Corfu is one of the most southern Adriatic islands, on the edge on the Otrant doors.

Moreover, is also the northern Greek island, and because of that, you can’t really expect to get hot summer in beginning of May.

The atmosphere will be a few degrees wormer, than Adriatic coast, but still jumps into the sea are in early summers reserved for brave ones.

But, nevertheless, at that time you will summer crowds, those attractive mixed smell of the sea, heat, sun cream and overheated bodies which tickles hormones and awakens senses.

Solid beaches and nature with good tourism infrastructure, in principle everyone can find something that suits him best.

Only thing that bothers me with Greek islands is, that is mainly dominated middle category (hotels, apartments, restaurants,..) which have quite high prices.

Therefore is better checking twice, what a bit more cosines and comfort would cost you.

Anyways… what I want to write is, to give you some history facts about island Corfu, and  write down some useful information, experience that I have, or would recommend to try out on island Corfu.

Therefore… we go back in history.

Rumors are that Odyssey was fascinated by this island.
The inhabitants of the island, which are today approximately 100.000, have retained only little history in Austria-Hungary Achilion Palace, which was the summer residence of Princess Sissy.

This is worth visit, and is located in the Orthodox monastery Paleokastrica, in the old fortress of town Corfu.

Corfu Town (Kerkyra) offers to see some history. It is a beautiful town, with its narrow streets, which are made between the university, markets, churches and the Royal Palace.

But please, do visit the villages, forgotten by the tourist crowds, which are located in the inner part of the island and offers a genuine idea of island life.

With a little luck can search out homely restaurant that goes beyond the supply of gyros, souvlaki and tzatziki.

There are too many taverns with excellent dishes are inviting you to relax and laziness.

The mild climate has allowed abundant vegetation, which turns island into a flower garden.

Corfu is also known by the name “Emerald Isle“.

It is one of the most desired islands, among of all the Greek islands.

Its natural beauty is hidden under the carpet lush, emerald green vegetation, which together with the dynamic nature of the mountainous and most of all the blue water makes the island with indescribable charm.

Corfu personalizes Greek hospitality and the joy of life which is reflected with colorful entertainment and Greeks habits; the evening are meeting old and young people in many a tavern and “kafeniosih”.

Corfu has a beautiful green landscape, beautiful and diverse beaches for resting and relaxation.

The sea is ideal for swimming and some secluded beaches are still undiscovered.

You will find the most beautiful sandy beaches on the west of the island.

If you prefer beaches with a sandbank or rocky beaches, then I would recommend the north side of the island.

Also unforgettable are hundred of olive trees all around the island, among them is also a 500 years old olive tree.

Furthermore you will also find lemon and orange trees, oleander, cypress, acacia, vines and various types of flowers.

Rich history of the Corfu island gives evidence,  that the Italians were here once, but English, and French, the Habsburgs, …

All of them have contribute a bit to that special bit of the island.

If you want entertainment, go back to the shore! Ipsos, Gouvia, Sidari, Kavos, these are all destinations for young Europeans which are looking for a night life.

Actually, a nightlife in Corfu could be an unique experience. The best “parties” are in Ipsos city, which attracts a lot of young people who want long dinner parties.

Entertainment gets its meaning here. And anyone who has once experienced Ipsos knows where are the best parties.

Thousands of young people looking for fun is waiting to join them.

Zakynthos, Shipwreck and Blue caves

This year I have been traveling a bit, and one stop was at the greenest Greek island, Zakynthos.

A little bit about Zakynthos island

The island is mainly full of tourists and students, mainly from England, who earned money through holidays as animators in various bars and discos.

But nevertheless, Island is very much characterized by its beautiful nature that simple fascinate and charm you.

In 1954 there was an earthquake in Zakynthos, which shattered most of the buildings on the island.

Therefore, there cannot be found the traditional white houses with blue roofs, as this is still an area of earthquake and construction must be solid and reliable.
As Zakynthos has a sufficient rainfall it is quite a green island.

Zakynthos is also known as hilly island, although the number of ascents remunerated with beautiful views of the hilly countryside on one side and the sea, which extends to the horizon, on the other.

West coast of Zakynthos

West coast of the island is more rocky and less accessible, but those who are persistent – those are rewarded with beautiful coves and emerald green waters.

This, west part of the island is more peaceful and authentic, as there are rocky beaches and only few of them are accessible.

One, which I would recommend on this side of the island, is the beach of Limnionas, or Porto Limnionas as it is called by the locals.

Limnionas beach is located approx. 32 kilometers western from Zakynthos town.

It’s a very nice beach, not crowded and with very nice fish restaurants.

Shipwreck and Blue caves

I would also recommend, going around the island with boat, as this way, you could get to the beach Navagio, also known for Shipwreck and Blue caves, which are amazing to see.

With one day boat trip, which you could take from any place in Zakynthos, you will be able to see amazing caves, emerald green waters where water is so pure that you see life at the very bottom of the sea …and numerous others unforgettable things and places.

