Zakynthos is one of the largest islands in the southern Ionian Sea. It lies only 1 hour from Cephalonia and the Peloponnese. Favored by its geographical position, it is easy for the visitor to get to know the other Ionian Islands from here or go across to the mainland, to ancient Olympia or even to Athens, 5 hours away

An island full of contrasts, Zakynthos is for the most part mountainous with hills and fertile plains. Its mountains are pine-covered while its plains are dotted with olive and citrus groves or vineyards. It has countless sandy beaches as well as an impressive rocky coastline. Many marine caves have been formed there such as the marvellous Galazia Spilia (Blue Cave) in the northwest part of the island. Zakynthos has a mild Mediterranean climate suitable for year round holidays. It is dry and cool in August with an average high of 27 degrees Celsius.

Showing a particular sensitivity in regard to their environment, the people of Zakynthos have kept large areas of the island as they were with the aim of protecting and preserving rare kinds of marine fauna and the creation of marine parks. The well-known Mediterranean Sea turtle, Curette-Caretta, which has used the southern shores of Zakynthos for millions of years as a place to lay its eggs, has found a safe refuge at protected sand beaches. The same is true for a type of rare seals, the Monachus Monachus (monk seal) found on the southwest coasts of Zakynthos. Indicting their respect for the environment, the inhabitants of the island have taken care not to disturb its fragile ecosystem. The modern settlements and the tourist installations, built in keeping with the traditional color of the island, are in harmony with nature. To the point that every visitor to the island can enjoy modern comforts and service in natural and cultured surroundings.

Zakynthos is truly an island that to know is to love. Most of the 44 villages on Zakynthos have been developed but not at the expense of their traditional color. Tourism has only gradually expanded and the inhabitant's sensitivity to their environment has kept enormous complexes from overwhelming the island's natural beauties. Here you will find medium and small-sized hotel units for every purse, which offer not only all modern comforts but also service which have been transformed into genuine hospitality.

Laganas lies to the south, 8 kilometers from Zakynthos-town, in the island's most fertile valley, among olive groves and vineyards and with a seemingly endless sand beach: it has the lion's share of summer traffic. A cosmopolitan place with hotels, rooms to rent, camping and a keen nightlife, it is suitable for both pleasure-loving visitors and for quiet family holidays.

The sea turtle Caretta Caretta can be found in the extensive Bay of Laganas. Also to be found on the beach at Laganas is Diver's Paradise. The owner of this dive centre, Fanis Nikoloudakis, has been active for years in and around scuba diving. In the beginning of 1998 he opened Diver's Paradise that immediately turned into a success. Zakynthos is being discovered more and more amongst scuba divers and the demand for a good dive centre