We spent a few valuable hours in Corfu today. Our driver added to Corfu’s ambiance. I would suggest Spiros Tsirigotis not to anyone but to everyone! He can be contacted directly at info@spirobus.com. His van was spotless and his driving comforting.
We thought about visiting the local hospital as years ago our daughter spent some time in their ICU from a peritonsillar abscess which could have happened anywhere and thank-God it happened right where it did, as Corfu does not take a back seat regarding their medical care.
Instead, we headed to the Achillion Palace, which was built in the 1890’s and was named because King Otto’s niece, Austrian Empress Elizabeth admired Achilles. The Palace has lavish rooms, beautiful statues, marble everywhere and of course, magnificent views.
We passed many private beaches and stopped at several unique photo opportunities from a lone ostrich grazing behind a fence, to the areas where the local gypsies reside. We strolled through Corfu’s delightful picturesque but touristy Old Town with its romantic tavernas and local color.
Spiros was a plethora of local information. He is native to the island, a father of two teenagers and married to a wonderful woman for over 20 years. He suggested a wonderful spot high in the mountains but we opted for Restaurant Limani in Paleokastritsa. Instead of the fresh fish and lobster we had wonderful mousaka, pastitada and sofrito, The waiter thought I was ordering way too much food but I always order way too much food, especially when I want to taste everything and that I did!
They welcomed my picture taking and my peeking into their spotless kitchen and ogling the homemade baklava.
I now know that Kum Quat is a traditional Corfiot product used for candies and liquers, among other things, and that nets are used to collect olives from the olive trees, and that the airport’s runway is barely long enough to handle large planes but you don’t need to worry as the local drivers know when to stop for take off and landings…that is… just in case.