When the boat comes to the sandy beach which is surrounded by high rocks, the boat stops and then you can actually swim in the beautiful water, because the sand and the beach is such that it takes a unique color.

The most amazing is a smugglers bay known also as Shipwreck, where we could see wrecked ship from 1985, with which they smuggled cigarettes and alcohol.

Locals say, that the captain of this ship is still alive somewhere in Zakynthos. Shipwreck is very often on posters presenting Zakynthos, and Greece as whole.

Generally, Zakynthos is wonderful; nature is wonderful, hospitable Greeks.

They know that you are on vacation; therefore they respect that and try to comfort you.

Zakynthos is a Greek’s magical island picturesque landscape, where you feel like at home, home in Greece.

Zakynthos has fascinated me with the shades of green, as it is planted with many olive plantations, citrus fruits, various flowers and vines.

Zakynthos is the most southern island in the Ionian Sea, surrounded with the crystal clear blue sea.

Beauty of the island has already been undertaken, as the Venetians called “Fiore di Levante” flower of East.

Zakynthos is an island of contradictions, as you could on one side discovered the idyllic Greek villages which haven’t lost their magic s and authenticity, and on the other hand you can find cosmopolitan cities full of life.

When you lie down on the beautiful sandy beaches, there a chance that you could admire the turtles Caretta – Caretta, or sit about idly in the genuine local tavern, you would be touched and dazzled by this beauty island.

Aragasi is one of the oldest holiday resorts on the island.

This oldest town has an attractive landscape, which has retained its authenticity.

Aragasi is one of the most popular towns on the island, especially interesting is for families.

It has a nice bay with sand and pebble beach with translucent and clear sea with the possibility of water sports.

The place is suitable for relaxation and it has numerous shops, restaurants, bars and  at the same time discos for the party.

Argasi is located 4 km from the town of Zakynthos. Laganas is the largest and most lively resort on the green island, also known by the much known tortoise Caretta – Caretta.

Moreover, it’s surrounded with a wonderful 9 km long sandy beach.

Laganas is a real paradise for those who wish to have holiday nights passing by with the lively rhythms from the restaurant, bars and discos open late into the night.

Laganas is based 7 km from the town Zakynthos.

Quite know and protected place is also Kalamaki. With protected I mean, secured from the national guardians, which are looking after tortoise Caretta-Caretta.

As every year there are less and less tortoises, they start with rigorous regulations, which will help them to keep beaches as they were before.

It’s forbidden to collect shells or to take them with you. Beach at Kalamaki is open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., when they close beach for tourists.

As at night tortoise are coming to lie on their eggs. If it’s crowded with people or lights, they are not returning back.

Kalamaki is a typical Greek village, which is slowly being transformed into a pleasant tourist resort with a restaurant and souvenir shop.

Here you can also enjoy wide beautiful sandy beach. Due to the proximity of the occasional aircraft over flights also a noise can be expected.

Night flights are banned for airplanes.

Tsilivi / Planos is a small, modern holiday village, located north of the town of Zakynthos and is surrounded by the typical island vegetation with groves citrus fruit, olives and vines.

Additionally provide a rich supply of genuine taverns, souvenir shops and bars.

Why would I recommend Zakynthos?

Whereas  Zakynthos is a island ideal for families, adventure and explorers, who are  looking for fun

• because you will have the unique opportunity to admire the turtles Caretta – Caretta
• because you will be dazzled by the island province of beautiful beaches, hidden coves, impenetrable groves of olives and grapes
• On the island you will find original Greek hospitality and traditional Greek cuisine
• Because you can be spoiling yourself with fully developed tourist destination and at the same time enjoying the traditional coastal towns.
• It’s amazing to feel and felt that shivering sea touch on the long and warn beaches, where the colors of wet and sun desired bodies are sparkling.

Passionate and deep looks will engender the most hidden fantasies.

True fantasy will conjure up town filled with energy, desire, fun, modern dance rhythms, moving hips and a myriad of those who have already found their spot in the land of never and nevermore.

When we hear “Hawaii” most of the people think of dream beaches, welcome with the floral wreaths at the airport and the tourism boom of Waikiki. And many would be really surprised. Yes, the beaches are great and the best, but what the tourist brochures do not reveal is that the waves of at least half of the year there are too high for swimming. And at the shores of the island, you’ll often find crosses, put there for the memory of surfers, who have dash on the rocks.

Hula dancers and wreaths of flowers

Do you think about a welcome, where exotic native girls sing a welcome song with accompaniment with ukulele, and they put a garland of scented flowers around the neck? Unfortunate I need to disappoint you little bit. Here it is how it works; if you want Hula dancers, you need to pay them, and the crown comes only in bigger packages. If you go to Hawaii on your own, you’ll already be happy if the rental car will work without problems. And a bit about the most famous beach in Hawaii, named Waikiki, placed in capital city of Hawaii, Honolulu; there are a lot of crime going on, and the local people will most likely advise you, to leave you car open and do not lock it, as it may happened that when you come back, your car-window will be smashed. Some people get to know this “revelation” on a bad way. Don’t say I dint worn you.

