Paleokastritsa Monastery tours
Small Group Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa
Corfu is jam-packed with palaces, monasteries and picturesque villages. On this small group tour, you'll head into the rolling hills and along its rugged coastline to discover the Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa. You'll also get to taste the fruits of the countryside. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘It's a tour that mixes scenery with spirituality and nostalgia. And the visits to the kumquat distillery and olive oil museum offer a real glimpse of rural traditions.'As you journey your way through Corfu, you'll visit some of its top attractions. There's Achillion Palace, built by Empress of Sisi of Austria a year after a family tragedy. It was in its classical-inspired gardens and interiors that she hoped to find comfort and solace. It also boasts panoramic vistas over Corfu town, the coastline and even mainland Greece. And the views are also top-notch at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the coves. A boat trip can also be arranged here.Plus, you'll get to sample some of the rich flavours of rural Corfu. There's a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Here, you'll learn everything there is to know about this citrus fruit and the sweet and fragrant liqueur made from it. There's also a visit to a local olive oil museum. ‘Seeing historic pressing equipment in state-of-the-art modern facilities really drives home the timelessness of olive oil production,' says Spiros.
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Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa
Northern Corfu is all idyllic villages, monuments and rugged coastline. Head into sun-dappled rolling hills to discover Achillion Palace, the scenic Paleokastritsa coast and many other delights. There's also a visit to a kumquat distillery to sample this trademark Corfu liqueur. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘Kumquat liqueur is a uniquely Corfu phenomenon – it's made nowhere else in Greece. It's a part of our Corfiot identity. To learn how this Asian fruit came to the island is a real eye-opener.'You'll visit some of Corfu's top attractions. First up is Achillion Palace. The palace boasts stirring views of the Corfu coast, and the meticulously landscaped gardens are a work of art. Spiros adds, ‘Empress Sissi of Austria was enamoured with Corfu and its mythological heritage, particularly the story of Achilles, and the palace and gardens are filled with sculptures of Greek gods and goddesses.' The vistas are also top-notch at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the many coves with beautiful beaches. A boat trip can also be arranged here.Plus, you'll get to sample the trademark flavour of rural Corfu. There's a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Here, you'll learn everything there is to know about this exotic citrus fruit. Marmalade, soda drinks and syrup are just some of the products made from kumquat. But it's the sweet and fragrant liqueur – often sold in Corfu-shaped bottles – that's become an island icon.
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This grand tour of Corfu takes you to some of the island's top sights in just one morning. Starting at Paleokastritsa and travelling on to Lakones then Corfu town, you'll discover picturesque mountain villages, ancient monasteries and much more.The tour kicks off at picture-perfect Paleokastritsa, the seaside village where Odysseus first set foot on Corfu. We'll wind our way up the hills to the 13th-century Monastery of Virgin Mary, where we'll admire Byzantine icons before poking around the museum. What's more, its clifftop location offers impressive views over the bay and is a great place to take some snaps.Sat on the slope of a verdant mountain is the quaint village of Lakones – our next stop. White and blue stone houses dot the narrow streets, like something off a postcard. We'll then head to Bella Vista for some spectacular island views. We'll round things off checking out Corfu town's must-sees, like the 300-year-old St Spryridon church and the main plaza, Liston Square. You'll have free time to explore the shops, museums and cafes before heading back.
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Explore Corfu's beaches: Shore excursion to Paleokastritsa and Glyfada
Take a dive into a once-in-a-lifetime experience and visit the magical and gorgeous beaches of Paleokastritsa and Glyfada.
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Top attractions in Corfu
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Private Corfu Tour with Achillion Palace and Kumquat Distillery
This private tour of northern Corfu is all idyllic villages, monuments and rugged coastline. Head into sun-kissed rolling hills to discover Achillion Palace and Paleokastritsa. There are also visits to a kumquat distillery and an olive oil mill-museum. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘Empress Sissi of Austria was enamored with Corfu and its mythological heritage, particularly the story of Achilles, and the palace and gardens are filled with sculptures of Greek gods and goddesses'.You'll visit some of Corfu's top attractions. First up is Achillion Palace. The palace boasts stunning views of the Corfu coast, including Kaiser Wilhelm's former jetty, and its meticulously landscaped gardens are a work of art. You'll then get to sample the trademark flavour of rural Corfu during a visit to a family-owned kumquat distillery. Spiros says, ‘Sweet and fragrant kumquat liqueur is a uniquely Corfu phenomenon – it's made nowhere else in Greece. It's a part of our Corfiot identity. The story of how this Asian fruit came to the island is a real eye-opener.'There are more top-notch vistas at the seaside village of Paleokastritsa. You'll have free time to visit the Orthodox monastery – admission is free – or the coves with beaches. A boat trip can also be arranged here. Next, there's a scenic drive to Bella Vista, so-called for its views over Paleo Bay. Finally, round off the day with a tour and tasting at an olive oil mill and museum run by the fifth generation of the Konstantis family.
