Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CASE STUDY
Corfu
Introduction
Corfu is the most northerly of the Ionian Isla
n
ds just off the west coast of mainland Greece. It is a popular
holiday destination for visitors from northern Europe and attracts around half a million British tourists each
year. Visitors are attracted by the island's 200 kilometr
e
s of coastline, rugged terrain and lush interior. Corfu
is beginning to change its image from a destination t
h
at developed on the back of the package holiday
boom of the 1980s and 1990s to a place where more discerning visitors can enjoy the island's peace and
tranquillity. Walking and bird watching are growing in popu
l
ar
i
ty, while watersports are on offer in many parts
of the island. The capital of the island, Corfu Town with some
4
0,000 inhabitants, has a rich architectural and
cultural heritage, the result of successive years of Venetian, Fr
e
nch and British rule.
Accessibility
Flight time from the UK is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes, landing at th
e
island's only airport just outside
Corfu Town. As well as fl ights from the UK there are regular charter services from other European countries.
Roads are generally good in the built-up areas of the island, but can be a litt
l
e dangerous off the beaten
track. There are regular ferry services in the summer to Italy and other Greek isl
a
nds.
Climate
Corfu is an island suitable for holidays at most times of the year and the west coast h
a
s a more moderate
climate than the east. Winters are mild with relatively high temperatures compared to t
h
e UK (5-14°C) and
sunshine for approximately 4-5 hours daily. Summer is the most popular tourist season wh
e
n temperatures
rise above 30°C. Temperatures are still warm at 24-28°C in the autumn when the island has s
p
oradic showers
that are followed by days of clear sunshine and the occasional thunderstorm.
Holiday areas
Corfu has a range of holiday areas that appeal to a wide variety of visitors. Much of the 'mass t
o
urism'
development is clustered immediately north and south of Corfu Town. Resorts such as Dassia, Ipsos,
Sidari
and Benitses cater well for the family market and feature in many tour operators' brochures. Much
o
f
t
he
northern coast is quieter, especially around Kassiopi and Kalami, although Sidari on the north-west ti
p
is
one of Corfu's largest resorts. Kavos, on the southern tip of the island, is very popular with young peop
le
,
boasting many clubs and bars. Corfu has its own waymarked, long-distance footpath, the Corfu Trail, whic
h
runs for 220 kilometres from the southerly white cliffs of Arkoudillas to Cape Agia Ekaterini in the north.