Is camping only for adventures types?

Hawaiian almost unreal striking nature, which varies from the previously mentioned paradise beach of all the colors and structures, through the rich and flourishing flowers and hibiscuses and from grove to tropical trees, interlaced with sponging creeper, which invites you to camping.

Who wouldn’t like to wake up on the cliff, where among other things are filming series about Mysterious Island, and where you can get a best view of the Pacific Ocean?

Yeah, obviously the camping is more or less reserved for homeless people and / or drug addicts who came to Hawaii in search of paradise, sleep under the blue sky, wash in the ocean, and where the mangos will come from the trees above, from the marvelous trees. Ooo yeh. I don’t want to be too pessimistic, but, that’s the way it is. Unfortunately.

“Oh my god, you camped on the west side of Oahu? That’s like – a miniature Los Angeles!” was the reaction that we often get when we tell people our adventure. During our stay in camp on Oahu Island, in the middle of the night, with very loud music, some guys broke into a car, parked five meters away, and they took camera with all lenses and mobile phone. And all they left was a chaos, broken glass and blood stains.

Surfers and volcanoes in Hawaii

After all, among all unpleasantness, the famous archipelago, this is the most isolated piece of land in the world, is very well worth to visits. And not because of the relaxing on the beaches surrounded with palm trees – for that you don’t need to sit 20 hours on the plane.

But do visit Hawaii because of charming surfing oriented north coast of Oahu, and because of the glory (still active) volcano on the Big Island, because of the 40 kilometers long trekking along the caves in Kauai, after which you come to a dream landscape, because one the most beautiful roads in the world, exotic and full of turnings road from Hanna to Maui.

Where mangos fly from heaven…

In Hawaii you can ride under the eucalyptus at the foothills of a volcano, and afterwards, high above the clouds, you could see the amazing sunset. You can pick bananas and mangoes in the jungle, where you can still find some remains from the hippie communes. You can watch the fireworks for the 4th of July, while you are enjoying an ice cream with banana, pineapple and macadamia nuts flavor. In the morning you could be walking on the edge of the canyon, called »Grand Canyon, of Pacific« and in afternoon you could already be shopping in surfer’s store, where you suddenly begin to wonder how you can live without the Hawaiian shorts. And in the evening, when you will be at the restaurant, eating fish with the sounding name of mahi-mahi, in a sauce of ginger and coconut, you will truly think that Hawaii are the best resembling of heaven on earth.

Facts about Hawaii

137 islands with a total area of 16,649 km 2 belong to Hawaii. Most of the islands are not inhabited. 8 largest islands are (from west to east) Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lana, Kahoolawe, Maui and Hawaii as the largest island, which carries the nickname of Big Island. Midway Atoll belongs geographically to Hawaii, but not politically.

Vulcan

All the islands are of volcanic origin. Maun Kea rises from 4201 m and the bottom it is even 5000 m below sea level, which means that in total this island is over 9000 m high. With this measured height, this is the highest peak on Earth. Slightly lower is an island Maun Loa, which is measured to be a most scope volcano on Earth. Its weight is so heavy that it deforms the Pacific plate. On the island of Oahu is the capital of the U.S. state of Hawaii, city Honolulu with one million inhabitants. It is interesting that the Hawaiians have arrived from Tahiti before several thousand years ago.

Today it is a mixed nation settlement of people from Japan, China and some various white people. Hawaiian language has 12 letters, of which there are 5 are vowels, and the language can be read as it is written. Hawaiian culture can learn about the various events, and one of the most popular is called »Hula show – dance show« – danced by beautiful girls in their “national costumes”. For the Pacific Ocean is know, that attracts a lots of newly-wedded pairs, which are coming for honeymoon. And, if from old time you thought, that Hawaii are too far away, or are too expensive to go, pay attention…. not anymore.

Hawaii, which are surfers paradise are cheaper as they could never been before. As they usually say, this is the most expensive island, which is more than three thousand kilometers away from North American mainland, but as financial crisis in 2008 have bring to less visitor and prices have gone down. There are many romantic places for relaxing (they say the most romantic is Hawaiian island of Kauai) which are almost always pleasantly chilling by wind pasat, the natural scenery. Volcanoes, cliff, canyons, crystal beaches, coral reefs, lush green forests and amazing, endemic flora and fauna is only part of a long list. In Hawaii love already welcomes you – Hawaiian word ‘aloha’ means not only ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’, but also ‘love’! Alternatives that you have in the Pacific and Indian Ocean are: Galapagos Islands, the “naturalists”, the Philippines and the Andaman for the thinner wallet?, and “honeymoon classics” are in the Seychelles, Maldives, Fiji, Tahiti …