zakynthos information - senior cruises australia

Zakynthos is the third largest of the Ionian Islands, located off the west coast of Greece. National language is of course Greek, but pretty much all inhabitants also speak English. German is spoken by many as well, and Italian is well-represented, especially in the northern parts of the island. Zakynthos, due to mild winter rainfall, is an extremely lush island.

There are plenty of attractions in Zakynthos, such as Blue Caves, Shipwreck (Navagio), Cape Skinari, Beaches(including Agios Nikolaos beach, Alikes/Alykanas, Dafni, Gerakas, Kalamaki to Laganas, Tsilivi).

There are many activities you can take part in, including Round the Island, Scuba Diving, Turtle spotting, Relax on a beach.

Tourist Don't:
Zakynthos is home to the endangered loggerhead turtle. These shy, gentle creatures nest in the south of the island during the spring and summer months, but their numbers are threatened of late, and one of the biggest culprits is undoubtedly mass tourism. Eggs that have been laid on the beaches of Laganas and Kalamaki have in the past been smashed by deck chairs or dug up by children; turtles have been killed on Zakynthos roads after having been disoriented by the bright neon lights of the bars they mistake for the moon by which they navigate their way to the sea. Thankfully, the Greek authorities are placing emphasis on protecting the turtles with signs and volunteers reminding tourists on the beaches of their duty to respect the turtles and stay away from them.

That said, several unscrupulous firms on the island run "turtle tours", whereupon a tourist can pay to take a boat ride to "spot" the turtles-- this is not a good idea. The turtles are easily distressed by this intrusion, and this has a knock-on effect on their breeding and hence is contributing to the threat to their very survival.

You can taste a lot of delicious food in Zakynthos. Traditional agricultural products are olive oil, (thyme) honey, currants, and wine.