Sidari Corfu

View Topic: Summertime Aparthotel

Hi

We used to take enough euro for the first couple of days and take sterling with us to change as and when required because the exchange rate was generally better when we got there. That seemed to change a few years ago and now we tend to buy most of our currency in the UK.

We both have pre-loaded euro debit cards and try to load them whenever the rate goes up. They are from Fairfx (other providers are available) who email when the rate rises. With Fairfx there is no charge to load the card or to spend in retail/restaurants. There is a flat €1.50 charge to withdraw cash from an ATM.

Whilst we were on Corfu 21-25 June we say €1.10 euro the Β£ on offer in Kassiopi and €1.12 to the Β£ in Sidari. A few days before we went we got €1.13 to the Β£ from Fairfx.

Since we came back the Fairfx rate has been as low as €1.07 to the Β£. They emailed me this morning to advise their rate is €1.11 to the Β£ today. They also provide cash at the same rate and will send it by registered post which is chargeable or free depending how many Β£ you spend with them.

Deedee
View Topic: Euro Help

I think it may be the festival of St Spyridon which is 11th August. List of festivals below:

The Feasts in Corfu
All the most important festivals and events of Corfu have religious connotations.
Orthodox religion (almost all the population) and Christianity (only 4% of the population) form the basis of Corfiots' culture and the major holidays are associated with the worship of Christ or the commemoration of the Patron.

Festivals and events
The town festivals and the holy days are numerous in Corfu island.
Down here you will see the dates of the most important summer festivals.
- Beginning of May: Orthodox Easter, so beautiful to be famous in all Greece
- First Friday after Easter: town festival in Paleokastritsa
- 8 May and 15 August: festival in Kassiopi with the celebration of the Virgin

- 9 June: festivals in Alikes of Potamo, Petalia, Zigo, Potamo
- 12 June: St. Onofrio's Day celebration in Pelekas
- 24 June: Festival of the Holy Spirit, town festivals in Kontokali, Stavro, Arghirades, Kastellani of Mesi, Antiperni and Othoni
- 29 June: Saints Peter and Paul. Festivals in Kombitsi, Stronghili and Vitalades. In the main town of Paxos island (Gaios) there are great celebrations in honor of Saint Gaios

- 2 July: Madonna of Vlacherena. Procession in Garitsa. Festivals in Garitsa, Acharavi, Kamara and Fontana on Paxos island
- 8 July: Celebration of Saint Prokopios with relative festivals in the villages of Kavos, Lefkimnis and Aghios Prokopios
- 13 July: Festival in Saint Rocco square in honor of S. Spyridonas
- 17 July: St. Marina. Festivals in Benitses, Spartera, Avliotes
- 20 July: Festival of Elia Prophet in Magoulades

- 6 August: Church festival held in commemoration of the Transfiguration of Jesus in Pontikonisi, Perivoli, Strinilia, Evropuli, Paleochori, A. Deka and Aghios Mattheos with many days of pilgrimage (1-6 August) on the top of Pantokratoras mountain
- 11 August, first Sunday of November, Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday: In these four days the relics of the Saint are carried in procession along the streets of the city where the festival is being celebrated, accompanied by the most important musical bands of the island.
- 16 August: Three days of celebrations in Kato Garuna
- 23 August: Festival of the Virgin Odighitria in the villages of Gastouri, Pelekas and Aghii Deka

Corfu
- 8 September: Town festival in Afra, Marathia, Aghio Marko, Potami of Lefkimmi and Sinarades.
- 14 September: feast of the Cross in the monastery of Saint Ioanni in Sidari.
- 24 September: " Mirtidiotissa". Festival in Vato.
- 26 September: St. James theologian. Festivals in Karussades and Remunda.

Name day
In CorfΓΉ, as in the rest of Greece, the name day is more important than the birthday.
The choice of personal names is important for Greeks, in fact they always give to the new babies the names of the grandparents in their memory.
Moreover the name days are well-known since the Greek names are all present in the calendar as names of Saints, while is more difficult to remember all the birthdays.
For this reason everybody, in their name day, prepare a banquet for those who will pay a visit to give wishes.



Carnival
Carnival exist since antiquity and at the beginning was a festival in honour of Bacchus, the God of wine, in order to pray to have a rich harvest.
Later the Venetian domination contributed to change the customs of Corfu and to introduce the masks, the coloration of faces with ash and new characters like the dotori (doctors), the nodari (notary) and the muzeta (musetti).
Today the carnival is truly felt, the floats are prepared months and months before and people dressed in clothing characteristic of past and present of Corfu island.

The Carnival in Kerkyra consist of:
- Rehearsal parade of floats through the city on the first Sunday, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son
- The last Thursday before Lent (Tsichnopempti) is dedicated to gorge oneself with meat before the period of Lent
- The last Thursday of Carnival, in the old city, there is the traditional ritual of "Petegolia" that consists of seeing women appear at the windows buzzing in dialect about all the Corfiot events.
The event is accompanied by music and songs.
- The official parade takes place the last Sunday and is called the parade of "Sir Carnival".
Sir Carnival is the bringer of all ills and misfortunes in the year just past, so at the end of the parade, he is burnt in retribution to launch then dances, songs and amusements.

During the Carnival there are also two local rites:
- The "dance of priests" takes place the last Sunday of Carnival in the main square of Episkepsi, which is a village in the north part of the island and little more south than Acharavi.
This rite would go back to 500 B.C. and it is a dance without music in which the men of the village, in order of age or role in the community, follow the Pope who has opened the dancing.Corfu carnival
The verses sung first by the Pope and then gradually by all the men give the dance its rhythm.
At the end the old women join playing and dancing together with the men.
- the carnival wedding is a rite still present today in Klimatia, Chlomo, Marathia, Kritika and Iannades (once it was present in all the villages of the island).
It takes place the last Sunday of Carnival and consists of the celebration of a wedding with both bride and groom men and the dangerous presence of the demon in the form of satyr. The reason of the two men is that in the past the women could not celebrate the festivity.
During all the celebration the inhabitants of the town make fun of themselves and joke using vulgar language.


