The villa is perfectly placed in picturesque, mountainous Gastouri, also known as Acheillio, after the famous summer palace of Empress Sissi of Austria. Located just 500m from the village entrance, the palace draws intrigue due to its historical and cultural significance. Built in 1898 by an Italian architect with inspiration from Greek mythology, iconic sculptures of Zeus, Hera and Achilles himself were created by a German sculptor for the beloved Empress of Austria. The palace is surrounded by dazzling gardens and has incredible views of the Ionian Sea.
Corfu is the second largest of the Ionian islands and has strong Venetian influence in the architecture, as well as Byzantine. The name means 'a pair of peaks' as the island has two hills topped with fortresses that defended the island from the Ottoman Empire. The largest of the hills has a lighthouse with spectacular views over the sea.
The Old Town has a myriad of narrow, winding lanes, filled with Venetian and Neoclassical architecture, painted in sunny yellow and orange. Just off Spianada Square, where locals congregate, is the Old Fortress on the site of an acropolis atop a rocky peninsula. Visitors can walk up to the highest point for breathtaking views, passing a small chapel and museum along the way.
Liston Arcade, full of famous cafes and a promenade inspired by the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, is also nearby - it is so atmospheric with its graceful archways. It's a perfect spot for people-watching with a coffee in hand.
A popular trip from Corfu is to nearby Pontikosini (Mouse Island) where there is a tiny Byzantine monastery surrounded by pine and cypress trees. According to local legend, this is the spot of Ulysses' ship after it was turned to stone by the wrath of Poseidon. The island gets its name as it's said to be the outline of a mouse when you look at it from above.
A beach day is always a good idea in Corfu - and with so many to choose from, you could try a different beach every day! An amazing beach close to the villa is Agios Gordious beach with its green water and powdery sand. The beach gets its name from the church that is literally on the beachfront. The road that leads up to Agios Gordious is particularly scenic, lined with vineyards and olive trees.
Canal d'Amour is a popular beach in Sidari, the northwest side of the island. This beach has gorgeous sand and turquoise water, but the unique element is the rectangular rock with a gap that you can swim through on a calm day. It's said that couples who swim through together will get married within the year.
There are plenty of tasty treats to tuck into on Corfu, such as bourdeto, which is rockfish in a tomato sauce with plenty of onions and garlic, and pastralio, with fried aubergine layered with cheese and baked with boiled eggs, pancetta or salami, with a tomato and basil sauce. For the adventurous, try sofrito - veal cooked in a wine sauce with white pepper and garlic and served with rice or mashed potato.