We had never been to Zante and had heard so much about it, decided to see for ourselves, We went with our friends Bill and Helen and their family. Bill had been over there 6 times but never stayed at Kalamaki before, Our accommodation was the four-star rated Bitzaro Grande hotel in Kalamaki.
The Bitzaro Grande
We found the hotel to be clean and the staff very friendly and accommodating. The hotel looked very pretty and the smell of jasmine was heady. We decided to go all-inclusive but felt that the food was mediocre, in terms of variety and quality although there was something for everyone. The pool was cordoned off at 6pm every day with no lifeguard available. The entertainment was like Britain`s Got Talent but without the talent!
Kalamaki Beach
Kalamaki itself consists of mini markets, restaurants, bars, and shops for booking tours around the island and beyond. Although the shopkeepers were friendly they were not rude or harassing. The shops seemed to be full of much the same goods- although there is a very good leather shop in which we bought a bright blue bag for Jayne which brought a smile to her face and a dark blue belt and brown wallet, the prices of which also brought a smile to Trevor`s face! The restaurants didn`t really cook authentic Greek fare- think Wetherspoons but in a hot country. Having spoken to a few shop owners, they all said that they had really struggled during the Pandemic and were very pleased to see us.
We booked up a trip to Turtle Island, a VIP boat trip to a shipwreck and around the island of Zante and we hired a car for one day costing 70 Euros, and a day trip to the island of Kefalonia. For the two of us, we paid 216 Euros including the car hire, We found Zante to be one of the most beautiful islands that we have ever been to.
Turtle Island
We were picked up by a taxi and taken to the harbor where we boarded a small boat with a captain. He drove us to where the turtles were which was really beautiful seeing them in their own environment. He then took us around the coast, maneuvering us into caves and small coves- had we captained the boat ourselves which was an option we were going to take, we would not have been able to get as near to the caves and would have ended up with a holey boat! We were then taken to Turtle Island and left there for an hour to swim in the beautiful blue water and relax on the beach. This was the first time either of us had seen a floating ice cream/coffee/alcohol bar which came in very handy with the heat. Water shoes were a good investment for this holiday. This was a very enjoyable trip.
VIP Boat trip
The next day we were picked up by coach and taken to the port at Zante town where we boarded a large two-tiered boat. We felt like sardines being crammed into the boat. The weather was beautiful and we chose to sit on the top deck. The boat offered refreshments and snacks. We traveled around the whole of the island of Zante. We stopped at the Shipwreck which is a rusted boat on a beach in a cove and we also stopped to go for a swim further along the coast. We sailed past the healing beach said to be very therapeutic for your health ( Xigia Sulfur beach), which smelt of rotten eggs due to the sulphur content. This trip took about 6 hours and although it was hot and the scenery was beautiful, for us, it was 2 hours too long! There is only so much coastline you can admire.
spot the shipwreck me or the boat
Car Hire
A 7-seater car was dropped off at our hotel at 9 in the morning. After much discussion, we headed for Gerakas Beach which is known for its beauty and for the conservation of the turtles. The beach is stunning with crystal clear waters and small fishes darting around your feet that don`t bite you. You can wade out quite a way without it becoming too deep. after spending a few hours there we drove to Kampi and the Cross Tavern, which sits on the top of a hill overlooking spectacular views. The restaurant looked like it was from the set of the film Mamma Mia and the food was the only authentic Greek food we ate whilst on holiday. Heads up about driving here- if you are looking for straight roads there are very few of them in Zante! There are a lot of mopeds and quadbikes to avoid.
Gerakas Beach above and the cross tavern below
Meat-mungus
Kefalonia
For this 12-hour day trip, we were picked up by coach and taken to the port in Zante town again where we boarded a similar vessel to the VIP boat trip but not as crowded. Kefalonia is a Greek island about an hour and 20 minutes away from Zante. It is known for its exceptional beauty and was the backdrop for the film Captain Corelli`s Mandolin. When we arrived we boarded another coach which had a very informative native tour guide telling us about the history, culture, and geographic aspects of the island. We visited a Monastery, and an underground cave had lunch in a beautiful waterside restaurant, and ended up in the capital Argostolion for some souvenir shopping and coffee. It did rain for a few minutes but that was all the rain we had for the seven days of our stay. Although it was a really nice day we found the coach trip a bit long. We were very impressed with the coach driver`s ability to navigate the roads without killing us as they were bendier than the roads in Zante!
the cathedral
the Melissani Lake
Trevor: Zante is definitely worth a visit for all ages. The pictures don't really give it justice but the natural beauty and blueness of the water are heavenly and the locals are warm and refreshing, and although they want you to come into their restaurants, and bars or to take a tour with them they are polite and not pushy at all. The food was not what I would call authentic greek, except for the cross tavern which was a real treat, and the bacon is a bit suspect, but it is edible. Going on day trips is definitely worth the cost or even hiring a quad bike, moped or car would give you the freedom to explore the island. Kalamaki and especially Larnaca are more designed for younger people to party, having many bars, and clubs but if you are into gift shops and souvenirs there are also plenty of them. The hotel we stayed in was not really child-friendly, which for us was pleasant, and the pool was cordoned off at 6pm every night and the entertainment was painful, we only lasted 30 minutes the first night and then went back to our room to soothe our ears. Both I and Jayne had a massage at the hotel, Jayne was first and she had a 45-minute relaxing massage, I followed 15 minutes later with what was supposed to be a similar 1-hour massage. I don't know if the masseuse hated men or was a dominatrix or a sadist but she pummeled me like an angry male-hating sumo. We will definitely revisit Zante again, but only being our first visit to a greek island I would like to see what the other islands have to offer but Zante definitely set the bar high
Jayne: My first impression of Zante was one of surprise. Having thought it was considered largely a partying type place I was pleasantly shown otherwise! Yes, there are plenty of bars and clubs with extensive cocktail repertoires but they don`t all cater to those seeking lively nightlives. Some are pavement-fronted coffee bars and restaurants where you can lazily watch the comings and goings of this island and its people. I have found the locals to be both friendly and honest and they have said when questioned, that it has been a very difficult time during the Pandemic for them. Luckily, although it wasn`t back to full strength tourist-wise, this year looks to be a much more positive prospect for them. Our hotel was clean and cool and just what we needed but four-star it wasn`t. The staff were very friendly and helpful and there was no need to have brought the kettle with a two-pinned plug as I am wont to do on my travels( Heaven forbid you can`t make yourself a cup of tea!). Our room had a fridge ( for milk and chocolate mostly ) which ticked a box for me and a rather lovely walk-in shower. Shame about the size of the cups but I think that is a British issue and if you are really that fussed you would bring/buy a bigger mug. I LOVED the beauty and tranquillity of Zante`s land and seascape, particularly the views from the Cross Restaurant in Kampi and the beauty that is Kefalonia- being the romantic old bird that I am! A week in Zante was enough for me and I do regret not visiting Zante town other than to pick up boats. Seeing the dolphins leaping out of the water alongside our boat to the Shipwreck was another wonderful experience - they responded to the honking horn of the boat. All in all, It is a thumbs up from me. By the way- as regards my massage- I nearly fell asleep at one point. I found it very relaxing and the masseuse and I got on like a house on fire. Not so for Trevor apparently. Some you win.... just saying!
