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Maps of Greece - Zante Island
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Zante Island
Zante
Named `the flower of the Orient` by the
Venetians because of its beauty, Zante is the most southerly of
the Ionian Islands. About 40km long and half that across, Zante is
almost triangular in shape, with two mountainous peninsulas
extending from the South. Most villages and resorts have developed
along the Eastern coast, with the exception of Laganas in the
South.
The capital, Zante Town, was rebuilt after being completely
destroyed by an earthquake in 1953, and now offers good shopping
opportunities, plenty of bars and tavernas and a lively harbour
area as well as museums and a cathedral. The Northern countryside
consists mainly of hills and pine-covered mountains, whereas the
centre of the Island offers a fertile centre where much local
produce such as almonds, vegetables and olive trees are grown.
Places worth a visit include Smuggler`s Cove and Blue Grotto in
the North, and Laganas beach where the rare loggerhead turtle
nests in the South. Zante is well renowned for its excellent
diving opportunities and fascinating caves.
Zante Beaches in Greece
Alikes and Alikanas are two
excellent beaches which stretches for 3 kilometres along the
northeast coast. A good variety in Alikes, of shops, bars,
restaurants and tavernas lined along its one main street.
Alikanas, spread out across the fertile plain, among the olive
groves, has its own shops, bars, restaurants and tavernas, which
are quiet and relaxing in low season, but considerably more
lively in high. For the adventurous you can find watersports
here in high season.
Approximate transfer time
from the airport: 30 minutes.
Approximate transfer time from Zakynthos town: 20 minutes.
Argasi Beaches
Argasi is a sandy beach with many coves. Is famed for its
collection of shops, bars, discos, restaurants and tavernas
which hug a kilometer stretch along the coastal road, so it's
perfect for the young and the lively.
Approximate transfer time
from the airport: 15 minutes.
Approximate transfer time from Zakynthos town: 5 minutes.
Bouka
Beaches
Situated in Tragaki next to Tsilivi beach, Bouka is a small
clean sandy beach with shallow water and is still uncrowded.
Approximate transfer time
from the airport: 25 minutes.
Approximate transfer time from Zakynthos town: 15 minutes.
Gerakas
Beaches
Gerakas is a long sandy beach situated in the southern part of
the island, near Porto - Roma. Is world famed from the sea
turtle caretta-caretta which bears its eggs there in summer. No
shops, bars, discos, hotels here, just a couple of restaurants.
Approximate transfer time
from Zakynthos town: 25 minutes.
Laganas
Beaches
Laganas, a magnificent five km sweep of sandy beach shelving
into warm, clear seas. Is the most touristically developed
resort on Zakynthos, lies at the centre of a broad bay on the
island's southern coast.
A brilliant selection of shops, restaurants, tavernas, bars and
discos combined with a lively nightlife
Approximate transfer time
from the airport: 5 minutes.
Approximate transfer time from Zakynthos town: 15 minutes.
Navagio
(Smugglers Wreck)
Navagio, is a truly fabulous
beach, which can fuel your imagination.
20 years ago a coaster carrying contraband (cigarettes), was
wrecked and washed up on the beach that has gradually grown up
around it.
This beach is only accessible by boat.
Porto Koukla
Beaches
Zakynthos is famed for its
superb, sandy beaches and one of the best is Porto Koukla that
offers a perfect escape for anybody seeking a flavour of
authentic Greek hospitality.
Welcoming tavernas and bars provide the focus for relaxed,
informal evenings.
Approximate transfer time
from the airport: 15 minutes.
Approximate transfer time from Zakynthos town: 25 minutes.
Porto Roma
Beaches
Porto Roma is an excellent
beach in Vasilikos. The main attraction here of course is the
glorious sandy beach, which shelves gently into a placid blue
sea. The area is not much developed so it's ideal for quiet and
relaxing holidays.
Approximate transfer time
from the airport: 30 minutes.
Approximate transfer time from Zakynthos town: 20 minutes.
Tsilivi
Beaches
A long safe beach with golden sand and crystal clear waters.
