We’ve built a tradition of escaping to Greece for May half-term. After past trips to Crete and Kefalonia, we knew Greece would deliver once again. Why? Three big reasons: May is quieter, cooler, and kinder on the wallet than the peak summer months.
This time we expanded the invite list to my brother, sister, and their kids — making us a crew of twelve. Six adults, six children, and one overflowing snack cupboard.
The Villa: Kalamaki House
With the help of Scott Williams Villas, we set our sights on Corfu and landed on Kalamaki House — a hillside retreat that managed to contain our lively clan in comfort.
The drive from Corfu Airport took just under an hour, winding up the island’s northeast coast with a few dramatic hairpin bends. At the villa, we were welcomed by the wonderful Maria and a sweeping view of the Ionian Sea with Albania on the horizon.
Touring the house quickly turned into a playful squabble over bedrooms. Spread across three levels, the villa balanced togetherness and privacy:
- Infinity pool on the property’s edge with views for days.
- Brick-built barbecue zone by the kitchen, perfect for group feasts.
- Hot tub and ping-pong table on the opposite side for breaks from the action.
- Communal spaces everywhere — a long veranda dining table, outdoor sofas, a cosy living room, and even a TV/gaming snug in the basement.
There were plenty of nooks and crannies for both quiet escapes and group gatherings. It felt like home straight away.
We also opted for Maria and her team to prepare breakfast most mornings. All we needed to do was provide the groceries, and we’d start the day together over strong coffee and a fresh spread while plotting the day’s adventures.
Getting Around
Transport was seamless thanks to Go Car, who collected us at the airport and set us up with a brand-new nine-seater Nissan van which handled our large group and mountain of luggage with ease. (My brother arrived the next day and hired an additional car.)
For evenings out, we made good use of two people-carrier taxis run by Lasmari Restaurant, conveniently located at the entrance road to Kalamaki House.
Supplies in Acharavi
With twelve mouths to feed, self-catering was essential. Luckily, Acharavi, just ten minutes away, had us covered with a vibrant strip of shops, cafés, and independent businesses:
- The local butcher stocked excellent steak, lamb, and chicken
- Supermarket Diellas was our go-to for quick top-ups
- Kazianis Cash & Carry was perfect for bigger hauls
- The local fishmonger was our favourite: ultra-fresh squid, sea bream, sea bass, hake, prawns, and whitebait, all served by a wonderfully friendly owner
We were geared up and set for almost daily BBQ lunches back at the villa.
Beaches & Bays
The villa’s location meant we were spoilt for choice:
- Kalamaki Beach sat directly below the house — a sandy, shallow stretch with a rustic beach bar. Perfect for easy, no-fuss swims.
- Crystal Seaside Experience was another highlight. We booked loungers at this secluded bay, ordered coffees, salads, and sandwiches from the on-site restaurant, and let the kids loose on a short coastal walk where they jumped off rocks into the sea. From here we also spotted Hidden Cove, another Scott Williams villa, now high on our wish list.
- A boat day from Kassiopi was a family favourite. We hired a skipper from Filippo’s and cruised south to Taverna Kerasia, a family-run gem with live music, superb food, and kids happily feeding fish from the pier while we lingered over lunch.
Dining Out
We sampled a mix of tavernas during the week, each with its own charm:
- Taverna Saint Andreas — tucked away on a clifftop, offering views of the waves, a playground for the kids, fast service, and standout chicken souvlaki and cuttlefish.
- Taverna Agni — the ultimate Greek hideaway. A short boat ride took us into a sheltered bay where we enjoyed a traditional, unforgettable meal.
- Glyfa Taverna — our grand finale on the way to the airport. Set right on the water with a private beach below, we squeezed in one last snorkel before feasting on excellent seafood. The steps down to the sea doubled as the perfect family photo backdrop.
The Verdict
Corfu was everything we’d hoped for: a villa that fit our big group without stress, a nearby town that catered to all our culinary needs, beaches that balanced easy access with adventure, and tavernas that gave us a taste of authentic Greek warmth.
Would we return? Absolutely. Kalamaki House was the perfect base for exploring the best of Corfu — or just a lazy day by the pool for all the family. Truly the best of both worlds.