Greece is one of the most preferred travel destinations in the world. It is a country that can offer its visitors not only modern hotel resorts and splendid beaches, but also a rich historical background. A part from the many places you can visit in the continental part of the Greek land, you can also enjoy a wonderful vacation spent on some of the many islands there.
The Greek islands will offer you something different from the usual, you can enjoy the beautiful nature, the clean beaches, the sea water, you can hike to places that are hard to reach with car but deserves to be seen or you can just enjoy the Greek cuisine.
The island of Corfu is one of the most famous tourist places in Greece. The name of Corfu comes from the myth about the nymph that has been kidnapped by god Poseidon.
After the collapse of the Byzantium under the pressure of the greedy crusaders, which were going to free the Holy grounds but on the way preferred the treasures of Constantinople, the island of Corfu was occupied by Genoese, Venetians and Neapolitans. They ruled over from 1401 to 1797 and they gave the Italian name of the island Corfu.
After the Venetians, came the French, after that the Russians and the English, which stayed here until 1864. The Turkish did not succeed to capture this remarkable place despite the fact that the island had been 4 times under siege. Because of the different influences over the years, the native population of the island is different from the other Greeks – here until the second half of the 20th century many spoke with Venetian dialect. The cuisine is also different from the Greek – it is more common with the Italian.
Corfu attracts many visitors each year with its remarkable nature, the climate is warm and there are nearly 9 hours of sun each day. The winter is soft and this is one of the reasons for the unique flora of the island. It is hard to find other place where you can see over 40 kinds of wild orchids and other unique plants like the strawberry tree. There is a rich historical background and while you are wondering around the city you can find yourself in different places – once you have the feeling you are in Venice, once you have the feeling you are in France or in the Victorian Age in England.
One of the main attractions is the castle Ahileon, built by the Austrian empress Sisi, but bought in 1907 by the German Kaiser Wilhelm the Second. Last but not least, this place is a magnet for the tourists with its wonderful beaches and many hotels, taverns offering special salads like the one with orange and artichoke, shrimps with sauce of garlic and metaxa, many fish dishes and more. Corfu is a great place to spend your vacation.
