Corfu Sunshine

Things To Do

San Stefanos is a small village on north west Corfu; so what do you do once you get here apart from lie on the beach, swim in the pool, sleep, eat and drink? Well, two hours travelling takes in a number of islands, the Greek mainland, Albania and the whole of Corfu. A ferry even goes to Italy from Kerkera, Corfu town. However, I will restrict my comments to Corfu itself as we have never yet felt the need to leave the island!

San Stefano Travel

Here is the place to came change your traveller cheques into Euros or to book you days out, hire a car, motorbike, quad or a boat, book your flight to and from the UK or even book your wedding here in Greece. Noula and her crew, many of them English, can arrange you holiday in all its detail. If years ago you could have booked it via your tour operator or travel agent now you can book it here and at prices that are well below those you pay in the UK.

Spiros Bikes

Spiros Bikes has a large collection of two and four wheeled contraptions. Here you can hire your dune buggy, motor bike, scooter or, if like us you prefer four wheels, your quad. Although we were a little apprehensive before we took out a quad for the first time, they are very simple to drive, an accelerator and two brakes is about as complicated as it gets so if you can ride a push bike you are over qualified. If you have never ridden a bike the trick is simple, get four wheels and take your time!

Hires are from half a day upwards and some hire for a full fortnight. If it breaks down you just ring up and he comes and fixes it, it couldn't be easier.

The laws are the same in Greece as England; crash helmets and driving licences are required. When you hire a bike or quad please ensure the helmet fits and make sure you wear it - the roads are not like English roads and accidents do happen. Once you have wheels, set off and explore. If you want some ideas then have a look at our Places to Go page.

Walking

This is another favourite; I get great pleasure from walking the beaches, through the olive groves and over the ridge to Arillas. It is advisable to take a bottle of water, a hat and a mobile phone if going off the beaten track (although signal is sometimes a little hit and miss!). Please also watch where you walk as Greek fields and crops are not always obvious.

One of the simple walks takes you along the road north towards Avliotes, a walk of a couple of miles. Most of the time, once you leave San Stefanos, you are walking in the shade of trees. Some care is needed because the road is fairly busy but not by British standards. From the road you get views to the sea, through olive groves and when you get to the village; the church, the village square and many old houses on the back lanes of the town are well worth it!

Boating

The Yellow Boat Company and San Stefanos Boat Hire offer boats for hire that take up to eight people for a day of fun in the sun. The coast of north west Corfu is very varied with everything from sandy beaches to very high rock cliffs within a couple of hours cruising of our little harbour. Swimming in the cool dark open sea from a small boat is great on a hot sunny day as long as you are careful.

Cruise along the coast for a couple of hours, find a little beach under a cliff or a quiet rocky cove and have a swim and a picnic. Afterwards take a very leisurely drift back to home. What a way to spend a day.

We have now spent a number of days pottering along the coast in a boat and we have never been disappointed. On one memorable occasion we pottered down to Paleokastritsa and went scuba diving in a tiny little bay with a great number of fish to watch for hours.

Diving (Scuba and Snorkeling)

I have yet to try scuba but I have number of friends who have done it for years. Here in San Stefanos we have one of the best scuba dive centres in Diving In Corfu where Bev, Ray and the crew will take anybody from the absolute novice to the expert to the best sites in the area. Further, they will make sure you are safe and and teach you at the same time as you are having fun.

As for snorkelling I have done it a bit and I love it. Swimming along with the fish and exploring the rocks is just wonderful. During one swim at Paleokastritsa this summer I put my hand up to give me something to judge how far away a fish was and discovered it was between me and my hand - amazing! Again, if you want someone to help you go speak to Bev at San Stefanos Waterfront they will take you snorkelling or sell you the gear.