Villa Penelope, Kerasia, Agios Stefanos, Corfu, Greece
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Villa Penelope is ideally located above the exclusive bays of Agios Stefanos & Kerasia along a quiet country lane bordered by olive groves & Cypress trees. Agios Stefanos and Kerasia can be reached on foot or by car. The local shops in Agios Stefanos provide everything from fresh baked bread to English newspapers. Penelope is a stunning villa built in a quiet , private position allowing for a holiday of peace and relaxation.
Kerasia Beach - 600m. Shops/Restaurants - Agios Stefanos - 1.3km Distance from airport - 40km |
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Kerasia
Kerasia is a long sweeping beach and one of the most beautiful on the island, with excellent swimming and snorkelling. Kerasia is for those looking for complete peace and quiet, to laze in the sun or enjoy a read. There is just one Taverna and a scattering of villas. During lunchtime, the occasional day trip boat may arrive - but they soon depart! The Rothschild's have a holiday home on the headland - Prince Charles and Lord Sainsbury are regulars. |
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Agios Stefanos
This small fishing village has thankfully escaped the ravages of mass tourism and still retains an authentic Greek charm. Life goes along at a relaxed pace, perhaps lounging on the beach. There is a small local Greek community that welcomes its visitors with the warmth and hospitality for which Greece is famous. The excellent setting, waterfront Tavernas and bars, along with a scattering of mini-markets, shops and boat hire create a delightful Greek island holiday destination. |
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Avlaki
Avlaki is a beautiful sweeping bay with a gently sloping beach and fabulously clear turquoise waters . No wonder Avlaki is a favourite for the locals! The beach is fringed by just a few villas, two tavernas serving local food, and a small sailing school. Avlaki really is a Greek Island heaven. |
29 Apr 2016 - Holy Week (Good Friday)
Funeral processions of representations of Jesus' body on an embroidered winding sheet, orned with flowers take place. The last and most important procession starts at night from the Cathedral of Corfu and finishes at midnight around the Esplanade, with a fantastic reunion of all the Philharmonic bands and choirs of Corfu playing underneath the beautiful purple lights of the Liston.
There are various concerts in all of the churches on Corfu Island, with the main one held at the Muncipal Theatre by the Philarmonic Bands and Choirs of Corfu.
30 Apr 2016 - Holy Week (Good Saturday)
There is throwing and breaking of 'the pots' (kanates) from all the roofs and balconies, followed by the Custom of Mastella and the Pinia location in Corfu Town. At 22:00, the Holy Light arrives on the Esplanade/Pentofanaro. Then at approximately 23:40 the Procession of Resurrection begins from the Church of Agia Paraskevi. This then proceeds to move to Central Square where the official Resurrection Ceremony takes place. There are lots of fireworks and everybody holds their own candles.
01 May 2016 - May Day & Easter Sunday
Easter in Greece is often considered more important than Christmas and the centuries old traditions of celebrating it vary from island to island. This year, Greek Orthodox Easter falls in May and Western (Catholic and Protestant) Easter falls in March. Once every four years the dates coincide, however, there is usually five weeks difference between the dates. In Corfu Town, a unique part of the ceremonies involve the various choirs and philharmonic orchestras that perform during this time, a cultural leftover from British rule, Corfiots’ and visitors alike gather to celebrate the solemnity and beauty of the religious occasion. Kassiopi’s oldest church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, begins the procession in the early evening. On Good Saturday, when the local Priest has given his blessing and declared “ Christos Anesti” ( Christ has risen”), a loud cacophony of fireworks starts the celebrations, lighting up the sky and hailing Sunday as a day of feasting, dancing and making merry – Happy Easter Corfu style! Another unique and rather puzzling tradition is on Holy Saturday at 11am, when locals’ toss pots into the streets below, mainly in Corfu town. Connected to the First Resurrection, it actually dates back to Venetian times, when the Venetians used to throw all the old useless objects and pots away on January first, and represents a very literal spring clean, so finding a safe place to stand and watch is a good idea!
