The island of Zakynthos, commonly known by its Italian name of Zante, is famed for its spectacular limestone cliffs and beautiful beaches where loggerhead turtles come to nest. Zante’s resorts are concentrated along the south and east coasts, with much of the island remarkably green and unspoilt, and you can still find sleepy traditional villages scattered across the fertile central plain.

Zante’s most famous sight is the eye-poppingly beautiful Navagio beach, which is just one of many enchanting coves along the craggy west coast. At the other end of the island is busy Laganas, the main resort area, with all the facilities you could need for a fantastic summer holiday, and pretty Zante Town, with its impressive Byzantine Museum. 

You can explore the island on foot or by bike, with scenic trails criss-crossing the island, though you’ll need a boat to reach some of the most magical beaches. Zante also produces some excellent wines, which you can sample in a taverna to a soundtrack of traditional kantadhes folk ballads.