Zante, also called Zakynthos, is the most southern island of the Ionian chain. It has been billed as 'the green island of poetry, song and love'. This is mainly because it was the home of Dionysios Solomos, who wrote the Greek national anthem but also because of St. Dennis, the Patron Saint of Poetry. With rich beauty and traditions, both historical and cultural, holidays to Zante are ideal for any traveler with an exploring and adventurous mind.
Two major events shaped modern-day Zante. One is the earthquake of 1953, which destroyed most of its elegant Venetian buildings and many of their inhabitants. The other is the construction of the airport, which slammed cement mixers into overdrive. The north, with its poor roads and beautiful mountains, and the central plain full of gentle green rolling hills avoided the worst of the development. The south however has succumbed to tourist infrastructures.
The port of Zante town curves around a bay dominated by a Venetian Fortress and the St Dennis Cathedral. Zante town is reminiscent of Venice with its historic St Mark's Square and Solomos Square, lined by reconstructed neoclassical buildings. There are three museums in Zante town.
The Byzantine museum is the best with a few 17th century paintings of the Ionian School. A couple of churches survived the earthquake. Agios Nicholas has been renovated and the spectacular Agios Dionissios, now lit up like a fairground at night, contains some good icons and a magnificent carved silver coffin. The main square in Zante town has a statue to the island's favorite son Dionysius Solomos. The view of the port and the town from above is simply breathtaking and even more enjoyable when you are seated at one of the many open-air cafes or local tavernas. The road north out of Zante town runs you behind a series of sandy beaches backed by vineyards and orchards and reached down narrow access roads.
In Zante you will find the mountain villages and those of the plains besides those by the seaside. In between are the sharp edged rocks, the white sand and the turquoise water bays. The beaches of Lagana and Geraka are very welcoming. The mountain villages in Zante are famous for their true Zakynthian hospitality and you will surely enjoy the local gastronomy and unsurpassed wine tradition. Local dishes, cheases, cold meat cuts and the special sweets but most of all the mastelado wine of the area will surely impress you. The Monasteries is another point of interest on the island. Their history and worship along with the special Zakynthian way is certainly an interesting experience. Frescoes, old icons make the simplicity of the Nuns and the Monks regal.
Tourism has become the main source of income for this popular resort island but the rapid development of infrastructure in recent years has not depleted its traditional charm. There are musical stories sang at the taverns, the historic wineries, the stalactite and blue caves, the sight of the "ship wreck" sunk in the sand, the cave of St. Damian and so much more you should explore in Zante for yourself.