Here’s the recipe for the octopus Bourdeto as the old housewives make it in Corfu.
Bourdeto with Octopus
Ingredients needed
A medium or large fresh octopus
1 glass of white vinegar
1 glass of olive oil (250-300 grams)
1/2 teaspoon of hot red pepper
1/2 teaspoon of sweet red pepper
1 big onion in 4 pieces
4 large potatoes
50-70gr fresh lemon juice, this is the most important!
Execution of the recipe
Put in a pot 3-4 glasses of water and a glass of white vinegar and heat it.
Put in the pot the octopus for a while and take it off to cut it.
Cut the octopus into pieces as you like them and put them in another pot just to sauté on low heat until they get their liquids out.
After the liquids leave, pour a glass of olive oil, half a teaspoon of hot red pepper, half a teaspoon of sweet red pepper, the four pieces of onion, and water until it is completely covered.
Let it boil until it is dry and then pour in 4 potatoes, sliced in pieces, as large as you like, and add a little more water.
Keep cooking, The food is ready for serving when it is spotted and has been left almost only with the oil.
At this moment put the lemon juice in and mix, leave it for another minute and the food is ready.
Some prefer it not completely dry, while others, especially when it comes to eating it like meze, let it dry and stay only with the oil, so it’s more spicy.
Attention, do not use any salt at any stage of cooking! The octopus has already too much.
It is an awesome recipe, both as food and as meze.
Note: The octopus Bourdeto has succeeded if it has a nice dark red color, not black, and is a little bit juicy but mostly oily, the olive oil has become slightly reddish and remains clear, the octopus has not dissolved and the tentacles are intact.
The secret is before cooking, the octopus has to be very well hit, we hit it on a cliff by the sea where we fished it, and then it is grazed for about half an hour, so it becomes tender, otherwise, it does not get boiled.
Of course, the octopus is dead long before the process of hitting it on the rocks.
Bourdeto can be done with a frozen octopus too, is the same thing if the octopus is from here and we have frozen it ourselves. But we avoid using large frozen octopuses from the oceans.
One of the things that draw me back to Greece time and again, aside from the sunshine, culture, and friendly people, is the food. The Greeks know how to eat.
Malaka is one of Greece’s most misunderstood words. Yes, it can be an insult, but its true meaning might surprise you.
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What does malaka(s) mean in Greek?
Malaka(s) – it’s like the ultimate crash course in Greek slang that every tourist inevitably stumbles upon!
Seriously, it’s like the unofficial welcome committee’s secret handshake. You’ll hear it tossed around so casually by the locals that you might join the Malaka chorus.
Now, let’s unravel the mystery: What the heck does “Malaka” actually mean in Greek? And is it a golden ticket for conversation or a recipe for disaster?
You may wonder: Is there any difference between ‘Malaka’ and ‘Malakas’?
It is known that in the Greek language, all masculine nouns have an ‘s’ at the end. When in English, these ‘s’ are usually dropped. See the names, for instance, they often drop the final ‘s’ when they are abroad.
For example, Kostas in the USA becomes Kosta, Nikos becomes Niko, Yannis becomes Yanni, etc.
But this is not the case here; the difference is due to grammar. Nouns have cases; in the nominative, when someone refers to it, there is an ‘s’ at the end, while in the vocative, when calling someone, the ‘s’ is omitted, for instance: “He is A Malakas” and “hey, come here Malaka”
Back to Malaka!
Malaka is one of Greece’s most misunderstood words.
Yes, it can be an insult, but its true meaning might surprise you, it is a versatile word following some rules: When referring to someone you hate, “Malaka” means “jerk“, “asshole” or “motherfucker”, while when describing someone you want to despise, it translates to “wanker“, “idiot” “stupid” or similar terms.
However, when talking to a close friend, it can mean “Hey buddy” or “Come on, pal“, “dude” or “Mate “. See? It’s not that complicated!
But the real meaning is one: ‘Wanker’
So, when can you use it without fear? Buckle up, because this article’s got your back, fellow traveler! We’re diving headfirst into the magical realm of Malaka etiquette, guiding you through when to unleash your inner Malaka and when to keep it in check.
Let’s make sure you’re armed with the perfect Malaka-moment, and avoid any accidental Malaka mishaps!
Origin of the word Malakas
Once malakas always malakas
Alright, buckle up for a wild linguistic ride, because we’re about to dig into the ancient origins of a word that’s been passed down through the ages like a raunchy family heirloom.
We’re talking about the one and only… drumroll, please… “Malakas”!
Can you imagine ancient Greeks chilling with their scrolls and togas, throwing around words like “Malakia” and “Malakos”?
Back then, these words were all about mental illness and “softness,” meaning weak, depraved, or even effeminate. It’s like they had an early version of the insult dictionary!
Fast forward to today, and “Malakas” has taken a more, let’s say, “focused” meaning. We’re talking “masturbator,” “wanker,” and all-around colorful ways of describing solo bedroom activities.
But wait, there’s more! This word has more twists than a Greek drama – it can be as friendly as a high-five or as nasty as a prank gone wrong.
So, you’re in Greece, surrounded by locals casually dropping “Malakas” like it’s punctuation. But here’s the twist – it can either mean “asshole” or “buddy.” Talk about an emotional rollercoaster!
So, here’s the survival guide: unless you’re tight as a Greek-knit sweater with someone, maybe save the “Malakas” for your closest buds. And even then, proceed with caution if you’re aiming for polite chitchat.
An old Greek saying goes something like: “We became doctors to cure every illness and Malakia.” Yep, they linked “Malakas” to medicine. Talk about creative job perks!
And remember medieval times? Turns out folks thought that wanking was bad news for the ol’ noggin. So, if you were caught wanking, congrats, you were officially “less clever” than average. Classic medieval logic, right?
But it doesn’t stop there! The female version of “Malakas” is “Malakismeni” or “Malako,” which the cool Greek Diaspora kids throw around. It’s like they’ve got their very own linguistic secret handshake.
So, next time you’re in Greece and you hear “Malakas” left and right, remember – it’s like a linguistic chameleon. Depending on tone, context, and how many souvlakis you’ve shared, it could be a heated quarrel or a friendly heart-to-heart.
Just embrace the “Malakas” magic and enjoy the linguistic rollercoaster ride!
Today’s Meanings
Alright, folks, let’s dive into the enchanting world of “Malakas,” where meanings swirl around like a Greek salad at a party!
The Masturbator, since the Middle Ages, was considered the Idiot and everything around it, and still is.
And a masturbator’s synonym is the famous Malaka(s). We mean a person who’s the king or queen of cluelessness. You drop a hint, they miss it by a mile. Are people teasing them? They’re like, “Huh? What mocking?”
Meet the champ of misunderstanding, the grandmaster of being fooled. Yep, it’s like they’ve got a secret talent for turning simple conversations into a game of verbal twister!
Now, drumroll, please… let’s unveil the real deal: “Malakas” translates to the MVP of IQs that decided to take an extended vacation. Think about it – if brainpower were a rollercoaster, they’d be on the kiddie ride!
In the wild jungle of social circles, at work, or wherever minds mingle, “Malakas” is like a neon sign pointing to the low-IQ club. It’s the universal signal for “Hey, we’ve got a live one here!”
So, there you have it, folks: “Malakas” = Master of IQs lower than the average. It’s like calling out someone’s brain cells for playing hooky.
Just remember, the next time you hear it tossed around, it’s like a secret handshake for the IQ-challenged squad!
Greek workshop – Only the asshole works
When Is Malaka(s) Offensive?
Alright, let’s decode the “Malakas” enigma and keep your nose unbroken, shall we? Buckle up, language explorers, because this is the Greek word maze you don’t wanna wander into without a map!
“Malakas” is like a sassy pet dragon – sure, it can be fun, but sometimes it might breathe fire when you least expect it!
Here’s the ultimate guide to navigating the “Malakas” minefield:
Rule 1: Gender Alert!
Ladies and gents, whether you’re crushing or cuddling, never toss “Malakas” like confetti. If you’re a guy, don’t say it to a gal – it’s like handing her an insult-wrapped bouquet. And hey, gals, same rule for the dudes – calling them this is like gifting them a not-so-shiny dunce cap.
Rule 2: First Impression Blues
Hold onto your hats, folks. If you’ve just met someone and think “Malakas” is a fancy icebreaker, hold that thought. It’s an icebreaker all right – for breaking the bridge between you two!
Rule 3: Stranger Danger
Think that you’re walking down the street, and a wild “Malakas” escapes your lips to a stranger. Whoosh! Brace yourself for a tsunami of trouble. Expect weird stares, raised brows, and a sudden urge to hide behind a lamppost.
Rule 4: Respect Your Elders
When it comes to seniors, the “Malakas” ship has sailed. Avoid saying it to folks who’ve seen more birthdays than you – grandparents, uncles, aunts, the whole shebang. Calling them this is like shouting, “I skipped the manners class!”
Rule 5: Sibling Shenanigans
Brothers and sisters, get ready for a plot twist! It’s all chill to drop “Malakas” bombs on your siblings – unless you’re in the middle of a tiff. Yup, even Greek siblings know when to holster this word.
Rule 6: Never use it when you drive
Have you ever seen Greek drivers fighting in the middle of the road after an accident?
It can be quite entertaining, and the cause might not even be the accident itself.
Instead, it could be because one driver called the other ‘Malaka,’ which in this context means ‘idiot,’ ‘incompetent,’ ‘stupid,’ ‘blind,’ ‘can’t you see, you crooked?’, ‘Did you get your driver’s license at night?’… and all those polite, cosmetic adjectives.
Rule 7: The Greek Riddle
Listen, only Greek Jedi Masters can decode all the secret “Malakas” handshakes. For the rest of us mere mortals, stick to the golden rule: avoid it like a haunted house on Halloween.
So there you have it, language adventurers – a guide to avoiding “Malakas” mishaps. Remember, it’s like a spicy hot sauce – a little can add flavor, but too much will leave you in tears!
Why Greeks Say Malaka to Friends
Hold onto your Malakas hats, folks, because we’re diving deep into the labyrinth of Greek slang!
Saying “Malaka” in Greece is like wearing a secret friendship ring – it only works with your inner circle!
Expressions like ‘ela re malaka‘ (come on Malaka). or ‘na malaka‘ (take them Malaka), or ‘eise enas Malakas‘ (You are such a Malakas), etc… are always welcomed between friends!
But if you’re not exactly BFFs with someone, using this word might unleash the eyebrow raise of doom, after all, it’s not so polite to call ‘wanker’ a stranger.
