Three things you have to do when in Zakynthos: Part 1

 ZAKYNTHOS or Zante as you may more commonly know it as, is an amazingly beautiful place and is part of the Ionian Islands of Greece. It's most famously photographed beach Navagio or Shipwreck Beach is only accessible by boat from one of the small ports nearby.  

My husband, daughter and I took a small boat carrying 20 of us from Port Vromi towards Navagio stopping in a large sea cave for a swim along the way in the beautiful clear blue waters. The water was so blue in the caves that it made our bodies glow blue as it reflected off the limestone walls.

We then boarded the boat again for the choppy ride to Shipwreck Beach. The swell around this part of the island can be quite significant and after a storm there are no boat trips for 2 days until the swell has settled again. 

Arriving at Shipwreck Beach, along with all the other boats, we were greeted by the site of about 500 people on this small beach and it was only 11am. Due to a storm a few days previously the tours were all playing catch up! 

The MV Panagiotis, ran aground in the waters around Zakynthos Island on Navagio Beach during stormy weather in 1980. It has been claimed the ship was smuggling contraband cigarettes. The shipwreck is obviously very rusty now after being beached here for 37 years and care needs to be taken but you can still climb aboard and explore the wreck.

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easyJet flies from Bristol to Kefalonia

EASYJET has launched flights from Bristol to Kefalonia. The new service to Kefalonia will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer with fares starting from £23.24* one-way.

The largest of the Ionian Islands, #Kefalonia is a charming and popular tourist destination. The beaches, are among the most photogenic in #Greece, however, the island is also renowned for its traditional fishing villages and tavernas. There are many places to see including the Sea Lake of Melissani, the Cave of Drogarati with its fantastic stalactites and stalagmites, the Castle of Saint George and the Lighthouse of Argostoli. Such is its stunning backdrop and scenery; it was made the setting for Louis de Berniere’s famous novel-turned-film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

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Greek Villa chic

GIC THE VILLA COLLECTION enters its 48th season with a range of #villas which the company says will suit every possible type of guest: single travellers, couples, multi-generation families, or groups of friends. On the Ionian Islands, the Sporades, Crete, and in mainland #Greece and #Cyprus, most of the houses have private swimming pools, and all of them have been chosen for privacy and high standards of comfort. 

New for 2016 is Costa Navarino’s high-end villas on the coast of the Western Peloponnese on the Greek mainland. They come with a butler service, private chefs, a spa and a golf course a mere buggy ride away. The Costa Navarino Ithomi & Sapientza villas (each sleeps four) cost from £5,741 pp (four sharing) including seven nights’ self-catering, return flights (Gatwick), private transfers and full use of the resort’s exclusive facilities.

For total seclusion, there’s Villa Boukari (sleeping six) on Corfu’s south-east coast. Close to a 13th century village with its low-key taverna, it has views down to the sea. Rates start from £632 pp (four sharing) for seven nights’ self-catering, flights (Gatwick) and car hire. 

Call GIC The Villa Collection on 020 8232 9780 or go to www.gicthevillacollection.com

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