This tour includes:
- Transportation in private traditional, crewed kaiki fishing boat
- Professional guide
- Visit to Mouse Island – famous landmark of Corfu Island
- Visit to Mon Repo Palace
- Visit and swim at Vidos Island
- Fresh fruits and drinks (soft drinks, water, wine and ouzo) served on board
This is a half day odyssey in a traditional Kaiki sails along the eastern shores of Corfu. Visiting the most iconic sights of the island, which include Pontikonissi (Mouse Island), Mon Repos Palace and Vidos Island make sure you have your camera ready.
Pontikonissi is in Halkiopoulos Lagoon, when viewed from above it looks similar to a mouse, hence the name. However according to Greek mythology the isle was once the boat that belonged to Odysseus. It was turned into a green rock by Poseidon, who was angry because the Phaecians had defied him. It is quite small and very green. It also has the small Byzantine Monastery of Pantokrator that is only open on August 6th. Film fans will be pleased as Pontikonissi was used as a location in the James Bond film ‘For Your Eyes Only’; this is where he meets Melina.
Please Note: This stop is weather permitting as boats can’t always moor at Pontikonissi.
The Palace of Mon Repos is possibly most famous as being the birth place of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. It was built by Frederick Adams, the popular British Lord High Commissioner, for his Corfiot wife in 1826. It is on Analipsis Hill, just outside the Paleopolis, the ancient City of Corfu. For many years it was used as a summer residence for the High Commissioners but after the Unification of Greece in 1864 it was given to the George I of Greece and became the summer home of the Greek Royal Family. It has been restored to its original classical design. There is a museum that displays the artifacts that have been found in the surrounding grounds and some temple ruins in the extensive gardens which have some fantastic views over the coast.
Vidos Island is only half a mile from Corfu Town. The boat ride from the Old Port takes about ten minutes. It is a protected as a nature reserve and its only inhabitants are wildlife, mainly rabbits and birds. The island has a mausoleum for all the Serbian soldiers who died there from typhoid during the First World War. Small paths lead from the landing jetty to the beaches around the perimeter, where the sea is warm and inviting. The small paths also lead to the only restaurant on the island.