Arkas – Behaving as Malakas
Rule 1: The Close-Call Code
You and your pal, both hands on your secret decoder rings, crack a sly smile and drop a casual “Malaka.” Voilà! It’s like saying, “Hey, buddy” or giving a super-secret handshake – the kind that’s part cool, part code.
Rule 2: Sibling Shenanigans
Do you have brothers and sisters? Well, congrats, you’ve got a Malaka pass! Brothers can fling it, sisters can sling it – as long as they’re not in the middle of a sibling showdown.
Rule 3: The Multiverse of Malaka
Brace yourselves for a plot twist, linguists – “Malaka” has more layers than an onion. It’s the Swiss Army knife of Greek slang, with a gazillion uses. But here’s the twist: it’s like the word “run.” You can run a marathon, run errands, or run late – but it’s still just “run.”
Rule 4: Friend or Foe?
This word is like a secret weapon in a superhero’s utility belt – it can mend or break bonds faster than you can say “Malaka!” Imagine saying it to your pals and sparking laughter. But with strangers or even casual acquaintances, it’s like showing up to a costume party dressed as a question mark.
Tourist Tip – Can Foreigners Use It Safely?
If you’re an English-speaking adventurer hoping to bond with the locals, chances are you’ve already heard malaka tossed around like confetti. The good news? Tourists usually get a free pass — think of it like an amusement park wristband. But fair warning: there’s always a tiny risk of stepping into friendly fire.
Heading to Corfu? Don’t be surprised if Malaka pops up in cafés, on beaches, or from a smiling driver stuck in traffic. Around here, it’s often more playful than rude. Use it with care, and you might just pass for a local (or at least make someone laugh).
Bottom line: Malaka is like a secret handshake — it can open doors or accidentally start a duel. Unless you’ve cracked the code, it’s probably smarter to keep it in your back pocket. And hey, when in doubt, focus on pronouncing moussaka properly — fewer risks, more rewards.
Bonus tricks for Malakes (wankers)
Hold on tight, because we’re about to dive even deeper into the wild world of “Malakas!”
“Malakas” literally translates to “Masturbator.” Yep, you heard that right – it’s like the Greek slang version of shouting, “Hey, wanker!” But hold your horses, because this word isn’t just about, well, solo endeavors. No, no, my friends, it’s a full-blown character profile, and we’ve got the video receipts to prove it!
Enter: The Ultimate Malakas
If you’ve got a person who’s like a walking embodiment of the term “Malakas.” They’re the real deal – a grand showcase of what this word means in the Greek dictionary of life. We’re talking about the kind of person who might just accidentally step on a banana peel in the middle of an empty street, or who thinks an umbrella is a hat for rainy days. Yep, that’s our Malakas superstar right there!
Action Required: Watch the Video!
But hey, don’t take our word for it – we’ve got visual proof! Check out the video we’ve got lined up, and you’ll get it. It’s like a crash course in Greek slang without textbooks.
Trademark Alert: Malakas Galore!
Now, here’s the kicker: “Malakas” isn’t just a word – it’s a bona fide trademark for Greeks worldwide. Think about it: you’ve got signature Greek stuff like Moussaka, Sirtaki, and now, “Malakas.” It’s like the slang badge of honor that every Greek seems to rock like a pro.
Warm Greek Welcome: It’s Malaka Time!
So, you’ve landed in Greece, ready to soak up the sun, the sights, and, of course, the “Malakas” magic. It’s practically a rite of passage for any traveler. And don’t worry – even if you’re still wrapping your tongue around the word, chances are you’ll hear it more times than you can count. It’s the Greek holiday gift that keeps on giving!
Plot Twist: Embrace the Malakas Way
Hold onto your toga, because here’s the twist – being a “Malakas” isn’t all bad. Nope, not at all! A large percentage of all humans are malakes in some way, to our knowledge, in our homeland, Corfu, more than 60% of the population are indeed malakes.
On the next page, we’re about to flip the script and show you why it’s not the worst thing that ever happened to you.
Final Thoughts
So, buckle up, fellow adventurers, because the world of “Malakas” in Malaka’s country is just a click away.
And remember, when in doubt, embrace the spirit, the slang, and the unforgettable journey that comes with it. It’s all part of the glorious Greek experience, Malakas-style!
The beaches of Greece are a paradise for beach lovers. So, we’ve put together a list of our favorite Greek beaches to help you make the most of your time in this beautiful country.
The presence of Goddesses and powerful women in Greek mythology is vast; in fact, it is not inferior to that of men, and in many instances, it surpasses it.
The Olympic Games in ancient Greece were a major sporting and cultural event that took place every four years in Olympia, a sanctuary dedicated to the god Zeus.
Greek mythology tales aren’t just a collection of stories; it’s a cosmic symphony that’s been playing for centuries, and its timeless themes and characters will keep us under its spell for eons to come.
Ready to dive into the stunning world of the Greek Ionian Islands? Get ready for a journey that blends emerald crystal-clear waters, ancient history, and heartwarming culture.
Erimitis area is the Northeastern tip of Corfu island, very close to Albanian shores.
It starts from the Agios Stefanos area in the East and stretches up to Kassiopi borders on the North Coast.
Erimitis’s view of some of the beaches is spot on
An unspoiled paradise is full of small, cute coves separated by small promontories that give beautiful scenery to the landscape.
Every cove here is a small pebble beach of unique beauty, all of which are isolated and can be visited only by sea.
Starting from Kassiopi and going to the east, we find the following cute, tiny beaches: Avlaki, Vouvalomantria Beach, Vrachli Beach, Tzoufakia, the Arias Beach, Akoli, Vromolimni, Kaminakia Beach, Korfovounia, Aspalathras, and Xylokeratia Beach.
Let’s note that all these beaches are pebble and no sand, the waters are extremely clear and clean.
Avlaki beach
Avlaki beach at Erimitis – view from behind
Avlaki is the biggest beach in the area, close to Kassiopi, and in visual contact with it.
It is separated into two parts, the west and the east Avlaki, which is much smaller.
On the east side of the west Avlaki, there is another small lake behind it, which sometimes dries out.
There are some houses and apartments on the western part of the beach, the busiest of all, as it is easily accessible by road.
Vouvalomantria beach
At the northern tip of Erimitis, a very small and secluded beach is available only by sea.
Vrachli beach
A Lovely beach facing east, the only one without a small lake behind it.
Tzoufakia beach
A Tiny beach next to and south of Vrachli, completely isolated.
Arias beach
Arias Beach at Erimitis Corfu
Another beauty is the isolated pebble beach a little south of Tzoufakia.
Akoli beach
Akoli beach at Erimitis, Corfu
One of the few beaches in the area is reachable on foot through a small path.
The name is due to the lake behind the beach, which is believed to be very deep.
Although the lake, in reality, is not deep, the name means literally “bottomless”, α-κωλη, in Greek, this is from the deprivation α = χωρίς(without), and the word κώλος, in ancient Greek, κώλος means bottom.
(while in modern Greek means ass.) In this case, the word has an ancient meaning and means bottomless, used for deep seas or lakes.
Vromolimni beach
Vromolimni beach, Erimitis, Corfu
Another beach with a lake behind it, the name “Vromolimni” means Dirty lake, it is dirty indeed compared to the clean waters of the sea.
Kaminakia, Korfovounia, Aspalathras, and Xylokeratia beaches
Between Vromolimni and the small harbor of Agios Stefanos, we find these small diamonds respectively.
All are very tiny and isolated from each other, but can be reached too by small pathways.
Let’s take a journey back in time to the captivating village of Old Perithia, nestled on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator, with roots dating back to an astonishing 300 BCE.
Bataria and Pipitos are the most famous beaches at the Northeastern tip of Corfu island, with beautiful pebble beaches in small isolated coves scattered all around the area.
Is a name covering several small resorts beloved of visitors who generally visit by boat? This part of the coastline is studded with small bays which can be enjoyed in peace and quiet even in August. However the beaches here are stony, and swimming shoes are a good idea.
This is the real story of the Durrells in Corfu. An eccentric and a little crazy family lived in Corfu from 1936 to 1939 in Kontokali, Kalami, and Perama.
India in the first quarter of the 20th century (1858 – 1947) was ruled by the British Crown. It was known as British Raj, so there were many British military and government officials there.
Laurence Durrel was an army engineer born in India. He met Louisa Florence Dixie, and they got married and made four children. Laurence, Leslie, Margaret, known as Margo, and Gerald, known as Jerry.
Laurence Durrel, the father, died young at age 44 in 1928 due to cerebral hemorrhage. After the unexpected loss of their father, the family had to move to England and to Bournemouth. There the mother, Louise, tried to organize their lives with her small pension.
There, the four-year-old Gerald was sent to school for his basic education. This was difficult for the unpalatable character of the little one. He enjoyed the freedom and his engagement with animals and nature.
It was a very difficult time for young Jerry who could not adapt to the stifling environment of an English school. As he confessed several years later in his autobiography.
Arriving in Corfu
In 1935, the older brother Lawrence marries and along with his wife Nancy moved to Corfu. They lived in a house in Kontokali, north of the town, in Villa Anemogianni.
Louisa Durrell, after six difficult years, decides to overcome. Gathers her three children (Leslie, Margaret, and Gerald) and in 1935 they arrive in Corfu.
The Durrells houses on inter-war Corfu
Inter-War Corfu was a poor island. Without electricity but at a very cheap cost of living compared to the cost in England. The Durrells in Corfu could live a little more primitively but more freely. And in direct connection with nature and the animals that little Jerry loved.
Louisa Florence with Gerald, Margo, and Lawrence Durrell
In Corfu, there were and still living a lot of English people. Louisa met one of them, Mr. Biller, who has undertaken to help her find a suitable home for the family.
But Corfu in 1935 was a little more primitive than Mrs. Durrel expected. This is obvious from the following funny event.
Mr. Biller prepared a list of about 10 houses and started with Mrs. Durrell to check them to find the best one.
But in every house they visited, Mrs. Durrell nodded her head, she could not find anything to please her.
They arrived at the last, and once again Mrs. Durrell was not satisfied. Mr. Billler sits down on the stairs and wipes the sweat with his handkerchief, asking Mrs. Durrell.
-And finally, Mrs. Durrell, can you tell me what exactly are you looking for and why did not you like any of what we saw?
– None of them had a normal bath, she replied, that’s the problem.
– And what do you need the bathroom for?, replied the surprised Mr. Biller, when you have the sea at your feet!
This was Corfu at that time, only the rich families had a toilet. While in most houses there was none. The people for their natural needs used to run to the fields and the sea. The little rubbish was buried in the fields and the yards to become fertilizer.
