Holidays to Zakynthos

A luxury holiday to Zakynthos – or Zante – has many treasures in store, as this Ionian Island (the third largest of the group after Corfu and Kefalonia) is full of surprises, starting with a most luscious landscape brimming with pine forests and pristine beaches. Zakynthos was lovingly named ‘the Flower of the East’ by the Venetians, and while sadly much of their own architecture was destroyed in an earthquake of the 1950s, the island’s beautiful natural scenery remains. The most famous sight of all in Zante is Navagios Beach, where chalky sands are cradled by soaring limestone cliffs and edged by azure sea, a former smugglers cove that even has a shipwreck strewn on the beach for a touch of added drama. If considering a trip to the island, there are plenty more jewels to tempt you in however: perhaps its wildlife (Caretta Turtles), charming capital (Zakynthos Town) or string of boutique Zante hotels. These coastal boltholes range from family-friendly resorts to intimate adult-only sanctuaries, providing the promise of action-packed watersports or moments of pure romance, depending on what you’re looking for. There are excursions to sea caves, museums, nightlife, fine dining and, of course, gorgeous beaches aplenty, so if you had previously overlooked a luxury holiday to Zante, now’s the time to change your mind.