Zakynthos, the third largest of the Ionian Islands, has long been a source of inspiration for its many visitors. The Venetians dubbed it Fiore di Levante, the flower of the orient, because of its rich and colourful landscape. The inland scenery of lush hills and plunging valleys, home to vineyards and olive groves, is matched by the beauty of the coast. Swathes of sandy beach exist alongside spectacular, jagged cliffs that have been sculpted by the tides of the Aegean Sea. Mysterious features such as Smugglers Cove, with its enigmatic, half-buried wreck, and the iridescent Blue Grotto characterise a unique coastline. On the southern coast of Zakynthos it's not just the tourists who are looking for a place on the sand, Loggerhead Turtles have made the beaches their home as well. Also known as Zante, Zakynthos is a treasure chest of an island that will continually surprise and delight.