The soft sand shelves gently, so it's ideal for our litlle
friends.
There are many watersport activities like windsurfing, jet
skiing, water skiing, paragliding, banana, pedaloe, ringo, etc.
Bars, tavernas, restaurants and other shops are plentiful.
Approximate transfer time
from the airport: 20 minutes.
Approximate transfer time from Zakynthos town: 10 minutes.
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Laganas Travel Guide
Overview:
The hottest spot on the Greek island of Zante
(or Zakynthos), particularly with the British
18-30 party crowd, is the resort of Laganas,
situated on Zante's south west coast. The resort
boasts one of the longest beaches on the
Mediterranean, with five and a half miles (9km)
of golden sand, washed by warm, translucent
waters. The beach is a conservation area for
about 1,300 loggerhead turtles that nest on it
each year, and visitors are asked to take care
not to disturb the nests. This is also the
reason for a ban on watersports on Laganas
beach. The beach is lined with hotels and
apartment blocks, and the town is crammed with
restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Having been
turned into a holiday fun-spot, there is not
much of the traditional Greek island atmosphere
left in Laganas, but just a little way out of
the resort one can still find authentic Greek
villages and peaceful countryside.
Shopping:
Laganas abounds with shops, from grocery stores
where self-caterers can find all they require
(including favourite British brands) to hundreds
of souvenir shops that line the main street.
Good buys are jewellery, leather goods, designer
clothing and local crafts. Don't miss out on the
delicious fresh bread and sweet pastries from
local bakeries.
Restaurants:
Laganas is positively awash with a huge range of
restaurants, snack bars and fast food outlets
offering all sorts of cuisine from curry or
kebabs to pizza or pies. Of course most visitors
prefer to go Greek, and there are tavernas
aplenty offering delicious Greek dishes. A firm
favourite for local cuisine is the Akropolis,
set a bit out of the way off of the central
crossroads, with good food and good prices. For
a quick snack any time of the day or night seek
out Mama's Place which serves delectable gyros
(kebabs), souvlaki, pizza slices and other
fillers, particularly handy for clubbers heading
home at dawn (it is opposite one of the top
clubs, Rescue, on the main strip). Also scoring
top marks is The Blue Sea, which is right on the
beachfront, family run and offering Greek
favourites in a very relaxed, friendly
atmosphere.
Nightlife: By
night Laganas seethes with party people filling
up the numerous bars and clubs. Reputable DJ's
spin all the popular R&B and Hip-Hop tracks from
late night through to the small hours and
beyond. The top club is Rescue, which is always
packed to capacity, offering reasonably priced
drinks and very entertaining bar staff who
literally set the place on fire with
flame-throwing routines. Another hot favourite
is the Cherry Bay Beach Club where the DJ
occupies a speedboat, the staff wear wetsuits,
and patrons can take a communal shower on a
podium. Admission to clubs is free. There are
also more relaxed cocktail bars and
English-style pubs, as well as karaoke bars.
Activities:
Laganas is dedicated mainly to fun, sun and
partying, but there are some very worthwhile
excursions to undertake from the resort. Boat
cruises around the island, particularly to view
the turtles at the east end of the beach, and to
visit Zante's extraordinary sea caves, are very
popular. Holidaymakers can also easily access
Zakynthos town to explore some museums, historic
sites and churches and enjoy a shopping
expedition. Watersports are not offered at
Laganas beach, but a regular shuttle bus carries
visitors to nearby Agios Nikolaos beach, where
it is possible to indulge in a variety of
aquatic pursuits.
Negatives:
Laganas is one of the biggest and busiest
resorts in Greece, and holidaymakers looking for
a quiet, traditional Greek island will be wildly
disappointed. The beach is always jam-packed in
the height of the season, and the resort is
continually full of noise and commotion. Many
visitors have complained about over-insistent
touts outside clubs and restaurants, and some
have reportedly been misled on the quality of
their accommodation. There are no watersports
offered at the resort because of the nesting
loggerhead turtles on the beach. |
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