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Corfu, Greece: How was Our Second Date?

Writer's picture: SimchaSimcha

A short video / slideshow showcasing the beauty and charm of Corfu.

Our second visit to Corfu felt a lot like a second date, and, as we all know, a second date can go one of two ways. Sometimes, the spark fades and you realize that after the excitement of the first date, there’s not much more to discover. Other times, the second date feels like a natural continuation of the first. The connection deepens, sparks fly, and you find yourself even more enchanted.



Our second “date” with Corfu was more like the latter. During our first visit, we were absolutely enchanted by Corfu - the stunning town, the breathtaking seascapes, and the beauty that seemed to fill every part of the island. It felt like stepping into a dream - a place so beautiful and welcoming that, at first, it felt easy to imagine ourselves living there.



Our second visit to Corfu confirmed everything we had felt the first time. It’s still one of the most beautiful and enchanting places we’ve ever been. The island’s Venetian architecture, relaxed atmosphere, and stunning natural beauty amazed us all over again. If anything, on this visit we grew to appreciate Corfu and its way of life even more.



And yet, the longer we stayed, the more we realized that, as much as we still love Corfu, it just didn’t feel like a viable home for us.



This realization came from balancing our emotions with the practical considerations of our heads. When we allowed our heads into the conversation, it became clear that while Corfu touched our hearts, it wasn’t the best fit for our long-term goals. The truth is, loving a place doesn’t automatically make it the right place to settle. Sometimes the heart and the head need to meet in the middle, and in this case, our heads gently reminded us of some important realities we couldn’t ignore.



One of the biggest challenges is Corfu’s location. While the island is undeniably beautiful, living there would make traveling around Europe – one of our main reasons for moving abroad - much harder. Rather than being able to jump on a train or a bus to travel to other places, we’d have to rely on airplanes and ferries. And for half of the year the flights from Corfu route only through Athens and the ferries – they make us slightly seasick and in bad weather are not so reliable.



We also realized that while Corfu is nearly perfect, it’s missing a certain vibe that’s important to us. We tend to be drawn to towns with a creative, slightly edgy energy - places that naturally attract writers, painters, and other artists.



Corfu has a lively and rich music scene that’s an important part of its culture. Often called the "island of music," it’s home to an impressive number of philharmonic orchestras that regularly perform at local events, festivals, and parades. While music is a major part of Corfu’s identity, other forms of art - like writing, poetry, painting, and visual arts - don’t seem to have as strong a presence in the community’s culture.



Of course, others might visit and have a completely different experience - this is just my personal impression. It’s a bit difficult to articulate because it’s not simply about the physical presence of an art scene, like the number of galleries or museums. It’s more about the atmosphere - the way a place inspires and connects us to its artistic essence. It’s about whether the energy of the place carries that creative, vibrant, and “artsy” vibe, for lack of a better word.



We really value being part of a community where art, like painting and writing, is easy to see and actively celebrated - where creativity feels like a natural part of daily life. While Corfu has so many wonderful things to offer, we found this part of its artistic culture to be quieter and less noticeable.



So, as much as we are in love with Corfu for its beauty and charm, we realize that living there full-time would leave us wanting for more. The stunning scenery and rich culture are amazing, but we’re not sure that would be enough to keep us happy in the long run. We realized we’d need something more to keep us inspired and engaged.



And so, the journey continues! We’re leaving this Sunday for a few months of travel, and we'll keep you updated as it all unfolds. Stay tuned!



** For more insight into our perspective and what we loved about Corfu, check out our previous blogs from our visit in June 2023 here and here.




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