Zakynthos! Zante, "Fioro di Levante" (Flower of the East), according to the Italians. Zakynthos is a small, extremely beautiful island, at the south-western part of Greece, in the Ionian Sea. It is part of the complex "Eptanissa" (Seven Islands) which comprises of Zakynthos, Kerkyra (Corfu), Cephalonia, Paxi, Ithaki and Kythira... The uniquely beautiful natural environment of the island, its mild and sweet climate all the year-round, and the serene way of life of its inhabitants have made Zakynthos the cradle of some of the most famous artists and literary personalities of Greece, including the National poet Dionyssios Solomos. Hugo Foskolo, the Greek-Italian poet, was also born in Zakynthos. Andreas Kalvos, the famous Zakynthian poet, who lived and taught most of his life in England, full of nostalgia for his beloved island, writes in one of his poems:
(Free English Translation)

Long-live Ausonia,
long-live old Albion (London),
long-live the victorious Paris,
Beautiful and unique Zakynthos
has conquered me over...

Moreover, many writers, painters, sculptors, composers, etc. were born, lived, and flourished in Zakynthos; some of their creations can be seen and admired in the Museum of the town of Zakynthos. Zakynthos, moreover, is "home" of some rare species of sea animals, mammals, and birds. In this regard, the famous sea-turtle "caretta-caretta" is visiting the island every year to lay its eggs into the clean, sandy, hot beaches of Zakynthos. Also, the rare species of "monachus-monachus" lives on the sea-rocks and crystal-clear waters of western Zakynthos. It is for the protection of these rare animals and other fish and sea animals that the southern part of Zakynthos (the Gulf of Laganas) has been declared as the National Sea Park of Zakynthos.

One of the most beautiful places in Zakynthos is the village of Keri and its sur-rounding environment, which is part of the National Sea Park. A wonderful combination of beaches, high sea-cliffs with "private" small and clean beaches, pine-forests, wonderful landscapes, velvet sunsets -The second most beautiful sunset in Greece- friendly, serene, and hospitable inhabitants, with strong local traditions, romantic music-lovers ("kantades") and tasty local cuisine, with envi-ronmentally friendly small-scale agriculture, olive-groves, vineyards and fruit-orchards.

Zakynthos!
Unforgettable Holidays!
You will keep coming back every year!