Corfu, Greece – July 26, 2024

Last updated on August 26th, 2024 at 06:34 pm

[This is a rough draft to get started. We’ve done a lot of traveling so far, and are behind in sleep, so we’ll keep this updated as we have a chance. When this isn’t here anymore, you’ll know that we’re finished with the page!]

Corfu has a rich history shaped by conquerors and by royalty seeking tranquility. Corfu’s Old Town and Fortress—fashioned by the once powerful Venetian Republic—comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow warrens lead to one of Europe’s largest public squares and a lovely promenade once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy. Everywhere, magnificent coastal views unfold and scenic byways lead to history-rich enclaves, from the archaeological site of Paleopolis and the stunning Vlacherna Monastery to a former Greek royal villa.

Pictures from Corfu

Video from Corfu

This was an earlier morning than yesterday. Our tour meeting time was 8:20 am, so we were up at 6 am. Corfu has a large port with 3 cruise ships in port today. Corfu is called the green island as it receives more rain than the islands in the Aegean Sea. By starting our tour around 8:30 am, the sun wasn’t as high in the sky, so with a little breeze it was pleasant. Our tour began with a drive to Kanoni a vantage point from which we could see Pontikonisi Island, or Mouse Island, and the Vlacherna Monastery, also on a small island. On our way to Kanoni we drove by the first church built in Greece, some ruins of a Roman bath and the gates of Mon Repos Villa, once home to the Greek royal family, where Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, was born. We also learned Corfu can claim the first theatre built in Greece as well as the first university, Ionian University, which continues to educate students today.

After a stop to take pictures, we drove to the Old Fort to begin our walking tour of the old town. Corfu, Greek name, Kerkyra, was one of three great naval powers along with Athens and Corinth in the 5th century BCE. By the 13th century AD, fearing invasion of the Ottomans, the people of Corfu requested help from the nearby Venetian Empire. In the 13th century, the Venetians build the Old Fort to protect the city. It was effective and the Ottoman’s never successfully invaded. A second fort was built, with the Old Town between the two forts. The New Fort was built in the 16th century, also by the Venetians, who remained in power in Corfu until the French invaded in the late 18th century. Following the French were the British, then Corfu was ceded to Greece with the other Ionian Islands. Corfu is very close to Albania. We could see the Albanian mountains rising in the distance.

We walked through the square and through small streets that looked like alleys. Several times we needed to move as small trucks suppling the shops needed through. We walked in a circle coming back to the main open area with a cricket field, fountains and flower beds. From here we can see Greek, Venetian, French and British influence in the buildings. We learned 98% of Corfu is Christian Greek Orthodox, with a few Catholic churches and one synagogue.

Our tour ended and our free time began. We went back to the shopping area. Our first stop was a shop offering honeyed kumquats and figs, which we sampled. Joyce has been on the lookout for sunscreen. We brought some old sport sunscreen with us but it has a strong unpleasant odor, though it seemed to be working, protecting our skin from the sun. We have looked at sun screen that was pretty expensive. In the shop we found a small bottle at a price Alan could live with and a scent Joyce could live with. It is all about compromise! On to finding a Christmas ornament to represent Corfu. Our way we saw an open church and visited. Several people were lighting candles, kissing the icons, as well as standing in line to visit the priest. No pictures were allowed. Icons and paintings lined the walls of the church and dome above. There were several silver chandeliers hanging throughout the sanctuary.

After shopping we decided to visit the Old Fort. The entrance fee was 6 euros each. The fort has a wet moat and dry moat. The walls are straight up and looked impenetrable. We walked around inside, finding an exhibit of ancient frescoes and mosaics. We started to walk along one wall which was accessible by a broke stone path instead of stairs. Joyce made use of the rail. From the wall we had good view of the small boat portion of the harbor. We continued walking up through arched tunnels with stone paths. Often the stones were slick, making us wonder how horses navigated the paths, especially during rainy weather. Joyce stopped about half way up, enjoying the views around her, but Alan, the adventurer, made it to the top.

After the fort, we made our way outside the fort to the Viking shuttle stop for the shuttle back to the ship. The area was quite busy with multiple busses for the various tours from all three cruise ships, plus people walking and cars also trying to get through.

We made it to the port, through the terminal for the security bag check and began the long walk to the ship. We were told there was a Viking dedicated shuttle, but didn’t see it. The Viking Sea was docked quite a ways from the terminal. Once we turned a corner and the ship we were walking past provided some shade, the walk became a little more pleasant.

We ate lunch, took a nap, blogged and worked on pictures until Joyce noticed a tugboat in the water outside our veranda – a sure sign the ship is getting ready to leave port. Once again, Joyce was able to enjoy watching the ship leave port. It is amazing to watch such a large ship maneuver slowly in a space that seems small relative to the size of the ship.

We went down to The Restaurant a little later, hoping in avoid the dinner rush. We were successful and ate dinner just the two of us after two nights sitting at sharing tables. Tarfiq was our waiter and he was very personable. When we were asked what wine we wanted with dinner, we were honest and told him we didn’t know much about wine. He noticed we had the Silver Spirit Beverage package and asked us a few questions about our preferences. We suggested he select a wine for us. Joyce ordered fish, so he chose a Vinologist Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa. Joyce really enjoyed it. After dinner, Tarfiq suggested hot tea, made with both chamomile and rooibos tea bags. We both really enjoyed this tea combination.

After dinner the entertainment this evening was a solo performance by Lily Wyatt, Asst. Cruise Director. Lily was one of the Viking singers and had recently been promoted to assistant cruise director. She has an excellent singing voice and animated stage presence. We enjoyed her performance.

Tonight we are treated to an extra hour of sleep, as we will be 6 hours ahead of Indiana time for the remainder of our trip, instead of 7 hours.