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Slow Lane Magazine, May 2019
Insights and stories from across Europe and beyond
  • favourite (but oft-forgotten) festivals
  • Nepal's secret valley
  • boutique beauty in Drôme Provençale
  • carving out a future in southern Italy
  • Inntravellers' Tales – our new writing competition
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Corfu's West Coast

The Emperor’s playground
 
Follow ancient, panoramic paths above the coast and witness glorious sunsets on this self-guided hotel-to-hotel walking holiday. Your luggage is transferred from one delightful country hotel to the next as you explore this breathtaking, unspoiled part of Corfu.
Corfu's West Coast. 7 nights
Corfu's West Coast. 7 nights
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday on Corfu

The charms of Corfu’s west coast have been known for some time, but thankfully it remains largely unspoiled. Europe’s nobility, including Empress Elizabeth (Sisi) of Austria and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany holidayed here in the 19th century – and Prince Philip was born here, too, into the Greek royal family. Wooded hillsides of olive groves slope down towards the sea, and sandy bays alternate with rocky coves and villages of brightly painted houses.
Initially following the long-distance Corfu Trail, our enchanting holiday is a journey from south to north, leading you along ancient footpaths and winding tracks above the coast, between olives, cypresses, maritime pines and holm oaks. The eclectic mix of hotels in which you stay are all located in quiet, peaceful grounds, and most command superlative views of the sunsets which add an extra allure to this gem of an island.
 
Gallery
 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. 
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 12 13 15 18 23 27 30 30 27 22 17 14
    mm 170 151 113 77 51 23 14 25 73 150 211 215
  • Arrival in Paramonas
    Night 1: at Paramonas Hotel (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Circular walk via Mount Agios Matthaios: 11km, 4.5hrs
    Paramonas is an idlyllic and peaceful place in which to start your holiday. We suggest a wonderful introductory walk which leads to Mount Agios Matthaios (465 metres) for a 360-degree panorama of southern Kerkyra (Corfu), before returning to Paramonas, where you can head to the beach or sit in the shade in the hotel’s attractive garden with a cooling drink.
    Circular walk via Mount Agios Matthaios: 11km
    View over Paramonas on the ascent to Mount Agios Matthaios
  • Paramonas to Pelekas: 17.5km, 8hrs
    Leaving Paramonas, you embark on your undulating journey north, your destination the hill-top village of Pelekas. Your route follows sections of the Corfu Trail, climbing through olive groves to a pretty village before descending along picturesque paths to reach the beach at Agios Gordios. After a paddle and some refreshment, perhaps, you continue through more shady olive groves to reach Pelekas. Here, Kaiser Wilhelm liked to admire the expansive views over the hills towards the sea from a high promontory beside the hotel. You spend two nights at the Hotel Levant, at the very top of the village, from where you can watch not only the sunset, but the sunrise, too.
    Paramonas to Pelekas: 17.5km
    Views of the coast on the route from Paramonas to Pelekas
  • Circular walk via the beach: 9km, 4hrs
    You may simply wish to stay at the hotel, relaxing by the large pool and drinking in the spellbinding views from the terrace. However, we suggest a circular walk down to the sea, exploring two nearby beaches.
    Circular walk via the beach: 9km
  • Pelekas to Liapades: 19km, 8hrs
    Leaving Pelekas, you initially descend towards the coast, then head uphill and inland. Follow the river through the verdant Ropa Valley and wander through a wooded nature reserve where orchids abound, before heading back towards the coast via the village of Giannades. You now follow a delightful track through olive groves on a section of the Corfu Trail that leads across the coastal hills before descending into the small, very traditional village of Liapades. From the lovely square, it is a short walk (1km) to the Hotel Corfu Pearl, your base for the final three nights.
    Pelekas to Liapades: 19km
    Enjoy quiet trails through olive groves on the route from Pelekas to Liapades
  • Linear walk to Agios Georgios (return by taxi): 15km, 6hrs
    Your walk today starts by returning to Liapades and the beach, before a short ascent leads to the start of an ancient cobbled trail which takes you up to the hillside village of Lakones, famed for its far-reaching views along the coast and down to Paleokastritsa. Next comes one of the most splendid sections of the walk as you descend a wide track down the cliffs to reach the sweeping bay of Agios Georgios. Here, a taxi (included) will meet you to transport you back to the hotel.
    Linear walk to Agios Georgios (return by taxi): 15km
    The coastal path from Liapades to Agios Georgios
  • Linear walk Paleokastritsa to Liapades (start by taxi): 7km, 3hrs
    On your final day, we suggest taking a taxi to the village and monastery at Paleokastritsa. Standing on a small wooded hillside overlooking the sea, this 12th-century monastery houses a museum containing precious holy relics. While here, you could choose to take a water taxi to visit some of the many small coves and caves around the bay, before returning to the hotel on foot, passing a number of cafés and beaches along the way where you can relax and enjoy lunch or a cooling drink.