After some more effort, they finally found a hut belonging to a fishing family in Kalami. A small bay in the northeastern part of the island, far from the town of Corfu.
The cottage was repaired to become home, a house known to date with the name: the white house. It is located near the southern part of the bay overlooking the whole of Kalami.
The house was turned by young Jerry into a zoo, where he had gathered all wildlife of Corfu. Turtles, waterfalls, seagulls, lizards, dogs, cats, donkeys, and whatever animal exists in Corfu. He also collected insects in boxes, a chaotic house where birds were flying from room to room.
During the three years, they lived on the island, the Durrells became friends with the locals. They left their mark in the memories of the older ones who met and are still alive today.
They loved the island and were loved by the locals. They wrote books about Corfu which was considered their paradise.
Much of what we know today about the Durrells in Corfu is based on the narratives of those old residents who are still alive. But mainly on the books written by the family members.
Gerald’s records of Corfu’s fauna are very important. He has recorded almost all the species of animals, birds, and insects on the island in his book “My Family and Other Animals”.
He explored the island and made his observations with the help of a friend of the family. The local doctor, naturalist, and philosopher Theodoros Stefanidis.
Stephanidis is the one who cultivated Jerry’s inborn talent and love for animals. And helped him later develop into a great naturalist and reformer of zoos.
The whole family was skillful writers. In their writings, we read all the incidents and personal experiences they had during their stay on the island. This became also a source of inspiration for the TV series.
The main inspiration source was Gerald’s autobiography book “The Trilogy of Corfu”. Consists of 3 books: “My Family and Other Animals”, “Birds, Animals and Relatives” and the last “The Garden of the Gods”. Another source was Margaret’s book: “What Happened to Margo?”
Lawrence Durrell
Also noteworthy is “Prospero’s Cell” written by the older brother Lawrence.
Gerald Durrell
This eccentric family loved Corfu and wrote about this island. Margarita later revealed that she always considered Corfu as her real home.
There are, of course, many unknown aspects of Darrel’s life on the island. For example, it is not widely known that the family stayed in other parts of the island too, and not only in Kontokali.
In fact, they stayed for a long period in a house in Perama near the Agia Kyriaki area. From there they had easy access to the Halikiopoulos lagoon which at that time was a rich wetland. Since the airport didn’t exist yet.
But the war is always overturning plans and changing everything.
The outbreak of World War II forced Louisa, Leslie, Gerald, and their young Corfiot maid Maria Kontos to leave Corfu. Mainly for safety reasons, and return to Bournemouth, England.
However, the big brother Lawrence remained in Corfu along with his wife Nancy until the occupation of Greece by the Axis forces. Then they managed to escape to Egypt.
Margo remained in Corfu and she stayed in the house of some friends. She met an RAF pilot who was stationed here, his name was Jack Breeze who later became her husband.
The Durrell’s later life
Louisa Florence Durrell, born Louisa Florence Dixie(1886-1964), the mother after the adventure in Corfu settles in Bournemouth until the end of her life in 1964. She lived with her daughter Margo.
Lawrence Durrell (1912-1990), The older brother was a smart man with a restless character. He became a diplomat and a great writer, his books had tremendous success. He traveled all over the world and stayed in many places, he also married 4 times. He died in Sommières, France in 1990.
Leslie Durrell (1918-1983), was the second oldest brother and the least-known member of the family. During his later life, he had a great interest in weapons, hunting, and sailing, as well as painting. He did several business efforts, one of which was to organize a farm in Kenya. But all attempts were unsuccessful. He had a son with his family’s Corfiot maid Maria Kontos who followed him to England.
Margaret Durrell (1920-2007), Known as Margo.
She met an RAF pilot in Corfu just before the arrival of Axis occupying forces. They both fled to South Africa and got married, they stay there until the end of the war. Then they moved to Bournemouth where they had two children and then divorced.
After the divorce, Margo spent the rest of her life in Bournemouth, where she rises alone with her two children, until her death in 2007. She was also a writer and in 1950 she wrote the book “What Happened to Margo?”. With memories from her experience in Corfu. The book was published 40 years later, in 1995.
Margaret or Margo was very dear, and kind, and she was very interested in fashion and design. A very independent and dynamic character.
Gerald Durrell (1925-1995), The younger brother became very successful. He was a popular naturalist, economist, TV presenter, and writer, and his work redefined the role and pattern of the modern zoo.
He also had a good sense of humor. When once someone asked him which animal he liked the most he said: “Do you mean except my wife?”
Finally, he founded the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey. Now directed by his last wife, Lee McGeorge Durrell.
The Durrells house today
Durrells during their time in Corfu used three houses. Today these houses are private, but the house they lived in Kalami is open to visitors as today it is an apartment. Underneath the house, there is a restaurant called the white house as well.
The Durrells is a very successful British comedy-drama TV series written by Simon Nye and based on The Trilogy of Corfu. An autobiographical book by Gerald Durrell.
The book includes Gerald’s memories of the 4 years the family lived on the island of Corfu shortly before World War II broke out.
Where is the Durrells series filmed?
The series was mainly filmed in Corfu and the studio scenes in London, at Ealing Studios and Twickenham Studios.
The Durrells series was also filmed in spots of Corfu’s old town, In the Palace of Saints Michael and George, at the entrance of the Museum of Asian Art.
Some scenes were filmed in Mon Repos palace, in the Kanoni area, next to the ruins of the ancient city of Corfu.
At the Danilia Village.
In the rich biodiversity of Lake Antinioti on the northern tip of Corfu.
In many other places around the island, some of them being the picturesque port of Agios Stefano’s northeast of the island and Dassia.
The house they used in the series is an old seaside villa in the Kommeno area and not the original property in Kalami where they lived in reality 90 years ago.
Today the house in Kalami is private property and is not open for public visits, but being a small hotel with a taverna operating on its ground floor, you can visit it in another way.
Played on ITV from 2016 to 2019, there were 4 series including 6 episodes each. Only the third series played in 2018 had 8 episodes.
The series was directed by 4 different directors.
Episodes 1, 2, and 3 of the first series – 1, 2, 3 of the second series, and 4, 5, and 6 of the fourth series were directed by Steve Barron
Episodes 4, 5, and 6 of the first series – 1, 2, 3, 4 of the third series, and 1, 2, and 3 of the fourth series were directed by Roger Goldby
Episodes 4, 5, and 6 of the second series were directed by Edward Hall
And episodes 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the third series were directed by Niall MacCormick
A couple of dozens of actors participated in the series, many as guests or in minor roles.
The main characters though were 8 and played by
Keeley Hawes in the role of Louisa Durrell, the family’s mother
Milo Parker in the role of Gerry Durrell, the naturalist
Josh O’Connor as Larry Durrell, the writer
Daisy Waterstone as Margo Durrell
Callum Woodhouse as Leslie Durrell, the least-known brother
Alexis Georgoulis as Spiros Halikiopoulos, the taxi driver
Anna Savva as Lugaretzia
Yorgos Karamihos as Theo Stefanidis, a Greek poet, author, doctor, and naturalist, the friend and mentor of Gerald Durrell
About the “Village” in Danilia where the Durrells TV series was filmed
The “Village” is next to Danilia village, close to Kontokali, and behind today’s Corfu hospital. It is not the revival of an existing village as some people believe.
It was a successful attempt by two businessmen. The Bouas brothers decided in 1980 to create from scratch something that will look like an old typical Corfiot village. To use it as a tourist attraction for their businesses in the 80s.
And, indeed, during the 80s all tour operators organized daily excursions to this medieval and Venetian-style village. With thousands of tourists visiting the place.
Among the other sight-seen, there was an open outside restaurant with live music. Many shops sell souvenirs to visitors. Some museums with objects of folk art and a large building housed the winter restaurant.
On the walls of this building, you could see the escutcheons of all the old noble families of Corfu. Of course, any common sense human could understand immediately that a village like this could never really exist in Corfu.
In this village also you can see that the main street is a replica of a part of Nikiforos Theotokis street in Corfu town. And some other copies of other characteristic shops or scenes were used to give a Venetian color and atmosphere.
So, it is a replica of an alleged village as it would be in 1930, the Village at Danilia never existed in the past, It’s just business!
Today this Village is owned by Grecotel Hotels & Resorts. A large hotelier group, and is used for weddings that happened among Grecotel Hotels & Resorts customers.
Also, it was used as the filming place for many scenes of the Durrells TV series. This series has been going on for three years and includes 6-8 episodes per year.
The TV series has been judged to be very successful in England and will continue for another year. The Next (and last) episodes are already filmed and will be shown on TV in 2019. The last scenes were filmed in Corfu! In the Village, in the white house in Kalami, in Villa Gerakari in Gerekos island, and other places on the island.
Corfu is definitely worth visiting. As one of Greece’s most beautiful islands, Corfu offers a unique blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural diversity.
This guide delves into what it’s like to live like a local in Corfu, offering insights into daily routines, cultural practices, and the island’s unique charm.
Corfu offers some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Greece, with crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and intriguing underwater landscapes.
Corfu is a wonder of an island. If you’ve never explored it, it’s high time you did. Its golden beaches along with its salty seas make Corfu one of the most explored islands in Greece.
Everybody knows the picturesque Mouse Island or Pontikonisi as the locals call it, at the entrance of the Gulf of Halikiopoulos, in front of the airport runway, along with the neighboring Vlacherna.
It is the most characteristic landscape of Corfu.
Mouse Island is the first thing that every new visitor sees when approaching Corfu airport, it sits literally in the geographical center of the island, very close to the town, between Kanoni peninsula, Perama, and Benitses
On the top of this tiny rocky islet, there is the 11th-century Byzantine Church of Pantokrator surrounded by dense vegetation, It takes some effort to climb the many steps needed to reach the monastery.
Due to the fact that Pantokrator church was actually a monastery with monks, visits to the monastery are restricted except only on the 6th of August, when the Church is celebrating.
But in reality, the church remains open to the public all year round. The rest of the island can be visited at any time via some small boats that sail regularly from the beach below Kanoni and the Vlacherna island.
Today, there are no monks living there, but the gentle staff of a small cafe bar that is on the island. These can be considered as the only residents of Pontikonisi.
This tiny island is a peaceful place, full of greenery, and an ideal spot to relax for a couple of hours. The ticket for the boat to take you there costs no more than 2€
Name’s origin
The name probably came from the size and especially the shape of the island as it looks from above, although in our opinion the island even with a large dose of imagination does not look at all like a mouse.
Another theory says that in the 11th century in the monastery there were many monks from the Pontos area, so in the beginning, the name was Pontonisi which transformed into Pontikonisi, which sounds more convincing about the origin of the name.
