Our first time in Corfu was in 1983, we didn't have lots of money in those days, skint in fact, but had been saving up and decided at the last minute we could afford a holiday.
We saw an ad in the Sunday Mail by Greek Connection Holidays in Fleet, for a cheapie in Corfu, a cancellation for a couple at around 60% of the price.
I drove to Fleet and paid and we were off two days later, Mum-in-law looked after Marcia (14) and Mark (3).
It was a night flight, we arrived in San Stefanos NW, at 05:00 in the morning, just as dawn had broken.
Previously we had holidays in Majorca and Tenerife (Porta de la Cruz - no southern resorts then), which were a bit busy!!
I looked out of the coach window outside the Golden Beach Hotel, and said to Linda "We've made a terrible mistake -this is awful, nothing here at all".
We were shown into the Nikos Apts, over the old harbour and went to sleep. Got up at midday, Brunch at the Golden Beach and then onto the beach - but not sure at all.
No sunloungers then, and just an old VW converted into a snack bar, which drove down onto the beach each day (Capt. Nikos).
There was also windsurfers and peddaloes for hire.
That evening in the Golden beach we had a great meal and the Waiter, Stefanos, now owner of the Condor, (brother of Nikos and Manthos),
borrowed our cassette tape and we danced to an impromptu home made disco, a brilliant night.
We went to pay around 02:00 am and Stefanos said - "Pay tomorrow". (This was most nights in those days!!).
This was the start of our love affair with San Stefanos, and we've come back every year since.
In those days just two Hotels, the Golden Beach and Nafsika hotels, Manthos, Sunset and Barras (different name then) and Waves were the only Tavernas,
plus Margaritas Bar and the Mini-Market was all that was there.
We had the best holiday ever, and have seen S S steadily grow to how it is now - still find the local people are the best anywhere overall, and make it what it is!
We have lots of stories, and the kids came the next year and ever since. Mark is 30 now and still goes - taking his kids!
A place that people of all ages love, yet no yobs or snobs, just nice like-minded people who enjoy the place as intended.
Yammas
PS.
We went to Costa Tegise as well - Linda said never again!!