Dreaming of the Greek Islands! Corfu

GREECE is one of the sunniest places in the world, with a coastline of 16,000 kilometers. It is home to more archaeological museums than any other country in the world and offers plenty of ancient history, amazing cuisine, culture stimulation, incredible breath-taking beaches, sunny weather, and warm hospitality. Athens, the largest city has a lot to offer but when it comes to a relaxing vacation even the residents of Athen head to one of the Greek Islands to relax and de-stress. For those that love theater, we have the Greeks to thank. The Ancient Greeks invented the theater including comedy, tragedy, and satire genres. Originally called Hellas, the country known for its Gods and Goddesses; Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, Hera, Hades, Dionysus, Demeter, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite and more draws millions of visitors from around the globe. Everyone should visit Greece at least once in their lifetime. 

To enjoy the perfect Greek vacation fly or take a ferry to your island of choice. Some visitors like to get their start in the ancient, cosmopolitan city of Athens, which by the way has a number of islands nearby. Some of the most famous islands in Greece are Andros, Crete, Corfu, Kos, Ithaca, Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini. Once you arrive at your island of choice and check into an Airbnb, guest house, hotel, or resort your dream vacation has begun. Bask in the sun, eat Greek specialties, sip on local wines, swim in the water, learn some Greek, explore the many attractions and have a splendid time!

A Little Fact: Greek has been written in the Greek Alphabet since about 9th Century BC. It was created by modifying the Phoenician alphabet, with the innovation of adopting certain letters to represent the vowels.

CORFU: When I arrived in Corfu, Greece on a ferry from Brindisi, Italy, I instantly fell in love with this enchanting island. I found a family run hotel overlooking the Ionian Sea for only 40 Euros a night and this included a home cooked breakfast and dinner, what an amazing deal. I met lots of travelers at the hotel and together we explored the beautiful island of Corfu. With a rich history, Corfu has a bewildering number of influences, Venetian, English, French, and Russian have left their mark on the island. The Old Town with its curvy alleyways, and medieval setting is mesmerizing. You can't help but yearn to take photo after photo of the lovely architecture. Unesco has named "Corfu" a world heritage site. With neoclassical influences and stately buildings, it's easy to spend hours exploring Old Town. The cafes and restaurants are wonderful and sitting down to a meal is highly recommended. Seven miles south of Old Town you can marvel at the Achillion Palace, built in Gastouri for the Empress Elizabeth of Austria. Now a public museum, you can explore the rooms inside the palace and the outdoor gardens for only eight euros.Beaches can be explored in all parts of Corfu from the East Coast to North and West Coast. To enjoy Corfu to its fullest, stay on this lovely island for a minimum of 7 nights.

                                       Sunrock Hostel on the sea, run by a Greek family is a super place to stay!

                                                      Best Bakeries in Corfu:

Greek pastries are a must while in Greece, they are amazing.

Emerald Bakery, come here for the delicious cakes, homemade ice cream, and heavenly cookies!

Panetteria Bakery will please your palate with its fine choice of sandwiches and pastries.

Rosy's Bakery is one of the best places in Corfu for baklava and other amazing Green desserts.

Starenio Bakery is highly recommended for coffee and desserts!

Where to Eat in Corfu: (Old Town)

1) Venetian Well: This is a top choice restaurant for exquisite food. that's delicious. Specializing in local fish, meats, and vegetables.

2)  Rouvas: A budget friendly lunch spot where locals and tourists eat. Freshly made, tasty Greek dishes of all kinds.

3)  Da Giovanni Aglio e Olio: Italian food in Corfu, one of the best places for pasta and pizza.

4)  Fishalida: In business since 2015, this is where to come for fresh fish, made to order. (Sea Breeze in Old Town, Corfu).

5)  Chrisomalis: A traditional taverna that's been around since 1904. Enjoy dishes such as pastitsio, souvlaki, swordfish, and veal stiffado.

                                                     What to Eat in Corfu (Local Dishes)

1) Sofrito 2) Pastitsada, 3) Savora 4) Bianco  5) Tsigareli, 6) Porpetes 7) Bourdeto 8) Pastisio Dolce

                                                      Beaches to Explore in Corfu:

1) Agios Gordias Beach 2) Bataria Kassiopi Beach 3) Kerasia Beach 4) Issos Beach 5) Nissaki Beach 6) Sidari Canal d'Amour Beach 7) Glyfada Beach 8) Dassia Beach 9) Kalami Beach

RECIPE FOR PASTITSADA (A Popular Dish in Corfu, Greece)

3 cups of beef stewing steak, cut into 1 inch chunks

3 tablespoons of olive oil 

1 pound of pastitsio noodles, cooked and drained

1 big onion, sliced

2-3 cloves of garlic

1 can of tomato juice (16 ounce)

1 cup of water

1 and a half glasses of red wine

a teaspoon of black pepper, cinnamon, clove, cumin, nutmeg, and red pepper

grated Greek cheese of your choice and fresh chopped parsley

Cut the beef into chunks and place in a pan with three tablespoons of olive oil, and fry until meat becomes brownish on both sides. Once the meat is cooked, set aside. Fry onions and garlic in a pot for about 3-4 minutes and than place the beef chunks into the pot. Place a teaspoon of black pepper, cinnamon, clove, cumin, nutmeg, and red pepper into the pot along with the 1 can of tomato juice and 1 and a half glasses of red wine. Cook for up to an hour until the beef becomes tender. Place the cooked stew over the noodles and serve your pastitsada on separate plates with some grated Greek cheese and fresh chopped parsley.

ENJOY!