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Hiking
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On the tracks of Odyssey in Corfu
Corfu
Greece
On the Tracks of Odysseus is a two week individual cycle/ mountain bike program (can be booked weekly), leading the cyclists on an easy way and at their own pace along mountains and beautiful coastlines, through picturesque villages and to Corfu’s most pristine beaches, using mainly quiet and minor roads through century old olive groves, and covering an amazing variety of scenery and featuring the most beautiful and interesting parts of Corfu Island.
Overnight accommodation on the way has been arranged for you in superior 3* and 4* hotels with beach location during week 1 and in charming B&B type tavernas during week 2, luggage-transportation has been included, and with the help of step-by-step detailed route descriptions - complete with culinary and other useful tips - we invite you to experience the very best our island has to offer.
In each hotel you will stay two consecutives nights (except the last night), whereby you can either include a day of relaxation or explore the area according the route-descriptions. The daily itineraries cover average 40Km distance enabling you to enjoy the sites around you, to meet and make friends with local people, to be never in a hurry and to have ample time for your lunch at a waterfront-taverna followed by a Greek style siesta.
The program can start any day of the week Package price includes the following:
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Giant ATX series (Shimano Deore LX 27 gears, slick tires, disc brakes) or Touring/Hybrid Giant Leader or Giant Expedition -- for 7 days of category Recreation, Cross Country or Free Ride
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Accessories: Giant backpack and bidon, repair-set, pump, lock and helmet. Luggage rack on request as it does not adapt on all models.
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Delivery/collection from the station
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Welcome information at the station
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Welcome envelope with map and detailed route-descriptions
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Luggage transportation on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
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Accommodations:
2 star Dassia BEach - excellent seafront taverna (2 and 1 nights)
2 nights in 3 star and better Acharavi Beach -- beachfront with pool
2 nights 3 star Cricketer Taverna / Liapades Beach with pool. seafront. excellent Taverna (80 m from beach
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Meeting:
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Dassia Beach Hotel
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Airport:
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Corfu
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Transfer:
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Corfu
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2010
Rates include:
7 nights accommodations with breakfast and dinner - transfers, luggage transfers and use of touring or mountain bikes - map and detailed route-descriptions, back up service
| A | 2010 | 8 day trip, MAP Northern Route | 8d / 7n | €595 | $845 |
| June & September Supplement | €65 | $95 |
| July Supplement | €150 | $215 |
| Single room supplement | €220 | $315 |
| Extra overnights at the different hotels from (pp/dbl) | €35 | $50 |
| B | 2010 | 8 day trip, MAP Southern Route | 8d / 7n | €610 | $870 |
| June & September Supplement | €25 | $40 |
| July Supplement (last departure July 28) | €50 | $75 |
| Single room supplement | €220 | $315 |
| Extra overnights with brekfast and dinner at the different hotels from (pp/dbl) | €48 | $70 |
Tour Dates
Check here for more details.
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| A |
2010
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04/26
- 07/31
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP Northern Ro...
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2
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Reserve
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| B |
2010
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04/26
- 07/31
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP Southern Ro...
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2
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Reserve
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| A |
2010
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09/01
- 10/31
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP Northern Ro...
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2
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Reserve
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| B |
2010
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09/01
- 10/31
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8d / 7n
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8 day trip, MAP Southern Ro...
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2
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Reserve
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Starting any day from April to October, except August
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Itinerary North
DAY 1: “Corfiot Villages”: Distance 19Km; ½ day easy cycling. On the day of ARRIVAL you have the opportunity to visit two or three of the most picturesque villages with fabulous views over the island, which are located on the green hillside just above Dassia. Stay at the waterfront in Dassia Beach Hotel, well known because it’s Greek style taverna, from where you can “touch” the sea!