Orthodox Easter
The Easter of Corfu is famous in all Greece because there is a big festival in the old city with music, dances, banquets and naturally religious celebrations.
In Corfu Catholics and orthodox celebrate the Easter together since 1964, when the catholic bishop of Corfu demanded it and got a positive response by the Holy See.
Below there are the most important days of the paschal period with all that happens on the island and particularly in the old town.

Corfu
Palm Sunday
It is one of the days dedicated to the Saint patron of the island.
In memory of the miraculous actions that saved Corfu and its inhabitants from the plague, his relics are carried along the streets of the city starting from the church of Saint Spyridonas and following the line where once there were the walls of the city.

Holy Wednesday
Since 1989, on Holy Wednesday, there is the concert of the Communal Chorus in the theatre of the city.
Obviously there is ecclesiastic music to create a moment of union for the community.

Holy Thursday
In the Catholic Cathedral of the old town there is a reading of the Gospels during which the twelve candles that were lit at the beginning of the service are put out one by one.

Holy Friday
Music is everywhere because it's played by the bands during the processions that leave from every church of the island.
The aim of the processions is to carry the Epitaph of own parish along the roads of the quarter, all that accompanied by the music of the bands.
So it's possible to listen along the roads of Corfu the Adagio of Albinoni, the Funeral March of Verdi and that of Chopin.
The processions do not begin all at the same time, indeed they are distributed along the afternoon and the evening in order to allow the several bands of the city to attend more processions; the first one start from the new fortress and the last one from the Mitropolis.


Corfu
Holy Saturday
This day is rich of events:
- in the morning, in the Church of Our Lady of Strangers, there is the reproduction of the earthquake that followed the resurrection of Christ
- the procession of Saint Spyridonas that starts from the homonymous church
- the celebration of Resurrection
- the ritual of "Botides" that consist of throwing from the windows earthenware jugs full of water.
In the evening there are the church services, first the catholic and then the orthodox one that takes place not inside the church but outside.
When the Pope announces the God resurrection everybody lights own candle and suddenly the Spianada lights up.
At the end of the ceremony there are the fireworks and the bands play walking for the roads of the city while all the inhabitants celebrate finishing the fast with sweets and wine.
Sunday and Easter Monday
Sunday morning, in the old town, there are still processions with the icon of the Christ resurrection, while Monday they bring in procession the standard and the cross of own church.
Finally everybody celebrates with own family having a lunch with meat, lamb on a spit and "avgolemono" soup.

Corfu
Sunday and Easter Monday
Sunday morning, in the old town, there are still processions with the icon of the Christ resurrection, while Monday they bring in procession the standard and the cross of own church.
Finally everybody celebrates with own family having a lunch with meat, lamb on a spit and "avgolemono" soup.

Saint Spyridonas, Saint Patron of Corfu
St. Spyridonas is the Saint Patron of Corfu island and for this reason he is celebrated, prayed and acclaimed by Corfiots.
Their relationship with the Saint is very close because they see him like their saviour, they feel him like one of them, a real defender. Saint Spyridonas, Saint Patron of Corfu
Saint Spyridonas was born in Cyprus, he is not Corfiot and he never lived on the island; he arrived in Corfu only after his death because Georgios Kalocheretis carried here his relics.
His relics are considered the reason for which the island was saved from the Turks, the plague and the famine.
For these miracles Saint Spyridonas was proclaimed patron of Corfu.
In the old town there is a church dedicated to his memory that contains his relics.
Spyridonas is celebrated four times by Corfiots, in order to commemorate the four miracles that he has performed for the islanders:
- Palm Sunday to remember that in 1630 he has saved the island from the plague; his relics leave from the church of Saint Spyiridonas and go around the old town along its walls.
- Holy Saturday, there is a procession in memory of the escaped famine of 1550
- The first Sunday of November, there is a commemoration for the salvation from the plague in 1673
- 11 August, there is a procession in memory of victory against the Turks in 1716.

View Topic: August Festival?

For all visitors to Sidari and Corfu please be aware that a New Greek Accomodation tax comes into force from 1 January 2018. So for all guests who have booked for next season please be aware of the new tax which will come into force at the beginning of next year.

Pretty much works along the same lines of the Balearic Islands Tourist Tax - you will pay the hotelier direct depending per room per night in euro starting from 25 cents up to €2.50 per night.

Thanks in advance

View Topic: New Greek Accomodation Tax Comes Into Force 1/1/18

Hi All, 
View Topic: Erikousa

Also I notice that Olympic have just slapped a bar on booking a lot of their places as 'accommodation only'. Places like the Monika in Sidari, where I've been going for a few years, can now only be booked as part of a package. They seem to use scheduled Easyjet flghts anyway, but I notice that transfers are no longer automatically part of any package.

And several of Easyjet's prices seem to have suddenly jumped up with the news that Monarch are no more.

I think, on balance, I'll be turtle-spotting in Zante this year, a bit earlier though in June, and look out for the September flights for Corfu.

View Topic: Easyjet 2018

Hi all thinking of booking to go to Yiannis Sidari has anyone been to this hotel. Thanks in advance.
View Topic: Yiannis

Hi, does anyone know where the Luisa hotel is located in Sidari?

Many thanks in advance!

View Topic: Location

I don't recognise the other names - but there is plenty of choice for places to eat. There is also Kellys Ice House up near the top end of the strip and down a side street - they do stunning ice cream desserts, Jeni's is a great place for homemade cakes and snacks - that's just across from The Three Little Pigs. Our first visit to Sidari was in 2001 when we found it very lively! We went back in 2211 and have been going ever since but are now older and prefer the quieter places now so stay just at the top end were we have found the bars/restaurants quieter. We fly out on Monday 1st May for our first visit of the year and then again in September. Hope you have a great time!
View Topic: Sidari 2017

Returning to Sidari this summer after 9 years away, just wondering if any of the bars and restaurants are still the same or has all changed?
View Topic: Sidari 2017

Maistro on the sea front in Acharavi have bouzouki players some nights, as do Alegria and Ta Rebetika also in Acharavi. Also The Family restaurant in Sidari.
Basically you need to check out local postings or The Corfu Grapevine on facebook where they tend to be advertised.

