Corfu, Greece

Last week was a family vacation that we have been looking forward to for months.   We spent seven days in Corfu, Greece and it was even more amazing than we had anticipated.   Crystal clear, calm water, beautiful green mountains, warm sunny weather that wasn't too hot, fresh, local and delicious food........it really was close to perfect.    In fact, we are already planning our trip for next year!   Here are the pictures......

Our flight was so early that it wasn't bright......6 am take-off.   And while that was challenging because SA wasn't the best behaved baby on the flight, it was awesome because we had an entire day in front of us to enjoy the beach after we arrived.  

Susannah and Peter headed straight for the water while SA and I hung out in the shade. 

And enjoyed the view.

After some beach time, we were ready to hit the pool.   The place where we stayed had an amazing pool area with a beautiful view and two shallow kid areas. 

We attempted to keep Susannah and SA in the same room, but abandoned that ship quickly after the first night.   (Susannah had a nose bleed which woke SA who refused to go back to sleep for almost 2 hours.   It was as fun as it sounds.   Luckily, we figured out a better sleeping arrangement and everybody slept great the rest of our stay.)

Local wine was waiting for us in our room.   It was made right down the street from our apartment. 

The view from our balcony.

It was, hands down, one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen.

There was a great little beach club where we hung out every day.   It had a great sand-free area for SA and me to use after she discovered the art of eating sand on day 3.

We may have sampled a few items off of their cocktail menu.

The owner was the son of the family who owned our apartments.   One of the things that made this place so special was the tiny community of locals who lived and worked there. 

The cost of a great view......a steep walk uphill from the beach.   The first day Susannah needed a ride because she was so tired.   After that, she was a trooper and managed it solo a couple of times every day.

Another highlight was the farm-to-table organic breakfast that was served every morning on our balcony.   It was divine.   The wife of the owner made all of the pastries fresh every morning.   

Sarah Avery took great naps while we were there, so I would hang out on the balcony and read while Peter went swimming with Susannah.

I could see them at the pool and feel like I was a little part of the action.   It was the perfect set-up.

The other beach side restaurant that we frequented was called Spryro's.   This was the view.  

Everything we tried from the menu was delicious. 

SA had a great time and was a little trooper.  

Peter and I did catch ourselves fantasizing about how fun vacations will be when she is a little older though.  

Just a little snooze at the beach club.

Up the hill from our apartment was the village of Pelakas.   We ate at a little restaurant there called the "Pink Panther."   This was the view.   And the food was incredible.  

And they brought house-made lemoncello after the meal.

Another shot of our view.   Every day I had to snap a couple of different photos because I couldn't get over the beauty.

The grounds of the property were so green and covered with beautiful flowers and butterflies.   Susannah had a ball.

I'm pretty sure this was the day that SA discovered the concept of eating sand.   After that, we stayed by the pool or up at the beach club.   

She loved the water though.   Wasn't the least bit scared and laughed the whole time she was in there.

She loved floating with her big sis.

This day Peter took the girls out to play in the water.   It was a glorious thirty minutes.  

Matching sisters ready for lunch.

View from the walk down to the beach.   Behind me is a little vineyard.

One day we drove into the capital, Corfu City.   It was charming and pedestrian friendly.

And had gorgeous views. 

These two enjoyed themselves. 

Susannah loved practicing all of her new swimming skills everyday.   She is really making progress with her swim lessons.   We are thinking she will be a full blown independent swimmer by the end of summer. 

This one loves to splash.

So fun!

Susannah would have stayed in the pool every waking minute of the day if we had let her.

Swimming with a view.

No wonder she is smiling so big. 

Practicing in the big pool.

Peter was such a great sport about carrying all the necessities up and down the hill everyday.

But we had to have our sand toys, right?

Working hard.

Usually after SA's afternoon nap, she and I would come down to the beach to meet up with Peter and Susannah for an early dinner.    

Susannah wasn't impressed by the fresh fish.   Especially the eyes.  

After dinner trek home. 

One day we headed inland to a winery for lunch.    Before being seated, we checked out the grapes.  

The property was beautiful.   

Like straight out of a movie beautiful.

While we waited for our food, Susannah used the little stage for some ballet practice. 

I think they have concerts and weddings here. 

SA played on the picnic blanket and tried to eat rocks.  

The food was the best we had all week.   Which is saying alot.   The woman who owns it creates and prepares all the food.   The menu changes daily.    The salad dressing was made from rose petals that she grows on her property.   

Susannah loved all the food.  

And the friends.   

Chocolate cake with rose petal jelly for dessert.

That evening we were still full from lunch so we just had some fruit and other snacks on the balcony.

Puzzles and watermelon with a view?   Yes, please.  

And we all watched "Frozen" during our daily rest time.  

Peter rented a kayak one day and took Susannah for a ride. 

The water was this calm and clear every day.    Every morning Peter stayed with the girls before breakfast while I came down for a quick swim.   I was usually the only one on the beach and it was magical.   

The "Pink Panther" restaurant had birds.   They were a hit with the girls.  

Waiting for dinner, enjoying the view.   

One trademark of this beach is the donut man.   He carries a huge food tray on his head and sells his fares along the beach.   His specialty are huge chocolate donuts.   So of course we had to try one.   And we bought some of his watermelon too.   

Family picture before our last dinner. 

Susannah kept saying, "I'm going to miss Greece."    Me too baby.   Me too.

Before the last supper.

Fried bait fish for the win.

Best Daddy ever.

And that was our trip to Corfu.   A great big thank you to Aunt Nancy for recommending this place.   It was truly one of our best family vacations ever.   Already looking forward to next year!