The island also resembles a boat, so the following mythological approach suits nicely.
Homer tells in the Odyssey, that Phaecians (The ancient Corfiots) helped Odysseus (Ulysses) to return home to Ithaca transferring him there with one of their boats, the gods became displeased by this and transformed the returning ship into stone when it entered the port and before the sailors could disembark.
This petrified boat according to Greek mythology is the Mouse Island.
However mythology is not reality, Pontikonisi along with next to it Vlacherna which is a flat tiny islet connected with the land via a small bridge, is extremely picturesque and together with the surroundings is the most known scene that since many decades identifies Corfu worldwide.
Vlacherna islet
It is a small islet opposite Pontikonisi and it is connected with Kanoni via a 300-meter small walk path.
On Vlacherna islet there is a Church with a nice high bell tower, devoted to the Virgin Mary, constructed in the 17th century as a replica and named after Panagia Vlacherna in Constantinople.
The Church has an impressive woodcut temple and beautiful frescoes inside.
Vlacherna islet is small, only about half the size of Mouse Island but it looks about the same because most photos are taken from Kanoni which is closer.
Nestled at the vibrant crossroads of Eugeniou Voulgareos and M. Theotoki streets, Corfu Town Hall stands as an architectural masterpiece with an intriguing history.
The Esplanade or Spianada is the central square of Corfu and a meeting place for residents and visitors, it is the largest square in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe
Another example of the high capacity of Venetians in fortification, and an architectural marvel of art built by the Venetians and with the physical labor of the inhabitants from 1576 until 1645
This was originally a natural promontory offering in its rocks protection for the residents of the 5th century AD when the ancient city of Corfu was moved here after the destruction of the ancient city by the Visigoths.
Due to rich historical and cultural heritage, the museums in Corfu are many and offer a wide variety of exhibits from Neolithic times to the present, there are also cultural museums dedicated to the rich intellectual life of the Ionian Islands, a bright example is Corfu Reading Society.
The historical route of Corfu has influenced the way of life and the culture of the island’s inhabitants.
The language could not, therefore, be an exception. The linguistic idiom that was influenced and shaped during Venetian domination is what we now call the Corfiot dialect.
Corfiot dialect
Corfiot Dialect
Until about 1500 CE, the population of the island was mixed. We had the Greek descendants of the ancient Corinthians who constituted about 60% of the population. On the other side, the Venetian nobles lived mainly in the city of Corfu.
Because of these conditions on the island, a mixed language called ‘Veneto’ was spoken. It was a mix of Greek and Italian as the Venetians spoke. Slightly different than the Italians of southern Italy.
Later and shortly after 1500 CE, a large wave of immigration began with Greek refugees from the Peloponnese, Crete, and Cyprus, who still spoke a language close to ancient Greek.
Immigration took place at the time when these areas fell into the hands of the Ottomans and Corfu was still under Venetian domination.
This resulted in a dramatic change in the constitution of the population in favor of the Greek element. This caused the reduction of the Latin population that was limited to certain parts of the city.
Also because of this event, the Orthodox Christian faith was permanently overwhelmed.
That put an end to the efforts to convert to Catholicism been attempted from time to time by many conquerors, especially by the Andegavs when they had the island under their sovereignty, around 1300 CE
The Catholics of course existed and still exist in significant numbers in Corfu. They constitute the second doctrine of the population.
But the Corfiot linguistic idiom evolved following the Greek grammar and syntactic while incorporating too many Italian words. Since of course the Greeks first added Greek endings to these words!
This process gave rise to the Corfiot dialect, a variant of the Greek language incorporating Italian-Greek words while adhering to Greek grammar and syntax.
It is essential to emphasize that this dialect shows absolutely zero influence from English or French whatsoever.
Let’s not forget also the special accent of the Corfiot dialect. A much more singing-like, that is the result of its comradeship with the Italians.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the use of Italian words was so extensive. The locals could talk with each other without being understood by the rest of the Greeks.
But this has changed over the years.
Now the Italian words used at that time, after the death of the older, are almost forgotten. They are not used anymore but constitute a museum part of the linguistic evolution on the island.
Before being forgotten, however, many managed to pass through the rest of Greece and integrate into our language. This is obvious by studying these words and their origin.
This is a phenomenon that happens in all living languages of the world. As the English language has 30% of the words having Greek roots, also in the Greek language, we have words of Italian, Slavic, and Turkish origin.
Of course, the Corfiot linguistic idiom is part of our historical culture and a sign of the Corfiot identity.
Efforts should be made not to be forgotten by recording and keeping these words in books that we would call museums of language or using them in various events that happen on the island.
And this is what happens in the well-known Petegoletsa. They are theatrical performances of the road and are played during Halloween. The Petegoletsa contains dialogs full of these words.
These performances help maintain the tradition. The inhabitants of Corfu, of course, do not use these words anymore. Although they know them very well.
Most of these words now sound very funny and make people laugh, we invoke them when we want to laugh at something.
So, if you ever find yourself in Corfu and get to watch either the Petegoletsa or some other theatrical show do not even think that this is the language spoken in Corfu today!.
Below we will try to present a large list of these words and expressions along with their meaning.
We want to record the words used by our ancestors for historical reasons. Also due to our respect for tradition.
We can not deny that we have fun while listening to them, they are really beautiful and original words, remnants of a medieval Greek-Italian lingual salad.
The list includes just a few characteristic Corfiot words with Italian origin and roots from about 5.000 words of this kind in total, but for an English-speaking person, it makes no sense to add them here…
However, if you wish to get an idea keep reading.
In the first column are the words, and next to them is, let’s say, the translation in English. Believe us, it’s not easy to translate correctly those words as the meanings refer to a different era.
Corfu dialect dictionary
Words starting with Alpha
Akleros = very poor man
Akola = very deep, bottomless
Antzoula = type of metal clothing button
Asta = get up
Aste ntoue = imposed on me
Averta panga = continuation
Averto = open space
Avatserno = I have to receive
Abentoros = haggler
Avizaro = warn
Avogadoros = prosecutor
Avogatos = Lawyer
Agantsaro = grab
Agarlizo = I’m stirring
Aggelokrouome = I’m scare
Agerina = fine sand
Agiouto = help
Aggonari = corner in a wall
Akistaro = I make something mine
Akleriazo = I destroy
Akouzaro = I Blame
Aleggros = cheerful, happy
Alabratsante = embrace
Alaskaventza = With the jacket draped over the shoulder
Alafostia = The scarlet fever (disease)
Alegatsiones = explanations
Alimangou = at last
Alipopordies = kind of mushroom
Alipotsakalis = crossbreeding of a fox with a jackal
Alitzerinos = Algerian pirate
Alterados = not feeling well
Alipotanao = to discipline
Aloises = bad women
Amantzalos = poorly dressed
Amente = attention
Amaskaloviza = woman with big boobs
Amidonika = yes
Amiti = oh how
Amolados = unleashed (usually a lunatic or a bad dog)
Amolerno = I unlease the dog
Amorozos or Morozos = lover, chick
Ampantonados = bum
Ampitichi = if it happens
Ampla outarita = absolute authority
Amponora = early
Amonte = let’s go
Anantelos = wayward
Anantaflos = careless or the man prone to accidental damages
Anagkemenos = ill
Anapapsolia, Here, a special explanation is needed; these are hanging bracelets from the ceiling or bed canopy, on which women placed their feet to avoid fatigue during sexual activity. They were also given as part of the dowry to the bride until the 19th century. Well, What did you think?
Anaraida = Nereid
Anaritsia = creepiness
Anafoufou = uncertain
Anemokapsou = disappear
Anesistagos = Anxious or the naughty child
Apasvesta = the lime plaster
Apidi = Pear
Apithono = I put down something
Apelante = the appeal to a court
Apertoura = opportunity
Apiompo = ready
Apodelipa = the rest of
Apothosou = sit down
Apokontriasmenos = besotted
Apoliora = short time ago
Aposimpelo = almost
Arekia = roughly placed
Aresto = the jail
Aravantoula = the hare
Arivaro = I come I arrive
Asistagos = messy
Atzardo = daring
Afidevome = I dare to trust
Afoufou = Distraction
Acharoloisti = mindless, ungainly
Apelo = I throw something away
Apsono or Apsiono = tuft
Words starting with Beta (pronounce as ‘V’ in Greek)
Ventoulo = something with which we push some fresh air to our face
Verde = green
Vavilato = the color of the goldfly
Vagapontis = swindler
Valerozos = deserving
Veramente = at last
Vatema = making sex, it refers to domestic animals
Vaccina = Vaccine
Vatsounia = bramble
Venterouga = the back side of the ribs
Veramente = true
Vesta = robe
Viatzo = trip
Viziganti = poultice
Virtsinos = in debt
Vourdoulio = disgrace or shame
Vourlismenos = crazy
Vordonas = big pimple
Despeto or Ntespeto = stubbornness
Despoutatos or Ntespoutatos = ruler
Destemeli = zone
Destinaro or Ntestinaro = direct
Diagkilos = Devil
Diana = white
Diargyros = mercury
Diaskatze = who cares
Diaskatzos = Devil
Diasonas = large infected pimple
Dotoros or Ntotoros = Doctor
Words starting with Epsilon
Empo = storm
Entesa = I messed up somewhere
Eto = this is it
Edourise = it bear the hardships
Etharapaika = I enjoyed
Eloou mou = me my self
Empetsaro = heckle
Ermokounarito = tramp
Eriastika = I got very cold
Eroumposa = I filled my mouth greedily
Esporso = paying
Efetibamente = really
Ebale posta = he targeted me
Words starting with Zeta
Zampa = kind of frog
Zegkounas = kind of wild vegetables
Ziazo = weigh
Zifo = squiz
Thanatitas = too much freeze
Tharapaika = I enjoyed
Thermoutsa = hot coals
Words starting with Yiota
Imantiniero = I Keep something fresh
Imitaro = mimic
Impanto or mpanto = he left me alone
Impeniaro = I guarantee
Impetsiles = fool
Impetsilita = fooliness
Impostoros = crook
Impoutaro = I’m defiling someone
Inamorados = fall in love
Inbentario = census
Inbestiro = invest
Inkanto = auction
Inkouizitos = accused
Inkomoda = annoyances
Inkontro = business meeting
Inmpanto = abandoned
Inpenio = obligation
Inpoumpliko = in public
Insoma = at last
Intemela or Ntemela = pillow case
Interesados = lobbyist
Interios = entire
Intimados = satisfied
Intimatzion = notification
Intonados = properly accented musically
Ipotekado = mortgaged
Isbetzes = in its place
Isestero = insist
Isponero = I am interested
Words starting with Kapa
Kaetai(mou) = seems to me
Kazo = fact
Kazo mplanko = grand fact
Kazo pensato = premeditated action
Kazo atsintente = accident
Kaltsa mpraga = men’s socks of nobility
Kamara nta ritsebere = hall vestibule
Kamara nti tsibile = Mansion living room
Kantaros = earthenware, basin
Kanto = song
Kapo nte fiori = cauliflower
Kapos = cheef
Karlakas = frog
Kastike (mou) = I thought
Kentroma = grafting onto trees
Kikara = cup
Kabalos = jacks and decks because these cards have knights (kavalarrides = horsemen)
Kabaloutsi = carrying someone on the back
Kabatzaro = i go pass someone
Kadinatso = iron dragster
Kakontramados = bad dressed man
Kalopezoulos = honest
Kalohairetis = polite
Kamalimagkou = at last
Kamiziola = short women’s traditional jacket
Kampoula = smoke or fog
Kanaleto = gutter, gutter for rainwater
Kantsoneta = popular song
Kantouni = narrow street
Kantsilieris = secretary
Kaouriko = very hot pepper
Kapitolo prompatori = strong evidence
Kapatsaro = tame
Kapolaboro = artifice
Kapouralos = the boss
Karataro = count
Karatelo = large barel
Kapotsino = small carriage
Kartelo = small barel
Kartezi = 1/8 of a galon
Kartoutso = 1/4 of a liter
Kasadoura = the door frame
Kasaforte = safe deposit box
Kastelanos = castle owner
Katsibelo = inferior, insignificant
Kenono = serving
Ki ‘anteso = and now what?
