Plan a holiday to Greece
As Greece gets set to welcome tourists back, Karla Hall relives her family holiday with Oliver’s Travels on the island of Corfu
Let’s talk about holidays abroad. Remember those? Join me in a distant dream of sunsoaked shores, icing sugar sands and shimmering seas bluer than the unblemished sky.
We’re not trapped indoors. We’re definitely not homeschooling. We’re lying on sunbeds at the water’s edge, marvelling at the vibrant greenery enveloping our secluded bay, wondering whether to settle in awe or snorkel in paradise.
We’re on Barbati Beach, Corfu. It could easily be the Maldives. The mellow music drifting from the beach bar is the epitome of tranquillity. Cocktail? Yes please. And if it gets too hot we can always slip on a sarong and indulge in some seafood in the shade. Recollections like these keep me upbeat. Memories of bygone holidays so perfect you can still feel the residual magic when you close your eyes.
Remembering our stay at Duchess Alexandra Villa – a trip we feel fortunate to have experienced in October before holidays became taboo – provides uplifting family chatter on these bleak days and dark nights. Foreign holidays may seem a long way off, but all that could soon be changing with the hope that abroad travel will resume from May 17. And with Greece hoping to welcome guests whether they’ve been vaccinated or not, an abundance of adventures may await.
DUCHESS ALEXANDRA VILLA
Having enjoyed the holiday of a lifetime with luxury villa specialists Oliver’s Travels in Kassiopi in the north of Corfu two years earlier, we couldn’t wait to visit the east coast this time – near popular Corfu Town – and stay in a villa that looked simply exquisite. We were greeted at the gates of Duchess Alexandra by friendly owner Dimitris, who welcomed my husband, two teenage children and I with freshly squeezed orange juice and Greek cheese pie, made by the villa’s own chef, before giving us a guided tour of his glorious 19th Century mansion.
Able to accommodate up to 16 guests, the villa is set over three storeys and boasts a traditional wellequipped kitchen, five bedrooms and six bathrooms, including a separate annex. Fully refurbished in 2018 to retain a host of original features, including a majestic wooden staircase which spirals the floors, flooding the property with timeless ambiance, the villa combines modern comforts with alluring bygone Greece. The communal living areas are almost palatial whilst the bright, airy bedrooms and elaborate bathrooms radiate luxury and contemporary romance.
Set on the second and third floors, each beautiful bedroom has its own unique identity – Lemon Orchard, Ionian Seas, Summer Meadow, Corfu Dawn and Corfu Dusk. Our room, Ionian Seas, delighted with its idyllic ocean backdrop and traditional marble fireplace for the ultimate wow factor.
Fresh air enthusiasts, we adored the pretty courtyard, a superb sociable outdoor space with a huge covered oak dining table showcasing idyllic ocean views. The perfect setting for al fresco dining, we enjoyed daily breakfast here and magnificent evening meals under the stars, all cooked by the villa’s private
chef in a professional kitchen close by. Offering unrivalled views of the picturesque Corfu coastline, the heated outdoor saltwater pool – surrounded by lawn with sea-facing sunbeds – inspired hours of relaxation, splashing around on inflatables with the kids, drinking in the dreamy backdrop.
Each night at sunset, vino in hand, we strolled the cobbled path through the gardens before heading up to the second floor balcony for a nightcap overlooking glorious, mountainous greenery.
Evenings were spent enjoying freshly prepared meals in the villa – the chef simply asked in advance what we’d like before creating it with a dash of magic – or exploring the vibrant bars, shops and restaurants of nearby Corfu Town.
The pick of an eclectic bunch was Limoncello, an enchanting bar and restaurant offering kumquat liquor aperitifs, traditional cuisine and the laid back, mellow aura the island is renowned for.
CORFU OLD TOWN
Famous for its enchanting cobblestone streets and pastel-coloured Venetian architecture, Corfu Old Town is just a 10 minute drive from the villa. Boasting two historic fortresses, pretty beaches and a pulsating central square known as Spianada, the Old Town and its main promenade – Liston – thrives thanks to an upmarket selection of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. A huge hit with locals and tourists alike, we settled into the glorious Greek way of life and soaked up the atmosphere in the beating heart of the capital.
CORFU PORT
Whether it’s a picturesque cave tour, a boat trip around the island or even a cruise to neighbouring Albania, this bustling port is the central hub of Corfu and home to a steady stream of cruise ships and ferries. A great place to book excursions and trips around the island or to the mainland and beyond, we enjoyed exhilarating 0ceanside strolls from the port to the Old Town – providing the ideal opportunity to meander in the sunshine and marvel at the ships.
PARADISE FOUND
With the villa’s amiable professional driver Akis available to enable guests to explore the island, our explorations were enjoyable and stress free, plus he shared with us his secret bay, Barbati Beach; a picture-perfect cobbled cove resembling a dreamy Caribbean postcard. Flanked by lush, Norwegian Fjord-style landscape and just off the beaten track, locals call it the ‘Bay of Diamonds’ in testament to its crystal clear blue-green waters and the way the sun’s rays dance off them. We called it paradise, and visited every day.
Quiet, unspoilt and naturally breathtaking, we enjoyed water sports, snorkelling and lunches in the Verde Blu beach restaurant, with wall-to-wall sunshine and calypso tunes stirring a carefree contentment impossible to achieve in the current home climate. Finding this little slice of heaven, and retiring to the sanctuary of Dutchess Alexandra, we felt incredibly fortunate and can’t wait to return later this year to enjoy everything this beautiful villa – and equally beautiful island – has to offer.