May Day
On this national holiday it is tradition for people to go to the countryside, have picnics, gather flowers, and make them into wreaths to hang on their front doors.
06 May 2016 - Makrades Festival
Makrades Panegyri / Festival
08 May 2016 - Kanoni Festival
Kanoni Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
10 May 2016 - Paleokastritsa Pangegyri / Festival
12 May 2016 - Krini Festival
26 Jul 2016 - Eve of Agia Paraskevi
There is traditional celebration in Ana Garouna, along with traditional food such as spaghetti and pastries in Kato Garouna. There is a sardine feast near San George in the north west.
02 Aug 2016 - Varkarola
This is an amazing cultural event, celebrated in Paleokastritsa every year on the first Sunday in August. There are choirs in boats, filling the bay with traditional romantic songs from the twenties. Bands also play traditional music whilst fireworks illuminate the sky.
10 Aug 2016 - Music Concerts
Concerts take place at the central square of Corfu Town with the Philharmonic Orchestra.
11 Aug 2016 - Holy Relique of Agios Spyridon
This event takes place in Corfu Town. A silver case containing the body of St. Spyridon is exposed for public worship for 3 days and 3 nights. Thousands of people will visit to pay respect and kiss his slippered feet.
15 Aug 2016 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary
On the 15th August every year, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Villages are decorated, festivals are held, traditional dances are staged and there is a generally a great festive atmosphere.
28 Oct 2016 - National Holiday
There is a national holiday and celebration of service involving laying of wreaths at the Heroes Monument. The youth of Corfu parade with the army, accompanied by the Philharmonic bands of Corfu Island. This takes place on the Esplanade of Corfu.
Funeral processions of representations of Jesus' body on an embroidered winding sheet, orned with flowers take place. The last and most important procession starts at night from the Cathedral of Corfu and finishes at midnight around the Esplanade, with a fantastic reunion of all the Philharmonic bands and choirs of Corfu playing underneath the beautiful purple lights of the Liston.
There are various concerts in all of the churches on Corfu Island, with the main one held at the Muncipal Theatre by the Philarmonic Bands and Choirs of Corfu.
30 Apr 2016 - Holy Week (Good Saturday)
There is throwing and breaking of 'the pots' (kanates) from all the roofs and balconies, followed by the Custom of Mastella and the Pinia location in Corfu Town. At 22:00, the Holy Light arrives on the Esplanade/Pentofanaro. Then at approximately 23:40 the Procession of Resurrection begins from the Church of Agia Paraskevi. This then proceeds to move to Central Square where the official Resurrection Ceremony takes place. There are lots of fireworks and everybody holds their own candles.
01 May 2016 - May Day & Easter Sunday
Easter in Greece is often considered more important than Christmas and the centuries old traditions of celebrating it vary from island to island. This year, Greek Orthodox Easter falls in May and Western (Catholic and Protestant) Easter falls in March. Once every four years the dates coincide, however, there is usually five weeks difference between the dates. In Corfu Town, a unique part of the ceremonies involve the various choirs and philharmonic orchestras that perform during this time, a cultural leftover from British rule, Corfiots’ and visitors alike gather to celebrate the solemnity and beauty of the religious occasion. Kassiopi’s oldest church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, begins the procession in the early evening. On Good Saturday, when the local Priest has given his blessing and declared “ Christos Anesti” ( Christ has risen”), a loud cacophony of fireworks starts the celebrations, lighting up the sky and hailing Sunday as a day of feasting, dancing and making merry – Happy Easter Corfu style! Another unique and rather puzzling tradition is on Holy Saturday at 11am, when locals’ toss pots into the streets below, mainly in Corfu town. Connected to the First Resurrection, it actually dates back to Venetian times, when the Venetians used to throw all the old useless objects and pots away on January first, and represents a very literal spring clean, so finding a safe place to stand and watch is a good idea!