View Topic: Kostas Bar

As Elliemay has told you previously flights are via Athens. You can fly via Thessiloniki but flights are only onwards to Corfu in the middle of the night once a week so also the high cost of a taxi to Sidari on top or do like we do and catch the bus to Corfu and then the local bus to final destination. (much cheaper but best to have an overnight stopover unless you want to sleep on the airport floor). Flights to Athens are from Heathrow or Gatwick so added expense at that end also to get to airport. Sidari  is like a utopia to us as is where we have our Corfu home we have to travel about 9 miles to buy a loaf of bread whereas Sidari has places to eat at the weekend and shops open every day.
View Topic: Flights Out Of Season

There are three supermarkets in Sidari near the crossroads as you enter from Roda that are open all year. Kazianos which is a freezer centre come supermarket, then Diellas an Italian supermarket that has several outlets in Corfu, also Markato, a Greek supermarket which is opposite. No problem getting food. Lol
View Topic: Flights Out Of Season

Have already advised you of how to get there out of season.
A few restaurants open in the Winter in Sidari, but usually weekends only. Basically, nothing else. We live 6km away so am being as truthful as I can.
View Topic: Flights Out Of Season

Thank you for the valuable information. We have spoken about the seasons and would quite like to be able to use the property ourselves a little out of season (probably tagged on to the end and beginning) I like the idea of being there aside from for the beach and sun but need to make sure we can get there to use it
View Topic: Flights Out Of Season

There are direct flights from late March to early November if you use the likes of easyJet. Throughout the winter most flights would be via Athens or Thessalonika.
I would highly advise to rent for a year to see Corfu in all seasons and see whether it appeals to you before purchasing a home.
To be honest Sidari is like a one horse town where the horse left in the winter.
This year we had minus temperatures and snow for a couple of days. Only yesterday, raging thunder and lightning storms and a hailstorm. 
View Topic: Flights Out Of Season

Hi All,
View Topic: Flights Out Of Season

There are some good walks from Acharavi.
View Topic: Acharavi To Kassiopi

The location where you get a view down the coast from Cape Drastis to the steps at Peroulades is pretty dodgy actually - by which I mean fairly dangerous to get near, never mind for a film crew to be lumping kit around. It's where Mrs Durrell wanders off to read a book and throw nuts at some field mice - for some reason.

The track that leads down to Cape Drastis has the very best views from the top. As you descend, your view is mostly blocked by trees and reeds. You can either step out onto the cape (but you're limited in how far you can go now) or follow the track all the way down to a very narrow inlet where you can get a boat tour. (The rock shelves out just under the water in this inlet too, so it's fine for getting in and out for a swim).

But as you make your way back onto the tarmac road from the track and away from the cape, on the shore side of the road is a high bank, fenced off, with some olive trees. The scene was shot up there, looking along the coast away from the cape. But be warned, that bank doesn't slope off on the far side - at the top of the bank you can see from the road, there's a sheer drop of hundreds of meters, and the face of it is being eroded all the time. From the sea you can see fresh falls from the cliff tops that occur several times a year!

There are a few other tracks around Corfu which are scarily close to massive drops. If you take the service path from opposite The Orchard in Sidari, up the slope and along the coast to Cape Drastis, you go past the radio towers and you'll see 4WD tracks along the trail. There's a line of shrubs right beside the road, and they're hiding another shear drop.

View Topic: The Durrells

6? I stayed up late but nothing was there, so went to bed. Ended up booking at 10. Bit more than I was hoping for but had to stick to either Monday or Friday (the typical charter transfer days) to get a good price on accommodation - which has gone up. Then add on all the extras for me for a fortnight (2 x legroom, missed flight cover, 23kg bags)...

Booking 'accommodation only' on Olympic gave me a good-ish price for 14 nights in Sidari at the Monika (great place) but that's up by about 1/3 on last year. At least this year the website lets you book accommodation only without throwing a wobbly.

If you can get reasonably priced flights to fit the booking period then it's cheaper than booking with a lot of places directly, at least up until mid-July, when the charters start to hike their prices a lot. Last year I even shortened the trip to 12 days and it still worked out cheaper booking 14 days accommodation. I'm not sure that's still the case this year though.

Paying extra for the luggage was a bit of a no-brainer this year, as the more sun lotion and pasta'n'sauce from ASDA I can take with me the more Euros I won't be blowing on the basics at tourist prices. And a second trip this year is right off the cards, unfortunately.

[Edit: Almost forgot - it's all-new ticker-time!!! β–Ό ]

View Topic: Easyjet 2017 Flights

Does this help?
https://www.jet2holidays.com/greece/corfu/sidari/maria-club-hotel
View Topic: Maria Club Hotel Nr Angelinas In Canal D'Amour

Kalimera.
View Topic: Hire Car

On a UK Driving License they come under 'B1', which is a light 4-wheeled motor vehicle up to 400kg unladen. It's an off-shoot of the category for cars, 'B', not motorbikes. Basically it's classed like a Sooty Van! So most car license holders are licensed to drive one, and so would be elsewhere in Europe.

https://www.gov.uk/quad-bikes-the-rules

In line with that classification, in the UK, there's no legal requirement to wear protective clothing or a helmet, but you're asking for trouble if you don't. However, in the UK, there are all sorts of problems to get through to actually have a quad bike approved for road use in the first place. Then you have number plates, tax, MOT, insurance, etc. as with any other road vehicle.

An insurance company can put any clause they like in their terms though. For example, many holiday insurance schemes now say they only cover moped use if you have a motorbike licence, which a lot of people won't have because in the UK most car licenses are sufficient. And a helmet will be mandatory.

You can pretty much guarantee that anything sold to you by your travel agent or you get free with a credit card or home insurance policy won't cover quad-biking though. If you look, you'll probably find it doesn't cover other seemingly obvious holiday activities like horse-riding or parascending either, and you should probably look closely at the bits on swimming, snorkelling, pedal-boats etc. too. And even if quad-biking does get a mention, it'll only be for off-road organised group activities - not road driving.

You need to get a particular insurance policy that will cover it (and will probably cover a load of other things too). For example, this policy has an option for 'Sports & Activities' that then covers a load of things that probably aren't included under a standard travel policy, even though you might expect them to be. Click on the policy wording to see a list of everything that you only get by selecting that extra option:

https://www.jsinsurance.co.uk/sports_and_activities.php

Interesting to note that they increase the excess and reduce the personal accident cover for activities such as parascending and sea kayaking (ulp!) and specifically say you're not covered for "jumping or diving from a pier(s), a wall(s), a bridge(s) or a rock(s) including tombstoning or shore diving". Whoops Sidari! At least it doesn't say off the front of Stephanos' barbecue boat...

Most people renting you a Quad Bike in Greece will make you pay for standard third-party insurance as you would have (at a minimum) for car hire, but hold you personally responsible for any damage to the bike (which is probably barely worth a grand to replace). In the rowdier resorts where a lot of accidents happen, you may even be asked to sign a blank credit card slip and leve it with the owner as 'deposit' before they'll let you go out. If you do, make sure you see it destroyed after you return the quad!

View Topic: Quad/Bike/Buggy Hire

Good Morning,

I am planning a trip to Corfu in 2018 with all of my family, which consists of 9 Adults and 5 Children (includes what will be a 16 year old). We know where we are staying in Sidari, I'm just waiting on confirmation of prices by booking direct.

As both my partner and I are teachers, we can only travel late July or August.
We are planning a 14 night trip.

Can anyone advise me about flights? It seems to be a minefield!

Airports which are possible to fly from (ordered by preference):
Doncaster Sheffield
Manchester
East Midlands

I know only Thomson fly from DSA, hence are quite expensive (even then I'm unsure on the cost!).

Mainly I need advice with prices, I'm not bothered who we fly with to be honest lol, I know time in on our side.

Thank you!



View Topic: Planning A Trip - 2018

My husband and I returned from Canal d'amour/Sidari on the 10th July.  We had a fab two weeks with plenty of sunshine, nice meals and lots of alcohol.  It was lovely to see old friends and we both felt that the area seemed more lively than the last few years.  I think most people head to the strip of an evening as the bars in Canal d'amour are still quiet.  We noticed a new restaurant 'Freda's', MaRaaBoo a little cocktail bar had just opened and our favourite The Family has moved premises and is just lovely, they have ten more tables.  Marcos and his wife worked so hard over the winter to get it up and running, it had been empty for 7 years.  This was our 14th year and all being well we will be back next year.  We usually take euros but this year I got a Halifax Clarity card and withdrew cash three times I got just under 1.21 and 1.20 in resort the highest was 1.18 and lowest 1.13 less commission.
View Topic: Countdown To Sidari 2016

Hydropolis is just outside Acharavi and is fairly big, although not as big as Aqualand. Sidari Waterpark is quite small and I would say more suitable for younger kids. Google it and you'll see the photo's. My friend's grandson (10) loved it. I believe you can buy a daily or weekly pass and it's not too expensive. Good luck.
View Topic: Water Parks

Hi everyone, my daughter would like to ask if anyone has any experience of the waterpark near Sidari. Her and the kids have been to the one near Corfu town, but would like to know how good, bad etc this one is. Thanks.
View Topic: Water Parks

I'm going with EasyJet, but I caved in and booked a suitcase. When I think of all the stuff I can carry bought at ASDA prices (lotion, toiletries, febreeze (instant laundry!) and breakfast cereal particularly!) it really pays for itself. I won't have a car, and as I said, arriving on a Sunday means I can't shop in town on arrival, nor dawdle and use the buses. It'll have to be a shuttle transfer to Sidari, and Zeus-knows how long that'll take.

View Topic: North Corfu 2016 Prices

Are you? I thought anything you bought had to go in your carry-on. And with booked seats that's already two carry-on bags. Come to think of it, they haven't stopped me with a bag of snacks... and it may have been Ryanair that had the rules against extra shopping - I just know they're forced to waive them if (a) you're flying out of Billund and (b) your shopping is mostly LEGO!

I think the only major supermarket I can get to is the one on the edge of Sidari. Unfortunately I've been forced by circumstances and prices to go out on a Sunday, which means I won't get to visit one in town before I transfer.

View Topic: North Corfu 2016 Prices

As they stand but are Subject to change

KASSIOPI	SIDARI		Not Sun	10.15, 12.00, 15.15, 16.45
SIDARI	KASSIOPI		Not Sun	09.30, 11.15, 14.30, 16.00

View Topic: Local Bus Times

Counting the days to September for two weeks - we keep saying we should go somewhere else for our recharging the batteries time of year, but then I think about not going home to Sidari for a year and I just cannot do it   
View Topic: Countdown To Sidari 2016

[QUOTE=maysol50] Whereabouts in Corfu was it actually filmed?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]

The Durrells: Location Spotting:

I love location spotting and so this is what I have managed to piece together so far from episode 1 (including from comments on this forum). If anyone disagrees or has other ideas or knowledge please do contribute.

Note: I have been updating this description as other members identify places.

- In the scene where the Durrells are walking up a road having just arrived in Corfu, Mrs Durrell says "look I can see the village up ahead look" - The village they are looking at in the distance is Pelekas. The village they are just coming out of at the time is Varypatades just south east of Pelaekas (thank you Annie McGiggles Hawkins and Theresa Taberner (who lives there) for identifying). See photos now in comments below.

- After they leave Varypatades behind on the way to the guest house that the Durrells had booked into, they drive through a village. As they approach the guest house on the main street a man comes out on to the steps to great them. Spiros says β€œwe don’t stay here, too expensive, lots of empty houses on the island" and they drive on by. That village is also Varypatades and the guest house is actually a church (see photos now in comments below). Thank you again to Theresa Taberna for identifying.

