Greece - Korina Miller [553]
During WWII the Italians invaded Corfu in pursuit of Mussolini’s imperialistic ambitions. Italy surrendered to the Allies in September 1943 and, in revenge, the Germans massacred thousands of Italians who had occupied the Ionian Islands. They also bombed Corfu Town and sent 1795 of Corfu’s 2000 Jews to be murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau. On the way to the death camps many died in dreadful conditions that included being transported by sea to Athens in open barges. There is a striking memorial statue to Corfu’s Jews in Plateia Solomou, near the Old Port in the area still known as Evraiki, the Jewish Quarter.
The islands saw a great deal of emigration after WWII, and again following the devastating earthquakes of 1948 and 1953. By the 1960s foreign holidaymakers were visiting in increasing numbers and package tourism especially became a feature. Today, tourism is a major influence in the Ionian Islands and future challenges include managing the more negative aspects of the industry in the face of often rapidly changing global trends.
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CORFU ΚΕΡΚΥΡΑ
pop 122,670
Corfu – or Kerkyra (ker-kih-rah) in Greek – is the second largest and the greenest Ionian island. It is also the best known. This was Homer’s ‘beautiful and rich land’, Shakespeare reputedly used it as a background for The Tempest and in the 20th century, the writers Lawrence and Gerald Durrell – among others – extolled its virtues. The island’s capital, Corfu Town is one of the loveliest towns in Greece.
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WWW.PLANNING YOUR TRIP.COM
There are countless websites devoted to the Ionians – here are some of the better ones:
Corfu www.allcorfu.com, www.kerkyra.net
Kefallonia www.kefalonia.gr, www.kefalonia.net.gr
Lefkada www.lefkada.gr, www.lefkas.net
Ionian Islands www.greeka.com/ionian
Ithaki www.ithacagreece.com
Paxi www.paxos-greece.com, www.paxos.tk
Zakynthos www.zakynthos-net.gr, www.zanteweb.gr
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Corfu is mountainous in its northern half where the east and west coastlines can be steep and dramatic and where the island’s interior is a rolling expanse of peaceful countryside where stately cypresses rise from a pelt of shimmering olive trees. South of Corfu Town, the island narrows appreciably and becomes very flat. Beaches and resorts punctuate the entire coastline, intensively so north of Corfu Town and along the north coast, but less so in the west and south.
Getting There & Away
AIR
Domestic
Corfu has several flights to/from Athens each day. There are at least three flights a week to/from Thessaloniki, Preveza and Kefallonia. Olympic Air ( 26610 22962; www.olympicairlines.com) is based at the airport. For details Island Hopping.
International
The budget airline easyJet has daily direct flights between London and Corfu (May to October).
From May to September, many charter flights come from northern Europe and the UK to Corfu.
BOAT
Domestic
Hourly ferries travel daily between Corfu and Igoumenitsa and hydrofoils and car ferries go between Corfu and Paxi and Paxi and Igoumenitsa daily in high season
There are six ferries daily between Lefkimmi, at the southern tip of Corfu, and Igoumenitsa.
Petrakis Lines (Map; 26610 31649; Ethnikis Antistasis 4) operates passenger-only hydrofoils between Corfu and Paxi from May until mid-October. Be sure to book one day prior; places fill quickly.
For details of all domestic boat connections from Corfu Island Hopping.
Shipping agencies selling tickets are found in Corfu Town near the new port, along Xenofondos Stratigou and Ethnikis Antistasis. Mancan Travel & Shipping (Click here; 26610 32664; Eleftheriou Venizelou 38) and Agoudimos Lines/GLD Travel (Map; 26610 80030; tickets@gld.gr; Ethnikis Antistasis 1) have helpful staff.
International
Corfu has regular connections with three ports in Italy (Brindisi, Bari and Venice), operated by a handful of ferry companies sailing between Italy