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