Full details of the concerts by the Kocian Quartet will be on this website by the end of January.
Friday 19 September Arrivals. Lunch is available in the hotel's delightful beachside taverna. In the late afternoon an introductory walk around the magnificent gardens and the hotel complex. Welcome Party followed by dinner on the dining room balcony overlooking the sea.
Saturday 20 September: Morning - scheduled playing and coaching or free to enjoy the many amenities of the hotel. Afternoon - drive to spectacular Paleokastritsa and its fascinating monastery on the north west coast then a visit to a gorgeous private garden and a glass of wine by the spectacular pool. Early dinner in the hotel then a concert in the north of the island.
Sunday 21 September: Morning - scheduled playing and coaching or time to visit the National Gallery quite close to the hotel. Afternoon - visit the magnificent Achilleon Palace and gardens, built by Empress Elizabeth of Austria. Dinner in the hotel.
Monday 22 September: Morning - scheduled playing with coaching or relaxing in the hotel gardens. Afternoon - excursion to Mt Pantocrator, over 3,000 feet above the nearby sea, drive through some rugged mountainous scenery visiting picturesque villages in stunning locations. The landscape is breathtaking with incredible views over parts of the island and across to Albania. Early dinner then by bus to St George's Country Club on the north coast for a concert by the Kocian Quartet.
Tuesday 23 September: Morning - playing. Evening - dinner then a Concert in the outdoor theatre of the hotel followed by dinner.
Wednesday 24 September: Morning - scheduled playing and coaching. Afternoon - Corfu Town to see the 'Reading Society' with its extensive library and collection of old prints and maps and learn more of the history of this unique island. Visit the intriguing Museum of Asian Art in the Palace of St Michael and St George and enjoy many interesting parts of this beautiful Palace built by the British in the 19th century. Wander through the evocative alleys of the Old Town and browse around the shops a walk through the Old Venetian Town and along the Liston, a copy of the Rue de Rivoli built by Napoleon, then spend time browsing around the enchanting small streets. Dinner then a party in the evening.
Thursday 25 September: Morning - scheduled playing and coaching. Afternoon visit a winery and olive farm in the centre of the island to learn about production and taste their products. Then to a superb sandy beach for a swim – great snorkeling near the rocks. Dinner in the hotel then a Gala Concert in a spectacular historic villa - with drinks and mezes at interval.
Friday 26 September: Morning – playing withy coaching or relax in the hotel, Afternoon depart for an excursion to the south of the island with centuries old olive groves backed by dramatic mountains. Visit interesting villages, optional lunch in a seafood taverna on the shore, and stop for a swim at a superb long sandy beach returning by a stunning route. Dinner in the hotel. Drinks before dinner to welcome the people who arrive for the second week.
Saturday 27 September: Morning - playing with coaching or relaxing in the hotel. Barbeque lunch in a private villa with all the musicians. Dinner followed by a Baroque Concert by the Kocian Quartet, Casa Lucia.
Sunday 28 September: Morning - Depart for a boat trip to the north of the island to see some of the varied and wonderful coastal scenery stopping for a swim at a lovely isolated beach then to the historic village of Kassiopi with time to explore. Barbeque lunch on a lovely beach with great opportunities for swimming and snorkelling. Dinner in the hotel, evening chamber music playing.
Monday 29 September: Morning - scheduled playing. Afternoon - visit Mon Repos the former Royal Summer Residence with a fascinating Archaeological Museum and the ruins of a temple dating back to the 6th Century BC. We also visit Kanoni with its famous views towards the south of the island.
Tuesday 30 September: 09.15 - depart for Saranda, Albania by Flying Dolphin boat arriving 9.45. Check in at the hotel then drive to Saranda Castle for wonderful views over the surrounding areas in Albania and towards Corfu. Then to the Blue Eye - an amazing spring gushing water at the rate of six cubic metres a second! (Click here for more information.) On to Gjirokastra. This World Heritage site is a museum town with its 13th Century Citadel and wonderfully preserved Ottoman houses set on steep streets leading to the Citadel and a fascinating bazaar, 18th Century Mosque and churches. (Click here for more information.) We return to Saranda and our hotel on the main sea front boulevard with its palm and banana trees, bougainvillea and hibiscus giving an exotic atmosphere. Dinner in a wonderful seafood restaurant, the Director of the Butrint Foundation (see tomorrow) and our guide will join us.
Wednesday 1 October: 10.00 - Depart for Butrint, the exceptional archaeological site 20 km south of Saranda. Our excellent guide is a fund of information and the director of the Butrint foundation - a most interesting and charming man - will walk around with us too. After about two and a half hours we will be ready for lunch in a fantastic outdoor restaurant (great seafood again if you wish) then an opportunity for a swim at a most attractive beach before boarding the ferry to return to Corfu by 7 p.m. Dinner in the hotel followed by chamber music playing for those who have the energy!
Thursday 2 October: Morning – chamber music playing. Afternoon - free. Evening - Farewell Party - a lavish barbeque and buffet at the hotel’s beachside taverna with a colourful Greek music and dancing show and a live band for dancing.
Friday 3 October: Departures.