Klaniola = fart tool
Klitsinari = long branch
Koitasi = fall in sleep
Kogionaro = make fun of
Kokariki = the pit of the olive
Kolarina = tie
Koletantes = dressed with tie
Koliantza = diarrhea
Koloentses = affections
Kolompimpiri = sup with just pasta
Kolorados = colored
Kolpiro or Korpiro = get very tired
Komintoro i pomintoro = tomato
Kompebelos = reactionary
Konsaro = foist
Kontrampado = smuggling
Kontraposta = controversial position
Konfermados = confirmed
Kourtelatsa = stone quay
Kouarelaro = stair with the eyes
Kougiampalo = old fart
Koukounaki = sitting on the knees
Kouraro = I care
Kornoutos = cuckold
Koutelitis = bad wine that makes your head bad
Koutseli = small dog
Koutsoheristika or koutsoheriastika = my hands got tired
Kouhtio = old crippled man
Kratimara = paralysis of the hands
Kroubentziana = Hide and seek, children’s game
Kryogatsoulo = someone who feels very cold
Konkses = stubbornness
Kotolo = traditional dress for old women
Mores kai katsides = curse
Ntale kouale = the same
Ohia kai monomerida = answer to an unpleasant refusal
Tarantela Kariera = posting boat
Fora Kolompa = he took it all in stride
Words starting with Lamda
Lampena = kind of fish of the deep
Lahtisa = i felt pain
Likasma = infection, mainly in the mouth
Linto = diluted, weak
Litsino = made from wood of olive tree
Labadouros = sink
Labamas = sink
Labomanos = sink
Laboro = work
Laggeyei = his eye is flying
Lamasa = pdefiant or large unruly woman
Lapante = clean
Laourentis = master’s assistant, mainly in construction
Lapresta = quicly
Larono = Calming down
Lementados = complaining
Letrina = toilet
Lefti psomi = loaf
Leyterida = bat
Ligathinos = weak, getting ill easy
Ligkio = hiccup
Likazo = I get just a little taste, I don’t have time to eat it..
Likasionas = slug
Limpa = the balls
Lionteritsino = castor oil
Liosta = olive mill waste
Lougretsio = very old woman
Louta = I got completely wet
Words starting with Mi
Mamalos = limp
Mantoles = almonds with sugar
Mantzaro = I eat
Moustakas = cricket
Miligkas = meninges
Mazeni = tool for grinding coffee
Makarontsini = short and small macaroni
Malathraki = disease of skin and spirit, has a lump on the head (malakia)
Mantekouto = stroke
Margomenos = numb
Markantiko = grosery shop
Mastelo = vessels for washing clothes
Matsola = wooden hammer
Meliggitis = miniggitis
Mi siftakeis = to fail to reach
Miatzimias = at once
Minaro = masturbate
Mintzibiris = skimpy
Morofinto = middle wall
Morseto = wooden vise
Morozos = lover
Moskiera = hanging cage mainly for bread
Mosteritsa i bosteritsa = small lizard
Mouzeto = mask
Mourdoulis = prone to get dirty
Mouzariola = dog muzzle
Mpatelo = small wooden boat
Mparos = rock with vegetation in the sea
Mpiga = crane
Mpagordantes = he knows to eat well
Mpaligaro = I catch someone, I bring him into my ideas
Mpaltsamados = embalmed
Mpaniomaria = way of cooking eggs
Mparoufantes = trouble maker
Mparoufa = trouble
Mpastakounados = standing
Mpartsoleta = funny speak
Mpataro = upset
Mpatelo = wooden boat
Mpatselados = crazy
Mpertouela = hinge
Mpikerini = small glass
Mpirmpitsiola = children’s team game
Mpitsikleta = motorcycle
Mpokoleta = earring
Mponagratsia = curtain rod
Mposketo = garden
Mpotsoni = glass jug
Mpoukaleto = jug
Mpoukalina = bottle
Mpoukoubala = bread in olive oil
Mpouleti = lottery ticket
Mpoumpoulas = big black insect
Mpoursa = hidden pocket for money
Mpriskoula = a game with cards
Mprokado = extra pay for good work
Mpontzos or Mpotzos = small balcony
Momolos = monkey
Mosteras = large lizard
Pounta malinia = pneymonia
Words starting with Ni
Nespola = loquat
Nekriasmeno = sleeping like dead
Nerokonida = chilblain
Neromploutsi = foof without taste
Netaro = I finish with something
Neyrida = neuralgia
Nibelo = alfadi
Niokatsente = everything ok
Niorantes = exhibitionist
Nodaros = notary
Noumpoulo = A Corfu cured meat
Nteno = I stack
Ntabas = clay mug
Ntemela = pillow case
Ntzia or Tzia = Ant
Ntrimono = I hide secretly
Ntrita linia = straight line
Ntoltse = kind of oranges
Ntontolos = one who has one ball only
Noberos = he who is silly
Nona = grand mother
Nontsolos = neocorus
Ntefetados = one who has health problems
Words starting with Ksi
Ksiskepos = naked in bed
Ksekenti = at the end
Ksempourizo = kick out
Ksepyrise = the nose bleeds
Ksinitas = sour wine
Ksompliazo = gossip, I say bad words
Words starting with Omicron
Obola = money
Ontsolos = candlelighter
Orse = Corfu muja, orse, (there is not a specific translation)
Okoupados = busy
Ompia = obsession
Ompligados = obliged
Onore = honnor
Opstante = welcome
Oritsikas = the base of tail
Ordino = decree
Words starting with Pi
Parla = chatter
Peka = caprice
Pelisa = I throw something useless
Petsiko = tanned
Pila = large barel for olive oil
Pinta = pewter cup with handle
Pirola = fola, poison in the food for small animals used decades ago.
Pagkouli = small stool
Palaiouthe = since the old times
Pangkoui = paying hand by hand
Paniolo = the deck floor in a small ship
Papalina = small sardine
Parabento = protection from strong wind
Paramonas = hunter ambush point
Partsinebelos = the boss
Parontzolo = sucker
Pasapronto = spaghetti strainer
Patatona = the sweet potato
Paylosyka = the prickly pears
Pekados = capricious
Pensatos = thoughtful
Piperoni = pepper
Pergoulia = grapevine
Perouaro = I am resting
Pertsipitados = stubborn
Peskada = fishing
Petegolo = gossip
Pitiki = bitter
Pitsikoli = small child
Piatsa = square
Piatsebelos i piazebelos = plentyful
Piniata = copper cauldron
Pitsikamortis = grave Digger
Pitsouni = pigeon
Pitoros = painter
Podologos = cloth that women put on their heads to carry things
Pomintoro = tomato
Pontelo = support
Pontigio or pontilio = stubbornness
Pontidos = spiky
Portoni = garden’s gate
Postitsio = tentatively placed
Poutsarona = too much dirt
Poumpliko inkato = auction
Prebantorio = orphanage
Prebedouros = foresight (commissioner during Venetian rule)
Pretsipitada = lively or sprightly
Probato = I walk
Pryobolos = old kind of lighter with a wick
Poberos = poor
Pontes = small wooden pier
Words starting with Ro
Resto = the rest
Ramolimento = old man with softening of the brain
Raporto = report
Reberentzes = hgreetings
Regalo = tip
Rekousiniaro = compromise
Remegkou = fluttering
Rementzo = oars
Rementio = therapy
Rempartaro = upset
Sita = sieve
Sagiadoros = door handle
Salado = salami
Salamistrado = salty
Saltsada = cobbled street
Sampieros = John Dory
Sartsada = garden
Sgorna = watercourse
Sestados = neat
Siora = lady
Sior = sir
Skanio = chair
Skarda = clove
Skabentzo = remnant
Skalinada = stone road staircase
Skarmoutso = roll of coins
Skartsouni = sock
Skatzia = shelf
Skafoni = wooden press for grapes
Skepeto = gun for hunding
Skertsados = mad
Skiaomai = I scare
Skletza = wood spike
Sklempou = peskandritsa, a small fish
Skotitas = scotodin, poultry disease
Skoutzikas = large lizard
Sonaro i Souonaro = play music and sing
Sospeto = suspection
Soulatso = walk
Soukeras = big fig
Soumpito = soon
Speoulo = embankment
Spabento = surprise, agitation
Spalabieri = special trowel
Spatsaro = I sell out and leave
Sperna = evening hut, but made only in a special day in October.
