Sometimes visiting an island like Zante can make it seem as if you are surrounded by the tourist industry and little else.

But in fact this is rarely the case. It is truer to say that you just have to look a little more closely to see the more natural areas that are there to be explored.

For example, when you visit Zante you probably head for one of the most popular areas of all – Zakynthos Town. This is situated along the eastern most side of the island.

But if you head further north and move inland slightly you will find the area called Volimes. There are some thirty kilometres between Volimes and the capital of Zante, and yet in many ways they can seem to be a million miles apart.

In Volimes you won’t see much in the way of tourism – much the opposite in fact. There is a local market here and you won’t see all the traditional kinds of souvenirs either. Instead you will see local produce and items that are made by those who live in the area. You can taste local honey for example, knowing it has been collected from hives that are just a stone’s throw away – literally.

If you want a more traditional gift to take back home with you once you leave Zante, look out for lace, rugs and other similar items that are all beautifully made with care and attention. This is in many ways the real Zante, and it is unfortunately a side of the island that many people coming here do not see. The clubs and bars and nightlife may be enjoyable in itself, but wouldn’t you also like to see the real side of Zante that is hidden away in places like Volimes?

Volimes may be a little too much on the quiet side for you to spend your whole holiday there. But having said this, it could be that you are looking for something a world away from the busy nature of Zakynthos Town itself. Perhaps Volimes is just what you need for that quiet and peaceful break away.