‘somewhere between calabria and corfu the blue really begin s…you are aware of a change in the heart of things: aware of the horizon begin ning to stain at the rim of the world: aware of islands coming out of the darkness to meet you’.
so begin s lawrence durrell’s 1945 ode to corfu, prospero’s cell. even today, visitors to the island often arrive by sea, approaching from italy in the west, of the greek mainland in the east.
emerging in the early morning sunshine, the pastel-hued houses above corfu town’s old port are a jumble of slim tiers with narrow passages running between them, made brilliant with washing hung out to dry from every balcony like festive bunting. the tall venetian mansions display ancient coats of coloured paint, blurred by successive winters and giving visitors to the town the feeling of stepping into a watercolour painting.
corfu has rightfully earner the title of the music capital of greece because of its hundreds of music associations and dozens of orchestras, bands, opera music events a tradition dating back to 400 years of venetian rule of the island.
the town is centred on a wide tree-lined esplanade called the spianada, whose french arcades echo the rue de rivoli. a drop of britishness is to be found on the noble sweep of this square, which is transformed into a cricket pitch throughout the summer – the world’s only working sports field within a unesco world heritage site.
meanwhile , the corfiot countryside boasts elegiac greenery, unrivalled across greece and contrasting remarkably with the solemn barrenness of the aegean. bathed in brilliant white sunlight throughout the summer months, the winter rains ensure a sublime frondescence across the island, with the inland valleys thickly carpeted with wildflowers, studded with gnarled olive trees and dense groves of stiffly swaying cypresses.
the sophisticated north-east is known as kensington-on- sea and is the site of the finest real estate in greece with its epicentre the rothschild family’s imposing summer villa.
it is here that the luxury villa lifestyle comes into its own, with the hillsides sprinkled with secluded, high-end properties boasting private infinity pools and awe-inspiring sea views, with the snowcapped albanian-epirote mountains rising mysteriously in the east.
In the private and exclusive area of Nissaki, in a prestigious, elevated position, overlooking the emerald waters of the sea below, Olive offers the ultimate Mediterranean scenery along with modern comforts.
Quietly sophisticated relaxed interiors, define the spaces. Comfortable, elegant furnishings decorate the entire home, from the spacious living area through to each of the three en-suite bedrooms. An elegant guest studio by the pool, represents an ideal space to offer your guests. Every detail has been considered to complement the panoramic sea views that flood in through the floor to ceiling sliding windows.
The outdoor areas have been carefully designed to fully benefit from the views, with all spacious terraces and seating areas facing the sea.
A beautiful infinity pool offers a glorious social setting with spacious outdoor entertaining and relaxation spaces for friends and family to enjoy some of their most memorable times.
Olive is a modern haven, benefitting from a premium location. The East coast of Corfu is an area of crystal clear waters and idyllic pebbly beaches combined with the intense green of the surrounding olive groves.