- Rock formations at Cape Drastis Perouloudes (Sidari) - (Mrs Durrell at cliff tops and sat against tree after asking her family why they are so vile). Thanks Jason Fisher for confirming location).

- The house used as the Durrells home is at Kontokali (confirmed by Mikey Rav who has been there many times)

- Shrine of St Arsenius (where Margo sunbathes on the rocks and is shouted at by the monk) is a short walk south from the White House at Kalami (where Larry really lived with his first wife Nancy). The Shrine was where Larry (in real life) and Nancy loved to swim (nice connection there).

Note: Boy those were powerful binoculars that Larry was using out of his bedroom window (in Kontokali), to be able to see Margo sunbathing so clearly all the way up the coast near Kalami)! LOL! β€žsmileβ€œ-Emoticon

- The flamingos were at 2 places, Alikes Salt Flats (the flying shots) and Lake Korisson the bit where Theo and Gerry are pretending to be Flamingoes in the water (confirmed by Jason Fisher who discussed it with someone who took the film crew there to get the shots).

- According to Thomson.co. uk the stars of the show stayed at The Corfu Imperial Luxury Resort on the private peninsula in Kommeno Bay near Gouvia.

- The actual home the Durrells were living in when they left England was in in Wimborne Road, Bournemouth (near the town centre). However the house used for this TV series is located in Hurst Way, Croydon.
Just a foot note in case anyone is interested: When Mrs Durrell first came to the Bournemouth area from London in 1931, the first house she bought was Berridge House (a rambling victorian house) at 6 Spur Hill, Poole (a short distance from where I live now). Mrs Durrell had to sell the house for financial reasons and moved into a smaller house, Wimborne Road, Bournemouth. It was there that the decision to move to Corfu was made. When war broke out in 1939 Mrs Durrell came back to England and bought another home in Bournemouth. There is a very big Durrell connection in the Bournemouth area (as well as Corfu).

[/QUOTE]

Originally posted on Facebook by David Downer
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CorfuForum/permalink/1009323645811176/
View Topic: The Durrells

House south of Corfu town just nip down to sunbath and give a priest a fag in Barbati a view out over the cliffs near Sidari. All a bit confusing.
View Topic: The Durrells

Hi Flynnmo yes starting to look forward to our hols in Sidari 3rd June for a week staying at Paradise and 2 weeks 29th July staying at Terezas. We have had a awful winter in Cumbria it has rained nearly every day now since start of November and a weather warning for this weekend so looking forward to Corfu in 2016
View Topic: Countdown To Sidari 2016

Poor old Sidari has had no posts since September last year. Usually picks up after the New Year, so I'll get the ball rolling. 134 days and counting. We were only there in September but it seems a long time ago already.
View Topic: Countdown To Sidari 2016

Fine, but there is also a Face restaurant in Sidari, near Canal D'Amour. As I said many restaurants with the same names.
Arjee Bhajee themselves say that they are in Kavos.
https://www.facebook.com/arjee.bhajee.3
Agree on Aigli, thought it may be a typo. x
View Topic: Quizzes

Best you check your facts Davyboy.
View Topic: Quizzes

1.   Nice?
View Topic: Quizzes

So, we are back from our two weeks in Kassiopi. What a lovely two weeks it was. We stayed in Sun Rise Apartments this year and would stay there again. They are to the right of the harbour (as you face the sea), behind the Manessi Apartments. Great location, quiet & peaceful but 2 minutes walk to the harbour and everything Kassiopi has to offer. Our apartment was clean, light, airy, well equipped and very comfortable. The balcony afforded a great view of the castle and the harbour. We spent a couple of hours on it each morning enjoying our pain aux raisin and coffee along with the view. Oh those pain aux raisin! I think they call them raisin & custard croissants in the bakery. We ate far too many of them but they were so good.

The weather was mostly good. Very hot for our first couple of days, we needed the aircon. Our friends stayed at Melina Bay and were very happy there. One of our friends was visiting Corfu for the first time so we thought he might want to be out & about a lot but he was quite content to sunbathe on Kalamionas beach most days. We visited Kalami, Acharavi, Roda, Sidari, Paleocastritsa and Corfu Town. We had a puncture on the hire car (Value Plus replaced the car) and had a wet boat ride to Corfu Town. We also had two dry boat rides to Corfu Town and went in by car. We used the new car park on the main road near the new port –easy to get to and 3€ for all day. In-between we relaxed and pottered around the Kassiopi shops - some interesting new ones and some revitalised previously existing ones.

We had a couple of disappointments – one taverna served me unpeeled king prawns, didn’t provide a fingerbowl until I requested one then the waiter tried to tell me that prawns are always served that way. On the same evening we walked up to a cafΓ© bar we had used on previous visits and were surprised to be informed that they didn’t serve coffee at that time of the evening. Their β€˜waiter’ went on to tell us, in so many words, that if we didn’t like it we could go elsewhere. We did and we didn’t use either of those establishments for the rest of our holiday.

We enjoyed some good food and some great food. Limani has been our favourite lunch spot for a few years now and continues to be so. Harbour Bar was, again, our usual pre-dinner rendezvous. We also had a few post dinner drinks in Virginia’s. We re-visited & enjoyed Kalami Beach Taverna, Sousouro, Petrino & the restaurant at the Melina Bay (delicious seafood saffron risotto on our last night, with peeled prawns). New eateries we tried this year and would happily re-visit in the future were Uncle Simos in Kassiopi, Alegria in Acharavi, Alipa in Paleocastritsa and Bikolis in Peroulades.

Back in 2001, on our first visit to Corfu and staying in Kalami, Porto was the first taverna we ate at in Kassiopi. I had my first tastes of Lamb in Gastra, Bourdheto and Yiouvetsi there and enjoyed them all. We hadn’t been in Porto for several years but noting that it was under new management we decided to try it one night. The Lamb in Gastra was even better than I remembered, my companions enjoyed their meals there too and Porto still has the old photographs of Kassiopi and Corfu Town inside. There are a couple of Corfu Town in 1862.