DAY 2: “Corfu Highlights”: Distance two times 23 ½ Km; full day easy cycling. Country roads lead you into Corfu Town for a visit of one of the medieval fortresses or monuments in the historical center, full with cobbled stone alleys and many tiny shops. Followed by the Monastery of Vlacherna and Mouse Island at Kanoni and the highlight of the day: Sissy’s Achilleion Palace, but as well the Queen’s Well and her favourite kafeneion… Stay in Dassia Beach Hotel: tonight you may select another traditional taverna or enjoy a haute-cuisine dinner nearby The Castello…
DAY 3: “Around Mount Pantokrator”: Distance 42Km; full day cycling with some hilly bends. From Dassia to Acharavi along the magnificent “for your eyes only” coastal road. You should visit one of the many romantic and secluded bays with each a few taverna’s like Kalami or Kouloura. With fascinating views of the Albanian coastline, you will pass by the picturesque port of Kassiopi with its Castle, dating from Emperor Nero’s Roman times and Corfu’s most NE point. Than along the sea to the lagoon of St. Spiridon and through the forest of Cape Ekaterini via an off-road track along the sea you will reach the Acharavi Beach Hotel *rooms include SatTV, airco and fridge). Dinner served at the pool/beach side.
DAY 4: “Go West”: Distance 42Km; full day easy to moderate cycling. Canal d’Amour at touristic Sidari, followed by the very traditional and unknown NW side of the island, like the enormous cliffs at Peroulades, large sandy beaches at San Stefano and a plurality of chapels and churches in the very medieval villages, where they serve the best Greek coffee on “the plateia”… Stay in Acharavi Beach Hotel
DAY 5: “The Rock of Odysseus”: 41Km; full day easy cycling but with one strenuous climb at Trombeta Pass. Alternatively the “go-getters” may choose for “the bella-vista” route to the best view of Europe… From Acharavi via Paleokastritsa, by many considered as one of the most beautiful resorts of the island, to picturesque Liapades, a medieval lively village with beach side accommodation. Via a small climb to the pretty village of Karousades, with fabulous views all over the northern coastline, and some culture at Kavalouri, we advise today a very special village lunch in Doukades, home of the Theotoki winery, and followed by a visit of the famous Byzantine monastery at Paleokastritsa and/or a swim in the crystal clear waters. Stay in accommodation of the reputed “Cricketer Taverna”! Tonight you must try Spiros’ Corfiot cuisine!
DAY 6: “History & Golden Beaches”: Distance 49Km; full day easy to moderate cycling through the Ropa Valley with its extensive vine yards and rural villages. History in the morning with Wilhelm’s “Kaiser’s Throne” at Pelekas, with fabulous views over all Corfu, and education in the Corfu Folk Museum in the colorful village of Sinerades, where you should try marvelous homemade feta cheese accompanied with local wine on the village square. Relaxation in the afternoon at your choice of one of Corfu’s most pristine sandy beaches… Overnight in The Cricketer Taverna. Tonight you should ride to the village and have an ouzo with the locals, before enjoying a marvelous fish dish at The Cricketer!
DAY 7: “Coast-to-Coast”: 15-21Km; easy cycling. Today alternatively you may rent a small motorboat at the taverna’s beach and pay a personal visit “to the rock of Odysseus” and discover these beaches where only the gulls say “hello” to you and what really means turquoise waters… Return to Dassia will be according your preference crossing the Ropa Valey and via Gouvia to Dassia, visiting a second time Corfu Town or return straight via the village-route to Dassia and on the way visit a Wine Estate dating from Venetian times! Stay again in Dassia Beach Hotel, enjoy your last dinner on Corfu at the waterfront! Overnight Dassia Beach Hotel.
DAY 8: Departure after breakfast.
Itinerary South
Day 1: On the day of arrival we suggest a short cycle tour along the Merlin Estate (koum kouat trees!) to Gouvia to visit the prestigious marina and shipyards, dating from Venetian times. Stay at the waterfront in Dassia Beach Hotel, well known because it’s traditional Greek style taverna, from where you can “touch” the sea!
Day 2: “The Kaisers’ Throne”: Distance 47.5Km; 1/1 day moderate cycling with one 4Km moderate climb from Pyrgi to Ano Korakiana, and one 2KM strenuous ascent up to the village of Pelekas. We start the day with a visit of two of most picturesque villages, which are located on the green hillside just above Dassia. We continue along a selection of villages at the north side of the Ropa Valley, via Palekastritsa monastery, and a short climb brings us to the medieval stone village of Giannades: from the village square you may walk (1 hour) to The Black Point with fabulous views to the petrified ship of Odyssey in the waters south of Paleokastritsa. We leave the valley and cycle up to the village of Kaiser Wilhelm: Pelekas.
