We took a cruise on Silver Seas “Silver Spirit” in October/November 2024 departing from Fusina, Port for Venice (Italy) and visiting Trieste (Italy), Ravenna (Italy), Opatija (Croatia), Split (Croatia), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Bari (Italy), Corfu (Greece), Heraklion (Greece), Santorini (Greece) and finally docking in Athens (Greece).
Corfu, a stunning island located off Greece’s northwest coast in the Ionian Sea, is renowned for its dramatic landscapes and rich history. The island is characterized by rugged mountains and a picturesque shoreline dotted with numerous resorts, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking both natural beauty and cultural experiences.
The island’s cultural heritage is a fascinating blend of influences from the various powers that have ruled it over the centuries. Corfu was under Venetian rule for several centuries, followed by periods of French and British control before it was finally united with Greece in 1864. This diverse history is reflected in the island’s architecture, traditions, and overall cultural identity.
Corfu Town, the island’s capital, is a treasure trove of historical and architectural wonders. The town is flanked by two imposing Venetian fortresses, which stand as a testament to the island’s strategic importance during the Venetian era. Within the town, visitors can explore winding medieval lanes that evoke a sense of stepping back in time. The French-style arcade, known as the Liston, is a prominent feature of the town, offering a charming area for strolling and dining. Additionally, the grand Palace of St. Michael and St. George, built during the British rule, adds to the town’s architectural splendour and historical significance.
The Old Fortress of Corfu is a scenic ruin of an ancient fort, with artifacts on display, a seating area, a church and an old lighthouse.
The Corfu Museum of Asian Art is a stately palace-turned-museum with an extensive collection of Chinese, Japanese & Indian artwork.
We took a drive to the north west of Corfu Town to the Golden Fox Viewpoint giving us a magnificent view over the Bay of Palaiokastritsa and down to the village of Palaiokastritsa. Corfu has been suggested to be the mythical island of the Phaeacians and the Bay of Palaiokastritsa to be the place where Odysseus disembarked and met Nausicaa for the first time. The monastery in Palaiokastritsa, which dates from 1225, houses a museum.
Passionate Photographer …. Lost in Asia
Stuart Taylor of HighlanderImages Photography has been making images for over 40 years focusing on Asia with a documentary/photojournalistic style.
Stuart is available for a variety of assignments in subject areas of photojournalism, commercial, architectural, real estate, industrial, interior design, corporate, urbex, adventure, wilderness, and travel.
E-Mail : staylor@highlanderimages.com