KANONI
Area: Corfu
Country: Greece


Location:
At the centre of the E coast. 3 miles S of Corfu Town; less than 2 miles from the airport.

Telephone code from UK:
30 26610

Position:
On a peninsula overlooking the Halikopoulos lagoon and airport runway. Occupies the site of the original, ancient Corfu city. Pedestrian causeway to Perama, opposite.

Description:
Basically a residential area which has been adopted as a base for tourism because of its close proximity to the airport and town; also its panoramic views. A narrow causeway crosses the water to the much-photographed monastery of Vlacherna on its tiny islet: just beyond is a slightly larger, wooded mound with a small chapel. Known as Mouse Island, legend has it that an angry Poseidon turned the ship of the Phoenicians to stone after they had defied him by returning Odysseus to Ithaca, thus creating the mouse, or boat-shaped islet.

Suitability:
Older couples, rather than families with small children.

Accommodation:
Mainly hotels, from C to de luxe class.

Shopping:
A couple of minimarkets, otherwise a short hop into town.

Beach:
The nearest is that of the Corfu Holiday Palace hotel, of sand.

Entertainments:
People tend to leave the resort by day, for outward exploration. Evening entertainment revolves around the hotels. There are several ancient places worth visiting _ the Byzantine church of Saints Jason and Sosipater, Paleopolis church, the Temple of Artemis. Mon Repos Palace (where Prince Philip was born) is closed to the public.

Eating:
A few bars and restaurants in the area; otherwise hotels or Corfu Town.

Public-transport:
Half-hourly bus to Corfu Town.

Local-excursions:
Caique trip to nearby Pondikonissi (Mouse) Island, with 13th century church. See Corfu Town.