Day 94 : Corfu (Benitses - Achilleion - Kynopiastes)

Off to explore a different part of Corfu. I was trying to rent a car for my stay in Corfu - Oliver recommended Sunrise Car Rental, however when I wrote to them a week ago, they said an International Driving License on top of my Singapore driving license is required. I explored getting an International Driving Permit online, but was hesitant on whether it will be accepted since Sunrise indicated that a physical copy was required.

I was trying to see if I could get a special permission to waive it, but apparently this is the Greek transport law. Only those who have an EU driving license can omit having to present an International Driving Permit.

So I will have to rely on public transport, which unfortunately runs rarely and to only specific routes. I took bus #6 from near the Old Town to Benitses, located about 30mins away by bus. 

It was somewhat confusing trying to locate the bus stop towards Benitses, and luckily found it and boarded the bus just 2 mins before it was scheduled to depart. Otherwise I would have to wait for another 1.5hr for the next bus!

Everything in Benitses seemed to be closed. 

Located next to the water, it still seemed to be really gusty outside so the waves were really strong as it hit land.

From Benitses, it was about a 45 mins walk uphill towards Achilleion. There were some good views of the sea and the mountains as I was climbing up.

Unfortunately when I got to Achilleion Palace at about 12.30pm, I found out it was closed 😕

The palace was built for the Empress of Austria, Elisabeth von Wiltelsbach (more familiarly known as Sissy), by the Italian architect Raffaele Carito in 1892, in order to be used as her summer residence.

Today the palace acts as a museum.

All the restaurants and cafes in the area are closed and I was starving. In fact I haven't seen any cafes or restaurant open since I started walking from Benitses. No choice, just have to continue walking.

I finally came across a mini market that was open and bought a snack to tide me through my hunger and until I find somewhere open for a meal.

I continued walking towards Kynopiastes. A village filled with colourful houses located alongside a very narrow road. I quickly popped into a tiny church that was located in the village. It was super tiny.

And in less than 10 mins walk, I found another 2 churches.

After more walking, I finally found a place that was open... Lazaris Distillery and Artisan Sweets. They specialise in products made using kumquat.

There's apparently quite a few kumquat plantations on Corfu Island. 

I was the only visitor there and there was a tasting bar where I got to try most of the items they manufacture - nougat bars, preserved sweetened kumquat, flavoured almonds (the classic almonds was my favourite out of all their food items), and liquor.

They also have a distillery on the 2nd floor where they make different liquors which we were allowed to try also at the tasting bar

- liquor made from the flowers of kumquat
- liquor made from the kumquat fruit
- cream of kumquat fruit (2nd favourite) 
- limoncello (favourite and one of the better limoncello I've had) 
- cream of limoncello
- ouzo

I ended up buying a bottle of Limoncello 😁

Continuing with walk, I randomly stumbled on this shop, though I didn't go in. I suppose everything inside the shop is "made in China" 😂 

After many hours, I finally found a place to have lunch... At 4.30pm!  

OK, this is probably going to be my dinner too. The beef patty lacked the beefy burger taste I prefer, so in my opinion it was just average.

I also found a patisserie on the walk back, so this Profiterole will be my dessert later tonight when I get hungry 😂

I walked almost 30,000 steps over the entire day and my legs are killing me... Going to be staying in and just relax.