Welcome to Zakynthos Now …
For your summer holiday to the
Ionian island of Zakynthos (Zante) in Greece …
ZAKYNTHOS Now, what more do you need for a great summer holiday? Zante accommodation: the best places to stay … Bars, Clubs and Pubs in the resorts of Zante: drink cocktails and dance all night long … Places to eat: the best Zakynthos restaurants, no such thing as a diet on holiday … Zante Shops: souvenirs, clothes, gifts for all the family … Trips, Tours, Sightseeing: photo opportunities and a fun day out and about around Zakynthos island … Zakynthos Map of resorts: information to help you choose where to go … Hire a car or moped and visit some of the best beaches in Greece … History of Zakynthos: just a bit, to keep you informed … Hints and tips for your Zante summer holiday: don't forget the sun cream … Useful phone numbers: you never know when you may need one …ENJOY…
Zakynthos,or Zante, is the third largest of the Ionian Islands and the eleventh largest of all the Greek islands, covering an area of 410 square kilometers. The island is thought to be named after Zakynthos, son of the Trojan king Dardanos, who settled and founded the first city on the island (around 1500–1600). During Venetian rule Zakynthos was referred to as Zante, "fiore di levante" or "flower of the East", easy to see why when you experience the stunning natural beauty of the island. Plenty of winter rainfall combined with the mild Mediterranean climate allows for the production of olive oil, currants, grapes and citrus fruit in abundance on the island. Traditional Zakynthian dishes tend to be cooked using virgin olive oil, fresh tomatoes, lemon, plenty of garlic, and aromatic herbs. A favourite is to have "Mezedes" when dining out, basically a variety of hot and cold starters, followed perhaps by a plate of freshly grilled meat or hot casserole dish, washed down with homemade local wine and finished off with a platter of fresh fruit. You will find that Zante's thriving tourism industry offers something for everyone. Romantic secluded coves to scuba diving and watersports, traditional tavernas to take away snacks, candlelit cocktails to top nightclub DJ's, light Continental breakfasts to the good old English fry up. Young or old, single or part of a team, your visit to Zakynthos will be a memorable one. From the fertile plains to mountainous areas with steep cliffs offering breathtaking views, not forgetting the long stretches of golden sandy beaches leading you into the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, lively resorts where every night is party night to the quiet villages and peaceful moonlit evenings, have a browse through the Zakynthos Now pages and let us show you why Zante is one of the top tourist destinations in Greece …
Where to stay …
Zante hotels, studios,
villas & apartments.
Where to eat … the best restaurants, snack bars &
take out in Zakynthos.
Where to party … Quiet drink or disco diva? …The best bars & clubs in the resorts of Zante.
Turtle Spotting, Quad Trails, Fancy Dress Club Events, Football tournaments …
Current Weather in Zakynthos
Site Map
A-Z of businesses featured on this site
Recommended Travel Agencies in Zakynthos
Visit popular resorts
& places of interest
on the island.
A new house or holiday home? Property, land & businesses
for sale in Zante.
A little of the history of the
Ionian island of Zakynthos (Zante) in Greece.
Scenic photos taken around Zakynthos island
The endangered species of Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta Caretta) is found in the waters of the Ionian Sea, in particular around the sheltered bays of Zakynthos. Named for their huge heads and powerful jaws, loggerhead turtles are the largest hard-shelled sea turtles alive today. Adults grow to an average weight of one hundred kilos, and can reach more than a metre in length. The beaches of Zakynthos, especially in Laganas bay area, have the highest concentration of turtle nesting sites in the Mediterranean. From some of the beaches on the island it is possible to take boat trips to see the turtles, the most well known beach from which to do this is Laganas beach, and is a favourite trip for many tourists...View More...
Navagio Beach, or the Shipwreck, is an isolated sandy cove on the north-west shore of Zakynthos island in the Municipality of Elation and is reputed to be one of the most famous beaches in Greece. The surrounding area is defined by its sheer limestone cliffs, white sand beaches, and clear blue water, which attract thousands of tourists yearly. Navagio beach is accessed only by boat, from Porto Vromi to the south, and from the Harbour of Saint Nikolaos to the North-East. More typically, boats arrive from the harbor of Zakynthos, the capital city, with cruises and tours anchoring hourly. The beach itself has become a valued tourist attraction because it is home to the wreck of the alleged smuggler ship Panagiotis. A Coastal trading vessel, or Coaster, the Panagiotis was built in 1937 in Glasgow. As a Coaster, her primary use was in the transportation of trade cargo through local, shallow waters. The most commonly accepted story regarding the wreck of the Panagiotis maintains that she spent the latter part of her life as a smuggler ship. In 1980, Panagiotis was making her way from Turkey with a freight of contraband cigarettes. The crew was suspected by authorities, and so the Panagiotis was pursued by the Greek Navy. Encountering stormy weather, she ran aground in the shallow cove to the north of Porto Vromi, where the crew abandoned ship to evade the pursuing Navy. To this day, she remains at the site on the north-western side of the island, which is now called "Navagio" for the Greek "shipwreck".
Recommended Travel Links
- www.gr4all.nl - New Dutch Website on holidays and living in Greece…
- www.laganasnights.com - THE HOTTEST NIGHTS IN ZANTE! Ultimate guide to nightlife in Laganas…
- www.greeka.com - Greek Islands, Greece hotels, Greece Travel Guide, the Greek Islands specialists …
- www.greece-museums.com - A non-profit museum guide for Greece
- City Travel Guide - Comprehensive city travel guide for more than 4500 world cities with cheap flights, hotels, vacations, maps and travel guide books
- Greece - Greece Islands Holidays - Greek Travel Agent - Visit Ancient Greece
- Zante Holidays - last minute guide to holidays to Zante
- Zante Car Hire Search - book your car on line before you arrive in Zakynthos
- Direct Line Holidays - Cheap late deals, bargain all inclusive holidays & last minute package offers
- Ammos Villas Holiday Apartments - Book your holidays at the beautiful Ammos Villas in Vassilikos, Zakynthos (Zante), Greece, for a peaceful break away this summer