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The resort of Paleokastritsa stretches from the Lakones junction to the Monastery at the bottom, a total distance of about four kilometres.
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There are three cash machines in Paleokastritsa.There is one in the car park of Aris Supermarket, one opposite the junction to the harbour and one in the car park at the bottom of resort beside the traffic lights.
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There are 8 bus stops in the resort and they are found at the following locations – Agios Spiridon (Main Beach), Odysseus Hotel, Oceanis Hotel, Nausika Taverna, Akrotiri Hotel, Paleokastritsa Hotel, Camping Paleokastritsa and Lakones Junction. Tickets are purchased on board, unlike the town (blue) buses which are sold in shops and kiosks, and are for single journeys only. Return tickets are not available. The
latest bus timetables are displayed at each bus stop and showing the times leaving from Corfu and leaving from Agios Spiridon.
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There are two types of public telephones in resort. Those that use phone cards and others that accept coins. See
map for locations. You can buy phone cards from shops, kiosks and the post office.
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Post boxes are yellow, found the length of the resort, and are usually wall mounted
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There are two official taxi ranks in Paleokastritsa - one at Agios Spiridon, opposite Zeferos, and the other opposite Nausika Taverna. However it is best to phone and book taxis as there are not always taxis at the ranks.
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Pharmacies are open during shop hours and there is always one pharmacy open in Corfu Town at night and at weekends.
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If you want to hire a car or bike you need to produce a valid driving licence as well as a passport. The law states that seat belts and crash helmets must be worn.
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Driving any vehicle whilst over the legal drinking limit is heavily penalised and can result in stiff fines and/or imprisonment.
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Greece has 220-volt, 50 cycle AC electric current.
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In case of emergency ring 100.
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Between 14.30 and 17.00 many people have a siesta. Outside the tourist resorts, shops are often closed at this time.
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The national church is the Greek Orthodox. About 98% of Greeks are Greek Orthodox. Services start around 08.30 on Sunday and last about two and a half hours. If you wish to attend, or to enter any church or monastery, please make sure that you are suitably dressed.
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The time difference in Corfu is +2 hours GMT.
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Although tap water is safe in Corfu, bottled water tastes much better!
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Drugs are not tolerated. Possession of even small quantities can result in lengthy imprisonment and large fines. Trafficking can mean life imprisonment.
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You are advised to take out comprehensive holiday insurance. Medical treatment and repatriation can be very expensive.
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Service is always included in restaurant bills and hotel bills but it is customary to tip the waiter or chambermaid if you are satisfied with the service.
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The closest point between Corfu and Albania is at the headland of Aghios Stefanos in the north east of Corfu. The distance here is only 2.25 kilometres.
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Banks exchange all major currencies in cash, travellers cheques or Eurocheques; the commission is lower for cash. Post offices exchange cash but not travellers cheques, and usually charge lower commissions than banks. Travel agencies and larger hotels change cash and travellers cheques but usually charge higher commissions than banks.
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The Greek language is probably the oldest in Europe, with a 4000-year oral tradition and a 3000-year written tradition.
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Mt Pantokrator is, at 906m, the island's highest peak.
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The speed limit is 100 to 120 km/hour (62 to 75 mph) on main roads and 50 km/hour (31 mph) in residential areas. Passengers must wear seat belts. Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to sit in the front seat. As in all of Europe, you must carry a first aid kit, a warning triangle, and a fire extinguisher in the car.
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Corfiots are superstitious people. Tuesday is considered an unlucky day because the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottomans on a Tuesday. The evil eye, a superstition prevalent in the Middle East, is the result of someone's envy upon you. When this happens you will have bad luck. Many people wear a blue bead, resembling an eye, as a charm to ward off the evil eye.
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The Greek flag consists of nine horizontal stripes, alternatively blue and white, and a white cross on a blue square field. The striped flag has been in use since 1822, and was approved in 1833. The nine stripes are said to stand for the nine syllables of the Greek patriots' motto "Eleftheria i Thanatos" meaning "Freedom or Death." The white cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country.
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Some useful telephone numbers; Directory Inquires-131;Police-100; Tourist Police-171; Ambulance-166; Fire Brigade-199; Roadside Assistance-104.
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When having a glass of wine never finish the entire glass. This way the cup can always be refilled. If you are pouring wine, never pour more than half a glass.
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The first recorded cricket game in Corfu took place in 1823 between the British Garrison and the Royal Navy. Local Corfiots soon took up the game and two years later had formed two local sides to take on the British. Cricket is now a very popular game on the island. A new ground at Kontokali Marina has been added to complement the original ground, The Esplanade at Corfu Town, which has been reduced in size to accommodate a car park. Cricket is still played there but is generally reserved for Colts matches. Over 100 games are played each year, not only against touring sides but also between the various sides on the island such as Gymnastikos, Ergatikos, Byron and Feax.
