Zante holidays

Local cuisine in Greece encompasses the fundamental elements of a traditional Greek meal: meat, fish, olive oil and vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergine, prepared in myriad ways to create a diverse array of dishes.

Salads have long been a staple on Greek menus, with the horiatiki, also known as Greek salad, being a standout favourite. This refreshing dish combines tomato wedges, feta cheese, red onions, cucumbers, green peppers and black olives, all dressed in olive oil and herbal seasoning.

While chicken, lamb, pork and veal are popular choices for a variety of dishes, including the traditional stew known as stifado, one of the ultimate meat delicacies is stuffed rabbit, or lagostifado, often simmered or braised in wine for a succulent flavour.

When visiting Zante, Gyros is a must-try. This soft, rolled bread is stuffed with tender meat, usually pork, along with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, fried potatoes and a generous drizzle of tzatziki – a mouth-watering combination.

Traditional sweets are also a highlight, including mantolato, a locally produced nougat made from almonds, egg whites, honey, and very little sugar, and pasteli, made from sesame seeds, almonds and honey.

Greek locals will only ever suggest one type of hot drink to complete your meal – coffee! Most like to sip it slowly to enjoy the aroma of freshly made coffee beans as they fall to the bottom of your cup. Relish a coffee with sugar (metrio), without sugar (pikro), or add natural sweeteners – gliko.

Popular beer brands include Mythos, Alfa and Fix. Cider is not as common, but you can sometimes find Milokleftis, a Greek cider.

Retsina is a popular Greek wine, infused with Aleppo pine resin, with a distinctive taste. For Greek spirits, begin with Metaxa, a silky soft amber spirit with a light taste, and of course, the famous and perhaps infamous ouzo. Being the national drink of Greece, ouzo is a grape or grain-based alcohol, distilled with fennel and other local herbs. Liqueurs include Raki and Mastika flavoured with a resin obtained from lentisk, called mastic.

Music, song and dance are an integral part of the cultural tapestry of Zakynthos.

Influenced by Italian and Cretan traditions, the music of Zakynthos features wind instruments, guitars and mandolin in Kandathic folk music, accompanied by the traditional sitros dance. In Zakynthos, every evening is a musical serenade, with Kandathic love songs steeped in local history. Dancing is a much-loved Greek tradition, so join in the lively Sitros dance, accompanied by tambourines, guitars, violins and accordions.

For sporty-holiday lovers, you can find a ton of land and water activities in Zakynthos (or Zante).

Water sports are endless: banana rafting, snorkelling, scuba diving, jet-skiing, windsurfing and more. To top it all off, boat trips to lush coves, hidden coves and fishing trips can be organised to virtually any beach on the island. The Zante Dive Centre, located on Laganas beach, is an excellent choice for all levels of experience. The water sports centre at St Nicholas Beach, Vasilikos, offers a multitude of water sports including ringo, banana boat, sofa boat, fly-fishing, water-skiing, pedalos and canoes, paragliding, jet ski hire and diving courses.

The most popular land sports are go-karts, football, horse-riding in Turtle Bay and hiking around the island. For a family day of racing in Zakynthos, head to Formula Zante Go Kart in Kalamaki.

In Alykanas, you can try horse riding at sea or in the hills with Lucky Luke Stables.

The Zakynthos landscape is also ideal for hiking and cycling, with routes suitable for all ages. Fora Zakynthos offers guided hikes and bike rides, including sunset rides.

Zakynthos is a shopper's paradise. The bustling Roma Street is the perfect place to shop for everything from fashionable clothes and comfortable shoes to unique finds in chic boutiques. Think sparkling jewellery, handcrafted pottery and local treasures - there's something for every shopaholic!