Why Corfu?

Why are so many people choosing Corfu for their holiday or permanent home?

  • Corfu can be considered  as a permanent home  for many  as there are all facilities open all year around.
  • Corfu’s weather is glorious – mild winters and wonderfully warm summers, always with a breeze and not as stifling as some of the more southern islands.
  • Corfu has a 217 sq.m Coastline with a variety of beaches around it.
  • Corfu is very safe. Crime statistics on the island are the lowest in Greece, which in turn are the lowest in Europe. Theft is rare and violent crime virtually unknown.
  • Corfu is sophisticated.  It is known for the 17 music bands and the University of Music. Many concerts come about every year. Moreover, art exhibitions take place like painting exhibitions and for books.
  • Corfu is traditional. Family values are still esteemed. Life in the island’s agricultural villages carries on as it has for centuries.
  • Corfu island has delicious traditional plates. Local food products are fresh and organic. Fish tavernas are all over the island and are considered very famous for their quality worldwide.

  • Corfu offers the opportunity for everyone to find something to do such as hobbies and other sport activities:

    • Golf. 18 holes.
    • A variety of sea sports: kite-surfing, scuba diving, water skiing among others with appropriate schools.
    • Yacht and sailing. Corfu is the largest in terms of capacity marina in Greece. It holds up to 1,200 vessels, regardless of size. There is also a skippers and sailing school.
    • Cricket Club. As a legacy of the British Empire…
    • Water park.
    • Water sports activities like parachuting,
    • Horse Riding. There is a riding school, as well as one-off horse-riding sessions.
    • Fans can try their luck at the casino. For others, there is also a bridge club.
    • Nightlife, clubs, entertainment. Corfu nightlife is diverse and there are opportunities for all ages. In places such as Kavos, Ipsos, Sidari the youth, especially in the summer months, calm and disperse after sunrise having experienced all kinds of entertainment… There are also day and beach bars situated on the beaches, some of which attract over a thousand visitors per day!
  • Corfu is low-key. Unlike Spain, stringent planning laws do not allow the construction of high-rise and large-scale residential developments.
    Minimum-sized plots are required to build single villas to preserve the charm and character of this beautiful island.
  • Corfu is a sound investment. Property prices are still relatively low and values have only one way to go – up. Buying in Corfu gives a good return for investments purposes.
  • Corfu is the most easily accessible Greek destination from countries of Northern Europe, with direct charter flights during the season, Easter and Christmas,
    4 – 6 flights daily via Athens all year round and daily car ferry crossings from the Italian ports of Brindisi (7 hrs), Bari (8 hrs), Ancona (14 hours), Venice (24 hrs)
    and Trieste (26 hrs) for those wishing to drive.
    There are a plenty of flights from all Europe and Israel, especially summer period.
    It is one of the best known European holiday resorts, particularly popular among English and German tourists, but other nationalities as we

Corfu history is very rich. It is mentioned in the Odyssey of Homer as a Scheria.

In modern history, Corfu island was under occupation 411 years 11 months and 11 days, leaving a huge imprint on the architecture (the old town and the fortress), culture as well as in habits, cuisine and local language. Corfu Old Town was listed in the monuments and added to the cultural heritage of UNESCO.

The British were also historically “protectors” of the island. Among their prominent heritage are certain architectural works such as the Palace of Saints Michael and George. It was built from Maltese stone, in a neoclassical style with a Doric colonnade, and is an impressive building both inside and outside, passing the aristocratic spirit inherent in Britain. The Liston, the most recognizable place in Corfu was built by the French. Two houses with arches, reminiscent of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris were built by architect Mathieu de Lesseps, father of the builder of the Suez Canal. Also honored on the island is Admiral Ushakov, who arrived here in March 1799 and liberated the island from the French, returning its independence.

Corfu was the capital of the Republic of the Ionian Islands. Corfu was a pioneer in many things in the territory of modern Greece. The first academy, the first bank, the first printing press, the first public library, the first Mint, the first casino and many more more institutions were first established on the island. Even the first prison, home for the mentally ill, as well as the first Masonic lodge in Greece were created here in Corfu. Corfu has historically been as a tourist destination for Europe’s elite.

Corfu boasts many estates which were owned by the Greek family, among the most known – the summer palace of Mon Repos. It was in this palace, when on June 10, 1921 Prince Philip was born, Duke of Edinburgh – husband of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the father of Charles, Prince of Wales. It is impossible not to mention the famous “Achillion” – Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) Palace, later owned by the Kaiser of Germany.

In Corfu Durrells family came in 1935 and stayed untill 1939. They loved so much the island that they came and go several times.  Gerald Malcolm Durrell wrote the world famous book ‘ my family and other animals’ which refers to the island. 

The first governor of independent Greece, and before that Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire – Ioannis Kapodistrias was born in Corfu. Dionysios Solomos, lyricist of the national anthem of Greece as well as composer of the Olympic anthem Spyros Samaras, were also born in Corfu.

VIP IN CORFU

Corfu, being the most famous tourist destination attracts not only conventional tourists, but well-
known figures of the world elite. Corfu boasts the huge family villa of the British bankers – the Rothschilds. The owners Fiat – Italian family Agnelli are also settled here on the island. The Rothschild villa is annually visited by members of British Royal family such as Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, various members of the British Parliament and the other titled families British Aristocracy. Also among the admirers of Corfu – the Emir of Qatar – Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; Princess Lala Salma of Morocco; Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates; fashion figures Roberto Cavalli, Giorgio Armani; as well as Hollywood stars such as Madonna, Sarah Stone, Eddie Murphy and others. They have all been visiting Corfu annually for many years. In more recent years, inhabitants of the former Soviet Union have also been attracted to the island, among them the famous – MS Gorbachev.