When you go on holiday somewhere you don’t normally expect to leave that place to visit somewhere else – unless you are on a multi-centre holiday that is.
But when you visit Zante you should definitely think about doing this, otherwise you will miss the delights of Marathonisi.
So what is Marathonisi like? Well first of all it is completely uninhabited except for the turtles that call it home. And that is one of the reasons why so many people holidaying on Zante head across to the island for a day’s exploring.
Once you reach the island yourself you will see why it is so sought after for a day trip. You can easily take a boat trip that heads out to the island for the day, and finding details of these in Zante itself won’t be difficult. You have two great beaches to choose from once you arrive there, and if sunbathing is your chief aim then head for the sandy beach that you’ll find the rest of the sunbathers on. This also happens to be the beach where the turtles make a home for their eggs, so do be careful you don’t disturb them in any way.
Elsewhere on the island you can enjoy rock climbing and wandering around to see what else is on offer. There is a second beach which is ideal for exploring if you have kids with you, as it is rocky and unsuitable for sunbathing.
The water around Marathonisi island are wonderful too, with clear blue water lapping up and inviting you to take a swim. Many people do just this and enjoy a spot of swimming alongside a more relaxed time on the beach. If you are planning on spending a day here be sure you take everything you need with you, because facilities are non-existent as you might expect from an uninhabited island.
If you have the makings of a picnic with you and plenty of drinks though, you’ll have a wonderful day in this particular corner of paradise. And with no one but the turtles to share it with, why would you miss it?
In the south eastern corner of Zante you will find one of its best known and best loved resorts. Laganas is not the place to head to if you are looking for a calm and relaxed holiday with plenty of peace and quiet. But if you want a lively and entertaining time and you are looking for a resort that brings you all this and more, Laganas on Zante will certainly deliver.
So what can you look forward to on your arrival? For starters there is the plethora of nightlife which brings the location to life after dark. During the day you can enjoy the delights of the beach, but at night there are plenty of options if you are looking for a club or bar to visit to while away the small hours.
As such it isn’t the kind of place you would want to bring a family to. But if you are young, carefree and looking for a holiday that has sun, sea, sand and celebrations of all kinds, Laganas certainly over delivers.
Let’s not discount the wonderful food you will find here either. If you fancy a break from the bars and clubs why not try out a few of Laganas’ restaurants? You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding what to eat, with many countries represented by the cuisine on offer. You could have pizza one night, a full Chinese meal the next and follow it up with something entirely different the next night. As you can see, Laganas is all about choice and versatility, especially when it comes to the food.
If you do want to visit to make the most of the stunning beach in Laganas, try and go off season if you can. The popularity of this resort means that you will end up fighting for a space on the beach first thing in the morning if you visit during the height of the season. Going just a few weeks either side will guarantee a more peaceful time, and yet it will still be lively enough for you to enjoy.
How many times have you been to a water park on holiday? If you go abroad you will usually find one so you can take advantage of the great weather and have some fun in the water.
And Zante is no exception to this. The simply named Zante Water Village attracts plenty of people each year and you can find it within easy striking distance of the town of Zante itself.
This park does not have as many water rides as some of the other similar parks in Europe, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth visiting. If you have kids you’ll find plenty for the whole family to do and enjoy while you are there. Take the ultimate in relaxation and winding down for example – the Lazy River. This is just what it sounds like – it offers the opportunity to lie back in a huge rubber tyre and float around the park watching the world go by.
If that sounds a little tame for your liking you might want to give some of the more entertaining rides a try as well. The Turbo Tubes and the Black Hole are faster and if you don’t mind whizzing round a water tube in the dark the latter of the two will certainly appeal to you!
But it isn’t all about big water rides for the adults. It’s also about smaller and tamer rides and attractions for the kids as well. They’ll love the small Octopus Slides and the various Aqua Spray games that are built around the pool area. There is no doubt that you’ve got a lot to look forward to here at the Zante Water Village.
You might find it a bit much for an entire day, but it depends on how many times you want to go on each ride. It’s certainly an active and entertaining way to spend the day, and if you do have kids you’ll find they sleep very soundly after using up all their energy enjoying the rides.
If you’re staying anywhere near Zante town don’t miss it. It certainly makes a change from the ocean.
If you want to see the best of Zante, you must include the Blue Caves on any visit you pay to the island.
But these caves cannot be accessed via a beach or in any way via land. You need to book yourself a spot on a boat trip to be able to see them. With that said though, the journey and the effort are both well worth it.
So what can you expect from these caves? Why do so many tourists think they are breathtaking, and why should you make sure you visit them yourself?
The clue is in the name – the Blue Caves. These caves can be accessed via a boat, and you’ll see some amazing sights once you get up close. You will get the best pictures if you visit towards the end of the morning, as that is when the light plays the best tricks on your surroundings.
If you thought the water around islands such as Zante was blue, you will have to rethink that statement when you see the Blue Caves. The water is as deep a blue as you will have seen anywhere, and it is this that draws so many visitors to them and persuades them to take so many pictures. Obviously since the light plays such a big part in creating this stunning effect, the view you get will depend on what time of day you visit. Thus the midday boat trips are the best ones to grab a seat on.
It has been over a century since these caves were first spotted by someone travelling by boat. Since then they have become one of the staple tourist attractions on Zante.
Diving and snorkelling are not out of the question here either, so you might want to combine your sightseeing trip with a spot of those as well. If the water looks so deeply inviting, why not make the most of it and get as close as you can to this stunning natural phenomenon?
In short, the Blue Caves of Zante will be thrilling visitors for many years to come. So make sure you are among them.
Are you planning a trip to this splendid Greek Island and are worried about suitable accommodation? Don't worry because you will find a wide range of Zakynthos accommodation, catering to all price ranges, standards, and needs.
If you are travelling with your partner, you may prefer a Zakynthos hotel or a spacious room to let, while if you are travelling with your family or friends, a Zakynthos apartment may be your best fit.
Larger groups are advised to look into renting Zakynthos villas. Zakynthos hotels can be found throughout the island, so you can easily book the accommodation of your choice, whether you want a sea view or a mountainside vista.
Some Zakynthos apartments, studios and hotels can provide guests with all inclusive holidays in Zakynthos Greece, including accommodation, car rental and excursions. You can ask the management of your Zakynthos accommodation for more information.
For further information regarding Zakynthos accommodation visit:
http://www.top-hotels-greece.com/location/ionian-islands/none/zakynthos-hotels/p1.html
Zante has a horse trekking centre in Laganas which caters for riders of varying ability. For more information see:
http://www.justzante.co.uk/directory/zakynthos_laganas_zante_horse_trekking_centre.asp
Kalamaki is a family resort which boasts a 7 kilometres long sandy beach, the largest on the island, the hotels in this area are mostly newly built and therefore offer the most up to date facilities.
There is a long parade of shops and restaurants so visitors here will find everything they require and for a really lively night out this resort is only about 3 kms from Laganas. Again this is a family resort with visitors who return year after year.