“The Corfu Trilogy”, classic tales of childhood on an island paradise by British naturalist and television presenter Gerald Durrell, who spent part of his childhood on Corfu, has been extensively transferred to the TV screen.
The latest installment of “The Durrells”, a smash-hit TV series based on the book, was completed in 2019 following four highly successful seasons that highlighted Corfu’s unique beauty and character to such effect that the island ended up winning first prize in a 2018 Location Award online competition staged by EUFCN, the European Film Commission Network, for European television audiences voting on favourite filming locations anywhere in the world. Not surprisingly, British tour operators organised special holiday packages that included tours to filming locations used for “The Durrells” TV series. These packages were snapped up fast.
Much, or probably most, of the popular TV series’ filming took place at Danilia, a traditional, museum-village known to locals as the “village of Bouas”, in reference to the entrepreneur Dimitris Bouas, who, as a private initiative, faithfully rebuilt the village in 1977 as a unique replica of a traditional Corfiot village after it was almost destroyed by a major earthquake that struck the Ionian islands in 1953. Not long after its reconstruction, Danilia was used as a location for the filming of the 1981 James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only”. It is the only James Bond film that has included scenes shot in Greece.
The charming replica village is now owned by the Grecotel chain, which, through utmost care and respect for the location’s town plan and architecture, has taken on the task of injecting new life into Danilia.
You can enjoy a coffee at the cool and refreshing yard of the traditional café, at the village square, as well as authentic local cuisine, experiences taking you back in time to the tradition and history of Corfu. All the dishes prepared at the village kitchens are prepared with great care and devotion. The focus is on Ionian island recipes, prepared using top-quality organic ingredients and produce.
Next to the café, the Agia Irini chapel features a traditional Corfiot belfry, built separately from the main building. The village also hosts a Folklore Museum, exhibiting a rich collection of items that tell the story of the island’s traditions, customs and everyday life of bygone times. Upon arrangement, you can visit the traditional olive press, winery and printing facility, also offering insight into the island’s past.
A mere stroll around the main canton of the village is relaxing and promises to take you back to when Corfu was a serene place without big waves of tourists now visiting the island from all over the world. Silence prevails at Danilia, except for the delightful singing of the sparrows. There is no sound of vehicles or their horns.
The serenity of older times offered at Danilia brings visitors into contact with life in the past, when daily activities respected the pace of human existence. Such values have largely been forgotten but remain vital.
Once finished with your stroll, settle at the café and enjoy your meal. The overall experience, almost dreamlike, is what holidays should be about: a break away from tiring routine and a return to authentic joy offered by simplicity.
