|
Pachis Travel
EXCURSION PROGRAMME
|
Tour no 1 : Parga and
Paxos ( duration 10 hours)
An ideal trip for everybody who likes the
sea and seafaring. After a relaxing two hours cruise we will make our first
stop at Parga, a charming seaside town on the Greek Mainland overlooking
its picturesque port. A hint of cosmopolitan sophistication co-exists in
perfect harmony with the traditional character of the village.
Enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafés dotted along the waterfront or
explore the old Venetian castle. We then set sail for another one of the
Ionian islands, Paxos, just off the southern tip of Corfu which still
retains all its original charm.
The island is just 10 kms long and has a
permanent population of about 3000 people. Tourism does not take first
place on this island. As soon as the boat makes its entry into the natural
port you cannot fail to be impressed by the view: subtropical vegetation
and endless olive groves stretching up as far as the eye can see. Time in
Gaios to explore the main village and relax before we make our way back to
Corfu.
|
|
Tour no 2 : Corfu City
Tour with Achillion Palace ( duration 4 hours)
Drive to the pretty village of Gastouri
which still retains some of the old world charm that inspired the Empress
Elisabeth ( the legendary Sissy ) to build her dream Palace in the eighteen
nineties. We walk through the romantic park with its many statues and
flowering shrubs, which has little changed since the days when Empress
Sissy roamed its paths alone.
Visit the chapel within the Palace and see
a collection of souvenirs connected with Elisabeth of Austria and Emperor
William of Germany who bought the Achillion in 1906. There will be more
glimpses of Corfu’s eventful history to enjoy: Kanoni, the world famous
view point, named after a Napoleonic gun battery, the spectacular pediment
of the Temple of Artemis in the Archaeological Museum, the handsome Palace
of the British Lord High Commissioners, the Venetian streets and stalls and
the bustle of a lively good humored population.
|
|
Tour no 3 : Evening in a
Village ( duration 4 hours)
A delightful drive across the center of the
island to Sinarades to take a stroll around what is perhaps one of the most
traditional villages on Corfu, then up to the Aerostato to enjoy a most
spectacular view, followed by a dinner at Trypa, the world famous taverna
in the village of Kinopiastes.
Delicious local specialities, local wine,
big variety of fresh fruits, even off season and “kali orexi”!
|
|
Tour no 4 : Paleokastritsa
and Kassiopi ( duration 7 hours)
Leaving the hotel and heading north we
start a ride taking us along the east coast line, which is perhaps the most
spectacular part of the island. We cross small villages half hidden among the
olive groves and giving the impression of having just come out of the
pirates times. We also get glimpses, through the branches of trees, of very
small seaside villages built on the rocks of small sparkling coves. The
road snakes up the slopes of mount Pantokrator revealing something to
marvel at round every bent.
We finally arrive to Kassiopi, an
attractive little town crowned by the ruins of its roman / medieval
fortress. Kassiopi has somehow found the way to perfectly combine its
traditional character with that of a quite modern holiday resort.
We then drive across the north part of the
island to Paleokastritsa on the west coast, which overlooking the Ionian
sea holds surprises for each visitor. Paleokastritsa is famous for its
breathtaking beauty and magnificent scenery and is the town which Dorpfeld
and other archaeologists have identified as the site of Homer’s city of the
Phaecians.
The sparkling turquoise waters are
irresistibly inviting to bathers. On top of the cliff, right above the
beach is situated the 13th century historic monastery of Virgin Mary of
Paleokastritsa, which from its rocky perch offers panoramic views of the
area’s multiple bays.
Late afternoon return to the hotel.
|
|
Tour no 5 : Ioannina -
Dodona ( duration 12 hours)
Unique opportunity to see a large part of
the Greek mainland and learn much about Greece in one day. Once stepping
out of the ferryboat at the harbour of Igoumenitsa and starting the drive
up and up the mountains of Epirus, one realizes the complete change.
