from 0 review
5 to 8 Hours
Daily Tour
50 people
English, Espanol, Francais, German, Italian, Russian
PALEOKASTRITSA, ACHILLEION PALACE & CORFU TOWN
This excursion offers you a comprehensive view of the island, combining visits to cultural and historical
sites with delightful breaks at spots of unique natural beauty. Leaving the port, the coach follows the road
leading out of town; soon you are found in the beautiful dense Corfiot countryside, driving through olive
groves interspersed with pine and cypress trees, vineyards, and fields carpeted with wildflowers and shrubs.
Approximately 20 minutes later, your coach reaches one of the most beautiful spots on the island, much
celebrated for its unique natural beauty, the bay of Paleokastritsa, known as the “Capri of Greece”. You visit
the Byzantine Monastery of the Virgin, still inhabited by a community of monks, and its small museum,
housing priceless Byzantine icons, and church relics. From the monastery’s gardens, you have spectacular
views over the beautiful bays of the area with their crystal-clear turquoise waters and rocky promontories.
Leaving Paleokastritsa, your coach takes you via the Ropa Valley to the traditional old village of Gastouri
for a visit to the Achilleion Palace, built by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria in 1891 and later owned by
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. You visit the rooms of the Palace open to visitors, offering a glimpse into
the life of the “Sad Empress” as Sissy was commonly known, as well as its beautiful gardens with
spectacular views over Corfu Town and the sea. Filled with exotic flowers and adorned with classical
statues of Ancient Greek mythological figures, the gardens give evidence of Empress Elisabeth’s fondness
of Ancient Greek History and Mythology.
From Achilleion Palace, you are driven into Corfu Town for a visit to the historic center of this elegant old
town. Built by the Venetians more than 400 years ago, the Old Town looks more like Napoli or Venice
rather than any other Greek town. Constructed between the two Venetian Fortresses, it is a maze of winding
narrow cobbled streets “kandounia”, little piazzas (squares), and high tenements in pastel yellow and brick
red colors. Leaving the coach by the central “Esplanade Square”, you explore the town on foot
accompanied by your guide. You visit the 300-year old church of St. Spyridon, the Saint Protector of the
island, with its priceless collection of icons and offerings to the Saint. There is also free time for shopping
and wandering around on your own before returning back to your coach for your transfer back to the port
and your ship.
Duration: 4 ½ hours
Advice to clients: Please avoid wearing short pants and revealing blouses for your visit to the Monastery and the
church of St. Spyridon. Bring your camera and lots of films.
Tour Timings Breakdown: 00:00 Depart from the port for Paleokastritsa, 00:30 Arrive at Paleokastritsa & begin
guided walking tour of Monastery, 01:30 Depart Paleokastritsa for Achilleion, 02:15 Arrive at Achilleion, begin the tour,
03:00 Depart Achilleion for Old Corfu Town, 03:45 arrival in Corfu town (Free time), 04:15 Depart for the pier, 04:30
Arrive at the pier.
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