Description
Duration 8 hours
Pick up points : Hotels, Resorts, Airport , Port.
The most famous ancient Greek poet, named Homer, sang the praises of the beautiful and rich land of the Phaeacians. Thousands of years later, Shakespeare also thought this island was the ideal setting for his play, “Tempest”. Since these times Corfu has been known as an island that stands apart from other Greek Islands.
If traveling by cruise ship, you will meet your licensed tour guide at the port of Corfu and drive away from the city and into the fertile area of orange and lemon groves until you reach the Achillion Palace. You enjoy a private guided tour of the villa which was built 100 years ago. The villa contains mementos of its former owners, the Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Kaiser Wilhelm II. The gardens are adorned with statues and the views over the densely wooded countryside are magnificent.
After your visit you will drive to The Mon Repo Palace which was built in 1828 for the second British Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands, Sir Frederic Adam. From then on the palace was used as the summer residence of the High Commissioners, while their official residence was the Palace of St. Michael and St. George in the town of Corfu. Many other important personalities stayed in the Palace after the Ionian Islands were ceded to Greece after 1864 whereupon it was donated to the Greek Royal family. In fact, the second son of King George I, George II was born here in 1869. In 1900, the wedding of Princess Maria, daughter of King George I and Olga took place here when she married the Archduke Georgio Mihailovic of Russia. The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, the British Queen?s husband, was born (1921) and baptized here. The Greek Royal family spent their summer holidays at Mon Repos, hosting their guests until the last King Constantine, after a referendum in 1974, went into exile in England.
Upon completion of the visit at Mon Repo you will drive to the Palace of St. Michael and St. George and enjoy refreshments in the “People?s Garden.”
Leaving Corfu town you travel along the scenic West Coast to the hill top village of Lakones or Bella Vista as it is known. This impressive location offers the most spectacular views over the famous Bay of Paleokastritsa, its emerald seas and unusual rock formations. In the distance the old Monastery Panagia Theotokos founded in 1225 sits serenely over this popular bay resort.
In Paleokastritsa you will have time for lunch, swimming and visit the famous caves of the coastline near Paleokastritsa beach, formed both by karstic processes and erosion by the sea, can be visited on a short boat trip starting continuously all day from the beach. The local men with their small boats generally speak English and German. There is no shadow on the boat and the sun on the water is more intensive than on land, so we recommend a hat and sun protection for the trip.
One of the caves is called Nausica Cave, named after the daughter of the King of the Phaeacians. According to HOMER she found ODYSSEUS and nursed him back to health. Another cave is called Blue Eye due to a patch of incredibly blue water which resembles an eye.
Next you drive to inland to the inspiring scenic village of Makrades, the Troumbetta Pass and the village of Scripero leading through the fertile area known as the Ropa Valley. Your next stop is at a distillery which produces an island favorite, Koum Kouat Liqueur. There will be time for tasting this specialty along with fruit glace.
After enjoying this refreshing stop you start the trip back to Corfu town. Along the way a short stop is made at the area known as Kanoni, so called due the old Canons, still in place, which used to protect the entrance to the harbor . This vantage point offers wonderful views of the bay with Mouse Island and the little chapel clearly visible. Late afternoon return to the port or to your accommodation.
Tour Breakdown-
1- Depart pier and drive to Achillion Palace- 30 Minutes
2- Visit Achillion Palace- 1 Hour
3- Drive to Mon Repo Palace- 30 Minutes
4- Visit Mon Repo Palace- 1 Hour
5- Drive to Corfu Town- 10 Minutes
6- Time for Refreshments or Lunch Break- 1 hour and 45 Minutes
7- Drive to Bella Vista- 35 Minutes
8- Photo Stop- 10 Minutes
9- Corfu Island Scenic Drive – 40 Minutes
10- Visit Koum Kouat Distillery- 20 Minutes
11- Drive to Kanoni 30 Minutes
12- Photo Stop- 15 Minutes
13- Drive to town of Corfu- 20 Minutes
Included
Private Vehicle, fuels, tolls (wherever exist), parking fee, English-speaking driver, Professional English or French-speaking guide, insurance covery of the passengers up to ?500,000 in total, VAT and all taxes.
Not Included:
*Entrance fees in archaeological and historical sites, hotel accommodation wherever needed, beverages and meals.
Entrance fee:
Achillion Palace – per Adult 8 euro
Achillion Palace – per Child (under 18 with passport) 5 euro
Mon Repos Palace – Closed on Mondays -per Adult 4 euro
Mon Repos Palace – per Child (under 18 with passport) Free
Sundays or Holidays: * Supplement per vehicle 140 euro
* Charge for driver and tour guide based on labor legislation in Greece.
* NOTE: !!! Our Guides are LICENSED and Members of the Union official Guides in Corfu.
** NOTE: !!! Our Drivers are Professionals and English speaking.
Important Note:
Please note that not allowed Taxi drivers, Minivan drivers and Bus drivers to do the job of the tour guides, this is prohibited by Greek law.
The tour guide profession is protected by the Greek legislation
Our Company from its establishment until now, works only with official, professional, licensed tour guides.
Please note that in case you may wish to book a private tour through our website, in no way means that you are obliged to follow the exact route of showing the proposed tour.
You have the ability to change the order of the sites, to remove or add attractions, provided it does not exceed the time duration and distances that you have already booked.
We are flexible to any changes that you may wish during your private tour, our aim is your complete satisfaction.
Our drivers and our licensed tour guides are at your disposal in order to provide you with the best service.
If you are interested in booking this Private Tour please fill in these details that follow and you will be informed of the pricing details.
0 Comments