South of Messonghi the land becomes flatter as you head south across Corfu's tapering tail. This is olive, orchard, and vegetable country, and the island's principal wine-producing region. Life here seems almost timeless. In the mornings and evenings the roads are busy with women, still sometimes in traditional Corfiot costume, going to and from their fields on donkeys. Local people continueΚlargely unchanged agricultural traditions and a way of life not found in the rest of Corfu.

To the west of the main road is freshwater Lake Korission. In fact, it is actually a lagoon covering 1,500 acres and is used for fish farming. It was created by the Venetians, who built a short reinforced channel from the sea and flooded existing marshlands. Here, both botanists and birdwatchers will find an unexpected wealth of wildlife to observe. It is an important wetlands habitat and home to more than 120 species of birds. At the northern end of the lake, at Gardiki, is a ruined Byzantine fortress with eight octagonal towers. It was probably built during the 13th century by Michael the Despot of Epirus, who also built the fortress of Angelokastro. Just off the main road there are turnings to the villages of Hlomatiana, Hlomos, Agios Dimitrios and Kato Spilaio.

Argirades is 33km from Corfu Town and the venerable architecture is typified by its Venetian bell-tower. Just before the village, a road to the right runs down to the beach of Agios Georgios, which can also be reached from Halikounas Beach, adjoining Lake Korission. (Halikounas and Agios Georgios are in fact one beach 10 kilometres long.)

On the east coast is Boukari, reached via the beautiful coast road it is a great place to get away from it all. There is a charming seaside fish taverna here with tables practically in the water. There is a charming and picturesque fish taverna here with tables practically in the water. Further along the main road is Perivoli, where the church is dedicated to Agii Saranda (Forty Saints), and which has frescoes dating from 1704. Roads lead from Marathias and Perivoli to Maltas, a very long beach with the typical features of the southern coasts - fine sand and shallow water. At the nearby village of Vitalades are the beaches of Gardeno, where the river of that name flows into the sea, and Megalo Horo.

Lefkimmi is the second largest town in Corfu and the administrative centre of the region. It is the hub of this agricultural region and there is a small port with a ferry service to Igoumenitsa. Nearby is a river flowing into the sea. At Potami, the river passes through the town under a picturesque bridge, where fishermen tie up their boats. This river used to be the main means of transporting local agricultural produce to the sea, and from there to Corfu Town or the Epirot mainland. It fell out of use with the improvement of the island's road network. Alikes is located on the Lefkimmi headland, where the lighthouse is a landmark for fishermen. Here, in the 15th century, a salt production business was established and functioned until recently. At the southern tip of the region are two very different resorts; Kavos (popular with young British holiday-makers) and Arkoudillas.