Corfu is one of the more unique places in Greece due to its close connection to European royalty. Serving as a summer retreat for many royal families during the early modern era, the island is home to beautiful palaces that nowadays serve as reminder of a time long past. This private tour aims to shed light on that aspect of Corfu's history.
There are two main locations that you will visit. First comes the Achilleion Palace, built in the closing stages of the 19th century as a summer palace for Empress Elisabeth of Austria, as she was mourning the tragic loss of her only son. The grounds of the palace are stunning, inhabited by beautiful statues -including the famous one of dying Achilles- and offering panoramic views of the island, while the interior is elaborately decorated and features frescoes and paintings of the era. Afterwards, we will proceed to Mon Repos, the neoclassical villa that served as the summer residence of the British Lord High Commissioner, after the Greek independence in 1821. The villa has been turned into a museum which houses artefacts of its history as well as a photography exhibition.
Before saying goodbye we will take you to the Old Town of Corfu, now a UNESCO World Heritage member, for a brief guided tour.
Daily except for Sundays and major holidays
| Persons | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 person | 795 € per person |
| 2 persons | 397 € per person |
| 3 persons | 265 € per person |
| 4 persons | 199 € per person |
| 5 persons | 159 € per person |
| 6 persons | 133 € per person |
Once we pick you up from your hotel in the Town of Corfu, we will proceed south for a few minutes until we reach Achilleion Palace. Located near the village of Gastouri, the palace was built in 1890 for Elisabeth of Austria, as a refuge for the distraught Empress, after she lost her only son during the Meyerling incident. The palace is built in the architectural style of the mythical Phaecia, a Homeric place that served as the last stop of Odysseus' journey before his return to Ithaca. The gardens are adorned with classical Greek statues and with the hero Achilles as the central inspiration, while the building is of Pompeian style. We will tour the gardens and the Museum that is now housed in the palace, and learn about the tragic story of Sisi and her love for the region.
Afterwards, we drive through the coastal road of Perama to Mon Repos, the neoclassical villa that served as the summer residence for the British Lord High Commissioner after the Greek War of Independence (circa 1821), when the Ionian islands were still a protectorate of the United Kingdom. After a quick tour of the gardens we will reach the Palace, which now operates as the Museum of Palaiopolis. In 1864, the Palace was donated to the Greek royal family, after the islands were ceded to Greece. Important moments in European royal history took place in the grounds over the coming decades, with George II being born at Mon Repos in 1869, and the wedding of Princess Maria and Archduke Georgio Mihailovic of Russia taking place there at the end of the 19th century. Perhaps the most well-known member of the House of Windsor associated with Mon Repos is Prince Philip, who was not only born, but also baptized in the villa.
Once we've concluded our tour of Mon Repos, we will head to the Old Town of Corfu, a beautiful place that is in its entirety a member of the UNESCO World Heritage List. After a brief tour there, we will return you to your hotel in the Town of Corfu.
Not included:
