Page 58 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Corfu & the Ionian Islands

56 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Corfu and the Ionian
Islands for Free

Special Events
3
Mingle with the locals to watch
Corfu’s Achílleion Marathon. This
annual summer event begins with
a parade through Corfu Old Town,
followed by the race itself, and then
celebrations featuring performances
by musicians, singers and dancers.
Similar free events can be found
throughout the Ionians.
Festivals
4
The Greek calendar is bursting
with annual festivals. Easter is the
biggest celebration of the Orthodox
church and is a time when all the
islands host events, over several
Arts and crafts shop, Corfu Old Town days, which bring entire communities
together. Watch processions and enjoy
Arts and Crafts
1 free live music (see p45).
It’s worth looking out for
Museums
posters advertising local arts and 5
crafts markets, which are often held The Ionian Islands are home
around the islands’ harbours on one to some fabulous museums, such as
Sunday a month. You’ll find plenty of the Byzantine Museum in Zákynthos
art galleries and shops too, where Town (see p32) and Lefkáda Town’s
you’re almost certain to find some- Archaeological Museum (see p25).
thing to purchase and take home Many have free admission days,
as a souvenir. If you’re in Samí, such as International Museums Day
Kefalloniá, seek out IN Gallery and on 18 May. Most of them also have at
Annikas Greek Handicrafts (see p92). least one Sunday a month when you
can visit for free.
Admire a sunset
2 Patron Saints’ Days
No visit to the Ionian Islands
would be complete without seeing 6
All the islands mark saints’
one of its legendary sunsets. The days and namedays, which are
beaches at Pélekas on Corfu and similar to birthdays. In Zákynthos,
Kerí on Zákynthos are two of the best locals offer celebratory food and wine
spots to enjoy a spectacular view. to visitors to mark their patron saint’s
day (Agios Dionýsios) on 24 August
Sunset view from Zákynthos and 17 December each year.

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