Achilleion Palace, Mon Repos Palace & Corfu Town (Guided in French)

Description

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

Immerse yourself in the history of Corfu with an informative and entertaining half-day tour of this Mediterranean island's most stunning landmarks.

Corfu is more lush and verdant than most Greek Islands, and after meeting your guide at the dock, you will be able to see how beautiful it is as you drive through Corfu Town and its sprawling suburbs.

Take a walking tour of the neo-classical Achilleion Palace, which was designed and built for the Empress Elisabeth of Austria. After the Empress' assassination in 1898, Kaiser Wilhelm II owned the palace, and you will have a chance to walk the same hallowed ground as you stroll around the formal Italian garden with its fine trees and landscaping.

Your day continues with a scenic drive to the Mon Repos Palace Paleopolis Museum, which was built by the last British Governor, Sir Arthur Adams. Formerly used by the Greek Royal Family as a summer palace, today it is a museum boasting sweeping views of the ocean. The museum is home to many archaeological ruins including Era's temple, a Venetian fountain, and what remained of the Doric Kardaki temple. This temple was built in honor of Apollo at the end of VI century B.C., using local limestones from the quarry of Varipatadon.

Inside the main building, three rooms have been restored to their former Regency palace style, and it's worth noting that Queen Elizabeth's husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was born here.

As you head back to Corfu Town, you will stop at Kanoni, named after the original gun placed here in 1810 by the French to disrupt the blockade by the British. From here, you will enjoy views of the twin islets of Vlachernae and Mouse Island.

There will be a brief stop for refreshments before you tour Corfu Town, which is a mixture of the medieval and the modern. Pause for a photo of the Old Fortress which dominates the town and the pretty Esplanade Square which attracts many visitors. Your guide will also point out the Palace of St. Michael and St. George, which was home to the British rulers of the island. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to continue your independent exploration of this quaint town before making your own way back to the ship.

Special Notes:

Flash photos are not permitted in either palace.

Anticipate a few steps when visiting Achilleion Palace as well as two staircases without handrails to visit its gardens.Mon Repos Palace is reached after an uphill walk of 800 yards (732 meters). Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience.

Wear comfortable walking shoes.