Spetseriko = special spice mix for Patsitsada
Spetsieris = pharmacist
Stia = the fireplace
Stoua = suffocating atmosphere
Straisto = a kind of bag
Stretos = narrow
Stringka = thin board
Strampalados = peculiar person
Stronizo = I change side in sleeping
Sfalaggi = small kind of spider
Words starting with Taf
Tarama = too much cold
Tamparo = heavy jacket
Tankoui = pouch
Tablatso = square board
Taylokounia = moves a lot, here and there, not steady
Taylomastela = washing board in mastelo
Teleri = glass frame
Terefos = defective
Tetartia = he broke in pieces
Tetartiastika = I broke in pieces
Tzitziras = cicada
Tzaleti = cornmeal fritters
Tzardini = small garden
Tzogatoulo = something that gets broken easy
Tzitzifionkos = conceited
Tzournada = women’s daily wage
Tzoukariera i tsoukariera = sugar bowl
Tzousto = exactly
Tzobeno = an old man pretending the young
Tzogia = Joy
Tortsonia = big candles
Toulouposou = wrap up
Tritsa = psathin chapel
Trabentzo = transfusion
Trampouko = corruption
Trataro = I buy drinks
Tratamento = drinks for everyone
Triko = sweater
Tritseli = tripod
Trohalos = wall with plain stones
Tsantos = Aleksandros
Tseroula = kind of small fish that ressembles sardine
Tseta = gang
Tsima pila = on the edge
Tsito = chasing a cat away
Tsapela = dried figs strung on a rope
Tsantsamini = Jasmine
Tserbelo = mind
Tsigkri = teasing person
Tsiritzantzoules = tricks with words
Tsitsimpyra = Gingerbeer
Tsoutsa = chutcha
Tsokolo = skirting board
Totso = too litle
Words starting with Ypsilon
Ipounto = exactly
Words starting with Phi
Faousa = gangrene
Faborebole = favorable
Falimento = bankruptcy
Famozos = famous
Fanestra = window
Filania = central beam in roofs
Filistoka = large document
Fiorados = adorned with flowers
On the last Thursday of the carnival, Corfu has revived a very old tradition, an integral part of the Corfu carnival, which dates from the years of Venetian rule. It is called the Petegoletsa.
The Ancient celebrations in early spring that took place in honor of Dionysus, god of wine and fun, hoping for a good harvest and successful husbandry, are the forerunners of today’s carnival in Greece.
Beyond its natural beauty, what is Corfu famous for? as a melting pot of various civilizations, is famous for its architecture, traditions, and cuisine.
Corfu, the musical heart of Greece, where the very air seems to harmonize with the soulful sounds of music when musical charm doesn’t stop at instruments and performances only.
Bianco (Italian Bianco = white) is a delicious fish dish that resembles a fish soup but has nothing to do with it.
One of the most famous dishes of Corfiot cuisine made with fish of almost any species even with codfish, here we offer you the traditional recipe for 4 people.
Bianco fish
A very simple and easy-to-use recipe that does not require over 40-45 minutes to make. This is the same recipe made by Nikos Belos in its restaurant Klimataria in Benitses Corfu.
Ingredients
4 or whatever you want medium-sized fish, suppose in the recipe we use fresh cod.
4 cloves Garlic, whole.
100 grams or nearly half a glass of fresh lemon juice
3 potatoes sliced
Black Pepper
100 grams of virgin olive oil
How to make it
Put the oil in the pan together with 2 glasses of water, garlic, and half a teaspoon of sweet pepper.
Almost put together the fish and potatoes so that they are evenly covered by the water if we do not fill in a little. Add some salt if the fish were not salted.
They boil it all on a regular fire until they shed some water without water.
Try the flavor, add some salt and add the lemon juice.
Leave it only half a minute and take it out of the fire immediately.
Cover it and in 2 minutes it’s ready to serve.
As you can see, it’s a simple and fast dish that is very tasty.
Anchovies and generally that sort of fish are suitable for Bianco, but sardines do not because they are very fat.
One of the things that draw me back to Greece time and again, aside from the sunshine, culture, and friendly people, is the food. The Greeks know how to eat.
One of the things that draw me back to Greece time and again, aside from the sunshine, culture, and friendly people, is the food. The Greeks know how to eat.
Bourdeto is another Corfiot fish dish that also comes from Venice.
It is made with fish from the deep, mainly scorpions with two or three perches together for better taste, but also with rhubarb or octopus.
Bourdeto
We are lovers of Bourdeto with skate-fish or octopus but here we will present you the authentic recipe made with scorpions which is delicious.
The recipe is for 4 people and it’s the one made by Nikos Belos in its Klimataria restaurant in Benitses Corfu. This is how our ancestors used to make it in Benitses.
Simplicity, freshness, and tradition are the secret of Nikos.
Ingredients
10 to 12 scorpions cleaned of scales and offal only, leave them with their heads.
2-3 small perches for a stronger taste, both cleaned and with their heads.
1 big Onion chopped into small pieces with a knife
A large soup spoon of sweet red pepper
A pinch of hot red pepper
100 gr of Olive oil
100 grams of fresh lemon juice, from fresh-cut lemons!
In some villages in Corfu, they also use tomato sauce in Bourdeto, but in the old traditional fishing village of Benitses the original recipe is made without any tomato and the red color is due to red pepper only.
If you like tomato sauce, use it, but this is not going to be Bourdeto.
How to do it
Put the finely chopped onion in the saucepan with some oil and let it boil.
Add the large spoonful of red sweet pepper, a pungent hot red pepper, and the rest of the olive oil.
Continue cooking it.
Put a large glass of water
When it boils and is near to stick, we add the fish and two more glasses of water until the fish is completely covered.
Allow boiling on a normal fire until it is almost dry from the water.
Put the lemon juice inside.
Wait for another minute and remove it from the fire cause it’s ready.
Note: Scorpion fishes have small bones like nails, therefore are dangerous and you need to be very careful as you eat them.
As you noticed, the real traditional recipe is made with the fish intact with all their bones because it is more tasteful.
In case you are worried about the dangerous bones you can clean the fish from their bones prior to cook, but the sauce won’t be such delicious, it all depends on you.
Also, using another kind of fish can solve the small bone problem, a highly recommended fish is dogfish or chestnut.
This same recipe applies to codfish and octopus, in these cases, you can add potatoes too.
One of the things that draw me back to Greece time and again, aside from the sunshine, culture, and friendly people, is the food. The Greeks know how to eat.
Here is the authentic original recipe of Pastitsada, complete with the ingredients and instructions for preparing the most characteristic dish of Corfu’s cuisine.
This recipe serves approximately 4-5 people, and to stay true to tradition, we use rooster meat. Of course, you have the option to substitute with beef or chicken in the same recipe.
Pastitsada
Ingredients
3 large onions (Pastitsada requires a generous amount of onions)
Approximately 1.5 kilograms of rooster or meat (beef or chicken)
200-250 grams of thick tomato paste
100 grams of extra virgin olive oil
50 grams of red wine
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 kilogram of thick macaroni, penne, or spaghetti (depending on your preference)
Grated cheese, kefalotyri
1 spoonful of Spetseriko (a mix of spices)
Salt and pepper to taste
Water
Spetseriko is the special mix of spices used to create the distinctive flavor of Pastitsada. Typically, a small tablespoon per four portions is sufficient, or adjust to taste for a spicier preference.
The composition of Spetseriko
10 grams of grated clove
50 grams of cinnamon
50 grams of nutmeg
70 grams of sweet paprika
50 grams of cumin
20 grams of hot pepper or red peppers, dried and grated (Bukovo).
Adjust the amount of Bukovo based on your desired level of spiciness.
100 grams of sweet pepper from grated sweet red peppers (sweet Bukovo)
20 grams of grated spice
30 medium bay leaves, crushed into a fine powder
25 grams of black pepper
The above quantities are intended for multiple uses, up to 10 or more servings. Store the mix in a closed glass jar to preserve its freshness and use it for your next Pastitsado.
Time for cooking
Cut the rooster into 4 or 5 large pieces.
Chop the onions into very small pieces, or better yet, dissolve them in a blender.
In a large saucepan, heat 100 grams of olive oil until hot. Immediately add the rooster pieces and move them around until they develop some color.
Add the chopped onions to the saucepan and sauté. Be cautious not to remove the rooster from the saucepan at this point, as some recipes may suggest.
Once the onions have gained a bit of color, pour in the wine and continue cooking until it evaporates.
As it dries a bit, add 250 grams of tomato paste and hot water (enough to cover the top of the rooster).
Once the mixture begins to boil, add one teaspoon or a bit more of the Spetseriko mix, along with salt and a tablespoon of sugar. Stir well.
Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat. Stir occasionally with a large wooden spoon to prevent sticking.
When the sauce thickens, the dish is ready. Set the saucepan aside and prepare the spaghetti.
All the above processes should be done slowly and should take almost two hours! The food is served with pasta, such as thick macaroni, penne, or spaghetti.
Spaghetti or thick macaroni is prepared at the end, just before serving, using the usual process. After straining, you may choose to sauté the pasta in another utensil with a little oil.
Serve the rooster, the sauce, and the spaghetti together. Don’t forget to sprinkle some grated cheese on top.
The same process is followed when using beef or chicken instead of a rooster.
One of the things that draw me back to Greece time and again, aside from the sunshine, culture, and friendly people, is the food. The Greeks know how to eat.
See below the custom of the First Resurrection which takes place every Great Saturday at around 11 o’clock in the morning, every house or anyone in Corfu can smash some pots at the right time.
Easter in Corfu at Liston
This year Corfu celebrates the biggest celebration of the Orthodox faith on Sunday 28th of April.
It is the well-known Easter of Corfu which this year is expected to fill the island with a huge number of visitors and to keep alive for two weeks the festive atmosphere that is getting better year after year.
Thus, celebrations with all the customs that attract enormous interest will begin on Palm Sunday, April 21st, to culminate on Friday with the epitaphs, the Great Saturday with Resurrection at midnight in the largest square in Europe Esplanade, and on Easter Sunday with the big feast, continuing until Sunday of Thomas at 5th of May, when the weather will be like summer already.
The first week of May also may be appropriate for visits to the many beautiful beaches of Corfu.
For the most important events and customs of Corfu Easter see here and here for many photos from the celebrations of previous years.
Spring Corfu once again awaits this year’s loyal friends of Greece’s top Easter celebrations.
On the last Thursday of the carnival, Corfu has revived a very old tradition, an integral part of the Corfu carnival, which dates from the years of Venetian rule. It is called the Petegoletsa.
The Ancient celebrations in early spring that took place in honor of Dionysus, god of wine and fun, hoping for a good harvest and successful husbandry, are the forerunners of today’s carnival in Greece.
Beyond its natural beauty, what is Corfu famous for? as a melting pot of various civilizations, is famous for its architecture, traditions, and cuisine.
Corfu, the musical heart of Greece, where the very air seems to harmonize with the soulful sounds of music when musical charm doesn’t stop at instruments and performances only.
What does the word holidays mean? [Public Holidays]
The word Holidays is translated as “Διακοπές” [Diakopes] in Greek but has a completely different meaning than in the English speaking countries, where the word holidays means public holidays.
