Zakynthos is one of the Greek Ionian Islands located off the west coast of the Peloponnese. The island is one of the greenest and most beautiful in the archipelago and boasts some superb sandy beaches. It's the beaches of Zakynthos that make the island a magnet for the package holiday hordes that migrate here between Easter and October. The busiest seaside resorts rival those of Corfu in terms of their frantic nightlife and all-action beach scene. But if you venture further afield than the main resort areas you'll find some lovely secluded coves, dramatic mountain scenery and unspoilt inland villages.
Tour groups fly directly to the island's international airport, six kilometres south west of the capital Zakynthos Town. There's at least one daily flight to and from Athens and regular bus services connect the island capital with the mainland port of Patras (3.5 hours) continuing on to Athens (another seven hours).
If you're an independent traveller planning to visit in high season be warned that most of the hotels, especially those in the south coast resort areas, are block booked well in advance by the tour operators.
The island's mega resort is Laganas on the south coast where 14 kilometres of golden sand gently shelves into shallow water. The main beachfront is chock-a-block with bars, restaurants, hotels and apartment blocks and you'll find all manner of watersports and leisure facilities including ballooning and glass-bottomed boat rides. If you're after 24-hour partying, Brit bars, curries and quiz nights then this is the place for you.
You may even find yourself swimming alongside the beautiful loggerhead sea turtles which use the soft sand of the south coast beaches as their nesting grounds. Sadly the turtles, which have been migrating to these shores from Africa for thousands of years, are now one of Europe 's most endangered species primarily because of the ravages of mass tourism. Environmentalists are increasingly finding themselves at loggerheads with the tourist industry which has fiercely resisted various controls designed to protect the turtles.
1rst Day:
Departure from the center of Athens with stops KILLINI. Boarding the ferry boat and arrival in Zakynthos. Arrange the hotel. The first afternoon meeting with the city of Zakynthos. We will visit - worship the monastery and church of St. Dionysius the Quarter of Sand. The church was built in 1708 and renovated in 1764. Since 24/08/1716 is the shrine with the relics of the saint. In Strofades island was the tomb of the saint, the monastery of St. George where lived St. Dionysius. The monastery was a place of exile in the side of the English clergy. For fear of pirates the relics of St. Dennis moved to the town of Zakynthos. The monastery was destroyed by earthquakes in 1953 and rebuilt in 1959. In the monastery are remarkable relics, gospels, wood carvings, icons, etc. It is a male monastery. Visit the Mausoleum of Solomos and Kalvos and stay in town, walk to the picturesque cobblestone, shopping and relax in the comfortable coffee Stan Marina, pl. St. Mark D. Solomou. If it is summer, we will visit the village turning point where we see the beautiful sunset of the Ionian Sea. Back to Zakynthos. Dinner at local restaurants. Specialties rabbit and chicken, aliada, wild strawberries with whipped cream or yogurt, stuffed chicken, beef casseroles, etc. With agkinaropita red wine Verdi. Back at the hotel. Dinner and Overnight.
2nd Day:
Breakfast and departure for the red rock, where the namesake XENOPOULOS wrote the play "LIGHT SANDRA". We continue with a visit to the beautiful suburb of BOCHALIS. From the hill enjoying the magnificent views of the city until Peloponnesian coast. We will visit the Church of CHRYSOLEONTISAS and the ruined castle. Passing the three gates to get through the wall we see Leo St. Mark, symbol of the Serenissima Republic of Venice. In AI - George the friendly Bohali, the image of the chieftains swore Kolokotronis Nikitaras and other fighters of the Greek revolution, visit the Hill Town, where Dionysios Solomos followed the evolution of the Siege of Missolonghi and inspired the poem "Free Besieged" and "Hymn to Freedom." Then depart for the village Argassi, where is the Tower of DOMENEGINI (where you hide Kolokotronis after the inauguration of the Society of Friends). A seaside village with a large tourist development and a vibrant nightlife. We depart for the village of King with the fantastic beaches along the small peninsula. In the last beach in Cape GERAKAS is one of the beaches that generates the turtle CARETTA - CARETTA eggs and protected by environmentalists and non-locals. Stay for a swim and lunch at the beautiful Porto Roma, where there is a small park WATERMANIA. Back at the hotel. Relaxation. In the evening we suggest going to a tavern with Zakynthian song.
3rd Day:
After breakfast a short trip to Laganas. This is the most popular resort on Zakynthos, Beach 9 km length is favorite place of the Caretta-Caretta sea turtle for the deposition of eggs. The tourist development of Laganas and especially the numerous bars created, led the turtles to more peaceful areas like Kings and Marathonisi. Marathonissi along with the islands Peluso and Agios Sostis close the bay of Laganas. The island was connected to the mainland until 1633, until the earthquake broke today about communication bridge. Back to Zakynthos. Visit the church of St. Nicholas of shore. Founded in 1561 by the union of seamen and the only Venetian building that survived the earthquake and fire that followed. The exterior of the restored and invested with stone from the quarry of Gerakas. The church celebrates on May 10 over the sacred relics of St. Nicholas. In the church of shore, in about 1583 was Vicar St. Dionysios, the protector of the island. The monastery celebrates the feast of All Saints in June. Free time for walks in the last square of Saint Mark's Catholic Church the same name founded in 1518. The square was the end of the 16th century the meeting place of the nobles of the island. In this square in 1797 the populace burned the pound Doro, the Golden Book of nobles and symbolically planted the tree of liberty. You can visit MAUSOLEUM SALMON AND Calvi or do the last shopping. We recommend the wines Verdi white and red, nougat and nougat. If you are a romantic, traditional perfume shops will buy Zakynthos jasmine aromas, and grantouka fiorountena. Late afternoon depart for Athens via KYLLINI and attitude in the isthmus. Arrival in Athens.