Stay in “Jimmy’s Taverna” located in the centre a short walk (800m down) under the famous Sunset at The Kaisers’ Throne with its fabulous views over the island…
In case you book an extra night you may use the free shuttle service to the sandy beaches of Pelekas or Glyfada, take the bus to Corfu Town, or cycle to Corfu’s most pristine beach Mirtiotissa with a 14th century little monastery.
Day 3: “Heart of Corfu”: Distance approx. 35Km; 1/1 day easy / moderate west-east-west cycling with one 2.4Km strenuous ascent to Agia Deka. Leaving Pelekas we reach soon the well-preserved village of Sinerades with a 15th century campanile and mansions dating from Byzantine and Venetian times. You may visit the Historical Folk Museum situated in a traditional two-story village house. Cycling to the east we climb up to the “village of the ten saints” Agia Deka, where you will enjoy marvelous views to The Achilleion Palace and Corfu town from the local kafeneion. An almost 6Km long marvellous downhill will follow through ancient olive groves, and via the historical and lively village of Agios Matheos, we descend to the peaceful hamlet of Paramonas with its wonderful beach location.
Stay in the excellent seafront Sunset Taverna (private rooms with wash stand, but shared two bathrooms and very large balcony-terrace overlooking the beach and sea below).
Day 4: “Southern Contrast I”: Distance 52 (until rural Perivoli and visit Gardenos beach west of Vitalades) or 75Km (visit the most unknown villages South of Lefkimi; 1/1 plus day moderate cycling. The morning you may start with a Greek coffee in one of the many traditional kafeneions in Agios Matheos. Continue south we reach soon the peaceful and picturesque Eastern coastal country road which we follow km’s along the sea, passing by very traditional seashore villages like Boukari and Petriti with nice fish tavernas. Arriving in Perivoli, there are several options: continue to medieval Lefkimi, Corfu’s second largest town, to the most Southern point of the island passing by rural villages; or to the old village of Vitalades and enjoy the deserted, extensive sandy beaches with inviting surf (south-west coast), and have lunch in the marvelous original fish taverna Alexandros!
Stay in Sunset Taverna
Day 5: “Discover the South II”: Distance 24Km; easy cycling. Today you will discover one of the most special and still unknown areas of Corfu Island: the lagoon and dunes of Lake Korission (south-west). A quiet country road starting south of our taverna, along the impressive coast line and through ancient and huge olive groves brings us to the 13th century Byzantine fortress of Gardiki. Cycling through vineyards now, we soon reach the north-west corner of the lagoon: a very large habitat of flowers (orchids) and birds, and fish farming. You may cycle on a path between the sea and lagoon towards the dunes covered by a rare forest of cedar trees and spend the day at the lovely deserted sandy beach. The return way will lead you along Alonaki- and Prasoudi Beach with excellent fish tavernas “off-the-beaten-track”!
Stay at Sunset Taverna
Day 6: “Villages of Central Corfu”: Distance 42Km; moderate and strenuous cycling. From Paramonas we head north again via a sometimes very strenuous undulating country road. We visit a selection of hidden medieval villages like Kastellani and cycle through the unique pine forest around Kalafationes. Via the east side of the Ropa Valley and Danilla we return to Dassia.
Stay at Dassia Beach Hotel
Day 7: “A la Carte”: Today we leave you the choice, either a for relaxation at the beach in front of the hotel, or cycle routes to Corfu Town / Achilleion Palace, to Paleokastritsa and Bella Vista, along the picturesque coastal road to one of the pretty bays of the east coast facing mysterious Albania, or may be you wish to challenge Mount Pantokrator…
Stay at Dassia Beach Hotel
Day 8: Departure

Meeting:
Dassia Beach Hotel
Airport:
Corfu
Transfer:
Corfu
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Easy, Moderate & Challenging - Rolling to hilly with several challenging grades
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Level:
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(2
to
4
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passports Passport required by all except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Passports must be valid for the following durations: (a) British and EU (excluding Bulgar. more
Climate:
If you want to swim in the sea end of May through September is the best time for travelling. In October the sea is still warm enough (20 C) but it more often rains and who wants something like that in a holiday!? The most rain falls in december but as a tourist you normally won't be there. Snow barely falls and the Pantocrator is rarely covered with snow for a few days.
