Dassia

Dassia (Dasia), on the island of Corfu in Greece, was one of first villages on the island to be developed as a resort. Its main pull is that it gives guests the best of both worlds: proximity to Corfu Town, which lies just a 10-minute drive away, and a peaceful beachside location. It has grown into a low-key, family holiday destination, straggling both sides of the busy main road joining Corfu Town to the northeast of the island. Most visitors stay in one of the large, modern, four-star hotels set in landscaped gardens overlooking the sea, but there are also rooms and apartments to let, plus a campsite. Dassia is quieter and more up-market than neighbouring Ipsos, which lies 2km (1 mile) north along the coast and is known for its lively nightlife, bars and discos.

From Easter to late-October, Dassia is popular with British, Scandinavian and German visitors, while August sees the addition of many Italians. It appeals to with families with children, and couples of all ages, who are attracted by the beach, the high standard of the hotels, and the proximity of Corfu Town.

Dassia lies on the east coast of the Greek island of Corfu on the Ionian Sea, 11km (7 miles) north of the island's capital and chief port, Corfu Town, and 11km (7 miles) from the airport.

Located on a flat, narrow coastal strip backed by green wooded hills, Dassia strings along the main coastal road connecting Corfu Town to the northeast of the island. The mountains of Albania and the Greek mainland are visible across the sea channel.

Dassia beach is about 200m (650ft) long and 15m (50ft) wide, and has been awarded a Blue Flag for cleanliness. Like all the beaches on Corfu's east coast, it is composed of pebble rather than sand. There are sun beds and umbrellas for hire, plus waters sports facilities, and the calm water is said to be particularly good for water skiing. It lies just a 10-minute walk from the busy main road, and is backed by two smart, modern, four-star hotels (the Dassia Chandris and the Corfu Chandris) at the south end, and by a string of bars at the north end.

The highly-professional, eco-friendly Corfu Mountainbike Shop, on the main road in the centre of Dassia, has bikes to rent and also organises guided cycling tours to Mount Pantokrator. Alternatively, visitors can take one-day boat trips along the coast to other resorts such as Kassiopi, and to coves with pebble beaches accessible only from the water.

Dassia beach is ideal for kids, being a safe distance from the busy main road, and offering calm, shallow water for bathing. Water sports facilities include bananas and ringos, plus the more demanding water skiing, scuba diving, paragliding and boat hire. A 20-minute drive away, in Agios Ioannis, on the main road to Glyfada, lies Aqualand water park (website: www.aqualand-corfu.com), a vast complex of pools, giant Jacuzzi and slides, plus a bouncy castles, an adventure playground and a games arcade.

Dassia has several small supermarkets catering for everyday necessities, plus plenty of souvenir shops selling tourist tat, including beachwear, jewellery and leather goods. For a more sophisticated shopping experience, make a trip to Corfu Town, where typical mementoes include kumquat liquor, olive oil, objects carved from olive wood, and old-fashioned, handmade olive oil soap from the Patounis Soap factory on San Rocco Square.

Dassia's prime venue is Edem Beach Club (Dassia Beach) with drinking and dancing by the water's edge, and occasional European guest DJ's, each night 2300-0400 through summer. There are more bars on the main road, plus several tavernas offering Greek dancing. However, Dassis's nightlife is fairly low-key, the neighbouring resort of Ipsos, 2km (1 mile) north along the coast, being renowned for discos and late-night drinking.

Most visitors to Dassia stay in the resort's large hotels, and as many are on half-board, the local restaurants appear rather uninspired. However, there are a handful of tavernas serving standard Greek fare including freshly caught seafood, plus a couple of pizzerias and a Chinese restaurant.

Dassia is small and compact and can be easily negotiated on foot. It is also well served by bus. The suburban ‘blue' bus runs to Corfu Town every 30minutes, while the interurban ‘green' bus passes through eight times per day in high season, linking Corfu Town to Kassiopi and other resorts on the northeast coast. Taxis are cheap by European standards. It is possible to hire cars and bicycles. Alternatively, taxi boats shuttle visitors to other beaches along the coast and to Corfu Town.

The island's elegant capital, Corfu Town, is stunningly beautiful with a romantic mix of Venetian, French and British architecture dating back several centuries. Alternatively, take a day trip by boat to Albania to visit Butrint National Park with its UNESCO-protected Greek and Roman archaeological site, and the seaside resort of Saranda.

Treat yourself to a few hours pampering at the luxurious Elixir ThalassoSpa, inside Dassia's four-star Grecotel Daphnila Bay Thalasso Hotel, offering hydrotherapy, massage, aromatherapy, shiatsu, seaweed and sea mud treatments, and sauna.

Corfu International Airport (KFU)