A holiday in Corfu, Greece with a 14-month baby

September 22, 2021

f you ask me, Greece is always a good idea for your summer holidays. Be it a romantic holiday, friends getaway, or as per our case, new parents with a 14-month baby. Greece has it all: nightlife, unique bars, amazing beach bars, or secluded beaches if you prefer. Sandy beaches that are super comfortable for a baby or be it rocky stairs that lead you to a pool alike beach so crystal that it amazes you.

We choose Corfu for our second holiday this summer, being it one of the greenest islands in Greece, and so close to Albania. We traveled by car from Tirana to Gjirokastra and decided to stay the night at #Gjirokaster in a super-unique and traditional hotel called Hotel Musée.

Just take a look at these images and the video below to create a better idea of how amazing this hotel was:

The little yard

piece of art

Traditional room

enjoying the view

The next morning, the owners of the hotel arranged for us an early breakfast so we could leave extra early towards the Greek border. Our main concern was long waiting lines for entering Greece but that wasn’t the case. A rapid test was performed while we waited on the car to show our documentation (passports, negative rapid test reply, and PLF form) and we were on our way soon enough.

Next destination: Igoumenitsa. Only 35 minutes away from the border. We arrived at the port and booked our ferry with Kerkyra Seaways. A ferry departed every circa 30-45 minutes so while we waited to embark on the ferry, grabbed a Gyro on the way.

It took the ferry around 1.5 hours to arrive at port, which is next to Kerkyra (Corfu Town) and it was amazing to watch the Old and New Fortresses and port, as we closed up.

We had booked our stay at Stone Rose Villa which is located in Agios Ioannis, around 15 minutes drive from the port. When we arrived at the villa, which is located in a tranquil area, we were all stunned. There isn’t any amount of photos or videos that can truly describe the character and beauty of this villa.

Here is a video of our villa:

The villa is composed of 4 double rooms and a living area. The master bedroom where we choose to be accommodated had enough space to add Doen’s cot and included an en-suite bathroom. My sister and her husband and their two beautiful daughters chose two rooms on the first floor as well, with a shared bathroom in the middle. While my parents were left with a double room on the second floor with an en-suite bathroom as well. The perfect arrangement for 8 persons and a messy baby.

We spent our week, going to a different beach town every day after breakfast and came back to the villa after lunchtime. In the afternoon, we spent the time splashing in our private pool and several evenings visited the Old Town of Corfu. We loved strolling through the alleys of the Old Town, watching tourists cross by, and sometimes losing our way to discover beautiful narrow streets that led to beautiful restaurants on unique corners.

One day we even went to Corfu Open Market and bought Greek olives and fresh fish, shrimps, and calamari and cooked them on the barbeque behind our villa. I can smell them cooking even now, writing this article.

If you ask us about our favorite spot during this holiday, it would have to be Pazuzu Beach Club. Why do you ask?

Well for starters it was a huge sandy beach. Shadow, our Golden Retriever had hurt its paw on the rocky beaches of Corfu and could barely walk. The same walking issue with Doen, our 14-month baby who had barely started to make a few steps, but crawled most of the time. The beach area was very organized with super comfortable sunbeds and umbrellas. A set of which costs 30 Euros on the first line and 20 Euros on the second line and after. Just nearby was a beautiful and unique beach bar that offered different sitting areas and a wide menu list.

For lunch, we decided to sit in a corner with big pillows so Doen could play around. When our order came, she wanted to take mom’s club sandwich away. Each of us, trying to eat most of the chips before the other. After a while, she fell asleep tired from the beach, and mommy and dad enjoyed a Caipirinha in peace while scrolling on Instagram.

Our second favorite beach destination in Corfu? That would be Barbati.

Even though it was a rocky beach with a narrow line, the water was crystal clear and oh so warm. We sat at a restaurant in shade, where we drank frappes and ate lunch. A set of sunbeds and an umbrella, only 12 Euros. We spent 2 days in Barbati, that’s how much we loved it.

And to finish with our third favorite destination, I believe most of you would imagine my answer. That would be Paleokastritsa. One of the most beautiful destinations in Corfu. We tried to find sunbeds at Akron Beach Bar which is a well-known beach bar in Paleokastritsa but since it was fully booked, we went for the next best thing: Poseidon Beach Bar. Situated next to Akron but just as amazing. And if you don’t have a 14-month baby and a dog with you? Try La Grotta. An amazing beach bar that leads you through stairs towards a beach that looks just like a pool. Amazing!!

As for attractions? We visited Achillean Palace, or else known as Sissi Palace as it was the summer house of the Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Beautiful gardens and a stunning view from the huge balcony of the old town. Well, they found the perfect spot. Family ticket price: 20 Euros for 2 adults +1 or 2 children.

Oh, how does time fly when you’re on holiday. Off went the days and we had to catch the ferry back. The journey back was “painful” we can say. We didn’t want to drive back and get home. Lol.

Until next time Corfu. Bye Bye..