So you fancy a holiday in the Greek islands but you are not sure which one is right for you? They all have great weather. Most of them have nice beaches. Some of them have warm seas ideal for water sports and it can be difficult to choose.
You also have to consider the cost. For families with older children, in particular, things soon mount up. They have four flights to pay for and need to book two rooms. Add in spending money once they arrive and the cost escalates still further.
If you want a great destination that offers good value for money I would recommend Zante. It has some of the best scenery you will ever see. The island is small, just 40 kilometers long by 20 kilometers wide, but is blessed with a large number of golden beaches spread over its 120 kilometers of coastline. The most stunning beach on the island, perhaps the most scenic on all the Greek islands, is Smugglers Cove. You can only get there by boat but it is well worth a trip. Get there early, before it gets too busy, and take your camera.
The island has the bonus of offering a wide range of accommodation at very reasonable prices. One of the best solutions is to get a Zante apartment. You can sleep two, four or even six people comfortably. Parents can still get some privacy at night. When you want a rest you can watch Netflix in your apartment. Best of all, however, is the freedom an apartment allows when it comes to meals. You can stock up your fridge with fruit, drinks and ingredients for sandwiches if you just fancy taking a packed lunch to the beach or leisure park. You can have breakfast at whatever time suits you. You can go to a restaurant for dinner some nights, stay in your apartment and eat whatever you please on other nights.
If you look around you can find great value deals on comfortable, spacious and well located apartments. Ask your travel agent about Zante apartments, or check out your options on the internet. You will be pleasantly surprised by the range on offer.
Those going to Zante make sure they are able to get the best vantage point for the spectacular evening sunsets. Keri, on the south-west side of the island, is one of the best places to watch the sunset. The village is lovely because it was very traditional and quaint and the locals have been careful to manage the development so as not to lose its charm. There are plenty of good quality tavernas, many of which have a terrace, which provide the most terrific views of the sea and rocks below. Being an upmarket resort, the tavernas serve excellent food and have friendly staff.
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The town of Keri is some 20 kilometres from the capital and is known for being one of the villages that was most able to retain its original architecture after the 1953 earthquake. Five kilometres downhill from Keri is the liminaki (or “little harbour”) of Limni Keri, full of traditional stone houses, quiet narrow streets and its own exquisite little churches. Beyond this is the lighthouse and another famous viewing point for dramatic sunsets.
Down in the harbour itself, the fabulous beach of sand and fine shingle shelves gently into crystal clear waters. From here you can hire a boat for the day or take an organised trip across to the island of Marathanisi with its huge sandy beaches or visit (and swim in) the beguilingly beautiful Keri caves. All in all, Keri, with its unique scenery, wonderful panoramic views and tranquil atmosphere, is a lovely place for an unhurried, hassle-free holiday.
Even though Zante is no longer regarded as one of the top 3 clubbing summer holidays, it once had a reputation to be jealous of. Around 10-20 years ago it was battling Ibiza for top spot when it came to nightlife. Regularly, world renowned DJ’S would reside in one of the many bars and clubs until the early hours. Even though it’s lost some of it’s reputation, it is deserving of a resurgence and comparable to a lot of more popular venues.
Laganas is the heart of this scene and while a couple of towns in Zante have tried to compete, if you are looking for the best night, you can only have it in Laganas. I will give a brief mention to other areas later in the article. With the Eurozone crisis and Greece being one of the worst hit, prices to anywhere in Greece have dropped as the government tries to use tourism to boost the economy, and that should be reason enough to give it a shot.
I travelled to Laganas around 10 years ago on a lad’s holiday with some friends. It was my first clubbing trip and I really was unprepared for what Laganas had to offer. When I first visited Laganas over a decade ago I was totally unprepared for what I would see. It had a tacky feel to it but a party atmosphere like no other. All of the roads were filled with revellers, mainly British and Australian and they were all geared up for partying. It was a truly unique feeling that surrounded the area that I am still yet to experience again.
Laganas is a party town and a party town only, putting all it’s eggs in a basket, but it’s a really good basket and the eggs are awesome!. Nearly every bar has a happy hour that last 4 hours or more and it’s much cheaper than Ibiza for drinks and club entry.
It would be a shame to write an article on Zante and solely focus on Laganas and it’s legendary nightlife. Travel to Tsilivi and you will be treated to a much quieter and more family orientated area. It’s a typical relaxing holiday resort, and because of the lack of restaurants, probably worth doing half board or all inclusive. If you do though, you will miss out on a beautiful beach less than 5 minutes walk away from most of the hotels. You can see endangered turtles on the south of the island on Gerakas beach. The turtles often lay their eggs on secluded beaches on the island and this is a reasonably big tourist attraction, although to strict regulations as the turtles are naturally shy and so try to avoid human contact.
On the 3-4 months that Zante is ‘open’ (a lot of bars, clubs and restaurants closed down in off season), It can be as energetic or relaxing as you need, but make sure you pick the correct area to stay in to suit your needs as the towns are so different.
Still haven’t decided where to go on holiday? Zante Nightlife is the stuff of legends and well worth considering.
