Kalami Holidays

You’ll find this one-time fishing village fitted snugly between the mountains and the sea on Corfu’s northeast coast. It’s an idyllic spot, surrounded by olive and cypress groves – writers Laurence and Gerald Durrell liked it so much they made it their home. There are a handful of tavernas, shops and cocktail bars, but holidays here are really about escaping to an authentic Greek village and embracing the slow life.

This sand-and-shingle beach is a Blue Flag winner. It’s also one of Corfu’s prettiest bays, thanks to the orange and lemon trees that dot the surrounding hills. As it’s a natural cove, you’re sheltered from the bigger waves. And the place has maintained its old-world charm – if you get up early, you’ll still see the local fishermen heading out to sea.

There are regular buses to Corfu Town, the island capital, which take about 40 minutes. The highlight here is wandering the winding, cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed old town. But you’ve also got a 16th-century fortress to explore, and numerous museums – the Archaeological Museum should be top of your tick-list. After that, you can indulge in some people-watching at the Esplanade, Europe’s biggest square.