In Greece, holidays(Diakopes) mean almost exclusively (with few exceptions of course) the days that people spend on a tourist resort during their Summer Holidays.
It has exactly the meaning of the English word “Vacations”
For the days when public services or shops are closed for religious or other reasons, and in general, nothing works, we use the word “Argies” [Αργίες] which can be translated as “public holidays” in English.
So when someone wants to write an article about holidays in Corfu and is addressed to an English-speaking audience, it’s a little hard to figure out what exactly to include in this article.
Porto Timoni
Trapped mostly by the Greek meaning of the word we write only for the holiday days that someone will spend mostly in the summer on a sunny island.
So we refer to hotels, and sights and describe activities that tourists may have when staying in Corfu.
We ignore even for informative reasons the official public holidays for each place and in our case the “Argies” and semi-holidays that exist in Corfu and the Greek territory.
So on this page, we will mention the official or informal days of public holidays(argies, days off), the days when few people are working, and there are quite many in Greece and especially in Corfu.
If one of these argies happens to be on a Friday, it can be combined with the public semi-holiday of Saturday and Sunday and converted into a short 3-day vacation in a preferably nearby resort.
Public Holiday Days in Corfu and Greece
Holidays for the public sector.
January 1st, the first day of the Year
Epiphany on January 6
Monday, a movable festival 40 days before Easter, at the Monday, marking the end of the Carnival and the beginning of Lent for the Orthodox church, usually near the end of February or the beginning of March.
March 25th, is Greece’s independence day, the largest national celebration, and the anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, which means the beginning of the modern Greek state.
Holy Friday, 2 days before Easter.
Great Saturday, a day before the Easter holiday
Easter
Easter’s Second Day
May 1st, The Labor Day
21st of May, the anniversary of the Union of the Ionian Islands with Greece, a Public Holiday only in Corfu and the Ionian islands
The holiday of the Holy Spirit is 48 days or 7 weeks after Easter.
August 15th, the Virgin Mary’s assumption
October 28th, national celebration, the anniversary of NO, the start of Greece’s resistance against the Axis forces in 1940.
We are the only country in the world that celebrates the beginning of the war and not its end!
And there is a good reason for this, Greece resisted vigorously to the Axis forces for eight whole months before it was captured when other major countries fell within days.
December 12th, Saint Spyridon day, patron Saint of Corfu (Public holiday only in Corfu)
Christmas Day on December 25th
The Second Day of Christmas
All Sundays and Saturdays of the year
Semiholidays
The days when public services are running only for a few hours
December 24th, Christmas Eve
December 31st, New year’s eve.
All Saturdays
The aforementioned holidays are compulsory for the public sector and not necessarily for all, the mandatory holidays for all are 6, the following below.
Compulsory Holidays
March 25th, the day of the Greek independence, the Revolution of 1821
Easter day
The second day of Easter
August 15th, the Virgin Mary’s assumption
December 25th, Christmas
December 26th, Christmas’s Second Day
There are also holidays due to a custom
New Year’s Day, January 1st
Epiphany on the 6th of the same month
The Monday 40 days before Easter
Holy Friday
The Labor Day on May 1st, if it falls on Easter’s Sunday, is transferred to the 3rd of May on Tuesday.
October 28th, the National celebration, the anniversary of NO to Axis demands surrender
Holidays for the Education sector
November 17th is the anniversary of the Polytechnic student’s uprising in 1973 against the Junta.
Holiday for Universities only, there is also a small event in schools in memory of the uprising.
January 30th, the three Hierarchs Day, is a holiday only for elementary schools.
The national celebrations of 28th October and 25th of March.
Monday 40 days before Easter
Labor Day on the 1st of May
The Holy Spirit holiday is 48 days or 7 weeks after Easter.
All weekends
During the Christmas and Easter periods, we have two long holiday periods in education, for 2 weeks at Christmas (from 23 December to 7 January) and a week before Easter plus a week after it up to the Sunday of Thomas.
Schools also stop in the summer for about 3 months (from June to early September)
Conclusion
There are plenty of Public Holidays in Greece, most of them due to religious feasts and some national anniversaries.
The public sector, what we call Civil Servants in Greece seems quite favored with several holidays.
Also in education, there are several weeks a year when schools remain closed, but this does not mean that education is poor, but the opposite.
On the contrary, the private sector appears to be the one with the least hours of free time.
Corfu is definitely worth visiting. As one of Greece’s most beautiful islands, Corfu offers a unique blend of rich history, stunning landscapes, and cultural diversity.
This guide delves into what it’s like to live like a local in Corfu, offering insights into daily routines, cultural practices, and the island’s unique charm.
Corfu offers some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Greece, with crystal-clear waters, vibrant marine life, and intriguing underwater landscapes.
Corfu is a wonder of an island. If you’ve never explored it, it’s high time you did. Its golden beaches along with its salty seas make Corfu one of the most explored islands in Greece.
Nestled on a lush hill overlooking the clear Ionian Sea, Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa is Banyan Group’s first European property and a premier 5-star hotel in Corfu, Greece. This remarkable destination blends Greek hospitality with Asian influences in its elegant rooms, suites, and luxurious villas with private pools. Enjoy the stunning infinity pool, seaside dining, private beach, and world-class wellness facilities, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery.
Angsana Corfu Hotel in Benitses is the new luxury 5-star hotel in place of the closed 2008 San Stefano hotel which belonged to the Manesis family and since 2008 is owned by the Kerschikov group.
Belongs to the Angsana Hotels and Resorts chain belonging to the Banyan Tree Group, which cooperates with the Kerschikov group and is constructed by KLC III Hellas.
The Hotel
Angsana Hotel sits on a hill on the north side of Benitses, 150 meters above sea level, providing uninterrupted views of the south of the island, a panoramic view of Corfu town, and the northeast part of the island. To the north of this hill is the famous Achilleion Palace.
The Angsana Corfu promises a slice of paradise with its breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea, lush gardens, and a pristine private beach. It’s not just a hotel; it’s an experience.
Imagine waking up in your plush room, greeted by the gentle sea breeze. You’ve got a world of relaxation at your fingertips – from lounging by the pool to indulging in rejuvenating spa treatments.
Oh, and the dining! Get ready to embark on a culinary journey, savoring gourmet delights infused with local flavors. From traditional Greek dishes to international cuisine, your taste buds are in for a treat.
But the real magic happens when the sun sets. Picture yourself enjoying a cocktail at the bar, watching the sky turn shades of pink and gold over the sea. It’s pure bliss.
So, if you’re craving a getaway that’s all about luxury, natural beauty, and unforgettable moments, the Angsana Corfu is calling your name. It’s a place where dreams come true, memories are made, and relaxation is the ultimate priority. Get ready to be pampered and captivated – your Corfu adventure awaits!
The Swimming Pool
The hotel offers a stunning 1000 sqm infinity pool, awarded the esteemed Prix Villegiature 2022 for Best Hotel Pool in the World, and is a highlight among luxury hotels in Corfu, Greece.
This picturesque and Instagrammable location merges seamlessly with the sea, giving the impression of swimming into the horizon.
For ultimate privacy, Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa offers 37 exclusive private pool villas, where guests can indulge in romantic dinners under the stars, enjoy revitalizing in-villa massages, or enhance their stay with unique villa experiences.
A Family-friendly hotel
At Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa, families have a wealth of choices.
Children can delight in our Kids’ Club, take swim lessons, or join in various daily activities.
The house of San Stefano was built on the hill just north of Benitses, in 1782, by a member of the great Venetian Giustiniani family, on the site of an older house destroyed by an earthquake- so the new one was built on a rock! The house was the center of a large estate and took its name from the private chapel of San Stefano, which is built on the same rock as the house.
Blue flowers are studios and two bedrooms apartments, Ideal for families and couples. In the picturesque and beautiful village of Benitses 400 meters from downtown and 12 km from the town of Corfu.
Set amidst lush greenery in Benitses village of Corfu, Alexis Apartments is located 250 meters from the beach, restaurants and mini markets. It offers self-catered accommodation opening to a balcony or patio with mountain views.
Situated in the picturesque centre of Benitses village, Roza Studios is surrounded by lush greenery and offers accommodation with a sea-view balcony. The nearest beach is just 5 minutes walk.
The story begins in 1935, when Grandfather Antonis, a renowned fisherman in the Benitses area, decided to open his restaurant, Kafe, to invite his friends to enjoy fresh fish and a variety of mezedes prepared by his wife, Granny Aspasia, an exceptional cook.
That is how the magical journey began and continues to this day with the third generation of the current Captain Octopus.
The Philosophy of the Captain is to cook the same way his grandparents did.
The main ingredient of the captain’s kitchen is virgin olive oil and pure spices, all carefully selected with love.
In our Traditional Corfu-flavored cuisine, the lovely Pastitsada with octopus or beef cheeks is always freshly cooked in our saucepans.
Fish, either wild or farmed, are always carefully selected with criteria for the best quality.
Squid is crispy and soft as the culinary laws stipulate, to accompany the ouzo or the local wine that the captain makes for his guests each year.
The Family Atmosphere is characteristic of Captain Octopus because there are no clients but guests in his home.
The good Greek music and even the dancing are basic components of the atmosphere of the restaurant.
The guests at Captain Octopus Taverna are invited to feel the Greek flavors on their palate and to get to know the Greek hospitality and culture for which the Captain feels proud.
The restaurant – fish taverna Klimataria is a small family business of Nikos and Lily Bellos. The Arbor opened in February 1997 and is open from February to November
A quiet bar during the day time where you can relax and enjoy your coffee by the sea turns into a lively bar at night, enjoy a unique cocktail with unique music that differs
Newspaper of 1864 about the Union of the Ionian Islands
On the 21st of May 1864, the British ruled Corfu and together with all the Ionian Islands, following the London Agreement and the Ionian Parliament’s resolution, united with Greece.
In fact, it was a gift of the British crown to the new King of Greece George A ‘.
The London Agreement was made in accordance with the requirements of British diplomacy and the agreement of the then-great powers, while Greece did not even participate in the talks.
And the vote in the Ionian Parliament was more symbolic than essential, the decision was taken.
The Agreement for the delivery of the Ionian Islands provided some very severe conditions for Greece, which undertook and agreed to pay any compensation to foreign governments, companies, and individuals.
There were also disagreements and unrest because of the fear that the Ionian Islands would lose their good financial position by joining a poor state.
The opposition of many of the Eptansians to the Union was well known, especially in Kefalonia and some Corfu villages.
It was one of the most important turning points in the history of Corfu, the turbulent historical past of the island ended, so ends the prominence of Corfu as the capital of the Ionian state.
Shield commemorating 50 years of Union
The consequences
Since then the historical course of Corfu and the Ionian islands is common with Greece.
The newly established Greek state could not afford the existence of two centers of economic and cultural strength, so in the battle with Athens Corfu lost and after just 40 years became a Greek provincial town.
This was done by removing from the islands many important infrastructures, such as the power plants of Corfu transferred to Piraeus, the closure of the Ionian University, the abolition of the Ionian Parliament along with the degradation of its building, important changes in the prosperous banking system of the Ionian islands and many more.
In conclusion and after a few years it was obvious that the union was disastrous, especially for Corfu, which from a thriving former capital became one of the poorest and most neglected areas of Greece.
The modern times
It was much later in the 20th century when, due to the natural beauty, the fertile soil, the rich cultural heritage, and the energy of the Corfiots, the island recovered initially with a flourishing of the local industry based on agricultural and livestock products and later with the booming of the tourism industry.
Today, although in the midst of the economic crisis unfairly and maliciously imposed on Greece, Corfu is always, at least financially, a step above the rest of Greece.
The island’s economy is now almost entirely based on tourism, but the island has great potential to support its economy in other areas too. Its rich soil and resources are more than enough to support any other economic activity.
Corfu has always retained its unique identity, this helped the memories of the past to remain and strengthen, and they are the ones that make Corfu unique, a Greek island that does not look like the others.
On the 21st of May 1864, the British ruled Corfu and together with all the Ionian Islands, following the London Agreement and the Ionian Parliament’s resolution, united with Greece
Corfu has been inhabited since the Stone Age.
At that time it was part of the mainland and the sea that today separates it from the mainland was only a small lake
Fair deal car rentals is established since 1972, DIRECT HIRE NOT A BROKER with offices at Corfu airport and on the main road of Dassia.
At corfucarsrental.com -Fair Deal car hire you can find a long range of all car types, small economy, compact, station wagon, SUV, 7 seaters and 9 seater cars.
Our gain is all our customers to get exactly what they need and be happy with our service.
Our service offers free kilometers, No excess insurance, 2nd driver free, NO open credit card taken, and NO commission for credit card payments.
At Fair Deal Corfu rent a car company we can deliver anywhere on Corfu island you wish, such as Corfu airport, Corfu port, Corfu town, Benitses, Dassia, Barbati, Paleokastritsa, Nissaki, Kassiopi, Sidari, Acharavi and many others.
Also, we deliver at all hotels, studios, and villas of Corfu island.
So, with only three very simple steps you can quote and send your online reservation at corfucarsrental.com.
Rovinia Beach is located in the area of Liapades in western Corfu, just south of Liapades Beach and the rocky shores of Paleokastritsa.
Small, remote, beautiful, and unspoiled. The shore is a mix of pebbles and a little sand.
The famous cave at its southern edge, where the high rocks hide the sun and give a blessing shadow, is the highlight of this small paradise and a perfect location for some photos as you or your loved ones enter the cave.
It is perhaps the most beautiful of the hidden beaches in western Corfu, considered by many tourists as the top beach in Corfu.
Map with the 5 most famous beaches around Rovinia
Corfu’s western coastal mountain range collapses steeply into the sea, creating a natural dam of the coast from the island’s interior.
Rovinia, therefore, is accessible from the sea as well as from the land through a small path with steps, about 600 meters long, unlike the other isolated beaches of the area, which are accessible only by sea.
It is deserted, therefore not very crowded, with fine pebbles, little sand, and a turquoise, crystal clear sea in a landscape of exceptional natural beauty; it could be a nudist beach.
It is a small petal-shaped beach, almost surrounded by tall rocks on both sides, these rocks at its southern end creating a small but spectacular cave.
Waters in Rovinia are crystal clear, fairly cold, and almost frozen, as well as in the whole area of Paleokastritsa, due to the cold streams from the Adriatic that end up on these coasts.
They drop abruptly, so the beach is also suitable for those who want to dive into the surrounding rocks. Therefore, someone has to be careful with children.
There is a canteen boat close to the cave, in the shadow, that comes every day and offers ice cream and refreshments at cheap prices.
How to Visit Rovinia Beach
We said already that the beach is easily accessible by sea by getting a sea taxi from Gefyra Beach in Paleokastritsa.
But if you decide to go there from the land using your car and on foot, you need a small guide, as it can be a little complicated.
First, it’s important on your way to Liapades Beaсh, to find a supermarket called Athena.
There is a small road on its left side which you must follow.
If after 40 yards you arrive at a small crοssroad, then you are on the right path.
There you must turn to the right, just after the turn, you must see a sign pointing to Rovinia. You can take this road in your car with extra care as it is small and with many slopes.
After about 300 meters, there is a small parking area where you must leave your vehicle and follow the steps down to the beach. Here we are, in Rovinia Beach!
A beach worth visiting
When we first visited, and that was a couple of years ago, we had the impression that we had been there before, or to be more precise, we found ourselves on a very similar beach many years ago, but we certainly do not remember where.
It is the famous Deja vu, this beach looks amazingly the same as all a beach we have been to and exists either in Lesvos or Lemnos islands in the Aegean sea, but we certainly do not remember the place or the name …
After all, Greece has so many beautiful places that resemble each other.
We loved our time in Rovinia, therefore we try to convince you to visit it, it is worth the effort as those who have been there say, as well as the very positive comments by many tourists.
Explore this map of Corfu beaches by type, ranging from large sandy shores to secluded pebbly coves, and find the perfect spot for your visit.
This new Map shows a more complete picture to the users about the type of beach they are going to visit.
There are all the large sandy beaches, the well-organized sandy beaches, the organized beaches with pebbles, the mixed with sand and pebbles, the small and isolated sandy or pebbly, etc.
Just look at the memo to see how the different types of beaches are categorized.
This is another Map with the most well-known beaches of Corfu island.
On this map, there are the most well-known small and large beaches around the coastline of Corfu island.
Explore this map of Corfu beaches, indexing each beach by type. From large sandy shores to secluded pebbly coves, and find the perfect spot for your visit.
On this map, there are Directions to all known small and large villages and tourist places on the island of Corfu and their distance from the capital town of Corfu.
Explore this map of Corfu beaches, indexing each beach by type. From large sandy shores to secluded pebbly coves, and find the perfect spot for your visit.
Map with the most well-known beaches of Corfu island.
In this map, there are the most well-known small and large beaches around the coastline of Corfu island.
Explore this map of Corfu beaches, indexing each beach by type. From large sandy shores to secluded pebbly coves, and find the perfect spot for your visit.
The Video from the captivating night of Corfu with photos by Bill Metallinos, selected snapshots of his stunning Corfu Nightscapes, literally a walk on the moon.
60,000 images of magical nightscapes of Corfu by Vasilis Metallinos paired with John Miliade’s musical creations on a journey from the old Fortress and the beauty of Corfu to the Full Moon and to the Stars!
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11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Cookie
Duration
Description
na_id
1 year 1 month
This cookie is set by Addthis.com to enable sharing of links on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter
na_rn
1 month
This cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. This cookie allows to collect information on user behaviour and allows sharing function provided by Addthis.com
na_sc_e
1 month
This cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. This cookie allows to collect information on user behaviour and allows sharing function provided by Addthis.com
na_sr
1 month
This cookie is set by Addthis.com. This cookie is used for sharing of links on social media platforms.
na_srp
1 minute
This cookie is used to recognize the visitor upon re-entry. This cookie allows to collect information on user behaviour and allows sharing function provided by Addthis.com
na_tc
1 year 1 month
This cookie is set by the provider Addthis. This cookie is used for social media sharing tracking service.
ouid
1 year 1 month
The cookie is set by Addthis which enables the content of the website to be shared across different networking and social sharing websites.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Cookie
Duration
Description
d
3 months
This cookie tracks anonymous information on how visitors use the website.
YSC
session
This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Cookie
Duration
Description
__gads
1 year 24 days
This cookie is set by Google and stored under the name dounleclick.com. This cookie is used to track how many times users see a particular advert which helps in measuring the success of the campaign and calculate the revenue generated by the campaign. These cookies can only be read from the domain that it is set on so it will not track any data while browsing through another sites.
_ga
2 years
This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid
1 day
This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the website is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages visted in an anonymous form.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Cookie
Duration
Description
_pxhd
1 year
This cookie is used by the Zoominfo. This cookie collects information on user behaviour on multiple websites. This information is used inorder to optimize the relevance of advertisements.
CMID
1 year
The cookie is set by CasaleMedia. The cookie is used to collect information about the usage behavior for targeted advertising.
CMPRO
3 months
This cookie is set by Casalemedia and is used for targeted advertisement purposes.
CMPS
3 months
This cookie is set by Casalemedia and is used for targeted advertisement purposes.
CMRUM3
1 year
This cookie is set by Casalemedia and is used for targeted advertisement purposes.
CMST
1 day
The cookie is set by CasaleMedia. The cookie is used to collect information about the usage behavior for targeted advertising.
DSID
1 hour
This cookie is setup by doubleclick.net. This cookie is used by Google to make advertising more engaging to users and are stored under doubleclick.net. It contains an encrypted unique ID.
id
1 year 1 month
The main purpose of this cookie is targeting and advertising. It is used to create a profile of the user's interest and to show relevant ads on their site. This Cookie is set by DoubleClick which is owned by Google.
IDE
1 year 24 days
Used by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
KADUSERCOOKIE
3 months
The cookie is set by pubmatic.com for identifying the visitors' website or device from which they visit PubMatic's partners' website.
KTPCACOOKIE
1 day
This cookie is set by pubmatic.com for the purpose of checking if third-party cookies are enabled on the user's website.
mc
1 year 1 month
This cookie is associated with Quantserve to track anonymously how a user interact with the website.
mdata
1 year 1 month
The domain of this cookie is owned by Media Innovation group. This cookie registers a unique ID used to identify a visitor on their revisit inorder to serve them targeted ads.
ov
1 year 1 month
This cookie is set by the provider mookie1.com. This cookie is used for serving the user with relevant content and advertisement.
test_cookie
15 minutes
This cookie is set by doubleclick.net. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
uid
1 year 1 month
This cookie is used to measure the number and behavior of the visitors to the website anonymously. The data includes the number of visits, average duration of the visit on the website, pages visited, etc. for the purpose of better understanding user preferences for targeted advertisments.
uuid2
3 months
This cookies is set by AppNexus. The cookies stores information that helps in distinguishing between devices and browsers. This information us used to select advertisements served by the platform and assess the performance of the advertisement and attribute payment for those advertisements.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE
5 months 27 days
This cookie is set by Youtube. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website.
