What you can expect
Guided Walks
Spectacular Scenery
Experience a constant visual feast with Corfu's breathtaking scenery, including dramatic coastlines, ancient olive groves, and sweeping views of the Ionian Sea.
Free Time To Explore
Beyond the trails, delve into Corfu's rich past and vibrant culture. Visit ancient villages, explore historical sites and insights into the island's unique heritage,
Luxury Accomodations
Relax and rejuvenate in comfort and style at the luxurious 5-star Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa, providing a perfect retreat after your days of exploration.
About this trip...
Embark on a captivating journey to the enchanting Greek island of Corfu, following in the famed footsteps of authors Gerald and Lawrence Durrell. Gerald Durrell was a celebrated naturalist and author, best known for his autobiographical books about his childhood on Corfu, most famously My Family and Other Animals, while his older brother Lawrence Durrell was a renowned novelist, poet, and travel writer who also lived and wrote about the island.
Your home base for this unforgettable escape is the Solos favorite, the luxurious 5-star Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa. This popular week-long walking adventure features five exclusive, fully guided walks and ample excursions, including a delightful private small boat cruise. Join us to personally experience the incredibly varied, dramatic, and panoramic scenery this beautiful island proudly offers – from the gorgeous north-west coast to the north-east coast with its secluded bays and hidden coves, so beautifully described by Gerald Durrell, blending natural splendor with the rich literary history shaped by these two brothers.
What's included?
Airport transfers
Private Room
Breakfast & dinner daily
Welcome drink
5 guided walks-
1 hour private boat trip Liapades - Paleokastritsa
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Entry to Danilia Village
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
Passport & Visa Information
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Activities not included in the itinerary
- Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – approx $20 per night, payable locally
- Bay View Room Supplement approx $79 per week
- Sea view room supplement approx $139 per week
Itinerary
- Arrive Corfu
- Durrell Trail
- Venetian Trail
- Olive Trail
- Pirates Trail
- Heartland Trail
- Day at Leisure
- Depart Corfu
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive Corfu
Day Two: Durrell Trail
For our first hike of the week we take our bus to Avlaki Beach for the start of the days walk. The first hour, we’ll traverse the Erimiti area, an unspoiled paradise full of small coves and headlands offering beautiful scenery. Behind the pristine Akoli beach is Akoli Lake, translated as “Bottomless” however in reality a shallow lake which is a haven for birds and wildlife. From here, across the narrow straight we will have lovely views to Albania. Our route continues and after the small harbour at Agios Stefanos, we’ll pass by the estate of the Rothschild family. At Kerasia beach we can stop for a coffee before we continue along the coastal path towards Kalami, a small waterfront village where our hike finishes for the day.
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day Three: Venetian Trail
If you’d sail to the west, you’ll end up in Italy. The Venetians ruled the Ionian sea for centuries and left their mark in the history of Corfu. Today our bus takes us to where Lawrence Durrell called ‘the most beautiful view in Europe’, with fabulous vistas over Paleokastritsa and to the Byzantine Castle of the Angels (Angelokastro) played a major role in defending the island, against sieges of Corfu by the Ottomans. We will experience fabulous views over the rugged coastline with high cliffs above the dark blue sea. After a break in a local café in the charming hamlet of Krini, we continue along cobble stone path enjoying the sweeping, stunning views and the entire bay of Agios Georgios beach below.
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day Four: Olive Trail
Corfu is visited by many people, but you still discover many places off the beaten track. Todays hike starts at the quaint, hidden gem village of Giannades . We head over undulating trails with rapidly changing scenery to picturesque village of Liapades; a place where time has stood still with Venetian manor houses and narrow cobbled lanes. After a well-deserved break on the main square, we’ll walk down to the shore. At the pristine beach of Limni, a secluded cove hidden in a forest of cypresses, a small boat will pick us up for an amazing cruise in the crystal-clear West coast waters. Our captain will navigate his boat through arches, into caves, underneath tall bluffs and cliffs along small bays and beaches.
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day Five: Pirates Trail
Just beneath the high summit of Pantokratoros, lies the village of Old Perithia, the oldest village of Corfu. Once built as a hideaway from the marauding pirates of the time. Gradually inhabitants abandoned the high valley and moved to the coast abandoning the houses and churches now reclaimed by nature. Here we can experience the mystical vibe of the ruins, old wooden window shutters, rusted doors and crumbling stone walls making it a fascinating place to walk and explore. From here our route descends along mule tracks and footpaths through an oak forest gorge and olive groves and down to the sea.
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day Six: Heartland Trail
For our final walk of the week, our route starts at the local café in Skripero, Today is a long route, but easy and enjoyable. The majority of the hike is along narrow country lanes zigzagging between the picturesque hills of central Corfu. At the secluded lake of Kounoupina, we turn right and descend towards the sea in the distance. Finally, we finish at Danilia, a theme park built as a décor of an old traditional Corfiot village.
- Breakfast & Dinner
Day Seven: Day at Leisure
Choose from a range of lovely optional excursions and discover the beauty of the island or relax and enjoy the hotels facilities. Breakfast & Dinner
Day Eight: Depart Corfu
It's time to say "Ya Sou"! After transferring to the airport, we will board our onward flight.
Accommodation
Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa Five-star
Facilities include
Room includes
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
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Durrell Trail: Walking Distance approx. 5.6 miles. Walking Time 3 hrs. Ascent approx. 100 to 164 feet. Descent approx. 100 to 164 feet. Transfer Hotel to Avlaki beach 45 min / Kalami beach to hotel 35 min.
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Venetian Trail: Walk Distance approx. 6.2 miles. Walking Time 3.5 hrs. Ascent approx. 164 feet. Descent approx. 984 feet. Transfer Hotel to Makrades 30 mins / Agios Georgios to Hotel 45 mins.
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Olive Trail: Walk Distance approx. 6.2 miles. Walking Time 3.5 hrs. Ascent approx. 492 feet. Descent approx. 984 feet. Transfer Hotel to Giannades 30 mins / Paleokastritsa to Hotel 30 mins. Boat Excursion Liapades Limni - Paleokastritsa 1 hr.
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Pirates Trail: Walk Distance approx. 7.5 miles. Walking Time 4 hrs. Descent approx. 1,444 feet. Transfer Hotel to Old Perithia 45 mins / Agios Spiridon to Hotel 50 mins.
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Heartland Trail: Walk Distance approx. 6.8 miles. Walking Time 4 hrs. Ascent approx. 492 feet. Descent approx. 328 feet. Transfer Hotel to Marmaro 30 mins / Danila to Hotel 15 mins.
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses – the sun’s strength is often multiplied in mountainous areas.
- Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – €15 per night, payable locally
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
Not sure what travel documents you need? Our trusted partner, sherpa°, makes it easy to check visa and entry requirements based on your destination and passport. One quick check now means smooth sailing later. Click here to learn more.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