May Day
On this national holiday it is tradition for people to go to the countryside, have picnics, gather flowers, and make them into wreaths to hang on their front doors.
06 May 2016 - Makrades Festival
Makrades Panegyri / Festival
08 May 2016 - Kanoni Festival
Kanoni Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
10 May 2016 - Paleokastritsa Pangegyri / Festival
12 May 2016 - Krini Festival
26 Jul 2016 - Eve of Agia Paraskevi
There is traditional celebration in Ana Garouna, along with traditional food such as spaghetti and pastries in Kato Garouna. There is a sardine feast near San George in the north west.
02 Aug 2016 - Varkarola
This is an amazing cultural event, celebrated in Paleokastritsa every year on the first Sunday in August. There are choirs in boats, filling the bay with traditional romantic songs from the twenties. Bands also play traditional music whilst fireworks illuminate the sky.
10 Aug 2016 - Music Concerts
Concerts take place at the central square of Corfu Town with the Philharmonic Orchestra.
11 Aug 2016 - Holy Relique of Agios Spyridon
This event takes place in Corfu Town. A silver case containing the body of St. Spyridon is exposed for public worship for 3 days and 3 nights. Thousands of people will visit to pay respect and kiss his slippered feet.
15 Aug 2016 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary
On the 15th August every year, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Villages are decorated, festivals are held, traditional dances are staged and there is a generally a great festive atmosphere.
28 Oct 2016 - National Holiday
There is a national holiday and celebration of service involving laying of wreaths at the Heroes Monument. The youth of Corfu parade with the army, accompanied by the Philharmonic bands of Corfu Island. This takes place on the Esplanade of Corfu.
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The most important part of any Greek island holiday, and Corfu is no exception, is the food and wine! Corfu's Tavernas will not disappoint. Modern Corfiot food is fresh and exciting.
There are several tavernas and a couple of cocktail bars at St Stefanos village and one restaurant at Kerasia bay. |
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Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian islands and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. Corfu has kept its charm and popularity for many years. Its magnetism draws people (including Royalty) back year after year to enjoy the sun, the crystal clear warm sea and exquisite cuisine.
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Corfu Airport: Flying to Corfu , for most Europeans, is an easy flight lasting less than 3 hours. Corfu's International airport (Kapodistrias) is located on the edge of Corfu (Kerkyra) town, it is modern and compact. During the summer months (May to October) there are regular charter flights from most European countries to Corfu. Domestic flights (from Athens) operate all year round.
Corfu Port: Corfu's port is at the edge of Corfu (Kerkyra) town. Ferries from Greek mainland (Igumenitsa and Patra) offer a regular service as well as ferries from Italy (Venice, Ancona and Brindisi). Corfu port is also a popular stop for visiting cruise ships. Driving to Corfu: Some drive to Corfu, the regular ferries from Italy and the Greek mainland to Corfu make the trip easier to plan. The roads of Corfu are generally in good condition, even if unavoidably steep and twisting in some locations. |
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There are two resorts called Saint Stefanos on Corfu - this one is in the north east, located between Kalami and Kassiopi! It is an exceptionally pretty village set around a horse-shoe shaped bay. This small fishing village has thankfully escaped the ravages of mass tourism and still retains an authentic Greek charm. Life goes along at a relaxed pace, perhaps lounging on the beach. There is a small local Greek community that welcomes its visitors with the warmth and hospitality for which Greece is famous. The excellent setting, waterfront Tavernas and bars, along with a scattering of mini-markets, shops and boat hire create a delightful Greek island holiday destination.
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Kerasia is a long sweeping beach and one of the most beautiful on the island, with excellent swimming and snorkelling. Kerasia is for those looking for complete peace and quiet, to laze in the sun or enjoy a read. There is just one Taverna and a scattering of villas. During lunchtime, the occasional day trip boat may arrive - but they soon depart! The Rothschild's have a holiday home on the headland - Prince Charles and Lord Sainsbury are regulars.
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