“I wish I could give you any idea of this island; it is really a Paradise…”
Edward Lear’s letter to his sister Anne, April 1848

Welcome to the United States of the Ionian Islands! This unfamiliar and idle term describes the insular protectorate that was established in 1815 and was ruled by the Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands from Corfu in the name of His Majesty the King.
The British administration lasted for almost five decades, leaving its indelible trace in the architecture, infrastructure, art & culture, literature, athletics, education and many more aspects that form Corfu’s modern physiognomy.
In 1864 Greece received the most precious gift! On the occasion of the ascend of King George I to the Greek throne, the British Empire ceded peacefully Corfu and the rest of the islands to Greece. The reunification with the ancient motherland was celebrated as one of the most important events in recent Greek history!

La Serenissima, the most serene, this how the Venetians were calling their beautiful and powerful republic! The Republic of Venice dominated the Mediterranean for many centuries with its powerful galleys, fierce mariners, brilliant merchants, and ingenious artists.
For more than four centuries, the Ionian Islands constituted an important part of the Venetian Stato da Màr, the State of the Sea, with Corfu serving as the Capital of the Governorate of the Ionian islands. The Venetians paid special attention to Corfu, an island of great strategic importance, guarding the narrow passage between the Greek and Albanian lands and serving as a major port on the way to Italy, the Adriatic and Venice itself.
La Serenissima tour gives you the chance to explore Corfu’s rich Venetian heritage. Imposing fortresses, baroque churches, the bust of a hard-boiled Doge, mansions and markets from the 17th century that are still in use, piazzas and piazzettas, loggias and mysterious coats of arms are some of the exciting remains of the Venetian presence in the island.

Not far away from Corfu Town, lies the Kanoni Peninsula, where once the city of ancient Kerkyra, a powerful city-state of ancient Greece was built. The vegetation is so lush that there are no words to express the feeling of tranquility that Corfiot nature generously offers to the visitor. This is the landscape that led early European travelers to believe that they have found here the celebrated Gardens of Alcinous, the King of the Phaeacians, who offered his hospitality to Odysseus according to Homer.
Following the steps of the ancient mariners, English painters, and 19th-century archaeologists we are discovering the secrets of the Kanoni Peninsula. We explore an early Christian Basilica, the Doric temple of Kardaki, Corfu’s best-preserved ancient monument, a Venetian church, and a path that leads to a secret beach. We admire the neoclassical architecture of the Palace of Mon Repos, which was commissioned by Sir Frederick Adam in the 1820s to serve as a summer residence for the Lord High Commissioners of the Ionian Islands. Mon Repos is also the place where the late Prince Philip of Edinburgh was born in 1921.
Just before sunset, we take a short ride to Panagia Vlaherna’s chapel, where we embark for Pontikonissi or the Mouse Island.

One tour to rule them all…! If your time is limited and you would like to see the many faces of Corfu’s Old Town, which is listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, this tour should be your first option. We walk together with the Greeks, the Venetians, the British, the Jews, and the French and we explore their traces in the historical palimpsest that is Corfu.
Our aim is to get you in touch with the Corfiot Genius Loci, the secret spirit which forms the distinctive character of this unique place and how this was formed during the centuries. We are getting lost in the labyrinthine narrow streets; we meet the Governor, and a brave soldier of fortune, the Doge of Venice himself, a French Baron, and a Lord High Commissioner who was the head of the United States not of America… but of the Ionian Islands.

Why not stroll through the historical center of Corfu’s Old Town, see the main sights and attractions while at the same time take small breaks to drink and taste some of the island’s most characteristic and famous delicacies?
Gastronomy is culture and Corfu because its multi-cultural past functioned as a melting pot where tastes and flavors merged in their own way, establishing the special characteristics of Corfu’s culinary heritage.
But behind the delicacies lies something much more important, the people! We meet the owners of the shops and listen to their stories. Some of them inherited the business from their parents, some of them started on their own, but one thing is for sure, everyone has great things to say…
So, it is all about learning and tasting, and this just what this tour is offering, bits of history and bites of Corfu’s local delicacies, join us!

How many of us know the legendary “Lianolia”, a rare and historical olive variety that thrives only in Corfu? How is tsitsimbira made and why is it considered to be better than the regular soft drinks? What is this famous “golden orange” and how did it become a trademark of the island? Through the oil, the tsitsimbira and the kumquat we detect the gastronomic peculiarity and superiority of Corfu. We tour the ancient olive grove, we visit the olive mill of the Daphne family, we taste all the delicious variations of kumquat in Lazaris’ workshop and finally, we cool off with an iced tsitsimbira in the family’s business premises of George and Maria Heimariou. A route to the colors and aromas of Corfu.

