To the north of this region stretches the wide Ropa Valley. This plain covers some 2,500 acres. Long ago, it was a salt lake and later marshland, but this was drained and today channels carry away the rainwater from the surrounding hills. It is the island's agricultural heartland and one can see many glimpses of the rural way of life. The valley is also home to the beautifully situated Corfu Golf Club. With its river flowing out at Ermones Bay, the valley is an important wetlands habitat, home to birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. On the hills surrounding the valley are the farming villages of Kanakades, Marmaro, Giannades, Temploni and Vasilika. The traditional village of Liapades is famous for its wine. Further south lie some of Corfu's best beaches.

On the coast is the small bay of Ermones. Archaeological studies have uncovered traces of a Bronze Age settlement nearby. It is also reputed to be the spot where Princess Nausica found the shipwrecked Odysseus. A little south of Ermones is the village of Vatos, with two interesting Byzantine churches, Agios Nikolaos, with frescoes of the 13th century, and Agios Georgios, built on the summit of the mountain of the same name, with frescoes of the 14th and 15th centuries. A steep road runs down from Vatos to Myrtiotissa, a gorgeous little beach, once described by Lawrence Durrell as the finest in the Mediterranean. At the northern end of the beach is the Monastery of the Blessed Virgin of Myrtiotissa, founded in the 14th century by a Turkish monk who was converted to Christianity. It owes its name to an icon of the Virgin which was found amongst the myrtle bushes.

The hilltop village of Pelekas, 12 kilometres from town and built near the summit of a beautiful hill, is famed for its panoramic view and sunset, best seen from the "Kaiser's Throne". The trip to Pelekas, where he would sit and look at the view, was one of Kaiser Wilhelm II's favourite excursions. A few minutes north and south of Pelekas are the beaches of Glyfada and Kontoyialos, possibly the finest beaches on the island, with their golden sand and sparkling sea. On the road which links Pelekas with Sinarades, you will find a turn-off to the little beach of Yialiskari.

On the east coast, heading north from Corfu Town, one first passes Kontokali, whichtook its name from the sea captain Christopher Kontokalis who, in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto, captured a Turkish galley and was granted land in the area as a reward. Almost adjoining Kontokali is Gouvia, the location of Corfu's main yachting marina. This extensive harbour, now lined with yachts, was once a Venetian naval base. Indeed, you can still see the skeletal arches of an old Venetian arsenal and shipyard at the end of Gouvia beach. Many British people live permanently in this area, mostly employed in the sailing industry.The northern shores of Gouvia Bay are enclosed by the Kommeno peninsula, a lovely spot, with the tiny church of Ipapandi (Michaelmas) which juts out on a stone spit in the waters of the bay. Beyond is the island of Lazaretto which formerly housed a quarantine station.

On the western side of the coast road lies Potamos, a traditional village with arcades along the main street. Another traditional village is Evropouli, founded by Jews (Evraioi in Greek) in the 13th century. Nearby, on the road to Potamos, is the Kapodistrias Mansion, which houses a museum containing pictures and personal possessions of the first Greek President, John Kapodistrias.

After Dassia, a busy tourist resort, the road descends to the seashore at Ipsos. Here the atmosphere is lively round the clock, with all types of water sports for daytime enjoyment, and a non-stop entertainment at night. On the hillside above Ipsos are the villages of Agios Markos and Ano Korakiana. Agios Markos has some wonderful views of the coastline and it is from here that the road starts to wind up the side of Mount Pantokrator.

South of Pelekas is Sinarades, a large village with a Venetian bell-tower. There is an excellent Folk Museum here, housed in a traditional Corfiot dwelling. Its rooms are an authentic reconstruction of a village home of the 19th century. The upper floor is a more typical museum with costumes, musical instruments, tools and other objects.

The road from Sinarades winds down steeply to Agios Gordis with its pretty beach. At the southern end of Agios Gordis is the famous "Ortholith", an imposing rock jutting out of the waves. Above Agios Gordis, on opposite hillsides are the two villages of Ano Garouna and Kato Garouna. Their architecture features the use of local stone. Nearby are the twin villages of Ano Pavliana and Kato Pavliana.

Agii Deka is a small village on the slopes of the mountain of the same name. Although the second highest in Corfu, the mountain is not particularly high (576m), but the view from the summit, which can be reached on foot, is one of the best on the island, overlooking Benitses and The Kanoni peninsula. At nearby Viros you can find one of the few remaining traditional Corfiot tavernas. Located at the south west corner of the region, is Agios Mattheos. From the village a road leads down to Paramonas, an excellent sandy beach. Southwards are the peaceful little beaches of Prasoudi, Kavouli and Skidi, worth keeping in mind if you are looking for a quiet place during the high season.

South of Corfu Town the road passes through Perama with its view of the lovely - and much photographed - Pontikonissi (Mouse Island) and the church at Vlacherna. Further south is Benitses. Behind the harbour square are the remains of what was once a Roman bath house. Benitses is presently undergoing something of a facelift, and the building of a new marina is seeing the village move upmarket. After Benitses, the road passes the restored remains of the Kaisers Bridge. The bridge was built to allow Kaiser Wilhelm access from Achillion Palace to the sea. There is also an inland road which begins near Kinopiastes and, crossing the hilly country around Agii Deka, rejoins the main road at the Messongi river bridge.

The famous Achillion Palace is located near the hillside village of Gastouri and is one of Corfu's prime attractions. It was built in neo-classical style in the 1890s as a summer palace for the Austrian Empress Elizabeth ("Sissi"). She dedicated the villa to Achilles and the beautifully landscaped gardens are guarded by kitsch statues of her other mythological heroes. After the assassination of Sissi in 1898, the Palace stood empty until 1907 when it was bought by Kaiser Wilhelm II, who for a few years occupied it on a seasonal basis. Today, the personal belongings of the owners can be seen in a small museum.