Things to do in Zante

You know that famous postcard of the rusting cargo ship on the pristine cliff-ringed beach? Yes, that’s Navagio Beach on Zakynthos – a ruggedly beautiful Greek island where it’s still possible to escape the tourists and find some peace. Especially pretty is the island’s north coast and the renowned Blue Caves, where the Mediterranean plunges to a depth of 4,500m (14,763ft).

Zante town was destroyed by an earthquake in 1953, but has been restored in the Venetian style as a pedestrian-friendly place to stroll and dine. It’s something of an artists’ colony with a pleasant waterfront promenade and plenty of good places to eat seafood. If you have the time, look into the church of Agios Dionysus, the island’s patron saint.

Just a short hop to the north is the neighboring island of Kefalonia – home to Captain Corelli and a wonderful place for an excursion. Here, the colors of the aquatic Melissani cave have to be witnessed in person and Myrtos Beach is an equal to Navagio on Zakynthos (minus the wreck). The small resort town of Agia Efimia is delightful for a scenic meal, while cosmopolitan Argostoli brings some of the flavor of a stylish European capital.