In 1935, financially strapped widow Louisa Durrell, whose life has fallen apart, decides to move from England, with her four children (three sons, one daughter), to the island of Corfu, Greece. Once there, the family moves into a dilapidated old house that has no electricity and that is crumbling apart. But life on Corfu is cheap, it's an earthly paradise, and the Durrells proceed to forge their new existence, with all its challenges, adventures, and forming relationships.

Young Gerald explored his passion for the animal kingdom with his inspirational tutor, Dr Theodore Stephanides. The backdrop was sunshine, happiness and the love and laughter of a doting, slightly eccentric family

Each summer more Brits set foot on the island of Corfu than Greeks, from so-called Kensington-on-Sea on the exclusive north end to the budget resort of Kavos on the south end and everything in between. Given the economic situation in Greece, island residents realize they need the tourist season to be stronger than ever. Will the British tourists come through?