Luxury Zante Holidays

Beloved for its natural beauty by the Venetians who renamed this charming island, Zante, fiore di Levante (the flower of the East), the originally-named Zakynthos boasts fertile green hills and mountainsides, verdant vineyards and currant vines, olives and almond groves and orchards, delightful spring and autumn flowers and beautiful beaches.

Originally named after colonist, Zakynthos, son of Dardanus, who brought music and festivals from Arcadia, this island’s history is colourful and lively but hasn’t always been so agreeable with tides of Romans, Saracens and Byzantines invading and capturing it; even a Norman-Sicilian pirate, Margaritone, took it for neighbouring Kefalonia. In 1209 the island was ceded to the Venetians who held on to it for more than three centuries. In later years, fired by the French Revolution, Zantiots formed a Jacobin Club to destroy the nobility and, later still the high spirited islanders rebelled again after the establishment of the Septinsular Republic. In 1864, Zante (Zakynthos) joined with its Ionian sisters to become part of Greece.

Sunsets

The west coast has some impressive sea cliffs, and for perfect sunsets, head to Kampi to watch the setting sun disappear over the clear blue Ionian waters.

Sea Turtles

The National Marine Park in the south of Zante has been established to help protect the breeding ground for Caretta Caretta or loggerhead sea turtles for which the island is famed. The turtles, which are among the oldest species on earth, dig their nests in the sand and during July and August you can often see them at sundown at aganas Beach. Although visitors may watch, they are encouraged to stay away from the beach between dusk and dawn.

Marathonisi

Just to the east of Keri Beach and south of Laganas is a small islet called Marathonisi, or Turtle Island. It’s a nesting ground for the Caretta Caretta sea turtles and has a lovely sandy beach perfect for sunbathing and swimming in the surrounding waters and is easily reached by hire boat or organised excursions.

Zante Town

Re-built after the earthquake of 1953, the capital boasts pretty alleyways and streets, a picturesque waterfront and harbour, the remains of an ancient acropolis and castle, and the basilica of Aghios Dionysios which houses the remains of the island’s patronsaint and miraculously survived the quake.