late deals, apartments and cheap flights can be found by searching on our home page.

Holidayco.co.uk specialises in Cheap holidays in Zante, package holidays and late deals to a huge number of destinations. Find out more about Zante in our guide below.

Cheap holidays in Zante

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Zante now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.

Zante, or Zakynthos, is one of the largest of the Greek islands. Surrounded by the Ionian Sea and with many marine caves around its shores, the island is popular with divers, watersports enthusiasts and families. The island has many excellent beaches, some of which are only accessible by boat.

The climate is as good as you could ask for. In the summer you would have to be very unlucky to be caught in the rain. Daytime temperatures rarely drop below 21 ° C and summer days with temperatures over 30 ° C are not uncommon.

The capital, Zante Town, was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1953 and has been extensively rebuilt. The town stands on a by facing mainland Greece, with an ancient Acropolis on the hill behind it.

Skopkos has a Neo-Byzantine Museum with a fine collection of art rescued from churches, a museum dedicated to poets from the region and other historical attractions including an old Venetian fortress.

Argassi , located 4km from Zante Town, is a popular resort offering a range of watersports as well as easy access to the capital. Other popular resorts are Kalamaki, which does not have watersports in order to protect the nesting grounds of the Loggerhead Turtle, Laganas, with 5km of beaches, and Tsilivi, a relaxing resort which is quieter than the others but still has good access to Zante and a range of watersports on offer.

Keri ,in the south-west corner of the island, is rather remote but can be reached by boat from Zante and Laganas. The coastline is quite spectacular, and swimming in the caves along the shore is very popular.

Accommodation on Zante ranges from luxury hotels to more modest facilities plus apartments and studios. Accommodation is available all around the island as well as in the capital. If you prefer to camp, there are sites available.

The cuisine is very good. Desserts, cheeses and cold meat cuts accompanied by locally made wine are popular. Ladotiri (literally 'oil cheese') is a traditional local product. Other cheeses you can find on offer include soft and salted Feta, creamy and unsalted Manouri and hard Graviera.

A number of good semi-sweet wines are made on the island. Verdea is the most common and has a unique flavour. Zante also produces very good nougat as well as sweet onions, honey and almonds. Traditional desserts include Baklava (strudel leaves and walnuts) and Kataifi (nuts wrapped in shredded wheat and covered with honey syrup). Fresh fruit is also popular.

What sort of establishment you visit will dictate the sort of cuisine you encounter. At an Estiatorion (restaurant) you are likely to find international dishes on the menu but the cost is likely to be higher than elsewhere.

A Taverna is a traditional eating place where the emphasis is heavily on family cooking. Tavernas can be quite extravagant but are rarely as expensive as restaurants. Meals are usually based on traditional recipes and based on casseroled or grilled meat and fish. Mezedes are a mix of small and quite varied dishes, usually served with a drink, and are very popular taverna fare.

A Psistaria is a barbecue house, where meat is roasted on a spit, often right next to the entrance. Typical offerings include chicken pork and lamb accompanied by salad, French fries and cheese.

At a Psarotaverna, of 'Fish Taverna' you will find a range of fish and seafood dishes. Quite often the dish of the day is whatever the owner caught that morning, so you can be assured of its freshness.

Activities

In the capital, Zakynthos, there are a number of historical attractions to visit. The Solomos & Kalvos Museum is dedicated to the ruling gentry, while nearby Solomos Square has a museum dedicated to relics from Byzantine churches destroyed by earthquake. The Cultural Centre is worth a look, and also houses a massive public library. Or visit the oldest building in town, the Church of St Nicolas.

The island's many beaches hold a range of attractions. Some are undeveloped and ideal for getting away from it all. Others have a number of nice bars and tavernas nearby where you can sip a cool drink and watch the sun go down over the Ionian Sea.

Along the coast you can enjoy a range of watersports including jet skiing, water skiing and paragliding. There are two diving centres on the island and many excellent dive locations around the coast. There are underwater caves to explore and many species of fish as well as other marine creatures to observe. If you are lucky, you might encounter the sea turtles that come to the island to lay their eggs.

If diving isn't for you, then you can take a boat trip around the island. Destinations include the famous shipwreck cover, where the wreck of a smuggling ship beached 20 years go is now embedded in the sand that has deposited around it. Boats can be hired with a captain to go wherever you want. On a more modest scale you can rent a pedalo and explore coastal caves under your own power.

The island has a good road network, and rewards exploration at your own pace. There are many car rental facilities around Zante, enabling you to see whatever you want on your own terms.

Zante is more about relaxation than partying. There are plenty of bars and pubs as well as traditional tavernas. The locals have a wealth of musical stories that are sung in the taverna. Not only is this an insight into Greek culture but you may also find it a welcome change from karaoke.

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Zante now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.