Zakynthos - Ionian Islands - Greece

Zakynthos

Zakynthos, or Zante as it is more commonly known, is one of the favourite Greek islands, as it is reputedly the sunniest of all the Greek islands. Also the most southerly of the Ionian Islands, its beautiful scenery and excellent sandy beaches make it an ideal holiday destination. Zakynthos is also one of the greenest of the Greek islands, blossoming in both the early spring and late September to produce a carpet of wild flowers on the hillsides that lasts throughout the holiday season. During Venetian rule, the island was referred to as Fiore de Levante, Flower of the East.

Despite being badly damaged by the disastrous earthquake of 1953, Zakynthos town has a wide range of places to visit in the new and old parts of the city. You may wonder round St Mark's Square and visit Solomonos & Kalvos Museum, which is also their Mausoleum where original artefacts of the island's gentry along with their seals are kept. View the neo-classical buildings in the nearby Solomos Square and visit the Byzantine Museum, where you can marvel at the old icons and frescos salvaged from the medieval churches, which did not survive the earthquake. Or just spend the day meandering around the shops, before taking it easy and relaxing in one of the many al fresco cafes and restaurants from where you can watch the local life pass you by .

The Monasteries are another point of interest as their history and worship along with the special Zakynthian way of chanting will lift your spirits to another dimension. Frescos and old icons make the simplicity of the Nuns and Monks regal. Keri is situated on the Southwest side of the island, and it is from here that you can watch the spectacular sunsets or take a boat trip and see the beautiful caves. Keri is also home to one of the few tar pits in the world, the most famous being La Brea in Los Angeles.

On Zakynthos everything is different. Listen to the musical stories sung at the tavernas or visit the historic wineries, the stalactite and the blue caves, the sight of the ”ship wreck” that has now sunk into the sand and the cave of St. Damian. There is so much to see, you simply must come and explore for yourselves.