Greece - Korina Miller [563]
For mountain-biking, especially off-road, the Corfu Mountainbike Shop ( 26610 93344; www.mountainbikecorfu.gr) is based in Dasia and rents out bikes for independent exploration, as well as organising day trips and cycling holidays. Horse riding through olive groves and on quiet trails is another excellent option with Trailriders ( 26630 23090), based in the village of Ano Korakiana. Not far from Ermones on the island’s west coast is the Corfu Golf Club ( 26610 94220; www.corfugolfclub.com), one of the few such courses in Greece. Birdwatchers should check the Birdwatching Centre of Ropa Valley ( 26610 94221), who meet regularly at the Corfu Golf Club.
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For details on day trips from Parga on the mainland to Paxi and Antipaxi, Click here.
Getting There & Away
BOAT
Ferries dock at Gaïos’ new port, 1km east of the central square. Excursion boats dock along the waterfront.
Domestic
Busy passenger-only hydrofoils link Corfu and Paxi (and occasionally Igoumenitsa) from May until mid-October. For information contact Arvanitakis Travel ( 26620 32007; Gaïos), or Petrakis Lines in Corfu.
Two car ferries operate daily services between Paxi and Igoumenitsa on the mainland, and Corfu. There’s also a ferry information office ( 26650 26280) in Igoumenitsa.
For details on all domestic connections Island Hopping.
Sea taxis can be a fast and effective way to travel, especially if there are other people on board. The going rate between Corfu and Paxi is around €180 per boat, shared among the passengers. Try Nikos ( 26620 32444, 69322 32072; Gaïos), or www.paxosseataxi.com.
International
You can reach Corfu and Igoumenitsa from the major ports in Italy, then transfer to a local ferry for Paxi. For details on international connections to Corfu Click here, to Igoumenitsa Click here.
BUS
There’s a twice-weekly direct bus service between Athens and Paxi (€47, plus €7.50 for ferry ticket between Paxi and Igoumenitsa, seven hours). On Paxi, tickets are available from Bouas Tours ( 26620 32401; Gaïos). The bus leaves from Plateia Karaiskaki in Athens (note: the terminal changes so always check with Bouas beforehand).
Getting Around
The island’s bus links Gaïos and Lakka via Loggos up to four times daily in either direction (€2). Taxis between Gaïos and Lakka or Loggos cost around €12. The taxi rank in Gaïos is located by the car park and bus stop inland from the waterfront.
Daily car hire ranges between €42 and €115 in high season. Reliable agencies are ArvanitakisTravel ( 26620 32007) and Alfa Hire ( 26620 32505) in Gaïos. Rent a Scooter Vassilis ( 26620 32598), opposite the bus stop in Gaïos, has a good range of scooters and mopeds. Hire is about €20 to €25 in high season. Many travel agencies rent out small boats – this is a great way to access beach coves. Rental for a day ranges from €40 to €90 depending on engine capacity. Don’t overestimate your needs.
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GAÏOS ΓΑЇΟΣ
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Gaïos hardly needs to try for the ‘picturesque’ label. It’s the island’s main town and its pink, cream and whitewashed buildings line the water’s edge of a sizeable bay to either side of the main Venetian square. The town is protected from too much open water by the wooded islet of Agios Nikolaos, named after its eponymous monastery. It lies so close to the shore that it creates the illusion of Gaïos being a pretty riverside town. The waterfront is lined with cafes and tavernas and can get crowded mid afternoon when excursion boats arrive.
The main street (Panagioti Kanga) runs inland from the main square towards the back of town, where you’ll find the bus stop, taxi rank and car park. Banks