Zakynthos Is A Beautiful Greek Island
Zakynthos is one of the largest of the Greek islands and has stunning scenery. Driving around the island you will see stunning beaches, cliff top views, olive groves, fields full of grape vines and quaint little villages nestled on what I like to call mini mountains.
Zakynthos also has something for everyone. Some people prefer to stay in the resorts and some prefer staying in private villas away from the hustle and bustle of the more commercial areas. And the island offers. And with the island measuring approximately 40km by 20km, you are never far away from anywhere.
But beware of:
August Madness In Zakynthos!!
July and August are both crazy months on the island, but August is by far the craziest. Not only does the island get busy with tourists from all over Europe, but many Greeks come over for a week or two in August to escape the heat of the mainland……The Greek Islands tend to be cooler than the mainland.
With a big national holiday on August 15th plus a big local celebration on August 24th these are the two weeks that the island reaches busting point. Not only that, but the hot weather seems to encourage people to take risks and drive like idiots.
At traffic lights cars get flanked on either side by motorbike and mopeds, it can actually be compared to bees swarming around a potential threat. And car drivers have to have their wits about them as there is no way of knowing where the next moped or motorbike is going to shoot out in front of them from.
Everyone seems to be in a rush, but I can’t think of anywhere that’s so important to reach that it’s worth risking your life for. In the last couple of weeks I have seen people driving with foot to the floor, down windy roads with a coffee in one hand, mobile phone in the other and with the early morning sun rendering them almost blind. I have actually backed half way up a bank more than once just to be safe.
The Craziness Is Scarey…
People who don’t usually ride quad bikes or mopeds think it’s okay to rent them whilst on holiday. Why I’ll never know! If a person has never ridden a quad bike or a moped before why on earth would they think they are safe to drive them on the main roads in a foreign country wearing only the bare minimum and no helmet? They wouldn’t do it back home!
People do get seriously injured and it is not uncommon for tourists, particularly youngsters to get killed driving like idiots whilst on holiday. When I worked in the airport it was tragic to see family members having to come over to help look after a loved one who had ended up in the hospital after having an accident whilst driving a quad bike or a moped. It was sadder still to witness friends and loved ones going home with a coffin instead of one of their mates….Oh yes, it happens, but on holiday people think they’re invincible and nothing bad can happen to them, after all they are here for a good time and anything gos….Or so they think!
Just Going Grocery Shopping Is Scarey…
Most of us who live on Zakynthos try to avoid leaving the house unless absolutely necessary in August, but sometimes we have to. Grocery shopping becomes a dangerous chore as not only do people drive like idiots, but they wheel trollies around supermarkets like idiots too and if they aren’t wheeling them they abandon them mid isle whilst they wonder off looking for something…It is enough to drive anyone crazy!
I have taken to wearing ankle padding to protect my ankles from the trolley ankle rammers. They tend to be the older people, who seem to be totally unaware as to just how dangerous trollies can be.
I could get away with not going shopping in August if only my husband would let us have a cow and some chickens, but he says that five dogs are enough without adding a cow and some chickens, even if it means having to take our lives in our hands to go shopping.
On The Plus Side…
Zante Town {the main town on Zakynthos} in the evening is wonderfully atmospheric in July and August. People are out and about dressed in their finery. The tavernas lining the harbour front and St.Markos square are bustling with people eating, drinking and having a good time.
The harbour itself is full of nice boats and private yachts to admire and there are horse drawn carriages to take you where you want to go or just to hitch a ride along the coastal road on…I have to add that although the horse drawn carriages are nice touch to the town, it’s a pain in the bum to get stuck behind one!
We actually went into own the other evening for a stroll and a drink in one of the cafes on the front, and as my husband drove I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
If I Were Planning A Holiday To Zakynthos…
I would plan my holiday for September, when things are a lot quieter, the days are not too hot and the sea is nice and warm. May and June are also good months to visit the island, but for me it would have to be September as I think it has a nicer feeling about it.
The Island Shuts Up In November…
The summer season officially goes from May 1st to October 31st, although EasyJet do fly into Zakynthos from the end of March and the last international flight off the island is at the beginning of November.
Once the tourists have left and the airport has closed, for all but one local flight from Athens a day, the island could be described as being positively empty. The resorts all shut up for the winter and business owners leave the island for a well earned rest.
The weather is still good and everyone here has more time for friends and family…Before the Olive picking season starts!
Have you ever been to Zakynthos or any other of the Greek Islands? When is your favourite time to visit? Do you enjoy the busy midsummer madness or do you prefer to holiday during the quieter off season months?
I’d love to hear what you have to say in the comments below.
Thank you.
Copyright © 2014 Debbie Roberts
© 2014 – 2015, Debbie. All rights reserved.
Tagged In...
Greece • Greek Island • summer • Zakynthos
Hellen says
Debbie says
Sarah says
Debbie Roberts says
Jen@JENerallyInformed says
Debbie Roberts says
Rebecca says
Debbie Roberts says