WORDS & PICTURES: Helen Kennedy
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A small island on the northwest coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea, Corfu is an underrated travel destination. If you want a quiet beach village to relax in for a few days, Roda is the perfect spot. Take a short stroll into town for lunch or an espresso freddo at a beachfront cafe, and from there you can have your pick of sunbeds where you can spend a lazy day. For a picturesque dinner on the water, reserve a table at Alexandros Tavernas. Start with the saganaki – a pan-seared cheese dish – and for your main course, try the chicken with ouzo sauce. Plan to arrive around sunset; the views are even more spectacular if you sit upstairs.
For a day trip, I recommend Kassiopi and Sidari – both beach towns are less than an hour from Roda by bus or taxi. Kassiopi is a small fishing village where you can shop for souvenirs, enjoy a nice breakfast by the harbor, or visit the ruins of a Byzantine-era castle for some breathtaking views. In Sidari is where you’ll find the famous Canal d’Amour: a rocky inlet with turquoise waters. You can swim under the caves or experience the beautiful scenery from a pedalo. For those who are feeling adventurous, you can even book a day trip to Albania by boat.
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For an evening out, take a drive to Corfu Town, the capital of the island. Although usually buzzing with tourists, a visit to Corfu Town is a nice way to see the historic Venetian-influenced architecture. Go for an evening stroll in the scenic old town (the campiello), sip a cocktail on the main square, Spianada, or sit down for a traditional Greek dinner in one of the charming narrow kantouna. You can also visit the famous Old Fortress (Paleo Frourio), which dates back to the early 15th century.
