Agios (Saint) Spiridon Corfu

We have been to the top of the mountain in it and along the beach by St Spiridon without problems.

All you need is commonsense.

We once had a long wheelbase Hyundai minibus and ended up getting a little bit grounded on the track up to the radardome (big white golf ball) but even then it just took a few tight shunts and we were on our way again.

We stayed as usual in Benitses, at Argo, and took part in all the celebrations there. We did get the first bus into town on the Saturday. We thought we were early, but it was already packed.

We got a spot opposite the McDonalds, just where the main pot throwing is. We saw all the processions and St Spiridon and then the pot throwing at 11am. It was  packed but you really need be there to see it. The entire green and cricket pitch right up to the castle gets packed. Spiridon is paraded right round the road and back into town from the other end.

We shared the soup. Got to be tried!! and had spit roast lamb on the Sunday.

The weather was lovely, but it was a later Easter, May, and managed to stretch the break to take in my birthday.

I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Jeff

 

For an evening boat trip Kokkoras is nice - it is near St Spiridon Church.

 

Enjoy, wish I was there now!

 

I think its either the one at St Spiridon with the invisible otters! Or the one on the headland past Avlaki on the nature reserve.

 

Cheers Sue

 

Is there a lake at St Spiridon too?

I arrived at my apartment and was really glad it was outside the noise of Sidari 

I hired a quad for the week and it was brilliant, anyway first morning I was greeted to enormous cricket in my room, a green one, I was at first scared as was my mum lol but when I tried to usher it out it didnt move so I got the brush and shoved it on to the balcony. I saw so many of them I am not ok with them I even had one on my hand in the end 

Birds ... I saw a cirl  bunting in the trees near my apartment heard a scopes owl 3 nights running near my apartment, sparrows by the hundreads, magpies, 3 jays in Corfu town, alpine swifts, red rumped swallows in a few areas, a little owl on a post near Roda. On a drive up into the hills following the road out of Sidari that takes you to Corfu town there is another road to the east coast on a really quiet strech a massive bird of prey flew across the road out of dense woodland into more woodland, not identified but it was dark in colour and about buzard size. On that same trip out I was riding along when I saw a bird in the woods, I stopped quick I only had flip flops on so didnt want to go too far into it, I got a very blurred photo of a wood chat shrike wooo hooo my first 

I also went to that Lake Spiridon, I didnt see too much it was the hot hot day but I did see two terripins, lots of fish and two turtle doves. Got nice photos and had a lovely chat to an American man also birdwatching there 

I saw gold finches there too 

I  miss Corfu so much I am going last week of June for 2 weeks, this time and bringing my boyfriend, mum, dad and neice .... anybody have any idea if the south has birdlife like the north? 

Just thought I would start a post asking when the village festivals are in 2013.

Anyone with definite information, could you please post the village and dates and I will add them to this post. Thank you.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of these dates for the village festivals are not all set in stone as they can be cancelled at short notice due to adverse weather conditions or if there is a death in the village. Local knowledge is best.

18th March    Corfu Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) celebrated in many villages with kite flying, processions, dancing

28th April   Corfu Town Palm Sunday. St. Spyridon procession

1st May   Corfu Labour Day, parades and other festivities, also marks the Feast of Flowers, a celebration with very ancient roots in festivals of the Goddess Demeter

3rd May   Corfu Good Friday. Day of Epitaphios. Each church brings out it's funeral bier and parades it through the village

4th May    Corfu Holy Saturday. At 11am the First Resurrection and pot throwing custom take place. Silver gilt case containing the body of St. Spyridon is exposed for public worship for 3 days and nights. Thousands pay homage to kiss his slippered feet. St. Spyridon procession with bands

5th May   Corfu Easter Sunday culminating days of celebration

6th May   Makrades Panegyri/Festival

10th May   Paleokastritsa Panegyri/Festival

12th May   Krini Panegyri/Festival (Tou Thomas)

8th May   Kassiopi Celebrating a blind boy who after staying in the church over night regained his sight

24th June   Agios Ioannis Fire jumping 23rd June 2013  (Triklino)

