HI, I'm Steph, 20 from Warrington! I also write on the review site DooYoo under the same name :) Th...
HI, I'm Steph, 20 from Warrington! I also write on the review site DooYoo under the same name :) Thanks to everyone who rates me, especially the E's! I am very grateful for all rates! :o)
Member since:30.05.2009
Reviews:163
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I have been to Corfu twice, and have stayed in Kalami on the two occasions I visited with family.
My mum had always wanteds to go to Corfu after reading Gerald Durrells MY Family and Other Animals, which was set in the country of Corfu. But we had been told some bad things about the country, told that it was very "English-y" and not the nicest place to go. But when we looked into Drect Greece, we found this beautiful little town called Kalami, and when my mum found there was an apartement where Gerald Durrell had stayed when he was writing his book, she booked it straight away. And so off we went. We flew from Manchester airport with MyTravel, the flight took around 3 hours and so we had a film on and got a meal on the flight so the time went very quickly. Upon arriving in Corfu, the heat hit us as soon as we stepped off the plane, it was the first time we'd been anywhere like that, we'd always holiday'ed in England
and Northern France, so temperatures like that weren't really anything we were used to, but it was a pleasent heat, not humid and sweaty.
We were taken to the appartment by a small mini bus with other people who were going to other various places along the way, from Corfu Town it took around half an hour to get to the appartment. Upon first views, Corfu Town (the capital) we weren't too impressed, it was dirty, the buildings seemed to be falling down, and it all seemed very third world and scary looking. But as we continued out of the capital, the scenery changed and became much more green, and as the Ionian sea came into view, and the small houses, and little old ladies next to the road selling their wares we knew we'd made the right choice.
When we got to Kalami itself, the roads weree small ands dusty, and we noticed we were right next to the sea, the appartment was a stand alone one above a taverna (a small outisde restaurant), whcih overlooked the little cove of sea. There was a small shop which sold food, and a few other little touristy shops. Along the beach side, there were lots of little tavernas, and everywhere just seemed so quaint and relaxing.,
We were there efor two weeks and the time just flew! There was so much to do, we hired a car and we went into other parts of the island, but we then noticed the reason we'd heard such bad things, on the other side of the island, were the likes of Roda, Sidari...and it was then we saw the big signs "HP sauce available here", "Heinz beans", "Full English breakfast served here all day", "ENGLISH FOOD"...I know this might be many peoples idea of heaven, but to me and my family, iy was the complete opposite, and we were so lucky to be staying somewhere that was very Greek, the tavernas sold some "English" food, but were prodominantly Greek, and didn't play on serving English food to tourists, or showing "football", but were real Greek establishments run by real Greek people.
We swiftly left those places, and then found a little place called Old Perithia, I was only around 14 at the time, and so I must admit I wanted to go the beach, and waterparks again, but now looking back, it was possibly the most beautiful place I have ever seen, it was pretty much a ghost town, in the 14th Century, the people of Corfu were scared of been raided by Pirates and so they had moved up to the mountains and Old Perithia and the likes, but then when the threat was no longer there the town was deserted, and left, and when youi go there now it really feels like they just got up and left it as it was overnight. There are 5 tavernas up there as theree are many tourists and sightseers going up there, and they are REAL tavernas. We sat down at one, and instead of been brought a menu, the waiter simply brought us plates of food, which you picked at between you so you got a taste of everything, you didn't quite know what it was, and for all we know the meat was dog or cat, but it tasted good so who cares.....!
Back in Kalami, its the prefect relaxation spot, there are pools which you are welcome to use, and also the sea is literally a 2-5 minute walk from every apartment in Kalami. The beach isn't sand, but a pebbled beach, so you will need something like jelly shoes for in the sea!!
One thing I will say is there is pretty much no nightlife, no clubs in sight, you will have to go to Sidari and the likes for that, but that means the place is so quite and peaceful. And there are places to drink, there is a hotel which we called the "pink palace" no idea of the real name, which has a nice big bar and plays some music at night, so if you just want light nightlife, thats an option, but also all of the tavernas are open until late, and will pretty much continue to serve until your ready to leave. And most of the tavernas have special nights when you pay a set price for a "show", which tends to be Greek dancing, and a meal and drink. Which is great fun!!!
Corfu is a beautiful place, or parts of it are, but you do have to research where your going, if you like nightlife, and english food and english bars and pubs, then choose somwhere like Sidari. If you prefer relaxing and peace, and traditional Greek athmosphere, then Kalami or Kassiopi are your best bets! They have the sun, the sea, and pools, they have the shops and tavernas, but without the screaming stag partyers, the student types on a typical binge holiday!!! And if you do want the odd night of partying, remember the island is only 15 miles from coast to coast, so you'll always be able to get to one of the towns with that within 10 minutes by taxi.
Theres plenty to do, whetehr you hire a car and drive around or choose to take coach trips, or even just stay around the beach. I loved it in Corfu, and I'm sure you will too!
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