The coastline around Kassiopi, in the beautiful north-east of Corfu, is full of little secret coves like this one, mostly ony accessible by boat. Hire one from Filippos, pack a picnic, and claim your own deserted bay for the day.
Where to stay:
Avlaki House, Avlaki, Kassiopi
The unspoilt north east of the island is all about villas and apartments, some fairly basic, others beautifully designed with their own pools and spectacular views over the Ionian sea to Albania. Built of local honey-coloured stone, high up above the coast in the countryside, Avlaki sleeps six in three bedrooms.
You get a gorgeous (if unheated) scenic pool, above, al fresco eating, stone barbecue and table tennis. Inside there are hotel-like waffle bathrobes to lounge around in, and olive oil beauty products in the swish bathrooms.
A few minutes down a very steep country lane is the peaceful but pebbly Avlaki beach, below, but the pretty waterfront village of Kassiopi, below, for coves like the one above, is just a ten minute drive.
Book Avlaki House through Scott Williams, the villa specialist. When sleeping six, a week costs from £750pp, including concierge, daily maid service. For further information, call 01749 812721.
A week's car hire ( which you definitely need) from Corfu Airport starts from £12 per day with Carrentals.co.uk.
