Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Corfu And Serifos Travel

Ionian Island:



Ionian islands are quite famous for their natural beauty. Ionian islands are covered by lush green forests and they have golden beaches with turquoise waters.Amongst these beaches, Port Katsiki beach of Lefkada and the Navagio Bay in Zante are some of the most photographed beaches of Greece.These islands have been under Venetian rule for centuries and therefore one can get to see the influence of the Italians in the architecture of buildings and people's culture.




Corfu Island:



It’s the greenest island of the Ionian Islands,having beaches with pine trees, lovely landscapes and turquoise waters.Also it has lots of traditional Greek villages .Corfu is architecturally special, besides its natural beauty.Corfu has seen itself through periods , the Venetian, the English and the French, which have shaped it making it what it is now ,with its magnificent castles, stone-flagged alleys and its marvellous arcades. Its beaches are spectacular and the places you could visit in Corfu are numerous from castles and museums to monasteries and palace.


Also,there is the Doric temple of Artemis on Corfu island that dates back to585 BC. A large altar and the retaining wall of the Hellenistic era are still intact.


Also there is small beautiful island called Pontikonisi that is covered with pine trees which is situated between Agriovotanos and Ellinika .Few places in Greece have been photographed as much as Pontikonisi,which is aptly,the trademark of Corfu.
This Island has seals, dozens of magnificent birds and it very rich in variety of fishes. Pontikonisi is the home to Pantokrator monastery. It is the white stone staircase of the Monastery that when viewed from distance gives the impression of a mouse tail


By Air:



Corfu has an airport with flights from London and many other European cities. There are around 4 flights per day from Athens and also there are taxis from airport to the town.



By ferries: Ferries run from many cities of Italy, like Venice, Ancona and Bari that will take from around 8 to 28 hours, depending on the place you come from.This ferry journey would be truly spectacular with magnificent views around en route to corfu.






Serifos Island :



Serifos Island has amazing sandy beaches with crystal clear beaches ,that would make you relax under the bright sun and the blue sky . It's rocky coastline is blessed with lot of of scenic bays and coves.Hora which happens to be the island's capital has the 15th century Venetian castle.It has beautiful,shimmering white washed village on it'steep hillside. The town is backed by lot of hotels and good tavernas. Some of the cube-shaped houses have been renovated by greek architects ,making them ideal holiday homes for visitors.


Hora offers breathtaking views from its hill top and the scenery of island and the sea is most spectacular. You could also spot chapels and windmills ,that are perched precariously all over the island.


Places to be seen: castle,Throne of Cyclop,Taxiarhon Monastery, Cape Spathi ,St.Anthanasios Square,Mines of M.Livadi,white tower,Archaeological museum,folklore museum.



Folklore Museum:
The Folklore Museum is situated on the lower edge of Hora, a long way down the steps to Livadi. It displays farming tools, household utensils and other exhibits.

Also ,make sure not to miss wonderful Cave of the Cyclops, near the Kastro tis Grias. It has two stalactite chambers ,with a small lake and has floors of petrified seashells.

The churches of Agios Ioannis and Agios Athanassios in Epano Hora district pf Hora are also the best places for a visit.


Traditional villages:




1)Galani :
Galani is situated to the northern part of Serifos island and it is built in an amphitheatrical style built on the slope of the mountain.It has shimmering white-washed houses and small streets that would certainly make you stroll on the street and explore the surrounding area. Its view of Aegean sea is really incredibly marvelous.


2)Serifos Chora :


It is 5km away from Livadi, the port of Serifos.It has white-washed houses, narrow streets,


mills, churches and squares that exhibit the authentic beauty of the Cycladic settlement. It has Moni Monastery of Taxiarchon. This monastery was built in 1500 and contains 18th century frescoes and Byzantine manuscripts.


If you would like to taste traditional dishes ,then it may be a nice idea to visit the tavernas of Chora. Here, do not leave without tasting the marathotiganites, kaparosalata (caper salad), kakavia (soup from a variety of fish) and chicken with spagghetti. The local wine is also excellent. You would not have trouble finding a room to stay ,if you the place.


3)Kentarchos:


It is located on northeastern side of the island on a plush green valley ands it host's white houses, the narrow streets and the dovecots that seems like a true imagination of beautiful place having come up in reality.Finally,following a trail with stone stairs for about twenty minutes you will reach Kentarchos beach with the deep blue waters. This is a location that you must not miss.


3)Panagia:


It is a situated in the center of Serifos island and it is built in amphitheatrically style on the hill.


You would like to stroll along the picturesque streets and also visit 1oth century church of panagia.




4)Livadi:
The serifos island's port is located in a wide bay with a tree fringed sandy beach. Also,there are plenty of hotels, rooms and good tavernas available, and are close to the nearby beaches. Livadi is the main place in Serifos Island.



5)Livadakia:Livadakia bay is on the western side of port of Livadi. It has a secluded sandy beaches, a campsite, water sport facilities and taverns.



Beaches:



Psili Ammos :It is Serifos' best beach.



Lia: Charming beach



Agios Sostis :Lovely sand with shingle beach.



Livadakia: Long golden sandy beaches.



Karavi :It is Sheltered beach for nature lovers.






Reaching There:


There are frequent ferry boats and speed boats from Piraeus. Serifos is also connected with Kythnos, Sifnos, Kimolos, Milos via the Western Cyclades ferry route. Serifos also has well connection with Santorini island,Syros, Sikinos, Folegandros and Ios.


Entertainment :


There are bars,lot of cafes and a discos as well. One would cherish here, a meal on the beach,that is wonderful experience.



Apartments: In a hospitable environment with a magnificent view and just a few metres away from the beach, you may find the nice rooms and apartments of Aegeon–Dorkas.

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