    If you would prefer an even more leisurely day, you could stroll into nearby Liapades for lunch, and afterwards continue down to one of the nearby beaches for a swim.

    Alternatively, walk the short distance (1.5km) to the local bus stop, from where a regular service departs for Kerkyra (Corfu Town). We provide notes for a self-guided walking tour of the island's capital, which is a lovely place to wander around, with its narrow maze of streets, inviting shops and beautiful Venetian architecture.
    Linear walk Paleokastritsa to Liapades (start by taxi): 7km
    Enjoy a leisurely wander around Corfu Town
 

Accommodation

You stay in charming hotels offering a warm welcome and friendly service.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter.
Currency converter

We can only accept payment in GBP, but you can use this converter to find out how much the holiday equates to in your own currency.

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NB: this should be used as a guide only. Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in significant variation by the time you come to pay.

  • 7 nights: 01 May - 30 June 2019 & 01 September - 15 October 2019

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 31 May £845 £180
    1 - 23 June £875 £265
    1 - 25 September £875 £265
    26 September - 8 October £845 £180
    3rd & 4th person discount -£30
    Single traveller supplement £60

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Extra night prices include extra days' car hire.
    Levant Hotel (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 May - 31 May 2019 £50 £90
    01 Jun - 30 Jun 2019 £56 £112
    01 Sep - 25 Sep 2019 £56 £112
    26 Sep - 15 Oct 2019 £50 £90
    Hotel Corfu Pearl (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 May - 30 Jun 2019 £50 £70
    01 Sep - 15 Oct 2019 £50 £70
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Corfu

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly to an airport not listed. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Corfu jet2,  Ryanair,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bournemouth - Corfu TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Corfu easyJet,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Cardiff - Corfu TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Doncaster Sheffield - Corfu TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Nottingham East Midlands - Corfu jet2,  Ryanair,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Corfu jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Exeter - Corfu TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Corfu jet2,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow Prestwick - Corfu Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Corfu jet2,  Ryanair,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Corfu Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Corfu easyJet,  Norwegian,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Corfu British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    Luton - Corfu easyJet,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Corfu Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Corfu jet2,  Ryanair,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Corfu easyJet,  jet2,  Ryanair,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Corfu easyJet,  jet2,  Thomas Cook,  TUI 
    Outward route Airline
    Norwich - Corfu TUI 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  you may need to fly to an airport not listed. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you. We charge £30 per person for our flight booking service (£50 for India and Nepal). Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Connecting travel options - flying via Corfu

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi airport to hotel (0h45) £22 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to airport (0h30) £38 flexible
What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 5 dinners
    3 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • transfer on Day 5
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

All 10 reviews
  • Mrs S Whelan
    Scarborough
    17 June 2019

    This was our first walking holiday abroad. We really enjoyed walking in peace through beautiful countryside. It was an additional pleasure to be able to spend time on beaches at most stops. The attention to detail by Inntravel was the reason it all ran so smoothly - all we had to do was walk and read the instructions! The hotels were well placed, everyone we met was welcoming, and a simple "Kalimera" to the many locals we passed was returned with an approving smile. The views during the walks were amazing, particularly on the last day as we started our descent into Agios Georgios. 

  • Anon
    04 June 2019

    This walking holiday was one of my favourite of those I have done. Corfu is moutainous, beautiful, (hot) and lush in June - and we saw all sorts of flowers, citrus trees, butterflies, birds, lizards, insects, and of course cats. The countryside is really beautiful, quite varied as you travel, and the sea crystal clear and perfect for swimming. The hotels was all great choices, and we really enjoyed an extra night in Corfu Pearl - which is great for the hospitality, pool, homegrown produce and homecooked meals, extra walks, and easy-assess to the tiny town square for food or drinks in the evening - very relaxing. My second choice for an extra night would be Hotel Paramonas, which is simple and clean, and next to the sea, and has a fun restaurant/bar next door.