If we believe in Homer’s words, Ulysses’s stay in the island of Corfu was an uninterrupted feast with good food, wine, song, and dance. The DNA of the Corfiot soul always remains “exo kardia” a.k.a spirit full of joy, grafted through the centuries with venetian cheerfulness, French elegance, English humor, and the unrivaled Mediterranean beauty. Looking for the delicious and generous in odors Corfu, we wander through its narrow cantons, we discover the cuisines that have shaped its modern material and spiritual culture, we meet the people who keep the tradition alive, we chat with them and of course we taste the fruit of this mythical place. Our two-hour walk in Corfu’s gastronomic culture is just about to begin.

Corfu might now be known for its wine… but it should be! Visit some of the island’s best wineries to discover the island’s age-old viticulture traditions and sample a selection of wonderful wines made from local as well as international grape varieties.

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, this is currently available as a private tour only.

Guided walking tours are a fantastic way to experience new places—and even rediscover the magic of places you’ve visited before! Wandering through the Old City of Corfu, you’ll visit the Venetian forts and the old palace, stroll along the Liston and Spianada, and explore its picturesque alleyways and numerous monuments. Taking in the island’s inimitable cosmopolitan character, you’ll discover its fascinating stories and secrets, as knowledgeable multilingual tour guides bring the sites to life through historical accounts, interesting facts and fun anecdotes.

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, this is currently available as a private tour only.

Step back through time and enjoy a unique cultural experience at the family-owned Patounis Soap Manufactory. You’ll tour the workshop, witness traditional soapmaking using authentic 19th century tools and equipment, and learn about the centuries-old techniques the family still uses to make their completely natural—and naturally vegan!—artisanal soaps. The workshop has been a listed monument of industrial heritage since 2008 and their soapmaking techniques are inscribed in the National Inventory of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece since 2017.

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, this is currently available as a private tour only.

Built for Empress Sisi of Austria, inspired by Greek mythology and designed to suggest an ancient palace, the Achilleion summer palace dances on the intersection of myth and empire, perfectly capturing the magic and opulence of 19th century Corfu. Enjoy a tour of the palace and gardens, home to the famed sculpture of Dying Achilles, to witness the splendour of that bygone era.

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, this is currently available as a private tour only.

Discover the kumquat, Corfu’s signature fruit. This diminutive orange lookalike is delightfully zingy and delicious, exploding with bright, contrasting flavours. Visiting the Lazaris Distillery and Artisan Sweets facility, you’ll tour the exhibition area—complete with antique machinery and audiovisual exhibits—to learn about the tradition and heritage of producing kumquat liqueurs and sweets and enjoy a complimentary tasting of Lazaris products.

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, this is currently available as a private tour only.

Visit one of Corfu’s most acclaimed olive groves to discover the secrets behind making a premium, award-winning olive oil: the Dafnis Family’s acclaimed The Governor EVOO. Taking a guided tour of the olive grove and mill, you’ll learn about olive trees and the history of olive making. Of course, you’ll also enjoy a special olive oil seminar and tasting session to sample some of the estate’s finest products and learn how to recognise premium olive oil. You’ll also receive a certificate of participation and have the chance to adopt or sponsor a Corfiot olive tree!

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, this is currently available as a private tour only.

Enjoy an unforgettable cooking lesson at a traditional vineyard, nestled in the hills outside Corfu Town. In this breathtaking setting, you’ll learn about the vineyard’s history, discover the importance of local ingredients in Corfu’s culinary traditions, and try your hand at some favourite local recipes and traditional techniques. You’ll also enjoy the opportunity to sample local delicacies and enjoy a full five-course meal and authentic local wine. The opportunities here are endless. Talk to our concierge team to find out more!

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, this is currently available as a private experience only.

What better way to experience an island than by sea? From adventurous motorboat excursions to romantic evenings on a sailing boat and fabulous cruises aboard our luxury yacht, Miramaretta, a boat tour is guaranteed to give you a unique perspective of the island’s beauty and its many hidden treasures. Talk to our concierge team to find out more about all the fantastic possibilities available to you.

Book your spot for the painting masterclass with the award-winning international artist Spiros Gelekas. A one-hour masterclass will take place under the olive trees. During the event you will create your own artwork with the guide of our artist and you will take it back home!

Spiros Gelekas is a professional painter-artist, member of Corfu Art Gallery, Member of The International Artists Exchange Association (IAE) exclusively represented by MO2art (micro-oxygenated art) in China. Specializing in fantasy art and Tolkien art.  Between 2017-2019 he completed a large volume of work and exhibited in China, with his works hanging alongside originals by Dali and Picasso. In 2018 he held the solo exhibition “Imaginations through a Painted Canvas (Oct-Nov 2018) in the Corfu Art Gallery; followed by the charity drive “Art brings Smiles” at The Attic Gallery in early 2019.  He became the first Corfiot/Greek artist of “Tolkien” to be included in the annual art book, “Art Freaks Global”. He was also awarded as a finalist at the Pébéo Mixed Media Art Prize international competition for the best 100 artists in the world for 2019.

Please note that due to health and safety reasons, this is currently available for a limited number of participants per session.

For more information, please contact our Concierge team.