An unspoilt, inexpensive holiday destination (Zante (Zakynthos))

Member Name: Leolover

Product:	Zante (Zakynthos)
Date:	22/01/02 (930 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: unspoilt, interesting, relaxing

Disadvantages: insects, hayfever

A friend and I chose Zante (or Zakyntos if you prefer to spell it the Greek way) as an early holiday destination in late March last year. We stayed in Kalamaki, the second largest resort on the island, and we enjoyed our stay, although there were a few minus points, most of them due to the early time of year we chose to visit the island.

*** The Island

Zakyntos is a really beautiful island. The landscape varies from mountains to fertile flatlands - from tough cliff sides to forest and fields. The beaches are gorgeous – soft white sand that stretches for miles. Unfortunately we were plagued with ants whenever we went to the beach, but the locals told me that it was due to the time of year and that the ant infestations would be over by the beginning of April.

Zakyntos was devastated by a powerful earthquake in the 1950’s, and since then there has been a law prohibiting the construction of buildings over three storeys high, so the appearance of the island is unspoilt. You’ll find none of those hideous apartment block style hotels on the island – a major point in its favour in my opinion!

Hayfever sufferers beware – I was struck down with the dreaded runny nose, sore eyes and sneezing as soon as I arrived on the island, and I couldn’t buy any medication to get rid of it. Again, I think this was due to the time of year we visited the island.


*** The Resort

Kalamaki is a bustling little town with plenty of bars, restaurants and tavernas. Due to it being the very beginning of the holiday season, some of these weren’t open during our stay, but we were impressed with the ones that were. We especially liked the Cave bar, a bar which is literally set into a cave hewn into the side of a cliff, which has spectacular views over the town and is a really lovely place to spend an evening sipping cocktails.

Hotels in Zakyntos are VERY basic. Our apartment was descri
bed as ‘self catering’, but there was only a very small fridge and a two plate hob for cooking things on, so we ate out every day. The bed linen was changed only once during our stay, but the apartment was cleaned and tidied daily.

One thing I found quite strange was the fact that you can’t flush toilet paper down the toilet in Zakyntos as the plumbing is too old and primitive to cope with it! Toilets in the hotels and restaurants provide a little bin for the disposal of paper – this took some getting used to, but by the end of the holiday I’d adapted and it wasn’t a problem.


*** Attractions

The primary religion on the island is Greek Orthodox, and this is evident in the many pretty little churches and religious buildings scattered around the island. These are really interesting to visit, as they are all lavishly decorated and well maintained inside. We visited the church of Saint Dionyssos, the patron Saint of Zakyntos, which is situated in the southern end of the seafront street of Zakynthos town, called Srata Marina. It was built in 1708 and it was reconditioned half a century later, in 1764. The church is full of gorgeous paintings and statues and visitors are very welcome.

A boat trip to the spectacular Blue Caves is a must. These caves are set into the cliff that leads down into the sea and turn the sea a gorgeous turquoise blue colour at the base.

Also worth a visit is Smugglers Cove, a beach that can only be reached via a boat trip out to sea. You will be allowed to swim from the boat to the beach, but don’t attempt it if you’re not a strong swimmer, as the currents are very strong and it’s a fair way to the shore.

Zakyntos is famous for it’s Loggerhead Turtles, which lay their eggs in July/August and can sometimes be seen around this time. The turtles are protected, and there are special nesting areas set aside for them on the beach.
Visitors are discouraged from searching for the Turtles or disturbing them in any way, but if you accidentally manage to catch a glimpse of some I’m told they’re enchanting.


*** Cuisine

The Greek tavernas serve standard Greek fare such as chicken or meat kebabs, meze and moussaka alongside local speciality dishes involving fish, lamb and minced meat. There are plenty of vegetarian options available and most meals are accompanied with salad and rice.

There was an Indian restaurant in Kalamaki, but it was absolutely awful – the poppadoms were stale and my chicken curry was inedible. Stick to the local cuisine and you won’t be disappointed.

Retsina is a semi-dry Greek white wine which is offered at all tavernas and bars across the island. It has a kind of honey taste and is pale amber in colour. I loved it, and recommend you give it a try.


**** Cost

My week in Kalamaki cost £238, based on two people sharing a room on a self catering basis. I booked the holiday through TV Travelshop (www.tvtravelshop.com) who were reliable and informative.

You can eat and drink fairly cheaply in Zante – a two course meal came to about ten pounds, and drinks were between £1 for a glass of wine to £2 for a spirit and mixer.


**** Overall Impression

Zakyntos is a beautiful island with an interesting and varied history, and plenty to see and do. It’s still relatively unspoilt, and boasts none of the frenzied nightlife of some of the other Greek islands, so is probably more suitable for older people and couples than groups of young people and families. I can imagine children becoming bored there as it’s fairly quiet and there aren’t many attractions aimed specifically at children.

I wish I had visited the island later in the year, as it was still quite cold in March and there were only a couple of days that were warm enough to visit
the beach and swim in the sea. I also suffered from hayfever really badly the week that I was there and this affected my enjoyment of the holiday. I think that the best time to visit Zakyntos would probably be high season – July or August – when all the pollen has dissipated, the insects are less bothersome and the sunshine is pretty much guaranteed. I’m sure it would be my perfect holiday destination at this time of year.

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