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Corfu Catamaran Cruise with Greek Lunch and Drinks
Our ultimate catamaran trip gives you a new perspective on Corfu. The island's rugged coastline is the backdrop of this relaxing day out, which features plenty of swimming stops. What's more, a traditional lunch and drinks round off the experience. Spiros, one of our local guides, says, ‘This cruise for me is Corfu in a nutshell – in the lap of luxury and in the lap of the gods. You get to enjoy vistas of heavenly coastline whilst living it up on board with unlimited drinks and a typical Greek lunch.'You'll be picked up and brought to the harbour to board your catamaran – and from here on in, you won't have to lift a finger. This cruise is all about soaking up the sun and enjoying the scenery. Steep cliffs, secluded beaches and little fishing villages surrounded by juniper green vegetation – it's quite a view. Spiros adds, ‘This catamaran is the real deal, with a trampoline net for lying on. It's like being on a hammock – but over the water. I love it.' Along the way you'll get to spot some famous landmarks from the hit-series 'The Durrells', as well as the house of the real Laurence Durrell, back in the 1930s. And, there's at least four anchored stops for you to dive into the Ionian Sea and use the snorkelling equipment provided. Relax on the breezy deck or in the shaded area, before a lunch of Greek specialities and drinks await. Plus, you'll have a crew at hand to cater for every need, as well as give you information on Corfu and the fauna and flora of the Ionian.
Private Organic Farm Tour & Corfu Cooking Lesson
Go local with a private lesson in cooking Corfiot cuisine. Visit Bioporos Organic Farm and get hands on in creating your very own Greek feast. Take a tour of the estate to learn about their farm-to-table ethos, before helping prepare a selection of traditional dishes that you'll dine on for lunch. You'll drop by the cosy fishing village of Benitses first, where you'll take a short walking tour. Then it's off to Bioporos Organic Farm. Tucked-away in Corfu's sun-kissed countryside by the cooling shores of Korission Lake, the farm boasts almost ideal conditions for growing great produce. Welcomed by one of the farm's friendly team, you'll take a walk through fields full of fruit trees and vegetables to find out how their farm-to-fork approach helps get the best from mother earth.And it's this larder of farm-fresh ingredients you'll be using to create two of Corfu's favourite dishes. Under the eye of a local chef, you'll learn how to make a typical Corfiot vegetable pie, plus the famous tzatziki sauce. Once the food is cooked, you'll tuck into your creations for lunch served with drinks.
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Boat Trip from Corfu to Sivota with Barbecue on Board
A delightful foray to the west coast of mainland Greece from Corfu. Skippered by local legend Captain Theo, you'll cruise over to Sivota, enjoying a barbecue on board along the way. Theo, who's been sailing these waters for four decades, says, ‘I love the sound of guests whooping with joy – the sound of summer – when they jump into the Blue Lagoon for a swim. We then explore Papanikolis sea cave, which is also popular.'You'll board the boat ready for a picture-perfect journey across the Ionian Sea towards the mainland. And between taking in the scenery of pine-clad islets, you'll cruise into Papanikolis sea cave, where you'll see the sea glittering on the roof. The next stop will be for swimming in the Blue Lagoon. Its fluorescent-turquoise waters look radiant – and inviting – when contrasted against the tree-topped white headland that shelters the lagoon. Captain Theo will anchor here for 90 minutes, during which time you can swim and feast on an on-board barbecue with free-flowing wine.After all that fun, Theo will rev up his engine to glide over to the sheltered fishing village of Sivota on the mainland. Laidback and unpretentious, it's where Greeks from a bit inland seek the cool sea breeze during summer. Enjoy an hour to check out the cafés and shops, or maybe amble up to the parish church to admire its frescoed ceiling and gilded icons. Afterwards, it's time to hop back on board for the return cruise to Corfu.
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The inside story
Get a glimpse of Corfu’s religious heritage at the Paleokastritsa Monastery and enjoy breathtaking views of its hilltop location. Situated on the northwestern side of the island above the small town of Paleokastritsa, this large monastery complex is dedicated to Panagia – the Virgin Mary. Getting here is a treat in itself. By foot or car, you’ll pass through olive groves and cypresses with the Ionian Sea in the distance.
Wander around the small courtyards, charming archways and take in the monastery’s intricate bell tower. Discover the monastery's elegant 18th-century architecture and intricate Byzantine-style frescoes that adorn the walls. The monastery's museum houses a collection of religious artefacts, ancient manuscripts and precious icons. The calm and peaceful atmosphere will let you appreciate the true beauty of this area.
