The week was friendly and welcoming from the start as I was greeted by the smiling Costis, our guide at the airport. We had the chance to explore Corfu Town, then the following day we started the Corfu Trail from the South. The scenery is so lovely, glimpses of the turquoise sea as you follow the coast, and through olive groves, villages,and up and down hills. One day there is a long stretch along the sandy beach which is beautiful, but fairly strenuous walking on sand, however, there was always a stop for a swim. The notes say that the walking takes about 5-6 hrs/day, but in reality we were setting off at 9am, and reaching our destination around 5- 6.30pm. however in the sunshine of 29 degrees, the pace felt right and it was nice to stop and swim or stop for a coffee. The group was small, 7 of us, but we all got on well and enjoyed our group suppers together each evening. I was sad to leave after the first week, and would've loved to have stayed for the second week to complete the 220km Trail.   Advice would be to take mosquito repellent and even a net, as some of the group were bitten. Plenty of suncream,sunglasses and swimmers! Definitely need walking boots and a daysack. The hotels are basic/standard, don't expect luxury, but they were all clean and welcoming.   this week is a lovely chance to explore the less touristy areas of Corfu, and I was enchanted by the scenery, the island is very green and we walked through lots of contrasting scenery from rocky paths to sand dunes. Definitely worth booking ! (CF - 1st October 2011)