USEFUL INFORMATION

The airport

The airport is located one kilometre to the south of the town.The usual services can be found there as at any international airport,including but not restricted to, car-hire firms, shops snack bar and a duty-free shop if you are flying abroad.Taxis are readily available outside, bus stops are also close by.Passengers travelling with groups should check with their Travel Agent or Tour Operator for local transfer arrangements.

Antiques, antiquities and other art objects.

Exporting antiquities and other works of art is strictly prohibited, with the exception of certain items for which a licence may be issued by the Ministry of Culture and Sciences.If anyone, Greek or foreigner, is caught having possession of antiquities or other works of art without an export licence, not only will the object be confiscated, but he/she will be subject to severe criminal punishment.

Banks and money

There are many Greek banks on the island. All of them offer exchange facilities within the town and in some resorts as well.Hotels and Travel Offices, which can be found everywhere, will also exchange money and Travellers Cheques and will take a small comission.Bank hours are Mon-Fri 08.00-14.00.Visa, Mastercard and other well-known credit cards are also accepted by the majority of shops, car- hire firms Travel Agencies and hotels.Many banks also have ATM`s outside.

Beaches

The big attraction of Corfu is the many beautiful beaches that surround the entire island.Entrance to all beaches is free but you will have to pay only if you rent a sun-bed.The beaches on the east coast ars ideal for swimming since the sea is generally calm, while on the west it is best suited for wind-surfing and other sports.This does not mean that you cannot swim on the west coast, indeed many swimmers prefer the big waves to the calm seas. There are also several diving schools at various resorts around the island and ,of course, many centres offering paragliding, water-skiing banana-rides....etc!

Bicycles and motorbikes.

These are used extensively all over the island .There are many rental companies spread around where you can rent a motorbike, large or small.In addition, there are also centres where one can rent mountain bikes thereby visiting parts of Corfu usually reserved only for the local donkeys!Other sports available include tennis, horse riding, scuba diving and Corfu boasts a superb 18 hole Golf course.

Camping

There are camp sites , notably at Dassia , although it may be possible to camp in your own chosen spot provided you have permission from the landowner.

Car hire

There are plenty of car-hire companies in Corfu, such as Hertz, Budget, Avis to name a few.While the larger and more recognized companies have set prices for any given car, the smaller ones can and will bargain with you and you may get a very good deal.Prices normally include insurance and free mileage.Of course, you will have to pay for the petrol that you use.If you are planning to rent a car or bike don`t forget to have your driving licence with you.

Churches

Anglican (Holy Trinity Church) 21, Mavili St. Tel/ Fax: 0661 31467 E-MailKatsu@compulink.gr

Holy Communion 10.30 Sunday. 1st /3rd Sunday Songs of Praise 19.00

Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. James. Town Hall Square.

Sunday Mass 08.30, 10.00, 19.00. Mass is also held at the Corfu Chandris Hotel in Dassia 11.00, at the Valtur Hotel near Moraitika18.00. Near the Messongi Beach Hotel 19.00.Tel: 0661 30277 for further information.

Evangelical Church of Greece 3 Iakovou Polila St. Tel:0661 37304 Sunday morning service 10.30, Sunday evening 19.00

Consulates

Great Britain 0661 30055 / 0661 23457

Holland 0661 39900

Germany 0661 31453

France 0661 26312/0663 22500

Italy 0661 37351

Denmark 0661 38712

Norway 0661 39667/0661 32423

Spain 0661 39620

Sweden 0661 31386/0661 36241

Switzerland 0661 39485

Eire 0661 32469/0661 39910

Finland 0661 93438

Health

Corfu has many doctors of all practices.The state hospital St. Irini Tel:45811-7 /30033/30562.

Private General Clinic Tel:36044/22946

Ambulances can be summoned on 166 or 39403

There are plenty of pharmacies ,characterized by the red cross sign, and by law at least one must stay open all night.En glish is widely spoken in pharmacies and they are able to dispense many medicines without prescription.

Post Office

Alexandras Avenue.Open 07.30-20.00 Stamps can also be bought at kiosks.

Tourist Organization (EOT)

Corner of Rizospaston Voulefton & Polila St, near the Post Office.Open 07.30-14.15 weekdays.Tel:37520/37638

Tourist Police

Samartzi 4, San Rocco Square Tel:30265 .

Holidays and feasts

The following is a list of official holidays and feast days. Those marked * are Bank Holidays during which all departments of public services are closed.

January 1st- New Years Day*

January 6th - Epiphany*

First day of Lent (movable)- in Greek known as Clean Monday*.

March 25th- anniversary of the revolution for freedom against Turkish invaders*

Good Friday-(movable)*

Easter Sunday, Easter Monday (movable)*

May 1st- May Day*

May 21st- Union of the Ionion Islands with Greece* Also SS. Konstantinos & Eleni.

Ascension Day-(movable)

Of the Holy Spirit -(movable)*

August 6th- Transfiguration of Christ

August 15th-Dormition of the Virgin Mary*

September 14th- Of the Cross

October 28th- anniversary of Greece`s refusal to submit to the Italians in 1940*

December 6th- St. Nikolaos` Day.

December 12th- St. Spiridon`s Day ( the patron saint of Corfu)*.

December 25th- Christmas Day*

December 26th- second day of Christmas.*

Public Transport

The bus network covers the entire island. Blue buses run from San Rocco Square to areas within a radius of 15km Tel: 31595. Green buses run from Avramiou St. to the outlying villages. Tel: 30627/39985/39862.All buses run regularly and fares are reasonable.

Newspapers

Most western newspapers and magazines arrive in Corfu on a daily basis and are widely available, as are maps of the island.

Telephones

Corfu is equipped with a very advanced telecommunications system. You can dial directly anywhere in the world without involving the operator.The head office of the Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE) is on Mantzarou St. and is open from 07.00- 24.00. There are also cardphones dotted about on most streets from where one can call using a phonecard purchased from kiosks, tourist offices, some cafe bars etc.Price 1,500drs for 100 units. Telephone rates are reduced by 30% between 22.00- 8.00 for long- distance calls.

Passports, customs and other formalities.

No visas are required for visitors from EU countries and most other countries for stays of up to three months. If a longer stay is required, you should file an application with the Immigration Police at least 20 days prior to the expiration of the initial three month period.Personal belongings such as cameras, radios, cassette players, musical instruments and so on, may be brought freely into Greece, but only one of each kind per traveller. Duty- free goods such as cigarettes and alcohol may be imported, but allowed quantities vary from time to time so it is best to check with your travel agent or NTOG office abroad.

Weights and measures.

Greece uses the metric system.Some useful conversions and equivalents:1 metre=39.4 inches, 1 kilometre= 0.620 mile (1 mile= 1.6 km),1 kilo = 2.2 lb. Temperature is measured in degrees Centigrade. To convert Centigrade into Fahrenheit, multiply by 9/5 and add 32.To reverse the process, subtract 32 and multiply by 5/9.