OLD MEETS NEW

TEN MINUTES FROM CORFU'S BUSTLING OLD TOWN IS A FIVE-STAR HAVEN OF GOLDEN SAND, CLEAR WATER AND STUNNING VIEWS St

-  ALICE PENWILL

WHY GO

With so many Greek islands worth visiting, it's hard to choose which one to go to first. Corfu, or Kerkyra to the locals, is one of the most stunning, with charming beaches, mountain landscapes, rustic villages and magnificent views.

One big difference between Corfu and the likes of Mykonos and Santorini is its Venetian history. The influence of the Venetians can be seen in the colour scheme of ochre and terracotta, rather than the familiar white and blue of the other islands.

The Venetians also pushed the cultivation of olive trees. Corfu is adorned with more than four million olive trees, as we learnt on a brilliant walking tour of the old town, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

A SUPERB STAY

The newly refurbished five-star Kerkyra Blue Hotel N' Spa has several pools and restaurants - and, of course, a spa. As the only hotel within walking distance of a beach and Corfu's old town, it is ideally located for both relaxing and exploring.

We stayed in a superior family room with a rattan vibe, queen-size bed, Nespresso coffee machine and cosy bathrobes and slippers. But the highlight for us was the chef's welcome treat. Enjoying local delicacies of kataifi and baklava on our balcony overlooking the pools and the ocean was the perfect way to begin our trip.

CULINARY DELIGHTS