This tour begins with a scenic drive through the wonderful Corfiot
countryside, full of olive groves, pine, cypress, lemon and orange trees.
Approximately 25 minutes later, you arrive at one of the most beautiful
spots on the island, the bay of Paleokastritsa, called the “Capri of
Greece”. Once you are there, you visit the Byzantine Monastery of the
Virgin – still inhabited by a community of monks – and its small
museum, housing a unique collection of Byzantine icons and church
relics. From the Monastery gardens you can admire breathtaking views
over the beautiful bays of Paleokastritsa below, with their crystal-clear
waters and the rocky promontories. According to the local myth, in
one of these bays the legendary Odysseus met the beautiful local
Princess Nausica after his shipwreck. After your visit at the monastery you will have some free time at the
beach of Paleokastritsa, where you will have the option either to hire a boat in order to admire the caves or
even enjoy a quick swim at the crystal blue waters of this area.
The tour continues to the picturesque traditional village of Lakones,
situated high up to the mountain slopes, from where you can enjoy a
panoramic view over the whole bay of Paleokastritsa.
Driving onwards, you arrive at the traditional village of Makrades,
where you will admire an old tradition village of Corfu with it’s narrow
streets and the village life.
Our next quick stop will be at the area of Martin (in Greek = Helidoni), from where you will have the chance to
see the north of Corfu island, as you would have seen it if you were a martin. Our next stop and as per your
preferences can be at one of the best sandy beaches of the island, St George Pagoi, where you will have the
chance to stay for some time (even have lunch at a seaside tavern).
Your tour continues to the village of Old Perithia, which was built in the 14th century while the island was
under the Byzantine rule, and is located on the northern flanks of the Mount Pantokrator at about 400m above
the sea level. The surrounding land was ideal both for sheep farming and the cultivation of olives and vines, and
Old Perithia was soon relatively prosperous. Times were harder by the 20th century, however, and as tourism
began to bring wealth and jobs to Corfu’s coastal areas, the village’s residents were drawn back down the
mountain in search of work. Today, the village is a protected heritage site with 130 houses, many built in a
Venetian style, which lie abandoned in varying states of dereliction. A
few civic buildings also survive, including a school that remained in use
until the middle of the 20th century. Surrounding the village are eight
churches, one for every 150 of the village’s 1,200 former residents.
Old Perithia is no ghost town, however, thanks to the presence of a bed
and breakfast and a handful of tavernas serving excellent mountain fare.
Apart from good food, the village offers visitors a fascinating insight into
Corfu’s history, jaw-dropping views, and an ideal “base camp” for
anyone wishing to hike up to the summit of Mount Pantokrator, which
takes about an hour.

Your coach then drives you down the north-eastern coastal road of the
island – facing the shores of Albania, just 2 nautical miles away –
passing by the beautiful bay villages of Kerasia, Kouloura and Kalami –
the latter made famous by the British author Lawrence Durrell who
lived there, and the coastal resorts of Barbati, Dassia, and Kontokali,
before arriving back to your hotel.