  • C Brown Hertforshire
    29 May 2019

    Some of the views that you just happen upon are really beautiful; north Cornwall in the sun!

  • Mrs L Juma
    Bedford
    24 May 2019

    A lovely break - the spring flowers by the roadside were a highlight. The mix of walking and relaxation was perfect for us.

    A tip - we wanted to visit Corfu Town surroundings so we took bus 2A to Konoki for 2.50 Euros return. A cafe looking down over the lagoon, the monastery, the bridge and the airstrip made a lovely day.

    INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers booked our add-on in Corfu Town after our walk along Corfu's West Coast - The Emperor's Playground

  • Mr A Johnston
    Winchester
    21 May 2019

    We had an excellent holiday in keeping with our experience of Inntravel. Corfu in May was warm and sunny without being hot - ideal for this kind of holiday. A richly green island with the coast rarely far away.  A good contrast moving north from the rural quiet around Paramonas and Agios Mattheos  to the comparatively  tourist-focussed areas around Liapades. So many good points including the friendliness, countryside with cypress trees and wild flowers, watching the world go by in a village square, the food, the walking, the miles of olive groves and simply being on Corfu away from any crowds. We liked  the hotels and their differences.

    Along the way we enjoyed:

    • The baker’s shop as you arrive in Agios Mattheos from Paramonas - good for bread and coffee
    • Chri’s Taverna in Pentati
    • Aspros Taverna in Liapades - which has excellent food including fish and vegetarian options
  • Mrs P Preene
    Faringdon
    12 May 2019

    HIGHLIGHTS: Levant hotel's high location providing wonderful views from either side. Around Liapedes: to Agios Georgios walk as you reach the dramatic cleft in the escarpment the view is magnificent. Walking through the olive groves and soaking up the atmosphere of Corfu.

  • Anon
    28 September 2018

    This was our first experience of Inntravel and it surpassed our expectations. The family run Corfu Pearl hotel was a particular highlight. Athina was delightful and the food, including the packed lunch, was delicious (best packed lunch of the holiday!).

    We found the detailed notes for the walk very helpful, accurate and well researched, making them very up to date.

    We intend to try other Inntravel holidays in the future.

  • Anon
    01 June 2018

    In summary, we had a wonderful time on a trip that was well coordinated and almost seamless as we moved from hotel to hotel. We have used other travel companies before but Inntravel was far and away the easiest to work with, provided the best route notes, and was readily available if issues arose during our vacation. We will use you again.

  • Jimmy
    12 May 2018

    Mention of Panorama resturant in Peroulades was excellent if expensive for a farewell meal on last night. Excellent location and great sunset.

  • Anon
    17 September 2017

    Lovely walks, excellent logistics, Corfu Pearl and Loulia were a good experience. Other hotels' service and walking notes accuracy weren't up to the standards we've come to expect from Inntravel.  
 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from hotel to hotel, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • We can book a wide range of airlines and routes from the UK. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. For Europe and Morocco, there’s a £30 booking fee per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). For India and Nepal, the booking fee is £50 per person. More information on flights >
  • Absolutely! We are experts in tailored rail travel. Making use of sleeper trains or stopovers in cities along the route, we can get you from London to virtually anywhere in mainland Europe. We can even make arrangements to Mallorca, Sicily and Norway with a combination of ferries and rail. Please contact Abi to discuss your plans.
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

    You don’t have to buy our policy (if you live outside Europe you’ll definitely need to make your own arrangements, as the policy is only for UK and EU residents), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Greece, but not a visa (if you are travelling after 31 October 2019, see the Brexit question below for more information). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found through the following NHS link: www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/ You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). UK citizens should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) by applying at a Post Office or at www.ehic.org.uk. The EHIC allows reciprocal health care but should not be seen as a substitute for travel insurance. EHICs may cease to be valid in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
  • The most commonly spoken language is Greek. The currency is the Euro. Greek time is GMT/UTC + 2. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 2.
  • Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, it’s been confirmed that flights will continue as normal and that you won’t need a visa to go on holiday (the limit on stays is 90 days). What you will need if there’s no deal is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your arrival (extra months added because you renewed your passport early do not count) and adequate travel insurance to cover you for accidents and illness in case reciprocal health deals are suspended. If you are driving while on holiday, you will probably need an International Driving Permit (plus a Green Card if you are taking your own car to Europe). More information >
  • The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.
    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
Last fetch time is : 7/17/2019 10:29:29 AM