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EXPLORE / CORFU

CORFU:

JET-SETTERS’

FAVORITE

PLAYGROUND

A veritable galaxy of stars and celebs have visited Corfu
and fallen in love with it, returning time and again.

THE RICH AND FAMOUS HAVE al- area of Kassiopi has become affection-
ways loved Corfu. After all, the Duke ately known. At this haven for business-
of Edinburgh was born on the island, men, politicians, media moguls, art deal-
at Mon Repos, the stately home built ers and lawyers, the Rothschild family
in 1824 for the British High Commis- are perhaps the most famous residents
sioner, Sir Frederick Adam. Arguably its while Lord Sainsbury, the Duke of West-
most famous past resident, the Empress minster, Prince Charles and the Duch-
Elisabeth of Austria built Achilleion Pal- ess of Cornwall, and Roman Abramov-
ace in 1890 as a refuge after the tragic ich also visit regularly. With views of the
loss of her only son, Crown Prince Ru- deep blue Ionian Sea and the mountains
dolf. This royal connection has contin- of Albania in the distance, socializing
ued with many members of Europe’s largely takes place behind villa walls or
royal families, including the British roy- onboard mega-yachts. Another favorite
al family, visiting the island on numer- pastime is lunch at any one of the three
ous occasions. tavernas at the Bay of Agni, where you’re
Be they old money or self-made, those very likely to spot members of one of Eu-
who enjoy wealth and fame flock to Cor- rope’s richest and powerful families –
fu every year, most of them to the ex- perhaps a Berlusconi, or a member of
pensive, exclusive northeast side of the the Agnelli family dining on chargrilled
island – “Kensington-on-Sea,” as the swordfish or a tasty traditional sofrito.

Left page, the village of Kassiopi bathed in the sunlight.

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