Im new to the Greek island holidays but have been told by several people Corfu is the one to see
My question is we are looking for a quiet holiday I have been told Sidari or Paleo? Things we like doing are generally sitting on a quiet beach all day and in the evening enjoying a decent (authentic) meal
We will also be looking to hire a car to hunt down the beaches so any tips would be great
Any idea on car hire prices for 2 weeks end of July?
Thanks
Message posted by SusieH on 20 January 2012 at 10:22am - IP Logged
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I am not sure that Sidari or Paleo would fit your 'quiet holiday' description. Many people visit both places but they can be very lively at night and beaches can be pretty full. Paleo also is very strung out on a long hill and you could have a long hilly walk to get to a good beach
I am sure others will come up with some great alternatives but I would look at Kalami, Imerolia, just outside Kassiopi but near enough to stroll into town and Acharavi
While not wishing to take business away from Corfu, which I love, I would also look at Lesbos, Haraki on Rhodes and Leros, three of our favourite unspoilt holiday destinations which all fit your requirements
We always use Pangosmio, www.economycarrentals.gr, wherever we go to in Greece who are excellent and very cheap with full insurance, but I know that on Corfu there are other excellent car rental companies which I am sure others will suggest. Check out the link I have quoted for a ball park figure, it alters a great deal depending on the time of year you visit
Message posted by StevenM on 20 January 2012 at 10:30am - IP Logged
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Welcome to the forum, I’m sure you will get a lot of helpful advice here.
Sidari and Paleo have their own qualities but I’d recommend San Stefanos on the North West. Nice long sandy beach with shallow waters, plenty authentic Greek restaurants, good local walks and the friendliest locals I’ve came across. It’s is not too busy or commercialised but there is enough bars and restaurants to keep you entertained. San Stef gets a lot of repeat visitors (including me!) so that should tell you all you need to know.
Corfu is a great island to explore and you can find lots of villages that have kept that old Greek charm, despite tourism, lots of secluded beaches can be found too. Not sure of the car hire prices but I’m sure someone else on the forum will help out here.
Message posted by Dennis on 20 January 2012 at 11:04am - IP Logged
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Dennis
Yes, definitely the green island of Corfu is the one to see !
I would second the recommendations of the NW coast resorts although personally Paleo gets too busy for me in high season due to the coach trips.
San Stefanos NW, Arillas and Agios Georgios north all have sandy beaches which might suit you.
Check out www.sanstefanos.co.uk www.arillas.com www.agiosgeorgios.info
As for hire cars I suggest you drop an email to Top Cars (info(at)topcars.gr) for a quote.
Remember if you are on a 'package' holiday the transfers to the resort will be included in your holiday price but if going 'independently' you will save about 100 euros on the double taxi fares by hiring a car for the whole holiday.
Dennis
Message posted by Shadowlands on 20 January 2012 at 3:08pm - IP Logged
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Messonghi, South Corfu, where it is still the 'real' Corfu, real Corfu people - really friendly, lovely beach with nice 'deserted' spots, right on the beach, lovely beach and other local tavernas, where time just ebbs away, what more can I say - head South to Messonghi, you will return
Message posted by sue avrio on 20 January 2012 at 4:42pm - IP Logged
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Look at Kalami. Depends if you want a sandy or pebble beach. Kalami is pebble and you can easily hire a small boat to hunt down all the lovely little coves along this stretch - much nicer than a car anyday
Message posted by alankeith on 20 January 2012 at 5:58pm - IP Logged
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Stick with Acharavi - nice quiet long beach, can get a little choppy in the afternoons now and then with enough restaurants to eat somewhere different every night and good selection of taverns
Message posted by SaraD on 20 January 2012 at 6:09pm - IP Logged
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Absolutely agree with Dennis. All three places that he's mentioned have beautiful sandy beaches which are never over crowded. Arillas has some fantastic tavernas which offer delicious home cooked traditional dishes. Also from Arillas you could take a walk up to Afionas [see Dennis' link www.agiosgeorgios.info for more information]It's a lovely old traditional white washed village with views to die for. There's also some very good tavernas there too.
If you hire a car, Paleo is worth a visit. Drive via Pagi for some more wonderful views.
Regarding car hire I can recommend www.corfucarrentals.comwe've used them for years & their service is excellent plus they are very competitively priced.
Message posted by Gill B on 20 January 2012 at 6:13pm - IP Logged
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Gill B
Try Agios Gordios on the west coast, lovely beach and some great tavernas. Here's a link to the website Agios Gordios
Message posted by Dave Aspris on 20 January 2012 at 6:52pm - IP Logged
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Welcome to the forum Im sure you will be welcomed by many on here with lots of tips on where to go a very good car hire is TOPCARS they are forum members and Im sure Giannis will be more than happy to help you, I have been using their fantastic service for over 6 years and am always happy with the service.
Loads of places to choose from and they are all lovely but I suggest Acharavi it has everything you will need without being too busy and the added bonus is that its actually a small town rather than a resort!
Regards
Dave A
Message posted by cmarieg_519 on 20 January 2012 at 8:03pm - IP Logged
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I highly recomend Kaminaki, some great Villas to rent, or even small apartments. 2 Taverna's and a great little grocery. Beach is Pebble but not very crowed, and there is even a boat rental at the dock. Very quite and relaxing, great views of Albania and all the way into Corfu Town, very friendly people. A car is a good idea here, since the village is at the bottom of a VERY steep hill.
Enjoy your stay!
Message posted by janmanessi on 20 January 2012 at 8:19pm - IP Logged
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A word of warning as you have not been to a Greek island before. Corfu is not typical of the picture postcard image of a Greek island- ie. you will probably expect few trees, everything whitewashed with blue shutters, full of picturesque old ladies in black. That is the Aegean side, equally beautiful but very different.
There are still a few of the old ladies here, but the Ionian islands are much lusher and greener. Whereas the goats stripped the hillsides of trees (helped by the charcoal burners and ship builders) in the Aegean islands in those occupied by the Venetian republic the local people were paid to plant olives- hence the 'overcrowded' olive groves- as they were paid per tree! The local dishes are also more Italianate than you may be used to in your local Greek taverna (which may well be Cypriot or even Turkish).
Message posted by Dave Aspris on 20 January 2012 at 8:52pm - IP Logged
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We looked for a quiet place when we first went to Corfu in 2001. Roda between Acharavi and Sidari was suggest and we have been going back every year since.
www.rodaonline.org is a mine of information
There is lots of reasonable priced accomodation very good tavernas and restaurants.
www.rodacorfu.com is worth a look
Richard Allen
Message posted by alehouse on 22 January 2012 at 2:18pm - IP Logged
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You cant go far wrong with the lovely village of Kassiopi the nice pictuesque harbour the pebbly beaches and as for the food well its to die for and all with in ten minutes walk of anywhere in the centre
Message posted by ele 56 on 22 January 2012 at 5:08pm - IP Logged
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Jan, Kastellorizo is beautiful, you must go, it's only half a mile from Kas, on the Turkish coast, and more easily accessed from there, even though it's in Greece!! It's called Meis in Turkey, hope you get to go, with the forum closing I will probably never get to know, but you could post a review on that well known trip advice site ha ha xxx
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