This private tour includes:
- Transportation in private, air-conditioned vehicle with a driver
- Hotel pick up and drop off (Transportation from your resort is included in the price for resorts that are in radius of 25 km from centre of Corfu town. If you are staying in remote resorts please contact us for additional transfer rates.)
- Visit to Achillion Palace
- View of Mouse Island – famous landmark of Corfu Island
- Visit to Paleokastritsa Resort and the Monastery of Blessed Virgin Mary
- Exploration of Corfu Town including free time for shopping
As part of one of the most interesting day trips from Corfu, this private excursion to the Achillion Palace should be at the top of a ‘must do’ list. The palace was built in 1890 and for the last 130 years has an interesting and varied history. The magnificent building has the Greek hero Achilles as its main theme and is one of Corfu’s highlights. It was a holiday retreat for both the original owner, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, and Kaiser Wilhelm II, who added the impressive bronze ‘Achilles Victorious’ by Johannes Götz in 1909.
After the First World War the Achilleion was returned to the Greek state as part of the Treaty of Versailles and was used as a military head quarters during World War II.
The palace is often included in Corfu city tours because of its connection to James Bond; the casino scene from the movie ‘For Your Eyes Only’ was filmed there.
After leaving the Achilleion, this Corfu city tour continues with a short, scenic drive to one of the most famous landmarks in Corfu, Mouse Island in the Bay of Kanoni. Legend says that Poseidon, God of the Seas, was displeased by the Phaeacians (ancient Corfiots) who had helped Ulysses, the hero of Homer’s Odyssey, return to Ithaca by ship. The ship was turned to stone on its return and became ‘Pontikonisi’ or Mouse Island. For visitors arriving by aeroplane this is their first view of Corfu.
Considered to be another of Corfu’s highlights, a Palaiokastritsa trip should also feature on the ‘must do’ list. Located on the West coast of the island, the landscape is stunning. The small bays of sand and crystal clear water are surrounded by pine clad promontories. The 13th century Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located on the northern most promontory. It is home to eight monks who look after the museum that is filled with icons from the Byzantine period, the most noteworthy being the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
This is the place for lunch as there are many excellent tavernas serving locally caught seafood and fish and of course traditional Greek dishes.
The Bella Vista look out is another important stop on a Palaiokastritsa trip. From this high point there are stunning views of Corfu, the Greek Mainland and Albania.
The last stop on this Corfu highlights excursion is a Corfu city tour. The cricket pitch is possibly one of the most unusual sights, where there maybe the possibility of seeing a few overs. There are more than a dozen cricket teams on Corfu. The cobbled streets of Corfu Old Town are called ‘Kantounia’ and meander through this part of the city. In this district is the beautiful old church of the Patron Saint of Corfu, St. Spyridon, can be found with its collection of priceless icons and gifts that have been offered to him over the centuries.