Corfu Holidays
Corfu holidays, part of the Ionian Islands just west of mainland Greece, remains the most popular Greek island for the British tourist to visit, and hordes arrive every year lured by the cheap package deals, fantastic beaches, lively nightlife and the shortest flight time from the UK (3 hours). One of the first Greek Islands to be developed for the tourist market, Corfu has changed dramatically since the original tourists came in the 1960's, and now much of the coastline has been taken over to make way for cut-price hotels and apartments, discos and English style-pubs, catering for the package tourist who is not so much after a traditional Greek experience, but cheap drink, all-night entertainment and a suntan. Families find the island especially appealing, with many safe beaches and resorts full of hotels and complexes with plenty of convenient facilities. Corfu has a reputation for mass-market tourism and saturation, but there is another side to the island just waiting to be discovered - romantic villages, picturesque deserted bays and beautiful green mountainous countryside.

Holidays in Corfu - Plenty of varied resorts for everyone
The beaches of Corfu are among some of the best in the Greek Islands - over 30 of them have been awarded the European Blue Flag for cleanliness and safety - with most of the long sandy beaches found on the less-developed west coast. Much of Corfus' development has taken place on the eastern coast with its' pebbly beaches, north and south of the islands' airport, with resorts such as Ipsos, Dassia, Gouvia attracting the 18-30 crowd. Some of these resorts are gradually changing and shaking off their bad reputations, such as Benitses, and attempting to appeal to a wider crowd. Families are well-catered for in resorts such as Sidari, Acharavi and Agios Stefanos, in the north of Corfu, Messonghi in the south and Agios Gordios in the west, with sandy beaches and safe swimming conditions for children. The north of Corfu is mountainous and green, with the north-west remaining fairly untouched by tourism, so visitors in search of quieter beaches and traditional tavernas should head towards Agios Stefanos (in the NE), Agni Bay and Peralouthes. For an authentic Greek village, visit Khlomos, or Lefkami, where locals still use donkeys for transport, and the nearby fishing harbours at Petriti and Boukari.

Holidays in Corfu - Activities for the whole family
Holidays in Corfu definitely revolve around the beach, but for those looking for a little more than  relaxing in the sun, there are plenty of activities to try. The island offers every watersport imaginable, with the most popular being banana-boat rides, jet-skis, water-skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing and scuba-diving. Away from the beach the island offers golf, horse-riding and mountain biking. A good family day out is Aqualand, the second largest water park in Europe, reasonably priced and offering plenty of slides and activities. The capital of Corfu, Corfu Town, with its' Colonial atmosphere, Venetian buildings, double forts and bustling public square is definitely worth a visit whilst in Corfu.