I cannot think of a more comfortable villain Greece, says the most devoted fan of this luxurious old-style villain Corfu (Kerkira) island's fascinating main town. Returning in 2002, he found still fivestar service: Swiss efficiency apparent at all levels. Managed by Konstantinos Dendrinos, and set in subtropical gardens surrounded by a part of the old city wall, it looks over Garitsa Bay. We enjoyed dining on the terrace with its views of the old town and distant mainland. The four-course half-board dinner is excellent value; the Thursday buffet is outstanding. Excellent Bali villa breakfast served on a trolley on the bedroom balcony. Great lunches. The grill room serves international and local specialities. There is an indoor swimming pool, and a `first-class' outdoor one; across the road is sea bathing from rocks. All villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) have a balcony or terrace and double glazing (some aircraft noise). Last year's complaint of rather hard mattresses is modified: `Some beds now comfortable (you need to ask). A beauty centre is new this year.

A charming, idiosyncratic pensione, in a quiet part of an ancient port on the Gulf of Corinth, near Delphi. A jewel, with friendly service at all levels, one couple wrote. villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) are in three buildings - one a 19thcentury captain's house. In a flowery courtyard in between, with a fountain, generously intoxicating drinks are served (eg, vodka and passion fruit cocktail), and also good Bali villa breakfasts (freshly squeezed orange juice, pate, eggs, freshly baked bread, home-made jams). The villa Bed rooms (similar to the semantic bali villa rooms) vary: some are quite plain; the two best have a coffered ceiling and old wooden furniture. The Ganimede's Italian owner, Brunello Perocco, also owns the nearby restaurant Il Posto, where Giovanni Vinci, an admirable cook, serves food which he describes as classic Italian with fantasy. The sea is a short walk away.