Corfu Travel Blog: An Insider’s View of Corfu Greece

Last updated on July 26th, 2024 at 09:58 am

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Greece is a country with some of the best islands in the world with distinct characteristics that make it a standout among many other tourist destinations.

But if you think you know everything there is about, there is another hidden Greece, and you might need to make another trip to the islands and discover that other gems are waiting for discovery.

We’ve prepared a list of twelve other beautiful and unspoiled places in Greece you probably never knew existed, but surprise! They do exist, and it’s worth a visit.

1. The almost Secret Elafonisos Beach

Elafonisi Beach is a tiny island off the coast of Cape Malea and Vatika. It’s a different paradise, but it is just as stunning as the famous pink sands.

The thing with Elafonisos is that because it’s less famous, there are lesser tourists around which means you can sometimes enjoy the island all to yourself.

Those who know about this tiny gem in the middle of Peloponnese and Kythira love the sandy beaches surrounding the island.

With crystal clear waters, you can surely have a taste of fresh fish straight from the ocean. There are plenty of Greek tavernas around town where you can get a fresh serving of fish dishes that will make your mouth water.

2. Imerovigli

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Sure, Santorini is one of the most famous villages in Greece, but did you know that you can have a better view of the whole of Santorini’s beauty when you hike going to Imerovigli?

Just when you thought Oia and Fira could give the best views of the island, you probably haven’t been to Imerovigli, also known as “The Balcony of Santorini.” It gives you a spectacular view of the entire volcano and caldera.

But like its neighboring towns, Imerovigli also has many restaurants and cafes where you can have your lunch or afternoon drink while enjoying the immaculate view of nature right in front of you.

Honestly, if you ask us, it’s the best seat in the house.

3. Pelion

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Get your hiking poles ready! Mountains in Greece are deserving of your love and attention. One of which is the lush peaks of Pelion.

Pelion is a mountain on a small peninsula. Attractions around this peninsula are all about natural paradise and havens. Unleash your outdoor-loving self. Pelion has many sites where you can hike and then swim in beaches and waterfalls right after.

Pelion was the summer residence of the Gods and the homeland of the Centaurs.

It is a high mountain and has a high-quality ski center. Can you imagine a ski resort where you can see the seaside where others are swimming?
Greece is not only for summer but a beautiful winter sports destination too in its many snow skiing centers.

So get ready for skiing in Greece and imagine that you are here with the help of your Skiworld Coupons.

There are also springs on the mountain where you can take time off from your hectic tour schedule to relax and breathe fresh air from the mountains. It’s not every day that you can inhale goodness into your body and soul, so take advantage of it as much as possible.

Aside from the spectacular natural display of this land, the residential area is like walking into an ancient era where villages with stone-built houses are the trend. For someone who also likes the vibe of old towns, this is where you should go.

4. Tinos

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Tinos has always been just a stop for travelers going to Mykonos and Athens. It’s time to highlight this island to convince you to intend your visit here fully and not just treat it as a stopover.

It might make you want to stay here for the rest of your Greece adventure once you find out that excellent barrels of wine in the country come from Tinos. There’s even a town on this island where olives and artichokes are everywhere, which you could pick and pair with your bottle of wine!

Tourists also go here for some pilgrimage. The Church of Panagia Megalochari is usually packed with visitors every March 25 and August 15 in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

5. Epirus

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When you hear the name, it sounds like a fictional town in some Greek mythology chapter. It’s a real part of the country, and a big one, with mystic charms and untouched sceneries where you can instantly feel like you can meet with your favorite Greek gods and goddesses hiding behind a bush or under the water.

The first attraction on your list should be Dragon Lake. No, there are no dragons around this area, but its incredible beauty surely feels like a dragon is about to emerge from the waters at any time. The picturesque view is unbelievable, and the only way to make you believe is when you visit the place. Let your own set of eyes be your witness.

6. Kalymnos

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Remember to bring out your sturdy hiking boots and your big bag of confidence when visiting this tiny Kalymnos island. Why? Because it’s becoming a popular rock climbing spot for adrenaline junkies.

Fulfill your Spiderman dreams on this island and get a unique but interesting point of view of the island while hanging from a solid rock from Armeos or Gefyra.

If you’re not into all the daredevil climbing stuff, you can also take a safe and conservative hiking route that can lead you to abandoned castles and churches, which makes for a great photo opportunity.

7. Ikaria

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If you think that the name Ikaria has something to do with Icarus from Greek mythology, yes, you are right— at least according to tradition.

Ikaria is notorious for having citizens who live a very long life, probably even longer than the Japanese people who are also known to have an extended life span because of their ikigai lifestyle. It’s yet fascinating how this island is sometimes known to be where people forget how to die.