Corfu the green peaceful island is far
behind. Bare rocks rise on all sides creating a magnificent but rough
scenery, which impresses upon people their character and way of living. It
is the land of heroic actions, of epic poems and folk songs, which echo
through the ages, from the dawn of history to the feats of the last war.
In Ioannina today, few of the old houses
still exist. There are though, many reminders of the past, such as the
castle, set on a promontory overlooking the Ioannina Lake, which was the
abode of the ruthless tyrant Ali Pasha, in the early 19th century. Walking
down from the Castle, one can go by boat to the small island where Ali
Pasha met his death. Whispering reeds, oak and plane trees encircle its
five old monasteries and the small village.
Lunch stop in one of the traditional
restaurants on the island and then back to town. A drive of about 30 min.
takes us to the ancient sanctuary of Dodona, its famous oracle, great
amphitheater, temples, etc, set in magnificent natural surroundings. Dodona
is undoubtedly one of the most impressive archeological sites in Greece.
|
|
Tour no 6 : Jeep Safari
(duration 6.5 hours )
Discover CORFU with your own 4 x 4 Jeep.
Two different routes can be arranged for the Jeep Safari. North :
The Safari starts from the hotel, driving
towards the north to Socraki, where we stop for coffee. Later on , crossing
the villages of Zigos, Lafki, the old village of Perithia , we reach
Kalamaki beach where we stay for lunch and swimming. Return to the hotel,
following another route on mount Pantokrator. South :
The Safari starts driving southwards,
crossing the village of Agioi Deka and other small old villages. Coffee
break at Chlomos. After visiting a traditional local vinery at the area of
Lake Korission , we stop for lunch at Alonaki beach. Later on, driving
through Pentati and along the east coast line, we return to the hotel.
All Jeeps have a capacity of 4 passengers,
they all are fully insured and with full tanks.
|
|
Tour no 7 : Paleokastritsa
- Half day (duration 4 hours )
The visit of Paleokastritsa and its 13th
century monastery, (see tour No 4), is combined this time with a drive on
the mountain hanging above it. After having spent on the beach time enough
for swimming, relaxing with a cup of coffee or a cold beer or visiting the
beautiful caves by small boats, we set off for the village of Lakones and
“Bella Vista” with the breathtaking views of the north west coast of the
island.
Sparkling waters, hidden little coves, a
feast of green and blue colours, rocks with strange shapes - one among them
being , according to the myth, the petrified Ulysses’s boat. Return to the
hotel by lunch time.
|
|
Tour no 8 : Cruise to
Kassiopi ( duration 7 hours )
A full day boat trip to the traditional
fishing village of Kassiopi . Leaving Corfu town and passing by the New
Fortress and Vidos island we sail along the east coastline of the island,
northwards stopping at Nissaki for a coffee break and the first swim of the
day.
Leaving there we get into the straights
between Corfu and the mainland , sailing past Kalami, Kouloura, Kerassia,
Agios Stefanos ….and having the Albanian coast to our right all the time,
at a distance of approximately 2 miles, we arrive to the village of
Kassiopi, built on the north - east corner of the island. Plenty of time
left after lunch for shopping, swimming or strolling around in modern shops
and pubs or medieval antiquities and old churches.
Late afternoon return to the town and
hotel.
|
|
Tour no 9 : Caique cruise
and B.B.Q. ( duration 7 hours )
Following the same route as on the Kassiopi
cruise, along the east coast of the island, we reach the beautiful bay of
Limnopoula, where we set our B.B.Q. lunch. The kind of meal where everyone
becomes the chef, waiter and guest at the same time.
Lots of different meats or fish on the
charcoal, Greek salad and feta cheese, bread and fresh fruits, together
with local wine to keep you happy and full… and of course plenty of time
for swimming and sunbathing.
|
|
Tour no 10 : New Fortress
with Kalypso underwater cruise (duration 4 hours)
The tour begins with the visit of the
Venetian “New Fortress” at the old port, where walking through mines and
climbing up steep steps, we reach the top to be rewarded by what is perhaps
the most beautiful view of Corfu town.
