| Nick, an Englishman, was one of the first to | | | | "Meanwhile, we visit Kerkyra 2-3 times a year |
| build a small cottage in Korakiana Village, | | | | and our kids come over in between their |
| on Kerkyra island. He first visited Kerkyra | | | | holidays too. We also let some close |
| many years ago with his family, but it was | | | | relatives to use it and some friends." |
| much later when he found out that he could | | | | |
| actually get a permanent place on the island | | | | Nick is just one of the four other residents |
| he loved. | | | | of the village neighborhood. A few meters |
| | | | further on, a couple from Holland have |
| "At first I thought that I would need a | | | | rebuilt their own house and visit it every |
| fortune to buy a decent house in a village," | | | | summer. The neighbors keep an eye on it when |
| he says. "But a friend of mine, who had | | | | they are away, and they even take care of |
| already bought a ready cottage in Korakiana | | | | their small vegetable garden. |
| village , kept me informed bout the | | | | |
| properties sold over there, and soon he | | | | Some of the benefits of this kind of tourism, |
| spotted a bargain." | | | | can be listed below: |
| | | | |
| Nick has got a family of five, and they were | | | | 1. Save on rents of hotels, apartments etc. |
| all delighted at the prospect of a holiday | | | | |
| house on Kerkyra. Nick was able to get a | | | | 2. Save on meals of restaurants |
| small stone house with a yard in front at a | | | | |
| very low cost, and he built a two floored | | | | 3. Carry no baggage |
| cottage in a year. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Make new friends |
| "When I first saw it," he admits, "it was a | | | | |
| kind of ruined store room with nothing much | | | | 5. Ideal for retired people |
| to attract the buyer, but the scenery all | | | | |
| around was fantastic, and that was the basic | | | | 6. Ideal for relaxing in a natural |
| point. We would live in the nature, breathe | | | | environment |
| fresh mountain air and see a wonderful view | | | | |
| every day." | | | | 7. Learn new lifestyle |
| | | | |
| Nick filled the small yard with numerous | | | | 8. Try new food |
| flower pots with mountain herbs and flowers, | | | | |
| and he made big windows to let the sun come | | | | Permanent tourism is nevertheless a new trend |
| into the cottage. "This will be our | | | | that will stay! |
| permanent house when we retire," he adds. | | | | |