We’re betting it’s because of the awe-inspiring natural sources of fun and relaxation you can find on the island. Their beaches have turquoise waters that will make you shy to even wade your feet in it. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we couldn’t also give it justice just by describing it.

8. Cephalonia

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Colorful houses and establishments lining the hillside are the first things that you will see when you arrive in Cephalonia via ferry.

It might interest you to kayak to the famous roofless cave of Melissani after you feast at one of the impressive tavernas by the sea. You should not forget to try the sensational Kefalonian meat pie while you’re here.

The good thing about this island is that the local government has advocated limiting the rise of commercial resorts around its beaches to preserve its grace and charm.

9. Karpathos

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Away from the maddening crowd of popular Greek tourist spots, Karpathos remains one of the many hidden gems of Greece where you can walk peacefully by yourself without worrying about bumping into a crowd of giddy tourists wanting to take photos at every corner.

You can take a boat ride from the town’s center to Saria’s inhabited island and bask in its glory with almost no one to bother you. This island also has monuments from the olden times, which makes it even more attractive.

10. Loutro

Suppose you’re dreaming of a town where you can cover the whole area just by walking, head over to Loutro. It’s a tiny fishing village located in the southwest of Crete.

It’s a 100% guarantee that you won’t be seeing any cars around the town since there are no roads big enough to accommodate them. The only way around is by riding a boat or using your foot.

It’s a quiet haven for people looking for peace, especially when you have had enough time to explore other busy Greek islands.

11. Diapontia Islands

Diapontia Islands is a cluster of 3 main islands, plus many small, laying northwest of Corfu. Yet another ocean paradise for the lovers of the sea. The waters on these islands are so clear; you could right through the bottom of the seafloor without squinting.

We know how hard it must be to take you away from the beautiful sandy beaches, but you also need to see how pretty the villages are on these islands and that they deserve to be seen by travelers like you.

You might be surprised to find a hamlet during one of your evening walks. Diapontia is also where you can get inspiration on living a simpler life, especially when you engage yourself with a conversation with locals.

12. The Island Of Ithaca

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You probably know this to be the home of Odysseus, the famous poem written by Homer.

If you’re a fan of Greek mythology, this is enough reason to visit the island; that’s for sure. But more than being recognized as part of a famous mythology book, the Island of Ithaca is home to phenomenal beaches and coves where you can spend an entire day just chilling out with friends and then heading to a nearby taverna by the ocean to grab lunch or dinner.

It’s probably better than the one in the book because here, you won’t have to come face to face with a mythical creature and get killed in an instant if you say the wrong words or be cursed for the rest of your life if you eat a forbidden fruit of some sorts.

Discover Greece

Mykonos, Athens, Santorini, and all other more popular Greek attractions are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful towns in the world. But if you try to see beyond these famous tourist spots, you’ll realize that there are plenty more options to discover the raw and unspoiled beauty of Greece.

PUBLISHED BY

Jean Deruiter

Jean Deruiter is a brand consultant and an outdoor enthusiast from the US. She writes about high quality and innovative travel gears, as well as the dos and don’ts of outdoor traveling.

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Last updated on June 12th, 2024 at 08:04 pm

Rich history, old-fashioned architecture, and the best part of all— Greek food.

Greece is a country so rich in so many aspects that you might find it hard to squeeze in all the sights to see and all the souvlakis to try during a short stay in this glorious place.

With so many ancient cities to school, you about Greek history and mythologies, a trip to Greece isn’t only limited to leisure and some time under the sun. It’s also about walking along with historical sites and experiencing firsthand these famous cities that we only read about in books.

I know you’re excited to take that flight to the cradle of Western civilization, but we’d have to burst your bubble for a little while to remind you of some of the things to avoid when visiting Greece.

Don’t show too much skin when visiting churches

Greece is clad with beautiful churches and monasteries that any tourist would be tempted to visit and well, snap photos of, but keep in mind that these establishments should be treated with respect.

Greeks are particular about wearing proper clothes when entering a church. It’s best that you follow the dress code when you plan to visit any of these sites to avoid getting called out by locals and churchgoers.

For men, long shorts and trousers will do, while long skirts for women are the most appropriate. Make sure you pack enough of these clothing items since there are a lot of churches and monasteries to visit in Greece. No need to worry about your carry-on luggage dimensions, with proper rolling and stacking, your long skirts and trousers will fit right in your bag, that’s for sure.

Whether you’re religious or not, you should try to abide by this particular dress rule because that’s how you show respect for the culture.

Don’t go shopping mid-day and on Sundays

Greeks are known to keep plenty of traditions, one of which includes something about their shopping habits.

For shopaholics out there, don’t try to shop during mid-day or on Sundays if you don’t want to come up empty-handed. Greeks value their siesta time so much, so don’t waste your time going out to shop at noon as markets and shopping centers will likely be closed.

