Picture your most idealistic image of the Greek islands you can conjure up in your mind — with talcum-soft beaches, subtropical forests, tasty fresh coastal cuisine, white stucco and blue rooftops against a stunning seascape… This is Corfu. This is a beautiful island with a great historic center to explore, sparkling waters and tons of sunshine. Corfu is the best place to visit because it packs a big punch. This tiny island is only 40 miles by 20 miles and competes as a favorite port on many Mediterranean cruise itineraries.

Winter brings rain and rain brings dense pine forests and olive groves with great little village enclaves along the way. In the summertime often tempting food and craft stalls appear, a festive atmosphere prevails. This is a place of beauty and celebration with a great abundance of fresh seafood, tasty olives and oils plus citrus fruits galore.

With limited time most visit Corfu Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors find historic fortresses and the vast Spianada Square (esplanade), dotted with fountains, statues and lively dining venues.

Corfu is home to some of the best beaches in Greece, so you have plenty of options for a lazy day in the sun or you can split your time and visit a beach and explore downtown. Corfu Town has so much to offer and it is a photographers dream because it is a “living” medieval town with winding streets. Shopping is amazing and hand-crafters will appreciate the lovely embroidery and lace work from this region.

The fortresses overlook the town and small fishing boats that line the harbor. Sample the fresh catch of the day or enjoy coffee at one of the cafes that line the elegant French-style Liston Arcade. Also worth noting is the Asian Art Museum, the Byzantine Museum,the Achilleion Palace with its manicured gardens or head for the north coast of Corfu and visit the pastel-painted 18th century Paleokastritsa Monastery, which has a stunning clifftop setting overlooking the Ionian Sea beaches.

This is a lovely place with many so many areas to explore. For most it takes at least 10 days at a gentle pace to take it all in but in a day you will certainly fall in love with this special place.

Some prefer to explore this magical place at their own pace on self-guided tours while others prefer a panoramic drive through Corfu Town, passing the Old Fortress, Cricket Square, the Palace of St George and St Michael and its elegant arcade buildings with free time afterwards to explore on foot.

Some tours offered in this area include visits to Achillion and Kanoni. First, pass through the main part of the town into Corfu's lush and verdant countryside of olive, orange and lemon trees. Visit Achillion Palace—the mansion built by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Its beautiful gardens and statues have been left intact for visitors to admire. Continue to Kanoni for a distant view of the Convent of Vlacherna and Mouse Island.

From this port you’ll also have the option of taking an Albanian adventure on a hydrofoil. Upon arrival in Albania visit the ancient town of Butrint, an important ancient Greco-Roman port city that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.