Half day private tour to Mon Repos Palace, Kanoni and Corfu town
The location of Kanoni with the church of Panagia Vlacherna below and the Mouse Island (Pontikonissi) are the most famous and photographed spots of Corfu. Kanoni is actually a quarter of Corfu Town, just 4 km from the city center. Some steps go down the hill from Kanoni and you reach the small church of Panagia Vlacherna. A narrow 300m passageway connects the island with the church. Constructed in the 17th century, this lovely chapel has an impressive wooden-carved iconostasis and beautiful frescoes inside. The roof has red tiles and above the gate entrance, there is a tall bell tower.
Boats depart frequently from the church and go to the legendary Mouse Island, just 5 min boat ride. This lush green island took this name due to its tiny size. According to mythology, this rocky island is the ship of Ulysses that was stoned by god Poseidon. In the center of the Mouse Island, there is the 13th-century church of Pantokrator.
On top of the hill in Kanoni, there are cafeterias with amazing view to the church of Vlacherna, the sea, and the Mouse Island. It is also very frequent that you see an airplane landing and taking off from this spot, as the airport of Corfu is right next to the church. Another longer passageway connects the church of Vlacherna with the opposite location of Perama.
The Mon Repos Palace was built as a summer residence for the British Lord High Commissioner of the United States of the Ionian Islands, Frederick Adam, and his second wife (a Corfiot), Diamantina 'Nina' Palatino, in 1828–1831, although they had to vacate the villa soon afterwards in 1832 when Adam was sent to serve in India. The villa was rarely used as a residence for the later British governors. In 1833, it housed a school of fine arts, while in 1834, the park was opened to the public. Empress Elisabeth of Austria stayed there in 1863. Here she fell in love with the island, where she later built the Achilleion Palace.
After the union with Greece in 1864, the villa was granted to King George I of the Hellenes as a summer residence; he renamed it Mon Repos (french for ″My Rest″). The royal family used it as a summer residence up until King Constantine II fled the country in 1967. The villa subsequently became derelict, but was restored in the 1990s.
Several royal births have taken place at the villa, including those of Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark on 26 June 1914, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 10 June 1921, and Princess Alexia of Greece and Denmark on 10 July 1965.
In Corfu town you will enjoy the elegant architecture of the Palace of Saints George and Michael, the old Town Hall, the Liston in Esplanade square, the small squares and the two Venetian fortresses. In front of the old fortress you will find the only Cricket field in Greece due to British influence. You will have the chance to stroll around its narrow streets (kantounia),visit the Saint Spiridon church.
Free time for walking in the square and into the narrow roads. Yoy will see the old fortress, the Esplanade with the cricket field, the Palace, the Old town hall and the square with their unique atmosphere.
Included
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
English speaking driver
Transport by private vehicle
Bottled water
Professional guide if selected
Exclude:
Food and drinks
Entrance fees of Old Fortress, Mon Repos Palace
Boat to Pontikonisi
Traveler pickup is offered
We offer pick up service from holiday rentals around island.
