Destination Overview
The Ionian island of Zakynthos (also called Zante) has been
colourfully billed as 'the green island of poetry, song and love',
mainly because it was the home of Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the
Greek national anthem, 'The Hymn to Liberty'. Arriving in Zakynthos
by ferry is certainly a poetic experience. The picturesque town
curves around a bay dominated by a Venetian Fortress and the St
Dennis Cathedral. Zakynthos town is reminiscent of Venice with its
historic St Mark's Square and Solomos Square, lined by
reconstructed neoclassical buildings. The Solomos Mausoleum is also
a museum dedicated to the island's aristocracy of bygone days,
while the Byzantine Museum sports splendid icons and frescoes
salvaged from the island's beautiful medieval churches, destroyed
in the massive earthquake of 1953. The main attraction for
visitors, however, is the triangular shaped island's 57 miles
(92km) of coastline, particularly on the eastern and southern
flanks, which are blessed with beautiful bays. Favourites are the
white sandy beaches of Lagana and Geraka, also renowned for being
the nesting grounds of the Caretta-Caretta sea turtles. Inland, the
mountain villages lure holidaymakers away from the beach to sample
some local hospitality and good food and wine, and to explore
monasteries tucked away among the greenery. Tourism has become the
main income earner for this popular resort island but the rapid
development of infrastructure in recent years has not depleted its
traditional charm. Zakynthos remains pleasantly poetic.
