Our original itinerary had us stopping at Mykonos and Santorini. So when it was changed to Corfu, I actually didn’t know it was one of the Greek Islands. I do now! Prince Philip was born here.

The green blue waters of the Mediterranean welcomed us as I learnt Corfu is perched above the Adriatic Sea and is the 2nd largest Ionian island. Tourism is its main industry but they’ve always been big on olive oil. Wild olive trees abound. Signage was in both Greek and English. The ship had prepared us for Greece by having a toga party the previous night.

On our land tour, we passed through some busy seaside resort towns and the beaches looked very inviting but the traffic was crazy. We were soon touring up the mountain on the narrow roads on our way to see a 12th century built monastery. Things were looking distinctly European. The main door of the old houses fronted the narrow streets, hardly enough room for two way traffic. The thought in my head was that these thoroughfares were built for donkeys!

Half way up we forced a toilet stop but that was just an excuse to admire the views.

Even in the 12th century, the monks knew how to pick prime real estate. The working monastery (Paleokastritsa Monastery) had sensational views and the inside architecture and artwork is warming us up for what’s to come on our Italian leg. A robed monk appeared in front of me and began ringing a bell. It was 1pm and their lunchtime, all tourists out!

We then ventured to the highest peak in the north-west to old castle ruins. The Angelokastro was built during the Byzantine era in the 12th century. The thigh muscles got a good workout climbing the cobbled stairs. I couldn’t help but admire what incredible craftsmanship existed back then. On top of the mountain there was a small chapel which was in remarkably good condition.

Outside the chapel were several graves that had been dug into the soft rock. The bodies were gone but the human outline remained. It was mountain goat territory and hard to conceive how the materials for this castle had got up here. Sheer crags and wild looking rock formations drop into the sea below. More million dollar views!

Coming down the steps a baklava flavoured icecream was enjoyed.

We then drove down to the old town. Dating back to the 8th century and on the entrance to the Adriatic Sea, it is dominated by fortresses built by the Venetians to defend the island. The old town remains as it was but the new part was rebuilt after it was destroyed during the war. Unrepaired bomb damage from World War 2 still exists in Corfu today.

We finished the day with a Corfu red beer. On board a Greek folkloric group entertained us with their Zorba dance. Opa!!!!!!!!