Then walking down to the old port of Corfu
we catch the “Kalypso Star”, the glass bottom boat, (a fully air-
conditioned trimaran) and set off for an underwater cruise offering us a
unique opportunity to explore the deep of Corfu and watch divers playing
with Sea Lions. The duration of the cruise is 45 minutes.
Tour no 11 : Treasure Hunt
Rally of the olive trees ( duration 6 hours )
With jeeps in each a crew of 4 off we go
for a funny and interesting tour around the north part of Corfu. Each crew
has to answer tricky, brainteaser questions that have close relation with
the road signs, the geography of the island and some questions on the
history of Corfu.
The right answers will lead the
participants to the beach where they’ll have to snorkel in order to find
the treasure which a well-known pirate of the 16th century left in the sea.
The lucky team that will find the treasure gets a prize.. Afterwards we all
gather at a restaurant in a fishing village for lunch and our escort team
marks the results. The winning team win a surprise present.
Tour no 12 : Trekking to
the Korission Lake ( duration 5 hours )
Korission Lake is one of the few places on
the island still unspoiled, where four different ecosystems can be found :
Traditional Mediterranean maquis, a Laguna , sweet water lakes, desert like
dunes and slopes. This area can be visited only on foot. Many birds find
shelter here and the flora is extremely interesting.
We drive (by bus) till the north part of
the lake, then go on on foot following the Laguna side of the reserve. We
stop for swimming at the beautiful sandy beach. We continue to the little
forest nearby to get some shade and enjoy our light picnic lunch. The bus
has already moved to the south side of the lake waiting for us.
We drive to the village Chlomos, a typical
Corfiot village built on a hillside overlooking the east part of the island
and the Greek mainland. Driving through olive groves we return to the
hotel.
Tour no 13 : Mountain Bike
( duration 5 hours )
Bike ride on 21-gear bicycles along paths
and off road easy sections. Bicycling with us means a cycling expedition
along Corfu’s non-tourist country lanes and donkey tracks avoiding as much
as possible the main roads.
Groups are never more than 16 and are
always escorted by our experienced staff and followed by an assistance
vehicle that carries the picnic and other essential equipment. We carry you
by bus to the starting point of the cycling tour.
The tour follows an interesting track of
approximately 20 kms which is mainly on flat terrain or down hill and
offers a variety of scenery and views. On rout we stop to enjoy a healthy
picnic. The tour ends at a nice beach for a refreshing swim.
Tour no 14 : Scuba Diving
( duration 5 to 6 hours )
We board our specially equipped “ KAIKI ”
and sail north. On the way our instructors explain the procedure to follow,
safety instructions and other basic notions. On the practical part,
beginners will learn - How to : Prepare the equipment, wear the diving suit
and the equipment, enter and get out of the water in full gear, Dive, swim
in full gear and surface.
One instructor takes two divers at a time
for a 25-minutes dive, while the others rest and get themselves ready for
diving. Rest of the time is spent with swimming, sunbathing and our
instructors will happily chat with you, sharing diving experiences.
We can also incorporate in
your event:
Cricket and Golf tournaments, horse-drawn
carriage tours in Corfu town, Brass Band entertainment, Folklore groups,
Choir and Orchestra, Cocktail Parties, Typical Corfiot Village evenings,
mini cruise to Albania and any other exciting ideas, tailor-made for your
groups.
Suggestions for Gala
dinners :
Achilion Palace ( indoors - outdoors ) ,
The Garden of the People, The Old Fortress and many more exiting places in
order to satisfy your clients.
|
7 Guilford str.,49100 Corfu Greece Tel: +30 26610 23820,
28298 Fax: +30 26610 39843
Email: pachisl@otenet.gr
|