Corfu's balmy climate, azure seas and beautiful mountain vistas -- along with a distinctive architectural and historical legacy -- have made the island a popular choice for northern European, and especially British, holiday makers since the second half of the 1980s.
Britain ended its administrative control here in the mid-19th century but the town's cricket pitch is still in use and ginger ale is served in local cafes.
Corfu surprises many first-time visitors.
Corfu just isn't the typical Greek island of the imagination, full of white buildings with blue shutters. It's much greener here, and the Venetian influence makes for a more ornate style, with terra cotta tiles and ochre predominating.
The effect is more like Amalfi than one of the Aegean islands such as Mykonos.
The island's strict regulations have protected its design aesthetic, other than the concrete construction of two or three hastily built tourist resorts. Some 640 square kilometers in size and with a permanent population of 107,000, Corfu is a sickle-shaped island in the Ionian Sea to the west of the Greek mainland, just a little more than 3 kilometers, or about 2 miles, from Albania at its closest point.
Estates in the northeastern corner of Corfu, facing the rugged, mountainous Albanian coast, are the most prized.
Several of Britain's wealthiest banking and retail clans -- including the Rothschild family -- have discreet compounds there. The concentration of wealthy British property owners in this corner of the island has earned it the nickname ''Kensington-on-Sea,'' after the prosperous London neighborhood.
Prince Charles is an occasional visitor.
North east Corfu is an area of great interest, for the many beaches as well as for its interior which is dominated by Pantokrator Mountain.
In Pantokrator there are the two highest peaks of Corfu, the Pantokrator at an altitude of 915 meters in the east and Stravoskadi at 890 meters a couple of miles to the west.
Many small mountain villages which keep their traditional beauty intact, with very few inhabitants, almost untouched by progress and time.
They are Spartilas, Strynilas closer to the top and many more.
Perithea is an abandoned medieval village, hidden among mountain peaks, so that pirates could not find it.
In recent years, the village has been reborn, taverns and other small shops have been created in renovated old traditional houses, here the stone dominates as the main building material.
So, they are ideal destinations for those who prefer a quieter holiday in calm clear waters.
In the northern part, the most developed tourist resort is Kassiopi, a historic village that existed since antiquity.
Here was a theater visited by Nero and a large fortress, whose remnants are still preserved.
Here is also the area of the Erimitis, a pristine expanse of paradise beaches which is going to be sold and destroyed because this is implied by the memoranda.
To the north there is Corfu`s second lagoon of Antivioti, which is a great wetland.
East of Antinioti the beach of Agios Spyridon Karniaris.
South of Kassiopi the beaches of the area are multifarious, small bays mainly with pebbles and locations not very developed, many small seaside locations with many tavernas and crystal clear waters, such as Agios Stefanos, Kerasia, Kouloura, Kalami, Agni, Krouzeri, Kaminaki, Nissaki, Barbati, dozens of small and beautiful sceneries scattered within the manifold bays, each with its own uniqueness – all these forming the area of the old Sinies.
The area from Pyrgi to the city of Corfu is touristy developed and includes large tourist resorts with large hotel units up to 5 stars.
Below on the east coast the famous tourist resorts Ipsos, Dassia one of the oldest tourist areas on the island and finally Gouvia with the large homonymous yacht marina…….
It should also be noted that in the area of Tzavros there is the General Hospital of Corfu, a state-of-the-art building, unfortunately without the necessary staffing specifically for medical staff.
Ipsos Corfu Resort and Long Pebble Beach.
Ipsos lies in a large bay a few miles north of Corfu town, at the foot of Mount Pantocrator, Corfu’s highest peak.
9 km north to Corfu town, it is a lively resort, with water sports and a diving school, and dolphins are often spotted frolicking out at sea.
At the southern end is a small harbour with fishing boats and boats for hire, and if you walk inland from here there is the small village of Analypsis.
The bars, tavernas and shops are all on one side of the main road to the north, with the beach on the other side.
At the northern end Ipsos joins the small village of Pyrghi, it is hard for the visitor to know where one begins and the other ends!
There are many well established bars and tavernas here, people return year after year to their favourites, and it stays lively even in winter.