Our first morning back at home was a rude awakening – no balcony, no view, no sunshine and no pain aux raisin! However we are back in Kassiopi for a week next May, following our first cruise. It’s a few years since we last visited early season so we are looking forward to the lighter evenings and being able to enjoy those views for longer.

Deedee   
View Topic: There And Back Again

When we were in Sidari in July the Joylife hotel was up and running and busy so I am guessing it is still open
View Topic: Sidari Money/Joylife Hotel

View Topic: Sidari Money/Joylife Hotel

GREAT NEWS,
For those of you who use public transport the extra service extending the KTEL service from Agios Stefanos(Avliotes) to Arillas and Ag.Georgios(Pagi) opens up lots of possibilities. It means those catching the bus in Kassiopi travelling through Roda and Acharavi can now change buses in Sidari and go to any of those places. Those staying in Ag Georgios and all other resorts on the way can travel all the way through to Kassiopi by changing in Sidari.. I hope they have success with this as it opens up independent travelling for those who want to use local transport more extensively. The times should be up on your bus stops along this route.
ROUTE..Kassiopi Acharavi Roda Sidari (CHANGE) Ag Stefanos (Avliotes) Arillas Ag Georgios(Pagi)

Thanks to Jeni from Jeni's Cafe in Sidari for the information.
View Topic: KTEL Bus Information/North Corfu

It's also quite a few years since we last went to Kefalonia, but I tend to agree with Jim that Skala might suit you. It has a gorgeous beach that's part sand and part shingle and is shaded in the middle by pine trees. When we were last there they were only just starting to develop the coast road leading out of the village towards Poros, but I think there's quite a bit of new accommodation along there nowadays that would offer you an easy (flat!) walk into the village in the evenings and whilst there are sufficient bars and restaurants to choose from in the village itself, I don't think that even nowadays it will be quite so "in-your-face" as Sidari.
View Topic: Please Help

Hi where is the best place to stay in Kefalonia? Like Corfu a lot and been 15 times in last 20 years but need a change. Went to Pefkos Rhodes loved it. Went to Zante Tsilivi Loved it went to Sidari this year disappointed but enjoyed it. Want to go to Kefalonia, like a nice spot and 2 bedroomed apartment, will hire car but on the night like to be in walking distance of everything so hubby does not have to drive. Not too quiet, like a bit of entertainment please help!! Not too hilly as I believe Kefalonia is hillyxx
View Topic: Please Help

Hi Lins, I usually have to go to the doctors in Sidari for an injection as my bites become so infected but the past couple of holidays I have been using Boots Tropical strength, 50% deet and it is working a treat.
View Topic: Mosquitoes. How We Love Them

See post on the Sidari forum regarding Mossi repellent.
View Topic: Mosquitoes. How We Love Them

Hello everyone, looking forward to mine and my wifes 4th holiday to Corfu. We've been to Kalami twice and Sidari but was wondering of any recommendations of anything in Ipsos? eg bars and restaurants, boat trips, hiring of boats or cars etc?
Thanks
Baz

View Topic: Ipsos In September

I'm not sure if this will be of any help to anyone - after many many years of going abroad and to Scotland and trying  all the sprays, lotions and potions out there to combat Mosquito bites as they love me - I gave up on not getting bit and we have just been to Sidari/home for two weeks and I decided to just  use the usual citronella mix, but take lots of antihistamine bite creams to treat the bites.
View Topic: Mosquito Remedy???

Hi Dennis, sent an e-mail to the company we've used for years. Value Plus. They are based in Sidari, but cover the whole island. Good cars, reasonable rates, excellent service. They have no upper age limit, as long as the license is valid. You can get a no obligation quote from their website. Cars can be collected/dropped off at the airport or delivered to your accommodation. Sophie, Yiannis and their staff go the extra mile for their customers. Have a great holiday. Good luck.    Moyra and Dennis Flynn.
View Topic: Car Hire Age Limits

I am going to Sidari in a week's time and have a few questions about cycling over there. First question is whether it is generally safe to cycle in Sidari and surrounding places, like for example, are the roads safe to go from Sidari to Canal d'Amour, Agios Stefanos (on the North) or Agios Georgios (on the East) beaches?
Is there a good place to hire a bicycle with a child's seat?

Thank you in advance for the replies.
View Topic: Cycling In Sidari

Shop UK Sidari is open and still stocking gluten free products. Reduced hours of Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm at the moment as Laura had injured her hand but is still soldiering on. x
View Topic: Question Regarding Gluten Free Products

Can anyone tell me it the UK shop is still open please - I am gluten intolerant and I have brought gluten free products from there in the past.  I can take a certain amount of bread/crispbread/pitta bread in my case, but we are in Sidari for two weeks and the only gluten free bread with a sell by date for that long is similar to eating sweet cardboard (not that I have tried that !!)  
View Topic: Question Regarding Gluten Free Products

Got home 15th June and Sidari just gets better and better. We went on our own this year and we were looked after by Eleni and Tina and Maria better than ever. Also Costa Billy and Maggie looked after us great at the Paradise Restaurant. Thanks for one of the best holidays ever.
View Topic: Anyone Warming Up For Sidari?

Unfortunately Moyra, by the time I found some apartments with availability, I couldn't get a flight! My friends are now home!
But I found availability at Marias? They said they were 600 metres away about a 5 minute walk. They looked lovely so hoping to come out in September time now. I am a SGS Girl really lol but as friends were going to Sidari, thought I would give it a try!
Thank you for the info, a great help!   x


View Topic: Apartments Very Near To Mimosa Hotel

I would also suggest Sidari with a pre-teen in tow, though it's a longish transfer, and I can't say I've been everywhere. At least be sure you go straight there instead of a long and winding drop-off. Nice long beaches, low fairly safe but interesting cliffs to explore, nice bars and grills and a small amusement place in town, more traditional restaurants further out. The Orchard, out to the west, and El Greco, on the east beach road stand out. I've heard good things about Paradise, and can certainly recommend the Moussaka if not the rooms! For small, quiet family surroundings, I can recommend Monika and Jasmine (via Booking. com) Apartments off the same eastern beach road.

(Though my personal preference is Paleokastritsa, but its awfully quiet after dark of late).
View Topic: Help!! Which Resort To Choose?

With 10 year old definitely Sidari. My children are teenagers now but this is where they were always happiest and more for them to do.
View Topic: Help!! Which Resort To Choose?

Hi,
View Topic: Nearest Sandy Beach

We usually have a car, but the times we do use a bus for nipping up to Roda and Sidari. We find it's never more than 10 minutes late. On the Kassiopi to Sidari and return bus you pay the driver.
View Topic: New Web Address For KTEL

View Topic: Kassiopi Update Please?

Fabulous night on Tuesday at the Three Brothers Hotel in Sidari to see The Golden Tones (Drifters Tribute Act).
Had a meal first at the hotel which was excellent, far exceeded our expectations.
Then the act. What can I say!!! Absolutely brilliant as we definitely do not do tribute acts but these were recommended to us from previous performances in Corfu.
Also the area were they performed was no smoking, another bonus. Don't get me wrong I am an ex nearly smoker, but have friends that hate being in a smoky atmosphere.
No problem in getting drinks as the hotel staff were really on the ball.
Twas a really great evening and met old friends and new.
If you have a chance to see them I would highly recommend them. x
View Topic: Tribute Act At Three Brothers

I am going to have to phone home twice a day while I am in Sidari for two weeks in July (for peace of mind so I can enjoy my holiday) and I am wondering if it will be cheaper for me to buy a sim card while I am there as using my EE contract phone will be extortionate!!  This is a silly question, I am planning to buy a really cheap mobile to put the sim card in and was going to get one before I go, but I not sure if the sim cards I would buy in Greece would only go in a certain type of mobile - would anyone know? Also, I am guessing I can buy sim cards in Sidari (just thought I would check). Thank you 
View Topic: Question About Buying A Sim Card/Phone

Prices can vary, depending where you stay on the island, but generally speaking great value. Prices for eating out are very reasonable. We were paying around 50/60 euro for a two course meal for two, including a half carafe of wine and a couple of beers. This was in Sidari. Prices have barely changed in the last few years. Alcohol has increased because there have been massive tax hikes in the last couple of years. The exchange rate is also the best it's been in years. Have a great time.    Moyra
View Topic: Corfu Prices

We are going on June 19th. Also 3 years since last visit to Sidari. Staying at the Sellas, this was the first Hotel we stayed at, that was 2006 x
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

6th July for two weeks   Will be our 8th time to Sidari, fourth time to Stema - we love the place. We have never been in July before, usually go September so looking forward to it  My hubby says I will probably be too hot but I can always cool down in the pool/sea with an iced bottle of Mythos 
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

Out of interest I asked for a quote from a local company.  This was sent within three hours and is within the monies collected.  It has been forwarded to the memorial site
View Topic: Violin Man

After a flurry of activity and questions yesterday, there was an update posted on the FB page RIP Violin Man, Sidari, as above. Doesn't look to me as if it's going to be made - I hope I'm wrong.   Moyra
View Topic: Violin Man

We went a few years ago, we booked locally in Sidari which included the coach to Corfu port and the ferry. We dont know if its the normal practice on the Albania excursions but once we were getting on to the ferry we were then charged again for the guided tour to Butrint (which was more than we had already paid) but there was nothing we could do at that point and paid the extra money. 
View Topic: Anyone Been To Saranda/Albania

Good morning peoples. Been a while since was last here was just looking at Sidari in September 20th for a week for my big 50 lol .. just wanting to know whats still there and open then .. hoping for Canal area so any ideas shout out please :) 
View Topic: Sidari In September

Hi Moyra, Helens Apartments are right by the main road going into Sidari from Roda, if you know the Merri apartments coming from Roda, just as your heading towards Diellas, its the road on your right about 300 yards before the bridge or about quarter of  mile before what was the UK shop. Steep incline Merrii apartments straight away turn left and there down at the end on the right. You cant drive from the beach as its over the wooden bridge past the beach star turn right walk up that road till you nearly hit the main road and its the last track on the right at the Merri apartments and down to the end. I hope you understand my hopeless directions.  Dave.
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

Two weeks today Sidari here we come
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

Sitting here in St Annes in the lovely cold sunshine just thinking of my first Mythos at Helens on the first of June. We have got an early flight for the first time in years but I had to pay an extra Β£30 pounds each for the privilege. We are going easyjet 07.40 and get there hopefully just after lunch. Anyone who is there from the forum in Sidari 1st - 15th June join us for a drink.
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

As above really but be aware that buses run their way, so dont be surprised if a bus never turns up! Happened a couple of times so we ensure that we always have a few buses in hand when travelling up to the likes of Sidari/Kassiopi from Kalami

View Topic: Buses

Roll on June 19th, its 3 years since our last holiday in Sidari, cannot wait  
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

You can get the bus to Kassiopi and then get the Kassiopi to Sidari bus, stopping at Acharavi, Roda and Sidari and stops in between.
View Topic: Buses

Hi, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the cost of eating out. Prices in Sidari have barely changed in the last few years. We were paying approx 30/40 euro for 2 courses for 2 people last year, including a couple of beers and a half carafe of wine. The exchange rate is also very beneficial for the British this year. We go over in 6 weeks and can't wait. Have a great holiday, enjoy!     Moyra
View Topic: Prices For 2015

Hi
View Topic: Prices For 2015

Over 20 years to Corfu and not ventured around, WOW what have you been missing? For an exploratory scenic drive you must drive down the west coast from Sidari via San Stefanos, Arillas, Afionas, Agios Georgios north and then over the 'top' and down to Paleokastritsa. Afionas is on the top of a headland and is a real little gem where you can sit in a friendly taverna just taking in the stunning views in 2 directions. (Park in the main street).
Up the hill from Agios Georgios is the old village of Pagi and a visit to sit outside 'Jimmy's', otherwise known as the  007 cafe, with the locals and other visitors. You have to drive through the village to park easily and then walk back.
From Pagi drive up the 'hill' (mountain) through Prinilas and on to Makrades from where you can take a diversion to visit the ancient hill fort ruins of Angelokastro situated on the top of a rock.
From Makrades drive down the winding road to Paleokastritsa with superb views all the way down.
That's one superb drive for your notebook, but I advise you to make into 2 or 3 to get the best out of it!  

