One of the Ionian islands along Greece’s western coast, Zakynthos was so much loved by its past Venetian rulers that they named it Zante, fiore di Levante , the flower of the East. Being under Venetian rule for centuries, the Ionian islanders have a developed taste for music, poetry and the arts and it is not a coincidence that Greece’s poet laureate, Dionysius Solomos and famous poet Andreas Kalvos come from Zakynthos.
Laganas is the island’s most busy tourist resort, the seafront lined with restaurants and bars and the beach offering a variety of water sports. However, Laganas Bay is the world’s most important nursery of loggerhead (Careta-Careta) turtles and restrictions are in place in the nesting zones from May to October. At the north of the island, close to Porto Vromi, a white sandy beach is home to Zakynthos’ famous and much-photographed shipwreck.
Gerakas to the south is another fine stretch of sand, also a nesting ground for the Careta-Careta turtles and a conservation area. The Blue Caves or “Volimes” to the north are only accessible by boat and a favourite day trip. Created by erosion, the famous caves feature spectacular arches and stunning turquoise waters.