4th August    Paleokastritsa Varkarola

6th August   Pontikonisi, Perivoli, Strinilia, Evropuli, Paleochori, Ag. Deka, Agios Mattheos Church festival held in commemoration of the Transfiguration of Jesus, with days of pilgrimage (1-6th August) on Mount Pantokrator

7th August    St. Spiridon Varkarola 

8/9th August    Nymfes Festival/Panegyri

11th August    Corfu Town Silver gilt case containing the body of St. Spyridon is exposed for public worship for 3 days and nights. Thousands pay homage to kiss his slippered feet. St. Spyridon procession with bands

15th August    Corfu Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Many big festivals with church processions, feasts

16th August    Kato Garouna Gala weekend

17th August    Kavadades Panegyri/Festival

23rd August    Gastouri, Pelekas, Ag. Deka, Viros, Poulades.  Festival of the Virgin Odigitrias

24th August    Loustri/Gimari Pie Festival

31st August          Agni Varkarola

1st September    Kalami Varkarola

8th September    Afra, Sinarades, Marathia, Agios Markos, Lefkimmi Festivals/Feast days

14th September   Sidari Feast of the Holy Cross in the Monastery of St. Ionnis

24th September   Vatos Myrtidiotissa festival

26th September   Karousades, Porta Remounta Festival of St.John/James the theologian

21st September   Kassiopi/Moraitika Wine festival

9-13th October    Arillas Corfu Beer Festival
25th October Messonghi Panegyri/Festival  

Both places boast shallow water well out from the beach, with very safe bathing.

Have a great time in Kalami, you wont have time for sand castles.

Bob.

 

Sue

 

 

Just wondered if anyone has been to/eaten at Corfu Pyramid in Spiridon?

It seems to get great reviews on Trip Advisor so any comments welcome as may have to give it a visit in August

Cheers

GJJW

Have a great time!

FetaOlive xx

I remember Gouvia being quite lively at night, particularly over the weekends.

The attraction for us is the proximity to Corfu Town, via the blue bus which runs until late evening so you can go there for an evening meal if you need a change of scene.

May I suggest Kokkoras taverna behind St Spiridon church - lovely for a romantic evening meal in my opinion.

Also the green buses to Paleo and to Ipsos/Barbati/Kassiopi run through Gouvia, so you can revisit some of your old haunts without hiring a car.

Have a great time!

Bob.

 

I have just fallen in love with a small estate in St Spiridon, and what I would really like is to get married there, either on the estate, or nearby beach/taverna.

 

There are companies online that offer to arrange your wedding for you, but the prices they charge are shocking!

 

Has anyone been to a wedding on Corfu? Had their own on Corfu? Or can give me any information or advice??

 

I am looking at late 2013. Maybe as late as October, will it rain all the time?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

xx

Has anyone had any experiences/meals at the Pyramid Taverna at Agios Spiridon? Seriously considering trying it and the menu looks just that bit different.

Cheers all

Hi Kernowman,

 

I didn't realise it was that far, however we have walked in different places 15 kms in a day, so we don't do too bad and I certainly am not fit, but I don't mind walking about in alot of heat.  I use the car at home so never really really walk anywhere.

 

Regards,

Pegasus.

When we were there in the summer the Pyramid still hadn't been built, although 'the Russian' who owns it and the beautiful house at the end of the bay (and also I think the Ammus too) was around so maybe there has been some building going on during the winter! We will be there at Easter, so will go and have a nose and report back!!

Hi Corfugirly,

As previous replies confirm there are a lot of supermarket options in the area but also some cheap eating out options. My particular favourite and excellent value for money is Tzelatis (commonly referred to as Spiros) in Perithia, only a few minutes drive from the Thalia estate. Spiro and family are the friendliest of hosts and super generous - you always get complimentary dips and bread, bottled water and very often dessert! You will also nearly always get a free nightcap. And more importantly great company interesting locals. There are also a number of places to eat and get a drink at the beach in Aghios Spyridon itself - most notably the Ammos pool bar - once again with the friendliest of families in charge. Whatever you will have a fabulous time - we will be in Perithia for the half term week in June so may well see you in Spiros!!!

Imported brands more expensive than local produce.

Look out for small trucks selling fresh fish or fruit and vegetables.

Bob