Corfu and Paxos: two islands, one Ionian art of living

Your plane lands at Kerkyra. A private transfer (about 30 minutes) takes you to the west coast, to the bay of Liapades. Settle into your charming address, minutes on foot from the coves of Gefyra and Rovinia. The water is limpid, the air scented with pine and jasmine: a first swim comes naturally. In the evening, the village tavernas welcome you for a first meal of Ionian flavours.

Discovery of the magnificent olive forest that overlooks the village. Some trees, with their gnarled and majestic trunks, reach prodigious sizes. The path winds between the canopy before joining the coast on a panoramic trail above the waves. The coves of Limni and Rovinia, reached on foot, offer swims in waters of deep blue. A day of gentle pleasure, between the shade of the olive trees and the light of the sea.

A short walk to the bus stop, then a short ride drops you at the celebrated site of Palaiokastritsa: its coves, its fine sandy beaches, its emerald waters. The walk begins with the climb to the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, perched on its hill above the sea. The path then reaches Lakones, whose stone-lined lanes overlook the bay, and the chapel of Agios Simeon, perched on a rocky spur facing the void: the panorama over the Ropa plain, the western relief of the island and the town of Corfu is breathtaking. Back to Liapades via Doukades, a village of Venetian houses shaded by centuries-old olive trees.

Transfer to Pelekas. The path descends to Myrtiotissa beach and its monastery facing the sea, crosses the Ropa plain, then climbs to the village of Gianades. The immense olive forest of the Marmaro massif enfolds you in its soothing shade. The path rejoins Liapades through a landscape of remarkable beauty. A more sustained day for those who wish it, with the option of staying to enjoy the beaches of Liapades for a rest day instead.

Morning transfer to Kerkyra, the capital of Corfu. You have half a day to wander this UNESCO-listed town: the church of Saint Spyridon, the 16th-century fortresses, the Liston with its elegant arcades, the Byzantine art museum. Every lane reveals an architectural detail, a flowering balcony, a shaded terrace. In the early afternoon, boat crossing to Paxos. On arrival at the port of Gaios, you walk to your accommodation while your luggage is transported. A first gentle stroll along the coast to the Mongonissi peninsula.

Heading to the heart of the island. The path crosses olive groves and dry-stone walls before reaching the extraordinary sites of the natural Tripitos arch and the Greek Cistern, suspended above the sea. The wild, sculpted western coast of Paxos unveils viewpoints that are constantly renewed. To the south, the silhouette of Antipaxos appears two kilometres away. Return to Gaios along minor roads and paths bordered by wild flowers.

The path rises above Gaios to the hamlet of Platanos, near the island’s highest point. The descent reveals extraordinary pebble beaches on the northeast coast: Kipiadi, Kipos, Marmari, a paradise for swimmers. The route, of great beauty, alternates between secret coves and olive groves before reaching Loggos, perhaps the most beautiful village on the island, nestled in a sheltered inlet. Take time for a coffee or an ouzo on a terrace, facing the colourful boats of the little harbour.

Today, the pace is entirely yours. Enjoy the beaches of Paxos, explore the lanes of Gaios, or treat yourself to an escape to Antipaxos, the neighbouring island just fifteen minutes away by boat. There, sandy beaches bathed in crystal waters, paths to the lighthouse and the small port, hidden vineyards: an enchanting parenthesis in the heart of the Ionian Sea.

Bus or taxi to Magazia (at your own expense), then a last walk on Paxos through olive groves and along paths lined with dry-stone walls to Lakka, tucked at the back of a superb cove at the northern tip of the island, passing the church of Ypapandi and the Venetian house. The views stretch over the west coast of Paxos and the south of Corfu. Bus back to Gaios (at your own expense), then boat crossing from Paxos to Corfu. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a final stroll through the lanes of Kerkyra or a moment of relaxation facing the sea. Settle in for the night near the town centre.