Corfu

Overview
The island of Corfu, best known of the seven Ionian islands thatlie off the north-west coast of Greece, differs markedly from theother popular Greek islands because not only is it green and lush,but also very developed with tourist resorts and hotels. Summertime is hectic on Corfu, with charter flights arriving daily fromEuropean cities, ferries disgorging travellers from Italy, andcruise ships docking.There is plenty to draw visitors to this magical island. ModernCorfu Town is upbeat and cosmopolitan, offering an excitingconglomeration of Greek, Italian, French and British influences.The old town was laid out by the Venetians in the 14th century andfeatures narrow alleys lined with multi-storeyed pastel-colouredbuildings with red tiled roofs, creating a scene reminiscent ofItaly. The hub of activity in the town centre is the Liston, anarcaded row of cafes and restaurants, copied from the Rue de Rivoliin Paris.Those wishing to escape from the melee in the town can head forthe interior to enjoy some spectacular scenery and greenery. Corfuhas, for instance, 43 different kinds of orchids growing wild inthe countryside, and there are countless olive groves. Finallythere are, of course, the beautiful beaches washed by the sparklingIonian Sea, and it is still possible to search out a secluded coveor two even in the busy season when the over-developed resorts onthe east coast are awash with package tourists.

Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, divided into 100 cents.Banks and bureaux de change are widely available and travellerscheques and major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs arewidespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenientmethod of obtaining euros.

Time
Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between the last Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).

Language
Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.

Climate
Corfu enjoys hot, dry summers and mild winters. Temperatures inJuly and August range from 90ºF (32ºC) during the day to64ºF (18ºC) at night. Rainfall is unlikely during thepeak summer season, but heavy showers can be expected betweenSeptember and April.