as ‘bread salad’) is a Middle Eastern-derived dish of toasted or fried pieces of khubz (Arabic bread), seasonal vegetables and fresh herbs served with a lemon and olive oil dressing. It found its way into the Corfiot cooking repertoire with the Venetians at the beginning of the Renaissance, when the Republic of Venice was a formidable power and key player in the Levant spice trade. Although originally Lebanese, the Corfiot version of Fattoush has become a hybrid—mixing both island seasonality and Middle Eastern method.
Imam Baildi © Karpenkov Denis/Shutterstock
Like Gemista, Imam Baildi (baked aubergine) is a lathera dish cooked slowly while locals carry on with their day. This comfort food of stuffed aubergine (eggplant) with molten feta is served warm, often in a traditional Corfiot crock-pot, with big chunks of freshly baked bread. Cavo Barbaro, situated on Avlaki Beach, elevates this dish further with soft-white twinkling fairy lights; local white wine made using grapes from the nearby mountainside; and the sights and sounds of the sea.
Kolokithokeftedes © Gemma Lake
Although more often associated with the Greek island of Crete, kolokithokeftedes (crispy zucchini/courgette patties) are popular across Corfu, offered in the menus of most restaurants and tavernas around the island. This appetiser (or mezze), often accompanied by a honeyed yoghurt dressing, draws from the familiar Greek palate: fresh aromatic herbs, feta cheese and cumin.
Htapodi Ksydato © Gemma Lake
Htapodi ksydato—octopus in an oregano infused vinegar and olive oil marinade—is the epitome of Corfiot cookery at its most humble. This seasonal dish imbued with a sense of the coast’s relative proximity is best appreciated from August through late October when the curious task of octopus catching takes place. When eaten at Tavernaki with ouzo (an anise-flavoured liquor produced from grape must – the remnants of wine making), with views of the boats bobbing in Kassiopi Harbour, this Corfiot speciality is likely to go down as one of the most memorable experiences for seafood lovers with a stomach for heady aperitifs.
Pastitsada © Gemma Lake
The manifestation of connectedness with the land and Middle Eastern influence, pastitsada is a dish of slow-cooked local beef (or chicken) deluged by a heavily spiced tomato sauce over pasta—usually bucatini. Following its arrival on the island with the Venetians, this dish has been resignified into what has become known as the traditional Sunday dinner of Corfu. Every family has their own pastitsada spetsieriko (spice blend), with cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, ginger and cloves forming the base.
Chicken souvlaki with fresh vegetables in a flatbread with tzatziki sauce © Elena Veselova/Shutterstock
Pita bread, kabab (often pork), tzatziki, grilled vegetables and fried or roasted potatoes come together in this Corfiot mainstay to create souvlaki – a synthesis of island ingredients and techniques. Often, the Corfiot version of souvlaki is served with a robust tomato sauce (or red sauce), the recipe for which is likely to have been passed down through the generations. Unlike Middle Eastern style pita, Greek pita is leavened (made with a raising agent), which transforms it from a flatbread into a softer pillowy bread more akin to naan.
Galaktoboureko, a traditional dessert © Sokor Space/Shutterstock
Creamy semolina custard sandwiched between syruped filo pastry, galaktoboúreko (milk pie) is a decadent dessert which occupies a sacred place in the Corfiot heart, traditionally being served at Easter. Galaktoboúreko varies from village to village, but always includes fresh lemon juice and peel as in the recipe from Wake Cup Bakery and Café in Sidari. Considered a meal in its own right, locals tend to eat this one in the afternoon, to allow time for digestion before the evening meal.
Portokalopita or orange pie © AS Food studio/Shutterstock
Sickly sweet and dangerously moreish, portokalopita (orange pie) is another epicurean dessert, also with filo as a main ingredient. Except, the filo in portokalopita is shredded and soaked in an orange and cinnamon syrup, placing it into a class of desserts known as siropiasta (desserts doused with syrup) alongside baklava and kantaifi. When made using oranges from the quiet Corfu gardens, portokalopita exudes a rustic elegance which belies its purpose: to use up leftover scraps of filo.
Go on a guided gastronomy walking tour in Corfu Town or visit the award-winning olive oil producer "The Governor" on a guided tour during your stay in Corfu.
Top image: Chicken souvlaki with fresh vegetables in a flatbread with tzatziki sauce © Elena Veselova/Shutterstock
written by Gemma Lake
updated 14.01.2021
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