Tony and I just returned from four sun-kissed, blissful days on the northernmost Ionian island of Greece, Corfu, and Aegean Air is entirely to thank. You see, Anna Grace and I flew to Cairo via an Aegean Air connection in Athens earlier this year. The carrier is top rate for its inflight services (the food is spectacular; the legroom, designed for Tony!), including its clever PR video of Greece that serves as the only inflight entertainment.  I was mesmerized by Corfu.

With our free dog and house sitter Jack being home this month, save for a week faffing about Prague, Garmisch and Salzburg with his visiting girlfriend, Tony and I tossed about the idea of a getaway because we rarely travel (insert sarcasm), but I was struggling to justify what seemed like an indulgence, albeit a remarkably budget-friendly indulgence. Then Tony reminded me that we had never taken a honeymoon because, well, we were poor grad students with neither money nor time when we married, so this holiday could stand in. Brilliant man.
The airport in Corfu is small, let’s just say. We walked off the plane, across the tarmac, and into the terminal in about three minutes. Sunshine and blue skies not only greeted us, but became our best friends for the entirety of the holiday. It was all charming. A few minutes later our little rental Peugeot was heading toward Corfu Town proper and our lovely, lovely, lovely hotel and the almost overwhelming friendliness and hospitality of the staff. (Remember, our baseline is Vienna.)

We arrived in time for a little exploration before dinner. Bougainvillea is everywhere, and walking along the lanes felt like being in a post card.

 

 

Corfu Town is noted for its Venetian, French, and British influences. Plenty of the first two could be viewed in the architecture; most of the British influences were a little more nuanced (and I’ll get to that).

Greek pride, and not just on public buildings.  In the course of our travels we have rarely observed the kind of flag-flying like we have in America (Denmark is the other notable exception).

An iconic snap of the Old Fortress and the church of St. George.  We toured the fortress a little later in our holiday, so there will be more to write.

Something ancient Greek, whose name we never learned, in the park near the fortress.

The first of several orthodox churches we stopped in to admire.

Before long, Corfiots and tourists emerged to sit for dinner, and we followed suit.

We chose one of the oldest, if not the oldest Taverna in Corfu Town, and were treated to a spectacular supper of grilled octopus (for me); calamari (for Tony); endless olives and crusty bread; and the ever-so-quaffable Greek house wine.  The restaurant became a favorite, and not just for the extraordinary hospitality; we returned twice to savor the menu!

Soon enough it was time to retire for the day. From the balcony in our suite we had a pleasant view of the fortress, and could watch the hundreds of swifts darting about before darkness fell. So far, Greece was everything, and at the same time, nothing at all that we had expected.