Corfu-Paxos, hiking in a Greece of light

An ocean ... of olive trees! From which emerge with vigor the elegant spindles of the cypress trees.

In the villages, tiled roofs and ocher (red or yellow) whitewash on the walls. We are a thousand miles from the white houses with blue shutters of the Cycladic towns. The same goes for the churches whose delicate bell towers or tall bell towers topped with their reddish dome - built on the model of the bell tower of Saint Spyridon Church in Corfu - contrast with the white churches with blue domes of Santorini. Yet it is these latter which regularly serve as standard bearers for the Greek Islands. And yet ...

Yes, however… Because everywhere, the Ionian Islands display their elegant singularity in a Greece too often reduced to its Cycladic standards, forgetting the rich landscape, culture and heritage of other regions. This originality will jump out at you when you disembark in Corfu on a trip organized by Grand Angle in freedom or guided.

The Venetian occupation left its mark on the island of Corfu - called Kerkyra, in Greek - whose capital, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, has all the finery of a refined Italian city. Everyone knows that the most beautiful cities in the world, in terms of heritage wealth, are Italian! The town of Corfu, itself called Kerkyra, in Greek, is no exception. It certainly deserves more than one visit as its attractions are numerous: the narrow alleys of the old center and their garlands of linen crossing the street, from one window to another; historical monuments such as the two Venetian fortresses; churches crowded with the faithful from all over the Orthodox world; cafes where time stretches as in front of the Liston arcades, built by the French at the beginning of the 19th century, on the model of that of the rue de Rivoli; remarkable museums including the archaeological museum which has just reopened its doors after nearly ten years of renovation ... In short, the city of Corfu is an integral part of our programs as it is so attractive.

Between sea and mountains, in the shade of olive trees whose size will surprise you, the hikes reflect this personality. And while some Corfu coasts have suffered from the island's great attractiveness by attracting significant seaside tourism, our programs carefully avoid these frequented beaches to discover the best that the island has to offer.

From Liapades to Agios Simeon, from Palaiokastritsa to Agios Georgios or following the famous Corfu trail that crosses the island from south to north, walk under the delicate shade of olive trees, above an Ionian sea which sports changing reflections , from deep blue to the purest emerald, reveals moments of grace that few destinations can offer.

There are enough beaches left for our enjoyment. But these are secret beaches, like Myrtiotissa, at the foot of Pelekas or Rovinia ten minutes from Liapades accommodation. As for the immense beach of Agios Georgios, the end of a sumptuous stage of the Corfu trail, it pleasantly combines the presence of a few tourist structures with a good-natured tranquility at the end of the world, preserved by its distance from the road.

On this island which rises to almost 1000 meters, at Mount Pantokrator, the panoramas on the coast and the mountains of mainland Greece and Albania are imposing. To discover during our self-guided stays that follow the Corfu trail route.

If you choose to hike to Paxos, whether during a guided stay or by taking advantage of our self-guided program associating Corfu and this doll island, you will disembark there, at the end of a boat trip from 1h30. Paxos is frequently referred to in the plural, by the term Paxi, so inextricably linked to the small satellite island of Antipaxos.

In Paxos, as in Corfu, olive trees are everywhere, bordered by ubiquitous dry stone walls. Here too, there are many opportunities for swimming, in remarkable coves where the olive trees themselves provide appreciable shade right up to the seaside.

Paxos and its doll towns: the charming port of Loggos, the sheltered bay of Lakka or the lively port of Gaïos with its colorful facades which are reflected in the calm waters of the Ionian Sea in a natural environment of all beauty.

In Paxos, the hike takes on a stroll, always in the shade of olive trees and in front of striking natural sights such as the Arch of Tripitos.

It remains to evoke the incomparable character of the inhabitants of the Ionian Islands. Warm, welcoming, fraternal, they are renowned for their joie de vivre throughout Greece as well as for their talent as musicians. It's a safe bet that during a dinner in a tavern, you will have the opportunity to share these unique moments where singers and dancers come together as if to celebrate a little of this eternal Greece that we love so much.