If you've ever been to Corfu, or Kerkyra, during your younger years then you probably spent most of your time either on the beach or in a bar or nightclub, but a return to the island later in life may reveal a different side. Traditional holiday hot spots for the twentysomethings include Benitses on the East coat and Kavos in the extreme south. Both have the benefit of the sheltered and warmer waters that lie between Corfu and the mainlands of Albania and Greece which are visible in the distance on a clear day.

In the north of the island and down the western coastline the sea temperture is a degree or two cooler and, being less sheltered, the seas are not as calm, however there are plenty of attractive beaches on this side of the island too. One of the most spectacular is Agios Georgious, a wonderful and large sweeping beach stretching around a natural bay on the west coast. Development around the beach area has been limited and, because access is not all that easy, the beach remains fairly quiet most of the time. The bay in front of the beach affords it more protection than other resorts on this side of the island, so it is more suitable to children, although the sea depth does fall off rather quickly once you venture beyond the initial shallows.

One of the most well known parts of the island is the string of coves and beaches at Paleokastritsa. This is probably the most popular area on this side of Corfu and the small beaches can get quite busy during peak season. The landscape around these bays is steep and wooded creating some picturesque scenery. Roda is another beach area in the north of the island that provides a wide choice of beaches, accomodation and food establishments.

If beaches are not the only element of interest to you then a trip to Corfu Town is a must. The town has a long history stretching back thousands of years and even came under British rule for a period of fifty years until it was handed back to Greece in 1864 as part of the Treaty of London. There is still a large ex-pat community in and around Corfu town, with many owning luxury villas on the hillsides around the town. You may even be lucky enough to stumble across one of the hundreds of cricket matches that take place on the island every year.(picture by Jennifurr Jinx )