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Zante is a beautiful island
Date: Aug 15, 2006
Zakynthos Review:
The trip. The flight from Manchester was delayed but nowadays you come to expect this. The transfer went smoothly.
Reasons for going to Zante. On recommendation as everyone we knew who had been there couldn?t praise the island enough. The relevant websites give some fabulous views which are almost too good to be true. In reality we found that even the most idyllic & contrived PR views didn?t come within a country mile of doing justice to the simple & stunning beauty of Zakinthos.
Expectations & opinions. The island is bigger than U think, it?s hotter than U think and is more of a feast for the eyes than U could ever imagine. There is plenty of competition amongst traders for your Euros so shop around for everything as prices vary so much. Tip ? try haggling especially with the ?front man/woman? outside restaurants for a free drink with the meal. The travel agents tell U there is something for everyone & this is indeed true. A 7 day holiday doesn?t give U enough time to discover what really is there. Lots of internet surfing prior to the trip should help U plan & make the best of your time when U get there. At night ?the strip? in Laganas (a half mile stretch of road almost exclusively lined with bars, restaurants, clubs & shops) is an amazing place & although it is really ?in your face? there is no violence or aggression ? certainly not while we were there (July 2006) - everyone is too intent on having a great time. ?The strip? is not a place for children as it may appear intimidating & scary. The venues along the Kalamaki Road (opposite the Go Kart place) are more sedentary, less frenetic & noticeably more stylish.
Favourite things about Zante. The panoramic views, the undulating & rugged countryside, the beaches, the warm & crystal clear sea, the unhurried pace of life, fresh & unpolluted air. The politeness and friendliness of the islanders.
Negative opinion. Regarding Zante airport: with so much money generated by tourism it is unbelievable that the authorities will not invest in even basic facilities eg running water in the gents toilet & chairs rather than the floor for people to sit on. Regarding Laganas: on ?the strip? (day & night) every bar & restaurant has a ?front man/woman? who entices you to go in their establishment ? some are very insistent. After hundreds of such enticements it becomes tedious & annoying. Tip ? don?t catch their eye or pretend to be in deep conversation. Some bars & clubs water down the spirits & especially the cocktails (easier to disguise). Some of the ?street children? are adept at begging & stealing so be careful. Tip ? ladies, don?t wear jewellery.
Recommendations. Where there is a choice use the trips suggested by the reps. They are a few Euros more expensive than those offered elsewhere but apparently use reputable, reliable operators with insurance & back up if needed. Use local bus services to get around (very cheap). Timetables are at every bus stop. The ?shipwreck cove? seems to be on every brochure, website etc and has become a PR clich? ? but when you get to the cove (access by sea) it is a truly awesome place with plenty of ?wow? factor. No trip to the island is complete without seeing it. At the very minimum learn how to say ?thank you? in Greek it usually raises a smile with the locals because U invariably pronounce it wrong but it does mean that you?ve at least made an effort: ?apharisto? means thank you. Take enough factor 20 ?sunny? as it is up to 5 times more expensive on the island. Mossy repellent & plug-ins will help at night. In a nutshell ? Zante is a fabulous place & has plenty to offer people of all tastes.
More Information about Zakynthos: click here
Review Posted by:
Andrewlowley06
Zakynthos Topic: General
Location: Zakynthos
Times Viewed: 2165
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