Zakynthos/Zante anyone been, any recommendations?
Discussion
Been a fair few years since I went, so dont know if they still do this, but my wife and I did a jeep tour of the island. Not driving, but passenger. it was a good day out, taking you to various places of interest which you might not find with your hire car - because we were in the back of a long wheelbase landie, so went up some tracks. Couple of places where you can go for a quick swim then a stop for lunch.
One particular favorite was a stop at the top of the cliff, overlooking the said ship wreck beach. Fantastic view off a 1000ft cliff (or pretty high, whichever is the closest!). This wasn't the main viewing point that cars can get too, further round the cliff and higher up.
One particular favorite was a stop at the top of the cliff, overlooking the said ship wreck beach. Fantastic view off a 1000ft cliff (or pretty high, whichever is the closest!). This wasn't the main viewing point that cars can get too, further round the cliff and higher up.
I went there a few years ago and stayed in Argassi which at the time was quite a nice little town. Enough restaurants to be happy but not the party central 24/7 or Laganas. We did Zakfari which was a day in a jeep being taken around the island and saw a number of sights and got a few stories as well.
Also did a traditional greek night..... avoid the Retsina wine...
Also did a traditional greek night..... avoid the Retsina wine...
Went many years ago, Stayed at Kalamaki. We we poorer then and it was a family run 3* place, I've stayed in some pretty spectacular places since but this one always remains a favourite.
Kalamaki beach is known for nesting turtles at the right time of year and is worth trying to see. The local restaurants were all good and the locals very friendly.
One tip although it's been so long it may be irrelevant now, the airport is very small, so small that the check in queues go outside. We were lucky as were flying out early hours but if your flight is day time I'd suggest taking something cooling to drink and be able to cover up.
Re: Retsina - I actually quite like it although it needs to be very, very cold. Can't eat a Moussaka without it now
Kalamaki beach is known for nesting turtles at the right time of year and is worth trying to see. The local restaurants were all good and the locals very friendly.
One tip although it's been so long it may be irrelevant now, the airport is very small, so small that the check in queues go outside. We were lucky as were flying out early hours but if your flight is day time I'd suggest taking something cooling to drink and be able to cover up.
Re: Retsina - I actually quite like it although it needs to be very, very cold. Can't eat a Moussaka without it now
where are you staying?
as you have a car, get yourself around the north east & west of the island, from alikanas head north towards kokkinoy, then over volimes towards elaties and navagio (greek for shipwreck) beach. i'm not sure about getting to the actual shipwreck beach by car as i've only ever been there by boat (you can only get to the hill above it)...you'll find loads of nice places along the way. the south of the island isn't too bad (i prefer the north)...but avoid Laganas like the plague...IMO an absolute s
thole.
also, if you have any spare time and the inclination, you could take the ferry over to kefalonia for a day trip from agios nikolaos.
as you have a car, get yourself around the north east & west of the island, from alikanas head north towards kokkinoy, then over volimes towards elaties and navagio (greek for shipwreck) beach. i'm not sure about getting to the actual shipwreck beach by car as i've only ever been there by boat (you can only get to the hill above it)...you'll find loads of nice places along the way. the south of the island isn't too bad (i prefer the north)...but avoid Laganas like the plague...IMO an absolute s
thole.also, if you have any spare time and the inclination, you could take the ferry over to kefalonia for a day trip from agios nikolaos.
Thanks guys, sounds good!
We are staying here:
http://www.mabely.com/wcms/binary/Server.dll?Artic...
Middle of nowhere, nearest village is Kampion
We are staying here:
http://www.mabely.com/wcms/binary/Server.dll?Artic...
Middle of nowhere, nearest village is Kampion
Just got back - done most of the Greek Islands and Zakynthos is up there with the best.
As above, avoid Laganos (and TBH Kalamaki was a bit too 'Costa del Sol' for me too), and you can't go wrong.
Highlights - try dinner at Keri/Keriou lake. Lovely little place. If you're there in the daytime hire a boat (35 euros for 2 hours) and take a picnic over to Turtle Island.
Askos Stone Park in the North is a cool little nature park - makes a break from the beach for a day out.
If you have kids, try the smaller waterpark at Tsilivi. (forget the bigger one at Sarakinado if you are driving - you will never find it!)
Didn't really think that much to the town (compared to Skiathos), but it was alright. Nice harbour.
Enjoy the weather, I'm missing it already
As above, avoid Laganos (and TBH Kalamaki was a bit too 'Costa del Sol' for me too), and you can't go wrong.
Highlights - try dinner at Keri/Keriou lake. Lovely little place. If you're there in the daytime hire a boat (35 euros for 2 hours) and take a picnic over to Turtle Island.
Askos Stone Park in the North is a cool little nature park - makes a break from the beach for a day out.
If you have kids, try the smaller waterpark at Tsilivi. (forget the bigger one at Sarakinado if you are driving - you will never find it!)
Didn't really think that much to the town (compared to Skiathos), but it was alright. Nice harbour.
Enjoy the weather, I'm missing it already
Edited by Evil Jack on Saturday 16th June 19:15
sidekickdmr said:
Hey,
I'm off to Zakynthos/Zante on the 28th, I've never been before!
Any recommendations for fun days out / nice foodie places?
We are there for 10 days and have a hire car for the whole time so can get anywhere on the island.
One thing I do want to do is the "shipwreck beach"
Thanks
Been several times, you will enjoy it, the locals are very friendly by and large, hire a car if you can....I'm off to Zakynthos/Zante on the 28th, I've never been before!
Any recommendations for fun days out / nice foodie places?
We are there for 10 days and have a hire car for the whole time so can get anywhere on the island.
One thing I do want to do is the "shipwreck beach"
Thanks
With a bit of luck you may see some caretta caretta (loggerhead)turtles......
Regarding "Shipwreck beach"....
http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16245701
If you want to go on any boats, you can't do better than a trip with Captain Spiros on the Levante speedboat. Unlike the bigger boats used by the main tour operators, the Levante is able to get into the caves, not just see them from a distance. Spiros also gets to Shipwreck Cove before the other boats, so it's less crowded. He does two different trips, and they are both worth doing. See: http://www.zantelevante.com/
As others have said, avoid Laganas. If you want a really good beach, I'd suggest Gerakas (down on the south-eastern tip).
As others have said, avoid Laganas. If you want a really good beach, I'd suggest Gerakas (down on the south-eastern tip).
Mark. said:
One tip although it's been so long it may be irrelevant now, the airport is very small, so small that the check in queues go outside. We were lucky as were flying out early hours but if your flight is day time I'd suggest taking something cooling to drink and be able to cover up.
Still? Jesus, I went there 20+ years ago and it was the same 
Bill said:
Mark. said:
One tip although it's been so long it may be irrelevant now, the airport is very small, so small that the check in queues go outside. We were lucky as were flying out early hours but if your flight is day time I'd suggest taking something cooling to drink and be able to cover up.
Still? Jesus, I went there 20+ years ago and it was the same (By Greek standards)
They'd almost finished building a new airport building the last time I was there 4 years ago.
You can only get to the shipwreck beach via boat but there's a viewing platform above on the cliff which you can reach by car. Take care on the roads though driving into the mountains as there were no barriers & several sheer drops!
You can only get to the shipwreck beach via boat but there's a viewing platform above on the cliff which you can reach by car. Take care on the roads though driving into the mountains as there were no barriers & several sheer drops!
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