I’m happy to share this guest post from Catherine Lavinia, who describes a holiday experience on the stunning Greek island of Zante. After reading this post, I’m sure you’ll want to add it to your bucket list. I know I’ve added it to mine! 

Holidays in Zante really are something special. Also known as Zakynthos, this glorious Greek island is cast out into the Ionian Sea and offers some of the most beautiful coastal scenery you’ll find in the Greek archipelago. While only 158 square miles in size, this relatively small island certainly punches well about its weight and makes up for its stature with bags of character, soul-stirring scenery and a fascinating heritage.
*Harbor Town, Zakynthos

Like most Greek islands, in summer Zante reaches sizzling point with temperatures regularly pushing the 30 mark. During the winter however, the barometer drops considerably with a high volume of rainfall, which ensures the island stays lush and green with its dense vegetation, olive and citrus groves and fruit trees.

Type its name into a search engine and you’re bound to see images of Smugglers’ Cove cropping up in the results. This is one of the most photographed spots on the island – if not the entire cluster of Greek islands – and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a striking place with a tiny bay of white shingle fringed by vertical rocky cliffs. The water is so vivid, the azure hues seem to reflect off the surrounding cliffs. It’s beautiful, yet deadly – it’s home to an ancient shipwreck and so steep are the surrounding cliffs that it’s only accessible by boat. Still, don’t let that put you off, as there are plenty of boat tours to this beautiful corner of the world.
*Zante, Greece

There are a number of resorts in Zante. Laganas is club 18-30s territory so it’s not ideal for those who want a good night’s sleep, while Alykanas is the polar opposite. It boasts a lovely quiet beach and a distinctly low-key vibe with lashings of Greek authenticity. In Kalamaki you’ll find a smattering of Greek restaurants and the odd taverna, backed by the slopes of Mt Skopos, while Tsilivi is a little more upbeat and a great spot for families.

Whichever resort tickles your fancy, you’ll find stacks of holidays online by searching the main tour operators’ websites. Try Thomas Cook holidays to Zante for instance. There is a wide range of holidays departing all summer to various locations on the island, suitable for holidaymakers from many different walks of life.
*Zante, Greece

*Images taken from http://www.sxc.hu.