You may know about the Durrell family if you’ve watched the popular series “The Durrells”, or if you’ve read some of the works of the brothers Lawrence and Gerald Durrell (My Family And Other Animals, The Alexandria Quartet, Justine). The Durrells arrived in Corfu in 1935 and stayed until 1939. In these four years, they lived in different spots around the island, explored its beauty, made friends with locals and foreigners visiting Corfu, and drew inspiration for their famous works. In this tour, we will explore Corfu following the footsteps of the family on the island. We will visit some of their Corfu homes and we will discover some lovely filming sets of the series. Beginning at the port with a meet and greet service in the terminal, during the 4,5 hours of the tour we will drive along the beautiful northeast coast of Corfu to reach the White House in Kalami, once home to Lawrence Durrell and his wife Nancy, then we will drive back down to Danilia Village, where most of the series was filmed, we will visit Kanoni to admire the stunning views of the Mouse Island and lastly take a stroll around Corfu Town where you can admire the statues of the writers in Durrell’s Boschetto and discover the old city of Corfu, a beautiful historic center, before driving back to your cruise ship.
The White House
The White House was the home of Lawrence and Nancy Durrell in the 1930’s in northeast Corfu. Nested in the picturesque shore of Kalami, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea, the Venetian villa is available to visit as a museum to explore and learn about the family’s story. During our stop there, you can enjoy a drink and relax at their beachfront restaurant while enjoying the view and nature that inspired Lawrence’s writing. The scenic drive from the port to Kalami is about 45 minutes long, and there’s perfect spots on the way to stop for pictures and admire the island’s beauty.
Danilia Village
Danilia Village was the main filming set for the Durrell series. It is located at central Corfu, and the drive from Kalami is about 40-45 minutes long. Danilia Village has no permanent residents, as it’s a replica of a 1930’s traditional Corfiot village, used as a museum, filming set, wedding and private events set. The village was rebuilt in the 1970’s after an earthquake by the Boua family as an open-air museum, approaching the atmosphere of the old city of Corfu, in a colourful traditional village style. In Danilia Village you can find two squares, a church, a folklore museum, a traditional cafe, an open-air and an indoor taverna and other replicas of old shops and buildings, filled with antique items. Danilia Village is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy some time in a scenic environment away from modern reality, relax and experience learning Corfu’s history in a set that fits the period. While we’re there you can enjoy a refreshment or a tasty lunch break at the cafe and the tavernas, take pictures and stroll through the sets of the series. The village is now part of the Grecotel chain, and it’s open for visitation with free entry. It has also been used as a filming set for “For Your Eyes Only” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3”.
Kanoni
After our stop at Danilia Village, we will drive about 20-25 minutes to reach Kanoni, an area near the center of Corfu. Kanoni was named after a canon that was placed at the edge of its peninsula by the French during their dominion on the island (1978) and it’s still there today. In Kanoni you will have the chance to admire and take pictures of the popular landmark of Corfu, the Mouse Island, or Pontikonisi as the locals call it, which the Durrells loved to visit during their stay. Across Kanoni you can admire the view of Perama and The Strawberry Pink Villa, which Gerald famously quotes in his book (“The villa was small and square, standing in a tiny garden with an air of pink-faced determination”, My Family And Other Animals). Surrounding Kanoni excavations have revealed Palaiopolis, the ancient town of Corfu (dated since the 8th century BC), and therefore the area also raises historic interest to the visitors.
Corfu Town
To finish off our tour, we could not miss a stroll through the historic center of Corfu Town, which is a part of the UNESCO heritage. It’s a pedestrian area, paved with cobblestone, built in old Venetian architecture, you can see hundreds-years-old buildings still standing. You can walk around the narrow kantounia, visit the town’s shops, and walk around Spianada square, the largest square in the Balkans. Across Spianada square you can admire the old Venetian Fortress, and right next to it there’s the Boschetto garden, which is decorated with the busts of Lawrence and Gerald Durrell. You'll also visit Saint Michael and George Palace, which houses the museum of Asian Art and was also used as a set in the series. When you’re done walking, you will board our comfortable vehicle to be dropped off back to your cruise ship, a 5 minute drive from town.
Cruise Port / Hotel/ Villa/ Apartment/ Airport
Duration: 4,5 hours
- Pick up point to Kalami
- From Kalami to Danilia Village
- From Danilia Village to Kanoni
- From Kanoni to Old Corfu town
- From Old Corfu town to drop off point
- Pick up & Drop off
- Bottled water
- Air-continioned vehicle
- Wi-Fi on board
- Private Transportation
40-50 EUR /person- For any personal expenses, souvenirs, food or drinks. Credit or debit cards are also accepted by many stores.
- Total price/group
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Add a private guide for more comprehensive experience (highly recommended for this tour) +195euro
Corfu Private Transfer Services
Private transfers, tours & excursions throughout Corfu Island is what we do best. Find out more about us and how we came about.
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We are your complete travel buddy for any Corfu transfer. For over 20 years we have been part of the Corfu tourism industry and we understand what all travellers need. Vanakee is the Greek word for mini-van so it is the perfect name for a transfer service that offers exactly that. We offer a high-quality service and are always punctual. Our transfer fleet is brand new and we guarantee your safety when you travel with us. Our friendly approach and positive attitude is all part of making your stay more enjoyable & relaxing. We offer private Corfu transfers from any destination, private Corfu airport transfers and private Corfu tours around the island. Just get in touch for more details and a competitive price. Vanakee is so much more than just a taxi.
Marinos Mikalef, a former bank employee, was born in Corfu. He runs his business with complete respect for all his customers. His goal is to make customer transport one of the best parts of your holiday in Corfu. Marinos’ own favorite pastime is to travel, so he knows very well what a traveller is expecting from a transfer service. He is father to two children and understands how important the safe movement of passengers and their families is to all his customers. He speaks excellent English and enjoys meeting people from different countries around the world. Marinos is exceptionally proud of Corfu and his love for the island is clear to see through his involvement with the improvement of the whole area.
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