If you can get beyond Zakynthos Town, an unkempt ‘Venice of the east’, and the party resort of Laganas, you’ll find that Zante is a Greek gem with an air still heavy with the scent of pine and herbs, and the buzz of cicadas.
Despite recent developments, much of Zante, the most southerly of the Ionian islands, remains unspoilt. Dramatic mountainous landscapes, picture-postcard beaches and quaint seaside tavernas sit below piercing blue skies and float above turquoise seas. And this is what helps make Zante such a massive seller.
As Photis Lambrianides, commercial director at Olympic Holidays, puts it: “Zante now appeals to a cross-section of the market, from groups of young people to couples and families. The island also has a lot to offer the grey market.”
Dudley der Parthog, Greece programme director at Sunvil Holidays, says: “The island’s greatest appeal lies in its combination of rural charm and fine sandy beaches.”
Added value
In recent years, Zante has extended its tourism offering. It now boasts everything from five-star spa hotels to all-inclusive resorts and simple self-catering studios.
Top picks for high-rollers include the sumptuous Porto Zante Villas & Spa, where a deluxe pool villa starts at €480 per villa per night. Three new villas are opening in May. portozante.com
But don’t expect five-star chic around every corner, as clients might find on Mykonos or Santorini. Zante, or Zakynthos as it is also known, is positioning itself as a good-value beach destination.
Aimee Hart, sales manager for singles operator Solo’s, says: “The island is particularly competitive this year compared with other Greek resort areas and bookings are unlikely to be adversely affected by the country’s economic problems.”
The point is echoed by Rob Goodwin, head of product at Cosmos Holidays.
“The reality is that the island is still affordable,” he says.
“There are some great-value deals available and visitors can upgrade to higher rated accommodation with more facilities for the same price. And you can buy a beer for around €2.50 and a meal for €5.”
Hoteliers and restaurateurs are keen to keep the momentum going too. Last season, they were offering extended happy hours and free access for children to water parks in the shoulder seasons, a trend that looks set to continue.
It helps that holidays here are a tried and tested product for UK operators. Many have had good relationships with local suppliers for a long time, and this has allowed more flexibility with pricing for the British market during these difficult times.
“The market appears in good shape and the island should continue to grow in popularity,” explains Hart.
“We are demonstrating our confidence in Zante with a commitment this summer to a back-to-back charter operation with Thomson Airways,” he adds.
Olympic Holidays is also extending its offering this summer and is including the Golden Sun Hotel in Kalamaki and the Pallas Hotel in Laganas – both three-star properties.
And Avro is putting on extra capacity to Zante for the high summer season from Gatwick.
Keep it Green
Zante has also seen a boost in the number of activities that visitors can do.
Jeep safaris and horse-riding trips head off daily to explore the mountains and villages. There are also trips to Olympia on the mainland and the neighbouring island of Kefalonia.
Swimming, snorkelling and diving reveals reefs and underwater caves that are home to turtles as well as moray eels, monk seals and octopus. Many resorts also offer extensive diving facilities that are family-friendly.
But Zante’s unique selling point has to be the chance to see loggerhead turtles in their natural environment. Indeed, most of the coastline is protected and is part of the island’s extensive nature reserves.
Goodwin recommends all visitors take a 15-minute water taxi to the coincidentally turtle-shaped Marathonisi Island just off the Zante coast.
“Take your own picnic and enjoy one of the must stunning beaches and see the turtles where they actually nest,” he says.
Zante highlights
Tsilivi: lively area with plenty of bars and clubs, popular with couples and families.
Kalamaki: the closest resort to the airport, with a stunning long, sandy beach.
Vassilikos peninsula: one of the most attractive parts of the island, with white, sandy beaches backed by green fields.
Argassi: closest to the Vassilikos area, it has a quieter village-like feel.
Laganas: the island’s top holiday spot with one of Zante’s best beaches. It’s also the island’s nightlife and party capital.
What you might not know about Zante
- The island can be greener than its parched Aegean neighbours, especially at the end of summer.
- If you get a boat from Agios Nikolaos, make sure it goes to Shipwreck Cove – a picture-postcard arc of white sand accessible only by water.
- Try the stuffed rabbit and local dry verdea wine – a gastronomic treat.
- The best time to visit is from mid-June to the end of September when the weather is reliably warm and sunny.
- Zante’s quiet roads means it is good for sedate drivers who want to get out and about and see the whole island.
Sample product
Olympic Holidays offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at the ‘A’ Class-graded Louis Plagos Beach Hotel in Tsilivi for £610 per person in June, based on two people sharing a double room. The price includes flights from Manchester and transfers. olympicholidays.com, 0844 499 4449
Solo’s is offering seven nights’ half-board at the three-star Alexandra Beach Hotel for £639 in May, rising to £799 in August. The price is based on single use of a double room, flights from Gatwick and Manchester, and the services of a tour leader. solosholidays.co.uk, 0844 371 8860
Cosmos Holidays features seven nights’ B&B at the three-diamond-rated Alkyonis Hotel in Laganas from £189 twin-share. Prices are based on a May 5 departure from either Gatwick or Birmingham. cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 423 8401
Sunvil Holidays has seven nights’ self-catering at the Markella Apartments in Limni Keri from £427, based on two sharing. The price includes return flights from Gatwick and transfers. sunvil.co.uk, 020 8758 4758