View Topic: Where To Go?

Had a blast from the past last night by spending the evening trawling through the Old Sidari Forum. It was really interesting looking at some of the old posts and remembering some of the friendships made through this site.  It's not the same now, it's very quiet, possibly because many members didn't realise it was up and running again and had moved on to other sites/forums. I'll keep checking in though.    Moyra
View Topic: Nostalgia

30th May for 3 weeks and can't wait! We've been going to Sidari at least twice a year since 1989. In 2006 fulfilled the dream and bought our own place in a tiny village near Sidari. Our little piece of heaven. My avatar is the view from our terrace in the early morning mist. looking down the valley to Sidari and the sea I can sit and look at it for hours. Just love the place.
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

Balance paid, API completed, details printed, car park booked. I need to pack! Oh no too soon. Husband doesn't know it yet, but I want to hire a car this year as there are only the 2 of us going for once. Can't wait to return to Anemona apartments, Sidari even if Cosmos have changed flight details. 
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

Dave here,
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

Hi looking at trying Kefalonia can anyone please give advice on resorts. We like the North of Corfu Roda, Sidari, Kassiopi. Not sure where to stay.

Thank you

Sedgi
View Topic: Best Resort

Jenny and I have been going to Corfu since the mid 1980s every year and sometimes twice a year but never venture from Sidari, Roda, and all local places. We have hired a car and want to go to lots of little villages and seaside places North side of Corfu town, anybody got any suggestions of nice beaches, nice restaurants, anywhere really. We are staying in Sidari for 2 weeks from the 1st June.
View Topic: Where To Go?

Hi is there anywhere in Sidari where I could get a wedding ring blessed? 

Thanks Gary

View Topic: Wedding Rings Blessed

Hi,
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

Yes we are there July 27th for 2 weeks can't wait had a 2 year break went to Rhodes and Zante.

Back to Paradise apartments Sidari. 
Sedgi
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

Hi to all is everyone ready for Sidari this summer? We can't wait for June 6th, counting the days
View Topic: Anyone Ready For Sidari?

We love to walk when we stay in Sidari, we walk to Avliotes, San Stephanos and this year we want to walk from San Stephanos to Arillas. Any tips and directions appreciated, also is there anywhere to walk from Bavias area inland? Cheers all happy holidays x

View Topic: Walks Around Sidari

Off topic. We have had in the past Dolopmades in Sidari and Roast led of lamp in Corfu town. On topic.
View Topic: Last Chance Taverna

Do you find that when in Kalami you tend to do the same things every time you go, or am I just boring and predictable? Heres my list:-
View Topic: Creature Of Habit

OKAY!!!
Restaurants that are open all year around.

Bikolis in Peroulades. Open every evening except Tuesday.
Zephyros in Almyros. Open every day as far as I am aware but obviously limited choice.
View Topic: How Many Restaurants Will Be Open At This Time?

The only Sunset Taverna I Know is in Peroulades. Most people I know call it that because of its magical Sunsets, but its proper name is the Panorama Restaurant 7th Heaven place we visit two or three times a year As Graham T.A says it's a couple of km past Sidari. This is a great place to visit.      I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong   
View Topic: Help To Find A Taverna

Just remembered. There is a taverna called Sunset to the west of Sidari, a couple of km away from the town. This may be one you mean as it is well known for the views.
View Topic: Help To Find A Taverna

Christakis Apartments are very nice. Our friends have stayed there for the last 4 or 5 years. Very clean, nice pool/pool bar. It's about 5/10 minutes walk from the centre, on the road out of Sidari. Very handy for Canal D'Amour too, with lots of restaurants, tavernas, bars, nearby. Beaches very near too.  Moyra
View Topic: Corfu Newbie

We have stayed and Luisas in Sidari and can recommend them. Very friendly and just far enough away from the strip to be peaceful at night. Don't worry about the strip in Sidari as it is about a 200 metre area and not too loud, although it does have karaoke, tribute bands etc.
View Topic: Corfu Newbie

Okay. Luisa apartments are now available. (Need to stop messing around) so choices are Paradise, Christaki and Angelinas. (Sidari)
View Topic: Corfu Newbie

[QUOTE=aseamark] Good evening all.
We are a family of 4. 2 adults in our '50s' and 2 youngsters 21 and 15!

[/QUOTE]

Sidari Fits the Bill
View Topic: Corfu Newbie

Hi, personally think there is more for the youngsters in Sidari, but plenty for the older generation, too. The Luisa is in the Canal D'Amour area, away from the centre and quieter, but still only about 10 - 15 minutes walk. Plenty restaurants/tavernas in the area. Good luck. Moyra
View Topic: Corfu Newbie

Hi we are going to Paradise apartments. They are central and modern and spotless. Been going to Sidari since 1991 stayed in many apartments around and about got 2 bedroomed apartment this year, very reasonable price with Monarch 600, cheaper than Thomson. Stemma 2 is also excellent in Megali Beach area.

Paradise is central but not noisy and you get excellent service and deals at the Paradise taverna just at the entrance when you stay at the apartments. The Ganarvos apartments are beside the Paradise these are good too and you can use fascilities at both, great apartments, great location. 7th time at Paradise.

Good luck and enjoy Sidari

sedgi
View Topic: Corfu Newbie

Thank you for your advise.
We are looking at the Luisa apartments. These seem to be outside Sidari? Are they far from the beach and main shopping area?
Also Paradise but think these may be too central and therefore noisy?
View Topic: Corfu Newbie