Page 59 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Corfu & the Ionian Islands

Corfu and the Ionian Islands for Free ❮❮ 57

Walking and Hiking
7 TOP 10 BUDGET TIPS
All the islands have tourist
offices where you can get free guides
with suggested town walks or hiking
routes. Some suggestions are
lei surely strolls taking in the sights,
while others are more challenging
and are designed for serious hikers.
Carnivals
8
The islands are famous for
their apokries (carnival season) and
the carnivals often have religious
connections. The spring carnival, for
instance, takes place three weeks
before Lent and features dances with
traditional music. It is free to join in
and locals, especially children, dress
up in elaborate fancy-dress costumes. Local food market, Corfu
1 If you are self-catering, try bulk
buying at larger supermarkets rather
than at overpriced mini-markets in
resorts. For smaller purchases of fresh
produce, visit local food markets.
2 Visit the islands in April–May or in
October when the weather is pleasant,
and flights, accommodation and car
rentals are cheaper.
3 Renting a car by the day from a local
agency can be cheaper than using taxis.
4 Students, school pupils and senior
Monastery of St Gerasímos, Kefalloniá citizens are entitled to reduced
admission at many archaeological sites
Visit a Monastery
9 and museums with proof of status.
5 Prices in restaurants with multi-lingual
The Ionian Islands are dotted
with monasteries housing fab ulous tourist menus are almost always higher
icons and tombs, and most of these than in those that cater mainly to locals.
are free to visit. Special events are 6 Local wines “apo to bareli” (from
held on their nameday or saint’s day, the barrel) are cheaper than bottled
or on days of significance to the vintages. Order by the jug in tavernas,
or buy in bottles in local shops.
monas tery. At the Katharon Monastery
on Ithaki, for instance, a free feast is 7 Fish dishes are usually the most
held on the eve of 7 September, to expensive on the menu. Squid and
mark the day an icon of the Virgin marides (whitebait) are the cheapest
seafood options.
Mary survived a fire undamaged.
8 Private currency exchange agencies
Old Quarters
0 usually claim to charge no commission
but offer a poorer rate of exchange
Don’t miss the chance to
explore the old quarters of the islands’ than banks or ATMs.
capitals. Corfu Old Town and parts of 9 Greek beer and spirits are cheaper in
Lefkáda Town are full of history. While bars and shops than imported brands.
some were destroyed by the 1953 10 Almost every resort has at least
earthquake, capitals like Zákynthos one happy-hour bar where drinks are
Town and Kefalloniá’s Argostóli were half price in the early evening.
rebuilt to their original style.

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