Apollon Hotel Paleokastritsa

The Apollon Hotel in Paleokastritsa, Corfu is perfect for beautiful surroundings, sea swimming (no pool and didn't miss it) and snorkeling etc. Get up the donkey trail into the mountains to Bella Vista and the villages if you're reasonably fit. Don't wear your beach sandals though, and have a pint at the top. You will need it. A shorter walk is up to the monastery, which is worth a mornings visit.

You will feel pleased with your choice of hotel when you see all the other tourists who have been bussed in from all over to see the same place. Visit Corfu town once or twice at least. Go in on the bus and come back by taxi if you want an evening stay (last bus back is around 6pm or 2pm at weekends). Disregard your tour reps spiel about going in on their evening trip, as it's more expensive and you will treble (at least) the journey time with pick ups here there and everywhere, with a consequential cutting down of your eating, drinking and shopping time.

To eat in Corfu town, find the Town Hall with the Catholic Cathedral on the same square. Any of the restaurants there have wonderful food at about a third of UK prices for the same standard. While Paleo superficially seems busy, most of the people you will see in the day are trippers from elsewhere going to the monastery etc. Very few make it to the beach, which remained quiet. It's also quite pleasant to sit on your veranda with a cool drink watching the various nationalities traipsing by. These all disappear at about 5pm, and the resort is quiet in the evenings. It is not a place to go if you want to dance the night away, but you can do this in Corfu town if you want. It is perfect however for relaxation, a good book, good wine and a little bit of exercise. Well, we have booked again for next year, so it must have something going for it!