Sidari, Coru In May

[jd_1984]

Just on the brink of booking a week in Sidari, Corfu.
Having never been, thought I would ask if anyone has been? Will be me, the mrs and 4 year old toddler. Its a small 4star All inclusive hotel near 2 beaches (its easier to go AI with the little one as we wont be leaving the hotel much and the deal is very good)

How is the weather normally in these parts in May?
Is Corfu a nice isleand/nice people etc...

Any views would be welcome.
JD

[jd_1984]

CORFU not "CORU" forgive the spelling

[rockyracoon]

I've been to Sidari twice, about 20 years ago though, it was beautiful and the beaches stunning, especially at the Canal D'Amour end. I've heard it has been built up considerably but doesn't have the reputation of Kavos and the like.

The Island is beautiful, get about a bit if you can but difficult with a little one I know, shame you're AI as well as there were sone wonderful restaurants.

Don't know about the weather in May as I went in August and the heat was hell on earth.

[jd_1984]

cheers rocky

[ubasses]

Went to San Stefano which is next to Sidari in early May and the weather was mainly sunny and warm with a couple of cloudy mornings. We got the bus to Sidari and as a couple of nearly 60 year olds as we were then we did not like it but can see the appeal for families as it was geared up to children. Much too commercialised for us. The Island is pretty, but will not be much of a bus service that early in the year. Buy any trips locally, we found them much cheaper than the Holiday Company and Corfu Town is worth a visit.
I agree with Rockyracoon about eating out, most of the Greek Tavernas are very good.

[jd_1984]

Thanks ubasses, if it wasnt for toddler in tow we would explore the Island more, may take a trip or two. As a 20 year old I went to Kavos with the lads so hoping Sidari is quiter than that, but, enough family orientated stuff to do.

[anjlegs]

We,ve been to corfu in early june , lovely temperatures at that time of year. Not too hot during the day ,but still warm enough to sit outside in the evening.
Beautiful island ,the greeks are very friendly and family orientated .

[LyndaB]

We adore Corfu and go there twice a year but I would never ever ever ever ever go all inclusive, no matter how many children I was taking. Just my opinion x

[jd_1984]

Lynda, why not?
We have been on plenty of holidays were exploring and eating locally has been the norm. With the little one, priority is hassle free week. The hotel has great kids facilities (and free childs place) 2 big pools, play areas and 2 beaches. Its easier to have routine and easy to get to facilities with a toddler. Not coach trips to places of interest and getting him ready to go for an evening out, it makes life harder. Sun, rest, food an drink will do for me.

[LyndaB]

I just don't like the concept of AI at all, and I would never ever do it - especially not in Corfu, where there is a fantastic selection of bars and restaurants to choose from. I'd leave it until much nearer the time you want to go, then look around for a cheap package (which I would imagine will be quite easy in Sidari - we are going to Roda (next resort along) in July but haven't booked it yet. As for free child places, our travel agent once told us how much of a con they are, as you will be stung by under occupancy fees.

[jd_1984]

Appreciate your view but for the reasons I outlined (toddler in tow) we just want an easy chilled out holiday. I have been fortunate enough to holiday a lot, 8 times in Greece, so I wont feel like I am missing out too much. Want the little man to enjoy it and I think traveliing about the Island and finding a new resteraunt each evening is great for a couple but a bit tiresome with a 4 year old. I have checked the costings with First Choice and compared with prices if we just went as a couple and there is a slight difference (£433 each AI and free child or £419 AI without the child). So in essence he is costing us £28

[campbellking]

Went a long time ago, quite a quiet resort, so probably ideal for you, also you can walk a long way into the sea before it gets deep enough to swim out of your depth, so some nice paddling for the little one.

[Ann]

OH and I went 2 years ago last September. We stayed at the Canal D'Amour end of Sidari, not so commercialised but maybe a little better for those without children as it is very rocky (and extremely pretty) in parts, although there is a beach nearby and lovely shallow warm water, you can paddle out for ages and water is still only up to your knees . Good restaurants/bars further down in the town itself called "Sidari Strip" and lots of tourist shops (but some a bit tacky) but a great sandy beach in town suitable for families.

It is a lovely area, we hired a car, Fiat Panda, bit pricy at 170 euros week but well worth it, and visited Agios Spiydon beach on the Northern Coast but beware - the sea is a bit colder there due to the currents but good beach.

A fantastic place to visit at sunset is a few miles from Sidari, called Peraloudes where there is a very popular taverna perched up high on the rocks called the Sunset Taverna, they serve great meals, snacks and drinks here and it is packed with tourists during the evening wanting to catch a glimpse of the most amazing sunsets from the headland here.

If you want amazing tasty food which is mostly English (they do a fantastic Sunday roast!) look for "Churchills" at Canal D'Amour end of Sidari (English owned, all memorabilia round the walls about Winston Churchill) When we were there the owners played all 60s and 70s music and videos, and were such friendly people, so popular it was difficult to get a table most nights!

The weather in September wasn't brilliant, very mixed, quite a lot of rain. We stayed at Kalami further down the coast several years ago and that was in May, much better weather, very warm but with occasional thunderstorms. Kalami is also a beautiful bay, and nearby Kassiopi is a nice harbour resort with shops and good places to eat.

The Greek people are so lovely, very friendly, love their children and most speak good English.

I personally would not go AI, because if the food is not to your taste, you are stuck. Sidari caters for absolutely everyone and it is fairly cheap to eat out - we always go self catering so we care not stuck to regimented mealtimes.

We love the beautiful peaceful places in Corfu and keep well away from the "lager-lout" resorts! Enjoy your holiday jd, I'm really envious!

[Ann]

Just re-read your posts and see that you don't want to travel around much with your toddler, but hopefully my tips may be of use to others considering a holiday in this lovely part of Corfu.