Ipsos

Ipsos (Ypsos), on the island of Corfu in Greece, was one of the first villages on the island to develop into a holiday resort back in the 1970s. Its reputation was, and still is, based on young Brits on package deals searching for cheap booze and late-opening hours. Composed of low-rise buildings, which string around a long, gently-curving bay with a narrow strip of pebble beach, it lies on the busy main road cutting between the beach and the village itself, merging into slightly more upmarket Dassia to the south and Pirgi to the north. The hotels are mainly two-star, and there are also apartments and rooms to let, plus three campsites. Countless bars and discos line the seafront, and while many employ touts to try to lure in passers-by for a drink, it is generally more low-key than Corfu's prime party destination, Kavos, on the southern tip of the island.

Ipsos wakes up for the summer season from Easter to late-October, and is at its busiest in July and August, when groups of British 18-30s dominate the scene, along with varying numbers of young German, Dutch, Scandinavian and East European visitors, plus an onslaught of Italians in August. Most visitors are groups of young people attracted by the party scene, or families with teenage children.

Ipsos lies on the east coast of the Greek island of Corfu on the Ionian Sea, 13km (8 miles) north of the island's capital and chief port, Corfu Town; 13km (8 miles) from the airport.

Located on a flat, narrow coastal strip backed by hills planted with olive groves and clusters of elegant cypresses, Ipsos strings along the main coastal road connecting Corfu Town to the northeast of island. The mountains of Albania and the Greek mainland are visible across the sea channel.

Ipsos Beach is a 1.5km (1-mile) long stretch composed of pebbles and sometimes referred to as the Christo Mili (Golden Mile), it has been awarded a Blue Flag for cleanliness. Its slight drawback is that it is very narrow, only 4-8m (13-26ft) wide, and is backed directly by the busy main road. It is equipped with sun beds and umbrellas, and two large, purpose-built jetties offer watersports facilities, including ringos, banana boats, parasailing and water skiing, plus boat hire and paddle boats.

Sleeping off hangovers seems to take up a fair proportion of most visitors' time, but those who feel up to it might make a one-day boat trip along the coast to other resorts such as Kassiopi, while the more adventurous could try scuba diving with Waterhoppers Diving Centre (on the main road, at the north end of Ipsos, close to Pirgi harbour).

Ipsos Beach is suitable for kids as the sea shelves gradually into deeper water, but the busy main road calls for supervision. One hour south of Kassiopi, in Agios Ioannis on the main road to Glyfada, lies Aqualand water park (website: http://www.aqualand-corfu.com/), a vast complex of pools, giant Jacuzzi and slides, plus a bouncy castles, an adventure playground and a games arcade. There is also a go-kart track (west of the main road) in Ipsos.

Ipsos has several small supermarkets catering for everyday necessities, plus the usual souvenir shops selling tourist tat - postcards, beachwear and T-shirts. For gifts, make a trip to Corfu Town, where typical mementoes include kumquat liquor, olive oil, objects carved from olive wood, jewellery and leather goods.

Bars and discos are concentrated along the main road, on the seafront. Nightlife starts warming up around midnight, with touts handing out flyers and trying to entice passers-by in for a drink. The most popular dance venues along the seafront include Montechristo, Hector's Club and Alcoholics Anonymous, while British-style bars offer draught beer, big screen TV, and in some cases karaoke. Note that although Ipsos is renowned for its nightlife, most places close at 0400 and it is far less rowdy than Kavos in south Corfu.

The main road along the seafront is lined with standard Greek tavernas, pizzerias, a Chinese and an Indian (The Viceroy, on the main road, Corfu's first Indian restaurant when it opened in 1991). Some British-style pubs also serve all-day English breakfast and bar meals. The Asteria Restaurant (on the main road, at the south end of Ipsos, close to Dassia) with an open-air terrace overlooking the small harbour at the south end of the beach, offers a slightly more authentic setting and decent fresh fish.

The island is well served by bus. The interurban ‘green' bus passes through Ipsos 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.

For a more sophisticated nightlife scene, put on your best togs and head for Corfu Town. The place to party is an area known as Emporiko, 2km (1 mile) north of the New Port, where you will find cool hang-outs such as Crystal (52 Ethniki Antistaseos), a plush lounge-bar with an outdoor pool, playing ethnic and trance music.

Corfu International Airport (KFU)