On the lower slopes of the hill, near Ipsos, are the beautiful villages of Ano Korakiana and Ag. Markos. The latter was abandoned years ago but is being brought back to life gradually, its old houses re-emerging from the ivy and undergrowth which has hidden them.IL GIARDINO SEGRETO DI PROSPERO consists of 4 individual and luxurious residences, calling you like the shipwrecked castaways of Prospero to discover the island’s beautiful unspoiled nature, the crystal-clear beaches of the Ionian sea and Corfu's inherent elegance and finesse.
Residences are private but also cleverly connected making our accommodation perfect for the family getaway yet very flexible for groups and families who want to holiday together.
Discover our residences: ΤΙΤΑΝΙΑ: 5 guests * PUCK: 3 guests * OBERON: 4 guests * ARIEL: 3 guests
Entire mansion: 15 guests.
ΙL GIARDINO SEGRETO DI PROSPERO is an intriguing mix of tradition, elegance, finesse and comfort that offers a get away with a fairy-tale view of the most amazing Corfiot landscape, flora and fauna.
Prospero, William Shakespeare’s Prince in exile in the great poet’s final play “The Tempest”, takes his shipwrecked enemies as prisoners to the magical island of Corfu where, aided by the magical art of nature, he forgives them and helps them to discover both themselves and the joy of life.
Fast forward four hundred years to ΙL GIARDINO SEGRETO DI PROSPERO - a brand new yet traditional country mansion, lovingly built within the grounds of a centuries old 7,000 sq.m olive grove that pre-dates Shakespeare himself. Sat within its own garden in a peaceful location above the beautiful Ipsos bay, on one of the most picturesque points of the north-eastern part of Corfu with breathtaking views over the Corfu Channel towards the mountains of Albania, it provides an ideal setting for a relaxed family holiday, away from it all, but close to all essential holiday amenities.
This brand new, large , traditional and artistic Corfiot country mansion, has carefully designed and architected living rooms, verandas and patios, to provide a large party the unique ability to enjoy their vacation all together in communal relaxing spaces, both in and outdoors, while at the same time not losing the potential of privacy for each individual residence.
The four residences are available individually or as one, accommodating up to 15 people in total.
The olive green main steel entrance with its’ twin Venetian lanterns, reminiscent of a long gone but not forgotten age and surrounded by deep red bougainvilla, leads you into the fairy-tale garden. There along with the ancient olive trees are tall cypresses, orange, lemon, almond, peach and cherry trees, as well as exquisite mint plants.
Wood, stone, pebbles, cement-mortar, traditionally used in the construction of Corfiot houses, are the sole building materials for this exceptional country mansion. It consists of four individual residences, all of them offering amazing views of the sea and Mount Pantokrator.
The walled entrance and fully fenced estate guarantee absolute protection of your privacy.
Contact us today with your personal requirements. ΙL GIARDINO SEGRETO DI PROSPERO is located in the exact spot made immortal by Edward Lear’s painting, distancing 12 Kms from the old town of Corfu and within walking distance (1000 m) from the beach of Ipsos bay.
A lot of parking space in the estate.
Small port for motor boats & yachts in Ipsos Bay.
6 km to seaplane port.
Frequent city bus service to Corfu.
ACCESSIBILITY: The mansion is not suitable for wheelchair users as it is built on a rather steep hillside and on three levels. The swimming pool and living areas are all different levels. Access to the mansion is via a long, driveway while foot-access to all levels is via external spacious staircases.
Large swimming pool app.10 x 5 m. Deepest part of swimming pool is app. 1.8m.
Designer’s terrace with 10 sun loungers next to pool and 3 large tents.
Lounge style seating area under the olive trees with sofas and armchairs.
PUCK is an artistic one-space studio, with a double bed hand crafted in Corfu (cast iron bed equipped with handcrafted designer’s side tables), one bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, along with an outdoor BBQ kitchen, a spacious living room, and indoor and outdoor dining facilities to cater for 6 diners. The studio accommodates 3 people.
Large contemporary furnished open plan living room and kitchen. Direct access to balcony with stunning sea views and pool terrace. Comfortable seating. iPod docking station. Wireless Internet connection.
**Starting January 1, 2024, a new Greek tax was introduced which is called the "Climate Crisis Resilience Charge", requiring a fee of EUR1.5 per night. The amount needs to be paid in cash upon your arrival at the villa.
