Seattle to Corfu, Greece
September 10 – 11th, 2025
4 o’clock flight made for an easy departure from Seattle 9
1/2 hours later landed in Copenhagen. With a two hour layover we had time to
get our first Danish. I had a yummy chocolate crazy looking thing that was
amazing and he had a cinnamon roll type thing. I think this is the first time I
picked the better choice. 3 1/2 hour flight to Athens. Definitely tired and a
three hour layover in Athens gave us enough time to have some food and take a
moment. Once they finally posted the gate information to head to court Phil it
was a hall. Exit the airport back through security and walk, walk and walk.
Just ready to get on the flight, but unfortunately it was an hour late and
ended up getting into Corfu at midnight. Taxi driver dropped us off and
couldn’t find our hotel. Andy went on an exploration walk for it. Found it,
checked in and crashed. It was a grueling 30 hours of travel, but we made it!
September 12, 2025
Corfu, Greece
To bed by 1:30 in the morning and up at 5:00ish. Just enough to get us going. Andy got a little extra sleep this morning, which meant a little extra downtime for me. Out the door around eight where we got to walk the city before Everybody came out, it was quiet and beautiful. A really charming town. Now a local woman that was opening up her bakery and we couldn’t help ourselves and had a number of amazing items. There’s one that surprised me that was Sesame that were made into a paste and put into a pastry and shockingly amazing!
Had a great sandwich and then made it down to the waterfront where all the little women and some men all get together and float and do their swim for the morning. It was a perfect way to top off our first morning here! Definitely recommend the morning float with the locals!
Grabbed our rental car and drove West on the island to Palaiokastritsa. It is a little beach town area with cliffs so it is not flat but very scenic. Staying at Tango Studios, which has been an interesting find because they have two locations and no signs so Google maps is taking us all over the place finally was able to connect with the women through a local on WhatsApp. Found our place up on a hill overlooking the water of our own hammock, daybeds and plunge bath cool and refreshing. Special little spot.
A quick change and off to Acapulco bar, which is 140 steps down a hillside, which also means 140 steps up! It is this little bar nestled on the cliff side. The feel here is definitely a vibe. Everyone’s young and hip, lots of cigarettes to be smoked while sitting in their bikinis, drinking swimming and playing cards. The brave ones would climb up the cliffside and jump and dive off of it. Maybe brave is giving too much credit, maybe just a lot of alcohol in them.
Back to our room for a quick nap
after not a lot of sleep the last couple days. Made it into Corfu city back
where we started this morning for dinner. It’s about a 30 minute drive. Fun to
see everything open in the evenings with their lights on and life in the
streets. Walked to town, a great mezz at one spot and then finished off with
calamari for dinner at another and they had live music. The name of the band
should’ve been Chainsmokers because they smoked one after another. Two cute
little old guys that were just having fun and everybody enjoying their music. Of
course, finished with some fantastic gelato. Love, love, walking the streets
here and taking in the whole energy of it.
Back to our place around 1 o’clock and hit the bed hard.
September 14, 2025
Corfu, Greece
Both of us up early, early like 5ish. lounged for a bit and decided to beat the
crowds, avoid traffic and find parking.
Our first stop was a beautiful monastery on a high point
with the sea on all sides below dramatic cliffs. Someone here loves flowers,
perfume in the air at every turn, especially the jasmine, need to plant some in
our garden. Arched passageways with vines and plant life in the over head. It
could have been a winery and we were envious of the people who lived there.
Stumbled into one of the many cute towns built high up.
Locals slowly taking their morning coffee and discussing life. The listeners
are always intently paying attention. Great little square with outdoor dining
makes us want to come back. Although where do you park? Adding to the
atmosphere was early morning singing from the local church.
Spending the day on a beach in Agios Gordios. Sun beds on the sea backed by cute restaurants and a little town. Breakfast at Sea Breeze, a smart three story open air resort with rooms and a pool. Our waiter had the biggest smile and the happiest Greek we’ve met so far. Many resorts allow use of their pools and sun beds are free if you eat and drink.
Met an elder brit in his underwear who recently had gone for a swim and chatted him up about the cutest beach front cottage for next time. It is called Welcome to Elena’s (elenasapartments.com Mob. 6976070091 Tel. 2661053210) and definitely would love to try it.
Encouraged us to lunch at the Green Stone. It all started in the 60’s with a guy on a donkey setting up on family land with a little taverna. No electricity, no road and serving the hippie back packers. Town built up around him and we were fortunate to have lunch with his son as the proprietor. Lunch was overshadowed by the view and people watching. The orange cake was Oolah-lah!
Another float and nap after our delivered 12 euro bottle of local white. Seems to be the standard rate and gets the job done although no awards are in its future.
On our trek back to Paleokatritas. Spelled that without looking! We stopped in at an olive oil press. Run by an energetic elderly self proclaimed famous professor. At least from the pieces we understood of our conversation. All sorts of machinery with cobwebs awaiting the next harvest of olives. We bought a jar of olives we can’t take home on the flight and may or may not eat because we liked him and it completed the experience.
Acapulco Bar, last stop, was a bar restaurant with pool at the top of a cascade of stairs going down to the water. With drinks in hand we descended past the pool, terraced areas with lounge chairs, and olive trees to our little spot overlooking, wait for it….another stunning bay. Loaded with Brit’s and Germans it had a very bohemian vibe. Naps, card games, books, devices and quiet conversations. Easy place to relax! We took a dip to cool off and watched all the rental boats come in from a day on the water. Good entertainment watching boater skills diminished by booze. One in particular involved a couple tear in, throw the boat in reverse and terrorize the nearby swimmers. They then both jump off the boat to cliff jump. Panic sets in with the boat drifting away towards the rocks. A spirited swim and scramble aboard has the boat saved. All in all a great recommendation from a couple we met the night before.
Cindy found a couple of cute bracelets as mementos of a new
favorite place in the world.
Finally home for a sunset on our porch, a much needed shower
and a nap that was so hard to get up from.
Dinner at Spiros BBQ, excellent meal either way lights out sauce on the spit roasted chicken and the smoked osso bucco.
Cindy’s second gelato and another piece of syrup soaked cake
completed our day.
September 15, 2025
Corfu
Our last day in a place that smells like sunshine. Sad to go
and scheming about shortening our stay elsewhere to come back for a few more
days. Regardless we both agreed we will make another visit to Corfu. A month
could be happily spent checking out cute towns and post card perfect beaches.
We are quickly packed and say our goodbyes to Hotel Tango.
We chose a bakery for breakfast housed in a small stone cottage. The bright and cheerful baker had a case full of cookies, some phyllo pastries and the largest sugar donuts ever. We split a donut between us and were very happy.
Further down the road was the beach that faced Acapulco Bar.
A possible place to stay next time on the cheap. Although just fair reviews and
an arduous hike up hill to the bus station if you are without wheels.
On the main drag we passed a church and stopped to walk
through the elaborate grave yard. Out front were the remnants of a big lamb
bbq, likely from the day before. Note to keep our eyes open for fun community
events.
Off to the airport area ahead of our boat ride to Albania.
The stop was to watch landing jets flyover. There is a viewing bridge over the
water a few hundred yards from the end of the runway where you can stand right
under the flight path. Seeing them come from far off leaves plenty of time for
the excitement to build. Passing just overhead did not disappoint and we were
close enough to feel the woosh. So exhilarating we stuck around for three
landings and left with big smiles. How cool!!
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