Zoe Stamou

Describe the perfect day in your destination?

Wake up relaxed and free from worries after a good night sleep. Enjoy a delicious, healthy brunch in the morning. Afterwards, go for a walk on the beach and do some sunbathing, before going for a swim. Ideally I would take a boat trip up to Paxos and AntiPaxos, and have a delicious lunch there. After a little rest, I would go to Pelaka's beach-Kontoyalos to watch a movie at the Moonlight Cinema Caravan along with a drink on the chaises longues.

What are your top travel tips for your destination?

I would recommend doing thorough research before choosing a destination; consult Trip Advisor & watch relevant videos on YouTube. A car or motorbike is essential, as you need to really explore the place that you're going to. There's absolutely no use in traveling to a foreign country and staying in a hotel all day. Get outdoors and explore the land! In order to be able and feel the place you are visiting and appreciate how locals live you need to mingle with them. Every country has its own set of customs and traditions that are very important to daily life. When you eat and drink like the locals do, you are actively immersing yourself in that culture through your senses and your tastebuds.

What local cuisine would you recommend to people staying in your destination?

Traveling to a particular country and eating incredible food at the source is such an amazing way to have a truly authentic experience. The same goes for drinks. In general the Greek cuisine as it is Meditterenean is considered a pretty healthy cuisine. The Corfiot cuisine in particular has many interesting and delicious dishes. Pastitsada, the most popular food amongst locals, was passed down directly from the Venetians. It is a casserole cooked dish featuring a cockerel and a combination of fresh tomatoes, cinnamon, onions, garlic, olive oil, paprika, cloves, and nutmeg. You’ll usually get the dish served with traditional thick pasta such as spaghetti or penne. Beef can be used instead of the rooster. The choice of meat is seared and then sautéed in tomato sauce with the rest of the ingredients. Pastitsada is usually topped with grated cheese. It’s an exceptional recipe for family gatherings, holidays, and celebrations. Sofrito is another traditional dish and one of my favourite ones. It consists of beef or veal cooked in a delicious white sauce with garlic, vinegar, and white pepper. It is generally eaten with rice, pasta or mashed potatoes. The perfectly cooked meat that immediately melts in your mouth is what makes Sofrito so popular in Corfu. Therefore, if you’re a fan of these flavours, you can’t leave Corfu without trying it! Bianco gets its name from the Italian word for “white” and is made from whiting fish, grey mullet, or Scorpionfish. It is another casserole recipe that incorporates potatoes, black pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, onions, garlic, and coriander. The ingredients are first combined and cooked well in a pot, and then fish is added and simmered in the mixture. The dish is served with a delightful balance of olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Tsigareli is a spring-inspired dish made from tender greens, onions, herbs, and olive oil. The food traditionally got its red color from paprika or chili pepper. However, the modern recipe calls for tomatoes for the red appearance instead. Though Tsigareli is found throughout the Greek islands, the stewed dish is quite popular on Corfu. Locals prefer using young, bitter greens for the recipe, while others might want to look for tender greens that are easier to chew – there are no set rules. Finally, Bourdetto, is perhaps one of the most famous Corfiot dishes. You’ll find this scrumptious dish in nearly all restaurants on the island. It is made using a fish, most popularly Scorpionfish, which is then prepared in a spicy tomato sauce. The sauce can include potatoes, too.

What experiences would you recommend to our customers in your destination?

As it is one of the most emerald islands in Greece, impressive sights are scattered all throughout the island, while Corfu Town is a gem in terms of historical and cultural points of interest. First of all, you need to visit Corfu Town which is protected by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage site, which has a mix of Venetian, French and also English architecture. Secondly, visit Mouse Island and the Monastery of Vlacherna which are the emblems of Corfu. For the lovers of museums and Archeology there's the Archaeological Museum, The Mon Repos Palace - where King Philip was born, and the Achilleion Palace of the Austrian Empress, Sisi. Furthermore, the Monastery of Paleokastritsa with its breathtaking views to the gulf of Paleokastritsa - one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Corfu. Another magnificent place is Cape Drastis & Canal d'Amour in Sidari. Needless to say the same applies to the numerous beautiful sandy or pebbled beaches with crystalline turquoise waters.