Resorts: Kalamaki
| Laganas | Tsilivi
| Town | Limnionas
Zante the third in size of the islands of
the Ionian Sea, the green island of poetry, of song and love,
the native land of D. Solomos, the writer of the Greek National
Anthem but also that of St. Dennis, the Patron Saint. Rich
in beauty and tradition, both historical and cultural, Zante
is the "ideal" of any traveler with an exploring
mind.

When the ferry arrives at the port, especially
at dusk, it feels as though you enter the port of Venice.
On the one side you will see the lit church bells of the St.
Dennis Cathedral and on the other side the picturesque Main
Town with the snake like road to the hill of Bohali (2km)
and the Venetian Fortress(3km). The view of the port and the
town from above is simply breathtaking and even more enjoyable
when you are seated at one of the many open air cafes or local
tavernas.
In Town you may stroll at the historic St.
Mark's Square and visit the Solomos & Kalvos Museum which
is also their Mausoleum. There are kept original artifacts
of the island's gentry along with their seals. At the nearby
Solomos Square with all the neoclassical buildings you may
visit the Byzantine Museum and marvel at the old icons and
frescoes that survived from the medieval churches which did
not survive the disastrous earthquake of 1953.
On Zakynthos you will find the mountain villages
and those of the plains besides those by the sea-side. In
between the sharp edged rocks, the white sand and the turquoise
water bays the Caretta-Caretta sea-turtles find refuge to
reproduce. The beaches of Lagana(8km) and Geraka(17km) are
welcoming them every year when they come out at night to lay
their eggs.
The mountain villages (Keri, Lithakia, Maherado,
Koiliomeno) are famous for their true Zakynthian hospitality
and you will surely enjoy the local gastronomy and unsurpassed
wine tradition. Local dishes, cheases, cold meat cuts and
the special sweets but most of all the semi-dry wine (mastelado)
of the area will stay with you for a long time. Sgantzeto,
pantseta, ladotyri, chiromeri, mantolato & pasteli are
some of their names you must remember when coming.
The Monasteries is another point of interest
that should not be forgotten. There history and worship along
with the special Zakynthian way of chanting will lift you
to another dimension. Frescoes, old icons make the simplicity
of the Nuns & the Monks regal.
On this island everything is different, the
musical stories sang at the tavernas, the historic wineries,
the stalactite & the blue caves, the sight of the "ship
wreck" sunk in the sand now, the cave of St. Damian and
so much more you must explore for yourself.
|