Travel With Friends - Independent Holidays In Corfu With The Personal Touch

Corfu/TWF Info.

Travel With Friends

Self catering accommodation in Acharavi, Agios Stefanos (W), and Kaminaki , Corfu since 1995

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Travel Essentials

●	Beachside Bungalows

Prokopis

Travel With Friends “Plus”

Ag. Stefanos
(West)

Kaminaki

The traditional, friendly Corfiot lifestyle has not been lost in the new larger village of Acharavi.

Acharavi
Apartments

Reading this section will avoid unrealistic expectations and ensure that you have that holiday you have been anticipating for so long, so, omit reading this at your peril!

Essential Information

Greece still remains in a category of it’s own for holidays; the Greek way of life is the essential ingredient. Avrio" is the equivalent of "manjana" and is very much the culture. For the Greeks, people are the priority; the service is casual, usually friendly. Nothing is so important that it cannot be put aside for a chat and a cup of thick Greek coffee. Children must be seen and heard and are called "gifts from God", always welcomed with a smile. Greece is still rural; everyone has chickens, sheep or goats, and very likely a noisy cockerel, which will have no respect for the hour! Old Spiros still has his donkey for bringing home the firewood who often honks "kali mera" to Katerina's donkey at 7 am, along with the dog, saying his piece, and so the day begins!...

The simplicity of Greece has long been its attraction and whilst all owners constantly try to keep up with changing demands the plumbing often gets a mention on first timer's post cards! We all wonder how modern Greeks came to forget what their forebears had mastered 2000 years ago! Loo paper still often has to be put in bins. (EXCEPT AT BEACHSIDE BUNGALOWS). Lets mention too that electricity cuts are an occasional fact of life (not unlike rural Britain!)

PLEASE ASK FOR QUOTES FOR HOLIDAYS OF LONGER DURATIONS AND EXTENDED RENTALS!

The water is perfectly safe to drink and Corfiots are proud of it. Greek life is geared to outside living, so sitting rooms are rare; we "lounge" on our balconies.

Showers not baths are the norm. Kitchens are basically equipped for cooking breakfasts and knocking up a quick snack not a gourmet meal, but all have ovens, but do not go looking for the microwave (except at Beachside Bungalows Thalassa houses where you will seek and find! Besides eating out is fun and still good value) Though Travel with Friends has supplied toasters, and kettles in most houses.

Bedrooms all have wardrobes, but limited drawer space. Please note extra beds are fold up camp beds. On arrival, your house will be clean and beds made up.

The maid’s duties are just to make beds, empty bins and clean bathrooms and sweep through (as long as the floors are clutter free) - No washing up.

Linen is provided and is changed once a week, towels are changed twice a week (except where otherwise stated under each house description). You will need to bring your own beach towels.

THE WEATHER in the lonian is normally good from May to October. Greekophiles and walkers will come in early season knowing the mountains will still be green and everywhere ablaze with flowers, bring a kagool in case of the odd late April shower. Everything is clean and fresh - including the locals. The sea is cool in May and warms up by June, when magical fireflies transform the olive groves into a fairyland. July is the hottest month. In August the Maistro, a strong north wind, which clears the heat haze and makes seas choppy, often tempers the heat. The island also becomes more cosmopolitan with many Italian visitors. In September the pace slows down, the evenings start to draw in and thanks to the odd storm a second spring brings forth the cyclamen and crocus again.

The sea remains warm right into October when preparations start for the winter crop of olives.

WAY OF LIFE - is best described simply as easy going. Things move at a slow pace, with relaxed days on the beach, followed by a night out at one of the many tavernas. The food is not highly spiced. Vegetarians are now being catered for slightly more, but choice is still quite limited. The average cost of a good 2 course evening meal with wine in 2012 in a taverna was about 18 euro per person. Despite Greek’s economic problems taverna and bar owners have continued to hold prices making eating out affordable, not a luxury. It is easy to eat cheaply at the local Psistaria, souvlaki shops, which are the Greek equivalent of fast food. A tasty pitta filled with meat, salad, chips and tzadziki will cost around 2 Euro, a filling meal accompanied by a bottle of beer and a Greek salad! Eating the Greek way and having lots of Mezes (starters) to share is a great way of savouring local cuisine.

CLOTHES - During the day, most people wear swimming costumes with sarongs or shorts, and in the evening something tidy, but casual. It is a good idea, always to bring a warm sweater or a cardigan. You can be more aware of the cool sea breeze after a hot day in the sun.

FESTIVALS are innumerable. We have parades on national holidays with an English heritage of brass bands, and colourful local fiestas. We will be happy to advise which ones fall within your holiday.

LANGUAGE English is widely spoken, though many locals also speak some German and Italian.

PHONING HOME is easy from card phones. Cheap rate Greek international phone cards can be bought at www.lemontel.com and local shops. Make sure you have activated a roaming service with your mobile phone provider. With Pay as you go mobiles, ensure that your card has sufficient credit, as you will not always be able to top it up locally. Remember you will pay a portion of all received calls whilst abroad too! People with phones not “locked” may find it best to buy a local Sim card. If in doubt check before you leave!

MONEY Sterling Travellers cheques are still the best and safest option, though cash is widely accepted; all exchangeable locally. The rate of exchange is better in Greece than the UK. Credit cards are useful, but not widely accepted in shops or tavernas. Cash withdrawals can be made at cash points, with pin numbers in Kassiopi, Acharavi and Sidari and Roda (though this is a more expensive way to get foreign currency).

POST OFFICES are located in Karousades, Acharavi and Corfu town.

TAXIS are reasonable and there are ranks in Sidari, Roda, Kassiopi and Acharavi.

BUSES radiate to and from Corfu Town. There is a service along the north coast between Sidari and Kassiopi.

MEDICAL - Acharavi has doctors, a dentist and 2 chemists in the village. Ag. Stefanos has a doctor but the chemist is in Sidari. Nissaki and Kaminaki have no doctor, but one can be called if necessary.

MOSQUITOES are a Mediterranean nuisance easily controlled with repellents - best bought in UK - and small electric machines, best bought locally.

THINGS TO DO - You need not read "boring" for quiet and peaceful! There are numerous activities available, riding, tennis, water sports including snorkelling and scuba diving, walking (ideal for bird watchers and artists) mountain bikes, cars and sightseeing tours around Corfu and further a field to mainland Greece, other islands and Albania. There is a water park in the centre of the island and a small water and sports park in Acharavi too. Don't forget also trying local cuisine and vintages!

SCOOTERS, MOPEDS, QUADS AND BUGGIES deserve a mention, we realise they are a cheap and fun way of getting about, but the roads are entirely unsuitable for inexperienced riders and are not recommended.

BABIES - Corfu's temperate early and late season is ideal for babies, as long as sensible precautions of sun block and sun hats are taken. No family should worry about bringing a small baby, but do stay out of midday sun. Nappies are easily found. Baby food is available, though limited in choice. If concerned, bring it with you.

WE SUPPLY COTS FREE OF CHARGE

· Bring your own cot linen and plastic sheet.

· Highchairs/Pushchairs available on request.

DISABLED CLIENTS please contact us for advise as we know all the properties and areas inside and out and know which are suitable, and which not.

BRING WITH YOU - We know that life as we know it, can end if someone cannot get his or her favourite! The answer is simple - Bring it! All imported items are inclined to be more expensive i.e. cereals, and kiddie snacks like Beans, or hoops or peanut butter, so put 'em in! Nothing can beat a real English cuppa so bring the Typhoo.

· A torch is useful.

· An umbrella and sweater are wise in early and late season, and for cooler evenings.

· Adaptors are needed for all your appliances, which WILL all work on Greek voltage.

· Beach towels.

· Please be considerate to fellow travellers - bring a plastic sheet for your small child if necessary.

The attractions of Travelling with Friends are many fold, but our clients say that we communicate our love and in depth knowledge of our chosen island home, creating a comfortable feeling of security from booking through to the journey home.

Many of the titles below will lift you into your favourite place before you come on holiday or when trying to escape long winters evenings!

The Papas and the Englishman Roy Hounsell
To Watch the Waves go by Peter Stoneley
Corfu Sketches by John Waller
The Greek For Love by James Chatto
Songs Of Blue And Gold by Deborah Lawrenson
Paging Aphrodite by Kim Green
The Taste of a Place: Corfu by Vicky Bennison
Corfu Cooking by Alice Padova Anderson
Blue Skies and Black Olives by John and Christopher Humphries
It's All Greek To Me", by Jon Mole
Walking the Corfu Trail by John Waller
Eleni by Nicholas Gage (NB considered harrowing by some; story of a woman’s struggle in the mountains of mainland Greece in the civil war)
Suntouched: A Dark Comedy on a Greek Island by Theresa Nicholas

Tales from a Greek Island by Roger Jinkinson