For wandering April, May and September are the best months to visit Corfu. During the summer it is too hot for such activities. Having a look at the climate table you can get more information about the weather!
Climatic conditions
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Temp.oC |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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Air |
14 |
15 |
16 |
19 |
23 |
28 |
31 |
32 |
28 |
23 |
19 |
16 |
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Water |
13 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
18 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
23 |
21 |
17 |
14 |
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Ø Rainy days |
13 |
11 |
9 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
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Ø Sunny hours/day |
4 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
9 |
10 |
12 |
11 |
9 |
6 |
4 |
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Corfu - Greek Kerkyra - is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, which is a transition between the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea. The northern site of Corfu gets close to 2200 yards to the Albanian coast.

Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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| Name |  |  |  |  |  |  | Date |
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barbara scott
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11/1/2007
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..view other reports for different trips
Overnight accommodation on the way has been arranged for you in superior 3* and 4* hotels with beach location during week 1 and in charming B&B type tavernas during week 2 ( a more remote area. In each hotel you will stay two consecutives nights (except the last night), whereby you can either include a day of relaxation or explore the area according the route-descriptions.
Northern Route:
3 star , Dassia Beach 2 + 1 nights
- excellent seafront traditional Greek taverna
- small family run – sea/beach front
- ON THE BEACH AND FULLY RENOVATED (Greek boutique style)
3 star plus, Acharavi Beach 2 nights,
- pool, beach/seafront
- DIRECTLY ON THE BEACH
3 star, Cricketer Taverna / Liapades Beach 2 nights
- pool, seafront, excellent traditional taverna “Cricketer”
- small family run - 80m FROM THE BEACH
Southern Route:
All small family run – sea/beach front (except Pelekas mountain village with seaviews), excellent genuine fresh food!
-3 star, Dassia Beach 1 + 2 nights, excellent seafront taverna
HOTEL FULLY RENOVATED DURING LAST WINTER!!!
- Jimmy’s Taverna, excellent taverna in centre Pelekas Village, footsteps from “The Kaiser’s Throne” with its fabulous views all over the island and famous sunset - 1 night – spacious rooms with refrigerator, private facilities and balcony – FREE short shuttle service to beach (Glyfada and Pelekas sandy beach) – blue bus service to Corfu Town
-Paramonas hamlet: Alexandra Pension, self catering apartments with air-co and TV, located just behind the beach and with swimming pool. Dinner will be served in the seafront traditional Taverna Sunset. 3 Nights.
Luggage Transport:
Please leave at reception not later than 10AM; delivery will be latest 5PM in the next hotel. Luggage must be very clearly labeled, and let us know the number of suitcases, which must remain, for reasons of organization, the same during the week.
Check-out time before noon; and Check-in time after 2PM.
Parking:
Each hotel has appointed a certain parking space (ask reception). Always do lock the bicycles TOGETHER!
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Easy, Moderate & Challenging - Rolling to hilly with several challenging grades
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Level:
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(2
to
4
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Passports
Passport required by all except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passports must be valid for the following durations:
(a) British and EU (excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) passports must be valid for length of intended stay.
(b) Australian, Canadian, USA and excluded EU passports must be valid for at least three months beyond length of stay.
Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
(a) 2. EU nationals staying more than 90 days or for employment (including establishing a business, trade, profession or commercial activity) have to apply in person to the consulate general of Greece for a national visa; (b) Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the Government of Cyprus, and holders of UN laissez-passers; (c) Some nationals may have to register with the Aliens Department of the nearest police station within 48 hours of arrival. Contact the nearest embassy/consulate to determine whether this is necessary prior to travel.
Types of Visa and Cost
National visa: £30.
Working Days Required
Three to 14, dependent upon nationality.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No/2 |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No/2 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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On the tracks of Odyssey in Corfu
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