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Zakynthos – also
known as Zante, is the third largest and most southerly of the Greek
Ionian Islands. The island is a well-known holiday
destination, attracting holidaymakers to its long sandy beaches,
unique wildlife, stunning sea-caves and plummeting cliffs and
beautiful green interior. The island, despite its relatively small
size – nowhere is more than an hour’s drive from the airport, offers
a great variety both in landscape and resort destinations.
From the beautiful beaches of the sweeping Laganas Bay to the sheer
cliffs and stunning views of Keri and from the lively nightlife of
Tsilivi to the laid-back tavernas of Aghios Sostis – an island for
all tastes and interests.
Zakynthos is an
ancient island, renowned for countless centuries for its stunning
beauty and fascinating traditions. The island is the birth place of
some of the most famous modern Greek writers, artists, poets,
composers and song writers. Empires have come and gone, all
leaving their unique mark. From the Venetians who called the
island Fiore di Levante - Flower of the East to the British
and finally reunification with Greece on the 21st May 1864 –
Zakynthos is a true melting pots of influences and culture.
Despite the fact
that Zakynthos is predominately a summer sun and sand destination,
tourists here can get great tans without damaging the nesting
grounds on the south of the island of the endangered Loggerhead sea
turtle –Caretta-Caretta. A true instance of eco-tourism in the
very heart of holiday territory, the National Marine Park of
Zakynthos -
http://www.nmp-zak.org, which covers the nesting area of the
turtles is right in the middle of the island’s most busy beaches in
Laganas Bay. Other local eco-tourism projects also help to
protect the turtles.
Gerakas Beach, at
the very epicentre of turtle territory, is a haven for both
sun-seeker and egg-layers. For the former its one of the
cleanest and safest beaches in Europe (it won last year’s Times
award for best international beach for kids). For the later,
the nesting areas are clearly marked amongst the deckchairs and
sandcastles.
The island’s
capital, the port of Zakynthos Town was totally destroyed by a
devastating earthquake and fire in 1953. The town was
reconstructed with international help and the Greek Army, and whilst
much of the charm of the Old Town was lost for good, the area around
the central piazzas was largely reconstructed in its original
Venetian style.
In the harbour, the
high bell tower and church of St Dennis - the patron saint of the
island, are definitely worth a visit. The town, whilst small
for a capital, has a lively piazza al-fresco lifestyle and some top
quality shopping.
Towering over
Zakynthos Town are the picturesque Bochali Hill – famous for its
flowers and crafts, the picturesque ruins of a Venetian castle and
Strani Hill, for great views of the island and mainland.
The island has very
good and frequent connections by ferry with mainland Greece (Italy
in the summer only). There is also a daily service by air to
Athens and charter flights are available from most European
countries throughout the summer season.
And to top it all
off, Zakynthos has statistically the most sun of all the Greek
islands. Zakynthos is truly an island for everyone (turtles
included!)
Zante
is the Ideal Holiday Place for all Tastes.
(For more
information on Zante Island please take a look at the Just Zante
website
www.justzante.co.uk
and the local governments web pages:
www.zante.com or if you ask our office we will send you more
information about the island resorts and facilities). |
