The Zakynthos or latrefeis or miseis. Island of poetry, Solomos and Kalvos of intense vegetation, water katagalanon, caretta caretta, but also one of the most fotografimena parts of the world, "Shipwreck", and excessive tourism promotion, it is impossible to pass unnoticed.
The lovers of intense night life, graphics settlements flying prominent Venetian influences and mageftikon beaches, as a second home. The orkismenoi enemies of marketing, the tourism industry and cosmopolitan lifestyle or do not want to remember.
If you belong to the second category, and we recommend not to (re) go on Zakynthos - can ordes of the maximum tourists to deprive the island some of the magic, but if you avoid purely "tourist" Parties and search the most isolated, will discover a totally different side of the island.
Zakynthos is the atmosphere. An own, unique atmosphere, which shares some features in common with the rest of the Ionian islands, distinctive, but in many others. Here the rhythms of everyday life is slow, nochelikoi, time seems to have stopped at one another last season. The evenings, of course, the landscape changes completely, with the most popular areas of the island to live on fast xefrenou party, which holds up in the morning.
The city of Zakynthos keep the Venetian colors, with lotzies and elaborate Venetian galleries, the old mansions and paved Piazza San Marco. A stroll in Stranta Marina, starting from square Dionysios Solomos to come to the church of San Dionisio, quay, in his famous Rouga, shops and of course in Venetian castle that rises to the top of the hill above the town, makes you feel that metaferthikate Venice of the 18 st century.
Just beneath the Castle, the district of Bochalis suitable for coffee, lunch and afternoon walks with a splendid view. The hill of Strani, in the face, is the point from which the Dionysios Solomos followed the exodus of Messolongi he and the Hymn to Freedom.
Ideal for endless tours and extremely picturesque, however, and almost all villages of the island. Admire the - matches of OIA, although not as visible-sunset from Keri, visit the 1568 built the monastery of St. George in Gkremna, in Volimes, sit in one of the many squares of villages, for coffee and talk with locals.
The beaches of Zakynthos, mostly sandy, with katagalana, crystal clear waters - a registered trademark of the Ionian Sea, are undeniably one of the stronger points of the island. Depending on your preferences, you can find deserted beaches or crowded, regulated or almost apatites, infinite or small and hospitable.
Do not forget to visit the Geraka, Alikes, Porto Roma, Keri and Tsivili. In the west of the island, the blue LIMNIONAS and rocks to reach the sea, coupled with dense vegetation, create a paradise setting. In one of the most dysfimismenes, because of mass tourism, areas of the island, Lagana will meet the National Marine Park, where they live turtles caretta caretta.
In order to protect this rare species of sea turtle, the reconstruction of the region has diminished considerably, and the passage of motor boats are banned across the Gulf of Lagana. If you want to see the turtles up close, boarding in one of the boats running from the homonymous beach on tour or diving.
As But they insist that… opponents of excessive tourism promotion, the shipwreck was, and remains, one of the sygklonistikotera points of Zakynthos - if not the whole of Greece.
The beach named after the sinking of a ship carrying smuggled cigarettes, and sank off of Zakynthos in 1983, may be the most popular poster of travel agencies around the world, is, however, and one of the few who deserves . White sand, water and aperigraptis apochrosis panypsiloi almost apokosmoi rocks compose a scene that, if anything, does not meet every day.
The beach is accessible only by sea. Prefer to visit with one of the boats starting from the port of St. Nicholas Volimes or Porto Oats, instead of what we do around the island carrying crowds of tourists, and as early as possible in the morning.
Antistoichis exotic beauty is the other dimofilestati sea excursion, was in Blue Caves, located northwest of the island. By boat from the lighthouse of Skinariou, the journey takes 10 minutes. Prefer again in the early hours of exormisi you, for your chance to admire the amazing reflections of light in the phosphorescent water and katalefkous rocks, but also changing color of the sea.
Accommodation
In almost every area of Zakynthos will find a wealth of hotels and rented rooms.
Two of the best choices of residence are Nobelos Luxury Suites (Ag.Nikolaos, Volimes, tel: 26950 27632, 26950 31400), with polytelestates suites in a traditional style Ionian, and Porta del Mar (Beach Ampoula - Psarou, Intermediate Gerakari, tel .: 26950 65082) with traditional stone villas, combining the charm of tradition with modern comfort of all benefits. Prices during high season start at 280 and 120 euros respectively.
Food and fun
In Zakynthos, in general, you will have the opportunity to enjoy excellent traditional cuisine, but that does not mean that there are no international choices - indeed talking about one of the most cosmopolitan islands of the country.
Excellent Greek cuisine, live music, will try to tavern "Arekia" near Solomou Square in the city of Zakynthos, and "Altzerinous" in Koiliomeno, with approximately 25 per person. For traditional Zakynthian head into the kitchen area Gardens, just outside the city - here comes the Malano, where you will have the opportunity to try very steamed and baked, with approximately 15 per person.
Italian flavours, mainly from southern Italy will try the restaurant Bella Napoli, in Laganas, which operates only in the evenings. The dinner will cost you around 25 euros per person. For finger food visit Orange, in Argassi, while in Salt entaxte're definitely in your programme a dinner in the Olympic Kitchen Bar - it will cost more (about 40 euros per person) but excellent food and unique environment (the restaurant is at 100 meters from the sea) will compensate.
Finally, under the ypermegethi, aionovio tree in Vanato, you will have the opportunity to try handmade skewer and extremely baked, homonym barbecue, with only 10-15 per person, while in Porto Roma, the Royal will enjoy phenomenal astakomakaronada, with approximately 40 per person.
Mecca of night entertainment in Zakynthos are areas Laganas, Kalamaki and Argassi - if I do not like tourists, particularly those intoxicated, stay away. Many older club and bars, with less noise, you can find in the town of Zakynthos, Tsilivi and Alikes.
We recommend the club Base, in the city, which operates in the morning and is famous for its excellent Italian coffee, and Baraz in Argassi, which, besides good music, and has a beautiful garden right next to the sea. If you prefer something more "relaxed", the Red Rock bar in the square Solomou certainly will not disappoint you. Finally, the bar Cheers, in Laganas, is ideal for your evening cocktails, overlooking the sunset.
It is interesting to see
* The Venetian castle on top of the hill Bochalis, eano built on the ruins of the ancient Acropolis.
* The Museum of Solomos, Kalvos and leading Zakynthion, in San Marco square in the city of Zakynthos, which hosts the tombs of two poets, and many exhibits.
* The Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos, in the square Solomou, a rich collection of pictures, murals and sculptures of Byzantine and post-season.
* In katafyto hill of Strani, with a magnificent view of the plain of Zakynthos.
* The Museum Gregory Xenopoulos, in Faneromeni city of Zakynthos, which hosts manuscripts of the author and traditional furniture from his home.
* The celebration of poliouchoy of the island, San Dionisio, on 24 August.
· * The Sinking of blue caves and all those "emporefmatopoiimena" parties, but deserve to undue prominence.