However, if you have no other time to do your shopping but during mid-day, large malls in Athens are continuously open until the evening every day of the week except Sundays.

All the above are concerned with large towns and in any case, not large or small tourist areas, where you are welcome to shop at any time of the day, every day.

Don’t rely on credit cards, unless on a tourist or large area

If you’re the type of traveler who relies on credit cards every time you go out, you might want to consider giving them rest when you’re in Greece.

Greeks love cash, especially in remote areas and less touristy places. Sure, you can use your cards everywhere, at the hotel and all the big restaurants in town, but if you plan to go on a tour at less crowded spots and traditional tavernas, then your cards might not be of great use as Greek people don’t seem to love them much.

Always carry cash with you to enjoy the rest of your stay, so you become more likable. Otherwise, you might need to withdraw at the nearest ATM around town.

Don’t take photos of military facilities

Out of respect for international rules, we should always abide by them to avoid any trouble with authorities.

In the case of the Greeks, they don’t want their military facilities to be the center of your travel photos, especially in some sensitive areas like the one in the Aegean islands near the Turkish border.

Don’t touch artifacts in museums

I think if you’ve traveled well enough, you know that museums have restrictions when it comes to touching exhibits. And they are strict about such rules.

In Greece, their museums and galleries are more strict about this because of certain archaeological materials present in the country. Some of these artifacts are century-old, so they are well-guarded and are often inside a glass window or in a safe location.

Don’t do the moutza

If you’re unfamiliar with moutza, it’s a very well-known Greek gesture to show disapproval and insult someone. Hands are extended while all five fingers are open.

When you’re in Greece, be mindful of this specific gesture, some locals might mistake you for doing a moutza, which might be taken as an offense. Greeks find this offensive, so try to avoid this as much as possible.

Don’t get intimidated by the Greek alphabet

The Greek alphabet may look intimidating, but even if it looks strange to you just remember that it is the ancestor of the Latin alphabet that you use, and cannot be as alien as some people think the Greek language is the source of 10% of all English words used today. You speak Greek but you just don’t know it yet, have a look here.

The Greek language does carry a good amount of history up to its sleeve so when visiting this country, make sure to bring some Greek words with you.

Besides, learning a new language, especially one with a challenging alphabet, could mean a whale of fulfillment on your part. I don’t know about you, but it feels good to be able to understand foreign signage when traveling abroad.

If it helps you embrace the country and its culture more, Greeks are known to be friendly, so don’t hesitate to ask for some help understanding their language.

Don’t drink the tap water unless they tell you it’s okay

For common health reasons, drinking tap water is not advisable when you’re anywhere in the world and not just in Greece.
There are areas, even close to each other where drinking their tap water is perfectly safe, and other places where it is not potable, especially when you’re in Mykonos and Santorini, just to remind you that most of the Aegean islands are almost dry and they bring water from the mainland that is mixed with some desalinated water from some drillings!

Therefore, while these Greek islands are famous for their gorgeous setting and vibe, the water from the tap is extensively high in minerals, so it is not good for you to ever try to drink directly from their tap if you don’t want to stay inside your hotel room the entire day because of not feeling well.

The ones in some areas of Athens and Thessaloniki might be safe, but not everywhere.

Let’s be clear, the tap water all over Greece is not contaminated with any microorganisms or bacteria, the only problem is the high concentration of minerals that makes it not potable only in some areas, so ask your hotelier or your travel agent to be sure if the tap water in your area is potable or not.

In any case, and to be on the safe side, it’s still best to just buy bottled water, which is priced fairly cheap to avoid incurring water-related gut illnesses.

Don’t try to drive like a Greek

Well, we all know how Greeks go crazy when it comes to driving. It’s fast and furious all day and every day, especially in Athens. But just a reminder: you are not a Greek, so don’t ever try to keep up with them when it comes to driving.

Remember that the vast majority of drivers in the big towns are working people who are in a hurry to get to their jobs, you are a tourist seeking a relaxing time, so be careful and respect their daily habits.
Things are much better and more polite in the large tourist islands and tourist areas.

Road safety should still be your topmost priority when driving. When you encounter one that’s wild on the road, just pull over and let them pass. Remember to keep your eyes glued on the road ahead of you, while you also make sure to check the sidelines for incoming fast cars.

Greece is generally one of the best European countries to visit! There are a lot of things that you can do in this country of gods and goddesses, just be mindful of their lifestyle and culture to avoid any street brawl with brawny Greeks!

PUBLISHED BY

Geraldine Mills

I live to let go, I live to travel far and wide. I live to imprint my feet in different places, in different spaces.

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Photo by Wade Lambert on Unsplash

The life of a nomad world traveler is appealing to millions of people. Movies glorify packing up and leaving at the drop of a hat. Of course, real-life responsibilities often require advance planning up to a year ahead of your departure date.

