Europe Explored » calm sea https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Corfu – Emerald Island in the Mediterranean Sea | Greece https://europeexplored.com/2011/07/14/corfu-emerald-island-in-the-mediterranean-sea-greece/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/07/14/corfu-emerald-island-in-the-mediterranean-sea-greece/#comments Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:28:04 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4675 The island of Corfu (Kerkyra) is situated at the northwestern part of Greece (only 5km from the Greek mainland). The island has a relatively enough rainfall, and thus there is a variety of plants. Green nature and plants such as olive trees and orchids create along with the clear blue sea a really wonderful place. […]

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The island of Corfu (Kerkyra) is situated at the northwestern part of Greece (only 5km from the Greek mainland). The island has a relatively enough rainfall, and thus there is a variety of plants. Green nature and plants such as olive trees and orchids create along with the clear blue sea a really wonderful place. The island of Corfu is often regarded as the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea and is also called the Emerald Island. The highest peak is Mount Pantokrator, measuring 906 m.

Beaches
On the island you will find beautiful pebble and sandy beaches. The best beaches for swimming are mostly in the eastern part of the island. The beaches are gentle with a calm sea (the waves are nearly absent, since the eastern side is not open to the sea), while at the western part you can find rocks.

Climate
Corfu has the coldest climate of all Greek islands (in summer daytime temperatures are around 28 °C), which is pleasant in summer and suitable also for hiking and exploring the island. rare here in the summer of weak collisions occur.

Kerkyra Town
Kerkyra is the capital of Corfu. The town has over 35 000 inhabitants. You shouldn’t miss Vlacheraina monastery, which lies on the own little island.

Corfu is very attractive for its beauty, charm, freshness and distinctive villages with magical ports. In them you can find fishing boats and tavernas. Throughout the island you will see a huge amount of cypresses, olive trees, pines and citruses.

Northern coast of Corfu has long been a popular destination for air tours. The tourists are in this beautiful island totally excited. Many famous people have joined their life or name with this favorite destinations – for example, Johan Wolfgang Goethe, Oscar Wilde or the wife of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. – Elisabeth, called Sissi.

Corfu has also a rich history and interesting architecture. If you plan on sightseeing tour, you will certainly be happy that the island is dotted with plenty of sights worth visiting. You can visit Achillion – Classicist mansion, where the Empress Sissi spent much of her life. Another beautiful experience of your vacation could also be a walk to the ruins of a Byzantine castle Angelokastro from the 13th century or to the southernmost point of the island, which is Cape Asprokavos. There is an abandoned monastery, above which you can enjoy the view of 130m high rocky cliffs.

The Corfu has several interesting places that we strongly recommend you to visit: the capital of Corfu, Vlacherna monastery, Empress Sissi villa in the village of Gastouri, Pantokrator mountain, tourist town Paleokastritsa with nearby caves by the sea, village Lakoness, view Bela Vista or resort of Sidari with bizarre rocky reefs.


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Blue Grotto – amazing sea cave you must see! | Capri, Italy https://europeexplored.com/2010/06/04/blue-grotto-in-italy-capri/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/06/04/blue-grotto-in-italy-capri/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:56:22 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=260 Located on Capri Island, the Blue Grotto is a very popular destination which has attracted countless visitors over the years. Known for glowing a brilliant blue color as a result of the light entering the cave through the crystal clear Mediterranean waters, the Blue Grotto offers anyone a truly unique experience. Inside Blue Grotto, Capri, […]

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Located on Capri Island, the Blue Grotto is a very popular destination which has attracted countless visitors over the years. Known for glowing a brilliant blue color as a result of the light entering the cave through the crystal clear Mediterranean waters, the Blue Grotto offers anyone a truly unique experience.

Inside Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy
Inside Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy by Jun

Located at the waterline inside the cave, a hole in the wall of the cave that is only one and a half meters in diameter allows the sunlight into the Blue Grotto. This is also just large enough to allow a small rowboat into the cave. Below this small hole is an even larger hole which allows the light to reflect on the base of the cave beneath the water line. As a result, the water in the Blue Grotto emits this eerie blue glow.

Inside of the Blue Grotto, many marble statues were found back in the early part of the 1800s. There was also a landing spot inside of the cave which means that they Blue Grotto was well known even back in the days of the Roman Empire. Today, this cave is the symbol of the Island of Capri and is the number one reason why people make their way to the island every single year.

Entrance to Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy
Entrance to Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy by Arnaud Gaillard

To enter the cave, one must transfer to a wooden boat that is oared into the Blue Grotto. Since the size of the hole is so small, when entering the cave, you will have to lay flat on your back so as to prevent hitting your head. However, the inside of the Blue Grotto is very spacious. Furthermore, if there are any trough seas, access to the caves are limited because the rowboat can barely fit through the small opening in a calm sea.

During the peak season, when the conditions are just right, it is not uncommon for traffic jams to occur as the boats take turns entering and exiting the cave. However, for those who are brave enough, in the evenings after the rowboats have gone for the day, it is possible to swim into the Blue Grotto. Special precautions must be taken so as not to get slammed into the edges of the opening by the waves.

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