Angela Rippon visits Corfu with CV Villas and some special friends

Sometime in the late 60’s when I was a young reporter at the BBC in the Westcountry, I was sent to Jersey to make a film about the wonderful Zoo that conservationist and broadcaster Gerald Durrell had established on the island. 

Kassiopi - Corfu In preparation for meeting the great man himself, and learning more about his passion for animals, I read the glorious account of his childhood on the island of Corfu in his book ‘My Family and other animals’ and was totally captivated. Page after page, I could smell the scent of pine; hear the endless song of the cicadas; feel the sun on my back; and share the wonder of a ten-year-old boy at the discovery of an Island rich in flora and fauna so unlike anything he had encountered in his life in England.

Corfu was his playground. And whilst his sole purpose in writing the book was to raise money to fund his zoo in Jersey – what it also did was turn the island of Corfu into a “must visit” destination for thousands of holidaymakers. Me amongst them.

Our villa overlooking Avlaki beach It’s been many years since I made a trip to that particular Greek Island. So when I was given the opportunity of returning earlier this year with CV Villas – to stay in a large villa overlooking the beach at Avlaki in the north of the island – I jumped at the chance. And so did five of my closest women friends who couldn’t bear the thought of me being there on my own!

Six women sharing a house for a week – now there’s a challenge. But it turned out to be a blast.

Our villa overlooking Avlaki beach The villa was fabulous. Tucked into a hillside at one end of the glorious bay that is Avlaki, our view skimmed over the villa’s own infinity swimming pool to give an uninterrupted view of the curved bay and crystal turquoise sea that was virtually our own private beach. 

Our group Two shore side restaurants offered a choice of international cuisine in one, traditional home cooked Greek in the other. Every dinner eaten watching the sky painted with stunning sunsets, against the chorus of frogs from the nearby lake. Our walk home each evening lit by the fireflies dancing in the hedgerows. And yes – one evening we did have a takeaway to curl up and watch a DVD of Shirley Valentine. 

The keen swimmers in our sextet voted the bay the best open water swimming experience ever. Whilst we hedonists enjoyed almost daily massages, pedicures, manicures and facials from the visiting beauticians.

I couldn’t resist a day trekking through the surrounding wooded hills in the company of a local riding school. The pace was steady. Angela Rippon Enough to appreciate how the young Durrell fell in love with this place as we wound our way along trails flanked by banks of shrubs and wild flowers alive with butterflies and bees. 

Avlaki is not crammed with tourists, it’s a good hour’s drive north of Corfu town. The nearest we got to other tourists was a day trip to nearby Kassiopi. There were yachts and shops, and restaurants serving memorable traditional Greek food.

For a whole week, we were lotus eaters. When we left, we each had the start of an early tan, some truly fun memories. And the real test of a great holiday? We were all still talking to each other. 

Read more about villas in Avlaki   

Silver Travel Advisor recommends CV Villas

353 people found this helpful
18718

Share Article:

Angela Rippon

Broadcaster & traveller

Leave a comment

*

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Most Recent Articles

There’s something refreshingly nostalgic about the quintessential British coach holiday….

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.