If you’re a dog owner, one of the responsibilities is deciding if your pup will also make the trek or stay home while you globetrot.

One bucket list destination is Greece and its islands. The Mediterranean is a popular European vacation spot.

What’s so attractive about the Greek Islands?

The pristine blue-green waters and sandy, white shores attract droves of tourists. Others come to immerse themselves in thousands of years of history and artifacts.

There are over 6000 islands off the coast of Greece, but only around 300 of those are accessible from the mainland.

Ready to make the journey to these pristine islands? Whether your trip is business or pleasure will greatly affect whether your canine companion comes along.

So, after your decision, the question arises:

Is Greece dog-friendly?

Photo by Greek Islands on Unsplash

European countries and cities are often more dog-friendly than states and cities in the U.S. Greece is a country where it’s not uncommon to see dogs in pubs, food stores, or on the train. Conversely, federal regulations in the United States ban pets from areas where food is being sold, such as bars and grocery stores.

There’s not much point in bringing your pup to another country only to find out they aren’t allowed in public spaces or even your hotel room.

While many hotels and accommodations welcome pets, it’s crucial to inquire during the booking process. Typically, smaller boutique hotels might be less inclined to accommodate pets, while larger pet-centric options often offer amenities like parks and gardens for canine guests.

Ensure that the accommodation’s pet policy aligns with your needs and preferences. By planning and choosing the right dog-friendly retreats, you can ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for both you and your four-legged companion during your getaway.

If you’re traveling to Greece, you likely plan at least one visit to the beach. You’ll be happy to know that the European country doesn’t have a law explicitly prohibiting dogs from these public areas. However, common etiquette requires owners to clean up after their pups and not let them disturb other visitors.

Dogs can even go in the water, but keep in mind that not everyone wants to share the water with your pet. If possible, it’s best to find a more secluded area of the beach. It’s also important to be aware that ingesting sand can be bad for dogs. Their digestion system isn’t equipped to digest sand, which can cause it to block their intestines.

In addition, the water in the sea isn’t drinkable for dogs (or humans.) If you’re visiting the beach, it’s best to bring your fresh water for yourself and your canine friend. It can be almost impossible to stop a dog from drinking seawater, so your dog must be well-trained to follow your commands before your trip overseas.

Getting to the Greek Islands

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The fastest route to the mainland from other areas of the world is flying. But once you’re on the mainland, how do you get to any of the inhabited islands? The Greek Archipelago is typically reached by boat, ferry, or aircraft.

Each of these transportation options has its own rules and regulations regarding allowing pets aboard. Greek law only considers cats, dogs, and ferrets to be importable pets. Birds are banned from being brought into the country at all.

Flying to Greece with a dog

Typically, only small dogs are allowed in the cabin of an aircraft or watercraft. They must be contained in a carrier and under a certain weight.

Necessary Documentation and Other Requirements for Travelling with Your Dog

Your country of origin greatly determines the ease with which you can travel with your pet to Greece. Home countries within Europe have less strict requirements than those of tourists from the United States.

Travelers from any European country only need the following things:

Each of the 200+ Greek Islands may also require additional documentation. Thorough research is required if you plan to leave the mainland and visit the islands. Greece requires rabies vaccinations because the country is virtually free from rabies and they’d like to keep it that way.

Don’t forget that you may need even more documentation for admittance back into your home country. It may also have different quarantine laws than Greece, which is one of the few countries that doesn’t require quarantine.

Taking Your Dog Abroad is Possible with Proper Research and Preparation

Photo by Terrance Raper on Unsplash

We all have days when we want to drive to the airport and buy the cheapest ticket to anywhere else. It would be a great story to tell, but for most people, that’s exactly what it is: fiction. The hard truth is vacationing with a pup is anything but impulsive.

Sure, maybe once you get to the beach, you can put your feet up and relax. But to make that happen requires a lot of research and planning first. Taking a trip out of the country demands even more extensive preparation.

The first thing to consider is if your pup would be happier and safer at home. In some cases, such as moving to a new country, you don’t have a choice. However, it’s vital to weigh the potential risks of transporting your dog to a new country.

The most likely mode of transportation to Greece is an airplane. Many airlines require dogs over a certain size to be caged in the cargo area. In all likelihood, even the most laid-back canine finds this experience stressful, if not downright terrifying.

Once you get your pup to Greece safely, however, they will love romping on the beach and soaking in the sun. Just make sure you begin collecting the required documentation well in advance unless otherwise noted.

Author

Leo Wilson graduated with a university major in animal health and behavior. He had over a decade of experience working in the pet industry and had contributed many dog and pet-related articles to several websites before he decided to start sharing his knowledge on his own blog Cyber Pet. When he is not busy working, he and his wonderful wife love spending time at home with their 3 dogs and 2 cats.

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| | |

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