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During their occupation of the island the Venetians named the island of Zakynthos the 'Flower of the Orient'. Zante is a beautiful island and the perfect place for a summer holiday. The size of Zante makes it an ideal holiday destination for all ages.
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is the third largest of the Greek islands in the Ionian Sea. Zakynthos has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, as well as beautiful Greek seascapes, charming old villages and plenty of amenities to make sure you have a really great holiday.Coupled with glorious landscapes, Zakynthos is wrapped in wild flowers and fauna. From sweeping pine forests, to rocky peaks and caves in Zante, from rustic villages in the North and South of Zakynthos, to a mixture of chic and traditional everyday life in Zante Town!
There are many sites to see in Zante and plenty of trips and tours to keep you busy during your time here! If you want to spend some time away from the beach it might be a good idea to organize a trip or two once you settle into Varres Hotel!
Traveling around within Zante you can opt for private or public transport. There are car and bike rental agencies located in all of the main resorts in Zakynthos as well as in Zante Town. Bring your driving license with you so you can hire a car in Zante during your holiday. Ask for our special offer deals! There are also buses to and from most of the main resorts, the schedules are not always very frequent so private transport is the most reliable option.
Bus tours, boat trips, organized excursions and jeep safaris are all available from travel agencies in the main resorts. This way you can travel around Zante, take in all the main sites, without having to worry about driving and getting to your destination.
The town of Zante in particular, has a very Venetian feel about the architecture, largely due to the long time spent under Venetian rule!
Don’t forget to visit spectacular locations such as the Keri Caves, the Blue Caves, Shipwreck Beach and Marathonisi Island on boat! You will be amazed by the natural beauty there and the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea!
While on holiday you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Caretta- Caretta Turtles and you can even partake in a Turtle spotting trip to see them swimming in their natural habitat! The bay of Laganas is considered to be the largest nesting ground in the Mediterranean for the Caretta- Caretta loggerhead sea turtle!
Guests residing at Varres hotel have the chance to explore vibrant Zante like never before. Play a game of soccer on the beach or some beach volleyball to get the adrenaline pumping. Those who need a little more motivation have various other things to do in Zante such as venturing out to sea for a tour around Zakynthos which will take you to some of the most beautiful small islands found in this corner of the world.
A visit to a secluded island, exploring its untouched beauty is perfect for adventure travelers. Stroll around the swaying palm trees with your loved one breathing in the fresh air.
For those seeking a thrilling escapade, revel in the myriad of water sports the island offers. Letting you delve into the islands’ inviting warm waters, scuba diving is one of the best things to do in Zante for the curious explorer who is intrigued by the splendor of nature’s finest offerings. Feast your eyes on magnificent sting rays and the famous Caretta - Caretta as they glide around the water quite effortlessly. Examine the stunning coral formations and keep a lookout for the Monachous Monachous seal that lay hidden away from plain sight.
Go out on a fishing trip and try your luck at harvesting the bounty of the plentiful Ionian Sea.
Wind surfing is ideal for those who seek excitement in generous doses. Feel the rush as you power along the surface of the azure waters.
With year round high visibility, favorable weather conditions, stunning reefs and free flowing tides of the seasonal monsoons, Zante is a heaven for divers and ocean lovers.
Zakynthos diving is a very popular activity, as the island offers many interesting diving sites around the coastline.
The courses on offer here are all developed by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) the world’s most premier diving education organization. All our courses guarantee quality and your certification will be globally acknowledged. All courses are modular allowing for you to begin with an introductory course and progress to a certification course.
On Barracuda Reef you'll descend to approximately 18 meters and encounter some medium sized grouper, fire worms, nudibranch and may be able to spot some barracuda above you out to sea if you take a look out that way during your dive.
Bream, morays, groupers, fire worms and peacock worms are all on display during the course of this dive where you may descend to a depth of about 21 meters or more.
This is a great dive! You'll start off by going through a small arc at about 8-12 meters, nicknamed the Arc de Triomphe because of its resemblance to the famous Arc in Paris. While going through the arc you'll be treated to a brilliant display of soft red corals on the underside of the arc. Continuing on, you'll spot grouper, morays, large bream and possibly some tuna may pop in if you look out to sea away from the coast. Following this, you'll pass through a sort of cavern where again you'll see nice soft red coral and sponge before making your return to your boat. The depths you will reach go to about 20 meters.
Octopus Reef, named so after the many octopi inhabiting the reef is a limestone reefs with plenty of hiding spots for crayfish, octopus, grouper and moray. You'll reach a depth of about 20 meters.
A 5mm wetsuit, dive knife, hood, gloves and booties are all recommended.
Visibility on the best days can reach up to 25 meters in the Mediterranean and as such is a treat for divers.
The water ranges from 14c in the spring to about 24c in the summer.
See the sights of the undersea world from the breezy comfort of glass bottomed boats as we take you for a drive above the beautiful reefs of Zante.
See the island from another angle – from the sea – as we take you on a boat trip around Zante at sunset so you can take some spectacular pictures.
Sunset cruises are among the most romantic activities for honey moon couples in Zante. Jump on board for a cruise into the beautiful blue sea and make sure you have your camera with you to take some photos on the boat's top deck as you watch the sun goes down.
Find out for yourself why we have a worldwide reputation for amazing caves and beaches as we take you snorkeling to two of our favorite sites.
See what life is like on a real Ionian island; see textiles being woven and maybe say hello to a few of the locals. This islands’ adventure starts at a traditional local village where you can immerse yourself in the lives of a local Greece community and drink and dine like a local!
We head out to join our neighbors in the ocean, the Caretta - Caretta to see them play and leap. Note: sightings are not guaranteed but we’re pretty good at finding them.
Rumble off-road in a Jeep to explore the parts of the island that only the locals know about. Heading off-road onto dirt tracks and country lanes, you’ll see everything from remote villages to tucked-away monasteries and lonely beaches.
This getaway is all about taking time out and spending a day on a luxury yacht. You’ll head off to explore the hidden bays of the coastline and take a dip in clear, blue waters. Keep an eye out for the endangered loggerhead turtles, dolphins and monk seals. You’ll head to at a typical waterside tavern for lunch, and you can forget all about the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life.
Join the cruise in Zante’s waters in search of its most famous residents - The Loggerhead Turtles or ‘Caretta-Caretta’. These graceful creatures have been nesting on Zante’s beaches for thousands of years. You’ll start by sailing to Marathonisi - a pine-covered islet nicknamed ‘Turtle Island’. The reason’s simple - one of its beaches is a favorite turtle-nesting site. Look out for these enchanting creatures and watch for dolphins, too - the seas here are home to loads marine life. You’ll also drop anchor at Marathonisi, so you can take a swim and snorkel. After that, you’ll cruise to the Keri peninsula, passing its sea caves and lighthouse for some great photos. Finally, you sail across Laganas Bay back to Zante Town.
Take the most popular boat tour in Zante: visit the world famous beach of Navagio (Shipwreck) with the exotic water and the soft white sand! The beach took this name in 1982, when a cargo ship that was illegally carrying cigars wrecked in that bay. Since then, the rusty ship is the symbol of the beach. On the way to Navagio, we will see the Blue Caves, a true wonder of nature.
Take home a cool souvenir from Greece with this 2-hour ceramic class for kids and adults in Zakynthos. Learn how to make Greek pottery from an expert potter in a studio surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. Make a turtle or a vase or anything you like and then take it home as a souvenir.
