With Springtime ahead, I'm dreaming already of my next Summer Holiday. An ideal chance at a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, and swapping it for some sun, sea and sand. If you're looking for a great place to book your next vacation, Holiday Gems might be the one for you. A great website that has everything you need to book your next holiday destination, with your flights, hotels and transfers included, Holiday Gems offers an independent and impartial travel service tailored to your individual needs.
Let's rewind to May 2017. I visited the beautiful, picturesque Greek island of Zakynthos, however you may know it as Zante, for a relaxing few days. Located in the Ionian Sea, Zakynthos offers plenty of activities for all ages, relaxing by the beach, boat tours or even a trip to Laganas for your next night out, a perfect destination for your next holiday, with bright blue seas and perfectly soft sand, Zakynthos is Instagram heaven.
On my visit, I stayed in the beautiful beach town of Kalamaki, situated on the islands south coast. An ideal destination for those wanting a relaxed and peaceful getaway, but also giving you the chance to visit places including Zakynthos Town and Laganas, only a short taxi ride away. I stayed at the Kalamaki Beach Hotel, an amazing, small hotel located within 2.5 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens with magnificent views over the lonian sea, and only a few footsteps away from the gorgeous sandy beaches. Kalamaki Beach Hotel boasts a great poolside snack bar, an on-site taverna and cocktail bar, swimming pool and sun loungers too.
One excursion that we stumbled upon was horse riding with Nanas Horses; A small family run business catering for both beginners and expert horse riders, allowing you to enjoy some outdoor activity, whilst taking in the stunning scenery around Kalamaki.We booked to go to Nana's Horse riding through the hotel we stayed at, and were kindly picked up and dropped off back, even though it was only a short car ride away. We opted for a 1.5 hour long trip, which saw us ride through fields, alongside the road and ending upon the beach at sunset, which was an absolutely amazing experience which beautiful views. So if you have an afternoon spare, I would highly recommend a short horse riding trip, a great holiday experience and a great way to take in the picturesque views of Kalamaki.
One of our days consisted of a tour of the beautiful island, allowing us to view some of the amazing sights of Zakynthos and learn all about history and culture of the island. One stop along the island saw us having breathtaking, panoramic views over Zakynthos Town. Further along the tour, we stopped off at Strani Hill, overlooking the plains of the island, walking though the olive trees, and arriving at the statue of Dionysios Solomos, a Greek poet from Zakynthos.
I also visited the world famous Navagio Shipwreck Beach, a tucked away little cove in the north of the island, with a beautiful pristine beach and crystal clear waters probably one of the most famous beach in Greece and can only be accessed by boat. The iconic image of an abandoned, rusty shipwreck washed upon the pure white sands is something not to be missed when visiting Zakynthos. On the boat ride back to the port, we spent some time the Keri Caves, a group of sea caves and rock arches on the coast of Zakynthos, a place with some of the deepest blue coloured water I have ever seen.
Lastly, is to mention the absolutely amazing Greek food that I had tasted during my stay. Kalamaki hosts some amazing restaurants and places to get some delicious Greek cuisine. We dined at the Kalamaki Beach Hotel on-site Greek Taverna, tucking in to some tasty Greek Gyros, Greek Meatballs, Spinach and Feta Parcels and Homemade Red Pepper Hummus, washed down with a fruity Strawberry Mojito!
I also dined at the Paolo Restaurant in Kalamaki, an amazing, warm welcomed place to eat, with affordable prices and super friendly staff. I opted for the traditional dish of Souvlaki; a popular Greek fast food consisting of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer. Another restaurant I dined in on my trip was The Family Restaurant, with a fabulous meal and great hospitality, it's one not to miss out on.
One night we headed into Laganas, another beach resort on the island famous for its nightlife; a definite place for the youngsters with various lively bars and tavernas, it's a must visit. A quick food stop in Peri Heaven, Zante's equivalent of Nando's. Amazing food, great portions and really affordable. Afterwards, we headed to the lovely Angels Bar for some quick cocktails, a great place to start your night out if you will be heading to the Laganas strip.
So whether you're looking on planning your summer holiday, or would just like a short weekend break, Holiday Gems has a wide range of low cost holidays to choose from, with an amazing selection of destinations available to suit all tastes and budgets, you can book your next break to suit all your preferences, without breaking the bank!
* Post written in collaboration with Holiday Gems
