Pondikonissi or Mouse island is the name of the the most remote island in the bay south of Kanoni, just south of Corfu town. The island is often confused with and mixed with the nearer by island of Vlacherna which is connected with the main land by means of a small dam where also some fishing boats are. On Vlacherna there is a white monastery and a very tall tree. This is one of the most photograhped places in the whole of Greece. The only building on the island of Pondikonissi is a church that is hidden between the trees. The myth from Homerus says that Odysseus was washed ashore on the island, but other places on Corfu claim the same.
Around the headland from Kalami is the pretty fishing village of Kouloura. Not much of a beach, just a narrow strip of sand and shingle under the cliffs opposite the harbour but a beautiful setting that oozes peace and tranquility. Rocky coves offer snorkeling and sunbathing .
Much visited by boats the sea can get dirty with fuel in the summer and sea urchins are a problem on the rocks. No boat hire, no watersports, no bars, no clubs, one taverna and the nearest shop is a 20min walk to Kalami - heaven on earth.
Kanoni (One- Gun Battery), a little square with a superb view- one that
has to some extent become Corfu's trademark. The name originates with the French, who installed a cannon here that nowadays stands above the little square, next to the tourist pavillion. No tourist should miss the experience of the superb and unforgettable view from there, at any time of the day.
To the left there are two little islets, each of which has a monastery on it, neather of which is of any particular interest to the visitor. The nearer one, reached by a causeway, is to Our Lady 'Vlacherna' and the further one, on Pontikonisi (Mouse Island) is to Pantokrator
Achilleion is the summer residence that was build in name of the Austrian empress Elisabeth between 1889 and 1892 on the Greek island of Corfu. After Elisabeth had visited Corfu in the sixties on several occcasions for health reasons, she became very interested in Greek mythology. She travelled to Greece on a regular basis. After the tragic death of her son Rudolf she decided to start a living on Corfu. Her husband, the emperor Frans Joseph was willing to pay the cost of 9 million gold franks.
The classical building was designed by the Italian architect Rafaele Carito and was decorated both inside and outside with neo-classical statues. Sisi herself named the house after her favorite classical hero Achilles.
Paleokastritsa resort area is on the west coast of Corfu island (about 16 miles/26km from Corfu Town) and consists of six beautiful coves with sandy beaches, surrounded by green forests and olive trees. Local tavernas are renowned for serving up the town's delicious lobster catches.
There is a monastery, dating from 1228, on the promontory about a mile from the beach. A medieval castle, Angelokastro, overlooks the area, sited on a hilltop which can be reached by a very scenic drive via the village of Lakones, or on foot, though the walk is arduous
KERKYRA or CORFU TOWN is as pleasant a major holiday centre as you will find anywhere in Greece. Venetians, French and British have all had a hand in developing the town and the results are both impressive and attractive, especially since 1994 when public buildings were given a major clean-up in preparation for a EU summit. This is a large town with 40,000 inhabitants (and who knows how many at the height of summer) but it is an expensive one, particularly in the main tourist areas. It is dominated by double forts. The 13th century Neo Frourio (New Fort) with its dungeons, cellars and impressive turret battlements is much more interesting to visit than the older but less eciting 6th century Paleo Frourio (Old Fort).
