Most of you probably heard stories that describe Corfu island as an idyllic summer destination and that is absolutely the truth. But most of you wouldn’t be aware that Corfu has a lot to offer to a traveler during our winter period and most specifically on Christmas.
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for most people, especially for those who enjoy spending quality time with the family. Surely this year and due to the latest circumstances due to Covid-19 almost for everyone in this planet, Christmas would be different for all of us. Nevertheless a Christmas break in Corfu is an experience not to be missed and we suggest you to continue to read further since we are going to simply describe what Christmas is like in our island.
For most people Christmas is connected with a cold snowy weather especially in Northern Europe and crowded cities with a lot of people rushing around buying presents and chasing the crazy sales on the shopping malls and on the big stores that offer them. On the contrary, Christmas is low-key in Corfu and if you’re into trying something different and more traditional, here’s your chance; Corfu is the perfect place to spend some quality family time in a totally diverse way. You can enjoy clean fresh air with a mild weather with breathtaking views of the sea and the mountains which constitute an incomparable beauty, and relax while being in a festive way at the same time through the impressive decorations of Corfu town.
Unlike other in cities and in other countries, in Corfu we are quite traditional, and in Christmas period we have the Christmas carols or The Kalanda as we call them and are sung on three different dates, on Christmas Eve, on New Years Eve and on the Eve of the Epiphany. Local choir schemes, our world known Philharmonic Orchestras and mostly children sing three different songs for each day and go around houses, serenading dwellers and passers by. In addition, our philharmonic orchestras go around the center of the town and play Christmas carols, which is a custom you will be delighted with. Traditionally you can see all that in our hotel too, since we at Corfu Palace Hotel, we invite all the local orchestras which they sing and play Christmas songs for philanthropic purposes. Also during the Christmas holidays many events are organised with traditional dances in Corfu traditional costumes and also galas.
Food and Christmas of course are synonyms and here in Corfu during the Christmas period we change and adapt or diet according to our local customs. On Christmas day, the main custom of the people of Corfu is to serve the thick “egg-lemon” soup, also locally known as “avgolemono”, made at the festive table with boiled rice in chicken broth and “thick” egg-lemon cream. The festive meal will be completed by the turkey, or «Gallos» as we call it, stuffed with chestnuts and other goodies and Christmas decorations.
This Christmas will be different for all, but all we have is hope that next year things will be better and safer for all so we can all enjoy the festive period as we used to be, with friends and family, those that matter the most.
From all of us, at Corfu Palace Hotel, we wish you the blessing of Peace, the Beauty of Hope and the Spirit of Love!
Merry Christmas
