Paleokastritsa, Monastery & Corfu Town

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Your tour begins as your board your motorcoach for a scenic 40-minute drive to the Agia Paraskevi Monastery. En route, you'll pass the fertile countryside of Corfu and see the Old Fortress that stands guard over the harbor and Corfu.

During the period of the 6th and 13th century A.D, Corfu stood within the fortifications of the Old Fortress. Built by the Byzantines, it was reinforced by the Venetians and later by the British. Although much has been destroyed, the Venetian insignia still remains, as do the lower ramparts and a steel bridge that connects the fortress to the city.

Your first destination, the female Monastery of Agia Paraskevi founded in the 17th century. It is located above Palaiokastritsa at a panoramic location. The Monastery's Katholikon is a simple Basilica and houses post-Byzantine and Ionian-style icons. It celebrates the memory of Agia Paraskevi on 26th July with the participation of all nearby villages

Next, you'll travel to Paleokastritsa Village, a seaside village dotted with luxurious olive trees and pine trees reaching the edge of the coast - considered by many to be the finest scenery in the entire Mediterranean.

Corfu Town is your next stop. Best seen on foot, the old town is a mixture of the medieval and the modern. With a guide by your side, you'll tour Old Corfu Town where you'll see the Esplanade (planted with palms and eucalyptus by the French), the English cricket pitch, and the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, once home to Corfu's British rulers. You're free to follow the narrow streets and small plazas to the church of St. Spyridon, the final resting place of the island's patron saint.

Your tour concludes with a walk back to your motorcoach and a relaxing drive back to the pier. With Corfu behind you, you'll leave with a myriad of unforgettable memories of a lifetime.

Special Notes:

Dress appropriately; respectful attire is required when visiting the monastery and church. Shorts and brief, tight-fitting clothing is not permitted at the monastery; women are requested to have their shoulders covered.

The old town of Corfu will be explored on foot over level terrain. To access the Agia Paraskevi Monastery requires climbing 15 steps. Those with physical limitations should take this into consideration. Wear comfortable shoes. Flash photos are not permitted inside the church at the monastery. Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience.