The third largest of the Ionian Islands, Zakynthos is a popular tourist destination with its own international airport, handling many charter flights from northern Europe. The island was given a nickname by the Venetians, To fioro tou Levante, meaning 'The flower of the East,' in English.
The capital of the island goes by the same name, and Zakynthos city is located on the eastern part of the islands northern coast. A port town, Zakynthos offers a ferry service to the port of Kyllini on the mainland of Greece. The city sprawls around a bay and offers attractive buildings, including excellent shopping facilities, restaurants and cafés. Villas in Zakynthos are available both in the city itself and the surrounding areas.
Landscapes range from a mountainous plateau and steep cliffs on the southwest coast, to a fertile plain with long, sandy beaches. The most famous of these beaches is Navagio beach, a cove on the southwest of the island, isolated by high cliffs. However, Navagio is only accessible by parachute or boat making for an adventurous and enjoyable trip.
The cuisine of the island, like most in the Ionian Sea, has more Italian than Greek influences, due to the long term Venetian domination in the past, offering a delicious range of salads, omelettes and desserts, along with fish and meat dishes. While Zakynthos villas come fully equipped, the range of restaurants available on the island tempts the palate with many tasty dishes.
The island enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with plentiful winter rainfall, with temperatures ranging from a balmy 31 degrees Celsius in summer down to a mild 16 degrees Celsius in winter, making the island almost a year around destination.