ISLAND

Zakinthos: The flower of the East

Zakinthos, the island of serenades and operetta, the Orient flower as the Western conquerors used to call it. An island with many faces. There are many contrasts that make Zakinthos unique, it has cosmopolitan beaches, mountains and traditional villages. Small taverns and restaurants with international menus for all tastes. Bar with trendy music but also romantic songs. The island expresses the feelings by musical notes. All these faces will fascinate the visitors of the island because each one of them hides its own treasure.
It is located very close to the coast of the Peloponnese and there is regular contact with the other Ionian islands.
The main features of the island are the old buildings, the streets with arches, the castellated towers and the historical churches. Also, the cosmopolitan road of Strani and Bochali Town with its Venetian castle.
Zakinthos is the main port of the island and lies at the foot of the hill where was found the ancient acropolis of the island, Psofida. Very unique are the statues in the squares that welcome the guests and emphasized the importance of the island’s history.
The thing that will make the island unforgettable in visitor’s hearts and minds is the fantastic view from the hill Bochali.

The tour of the island

Zakinthos has many places worth visiting by the tourists. The tour may start from the very important library, the Public Library, which contains over 60.000 volumes of rare books about the island’s history, and it is constantly enriched. The cultural center and the cinema named Foskolos, are also some places that should be vitited by the holidaymakers.

As for the island's museums, tourists can visit the museum of Post-Byzantine Art, where they will have the chance to see interesting exhibits of  Ionian and Cretan art.The square of Saint Marcos is known to everybody on the island, formerly was called Platiforos and from the 13^th century was the meeting point of the island’s nobles. From the square the visitors can go to the Saint Marcos church, which was founded in 1518.

The main proposal of the island to its visitors is the Saint Dionisios church, which was the patron saint of Zakinthos. Inside the church in a silver reliquary, they keep the relics of Saint. Beside the temple is the Monastery of St. Dionisios for those who are interested in visiting. Whole Zakinthos celebrates the memory of the patron with magnificent processions and festivals that gather thousands of believers.

The Bochali’s hill is an old suburb of the city and currently is touristic exploited and can offer to the visitors a big range of options for fun and relaxation. More specifically, there are cafes and restaurants where people can sit, eat and enjoy the magnificent view from the city till the Peloponnesian coast. At the top of the hill, visitors can see up close the ruins of the castle.

In the same area there is the Maritime Museum, which includes 140 watercolors depicting the nautical history of the Greek nation.

Finally, there are some churches that are very interesting and the tourist should visit such as the church of Saint Nicholas of Molou, the one of Our Lady’s of the Angels and Our Lady’s Revealed, which survived the earthquake.

Villages in Zakinthos:

Zakinthos is being composed of many villages, however, the most known which collect the most of the tourists are listed below.

Alikanas-Alikes: These two coastal villages gather a large number of tourists. There are located in the northeastern part of the island, just 18km from Zakinthos. At the villages people will find many restaurants and taverns where they can try local delicacies. Also, there are many bars so as they can spend their nights nicely.

Argasi: Argasi is a seaside village just 4km south of Zakinthos city. It is well known and has many tourists. This village is able to offer to its visitors a ‘‘busy’’ nightlife with a lot of entertainment.In Argasi the tourists should visit the ruins of the medieval castle.

Vasilikos: Vasilikos is an extended village that has many stunning beaches, which can be enjoyed by the visitors. The village abstains 16km from the city and it is located in the southeast. On the beach at Cape Gerakas, ‘‘caretta-caretta’’ turtles lay their eggs and thats why the area is being protected by local environmentalists and non. The streets of the village will lead visitors to the island's most beautiful beaches, where they can swim and sunbathe under the warm Greek sun. Vasilikos has two beautiful chapels, the St. Nicholas and Our Lady of Dakryroousas, which have been rescued from the earthquake too.

Katastari: It is the largest village on the island with 1100 residents and just 14km away from Zakinthos. The village is located in an enchanting location among olive trees and beautiful springs. The houses are built amphitheatrically creating a beautiful picture. Big interest gathers the Monastery of St. John the Baptist, built at 17th century.

Keri-Keri Lake: Keri is the southernmost village of the island and its beautiful landscape worths to be visited by the tourists. Specifically, from the Lighthouse at Cape Keri Marathias, the tousrist can admire the famous Ionian sunset. Keri Lake is the jewel of the seaside village, with many taverns and a quiet beach for relaxation. The attractions of the village is Panagia Keriotissa, dating from 18th century, and the known from ancient times tar sources. At the entrance of the island there is the ‘‘source of Herodotus’’, where the water gushes from the earth.

Laganas: The most popular resort os the island, is Laganas village. It is just 11km away from the capital. The exotic Marathonisi, the Peluso and Saint Sostis islands encloses the bay of Laganas. The island was connected to the mainland until 1633 but after the earthquake it collapsed, and now the communication is being accomplished by a bridge. In the village visitors will find many taverns, restaurants and cafes. The nightlife is filled with music and dancing in the dozens of bars and nightclubs, as there should be in a great resort.

Strofades: The small ‘’Floating Islands’’ are located 37 miles south of the island. Consisting of the islands Arpina and Stamvranio, their height above the sea does not exceed 10 feet, and that’s why the two islands look like floating, which justifies their name. Only one of the two islands, Arpina, is populated and has many places that worth visiting by the holidaymakers.