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Car and Bike Hire... if required I can help you arrange car,
motor bike/scooter, or bicycle hire, with a discount off normal rates from
a reputable Zakynthos company.
There is a limited bus service on the island of Zakynthos. Taxis are
easily available, with taxi ranks in most resorts, usually with a a fixed
rate for journeys. I suggest car hire if you simply enjoy the freedom of your own
transport.
 Many excusions
can be arranged from all regions in Zakynthos where Energyia holistic
holiday retreats are taking place. I have chosen these regions because
they enable you to enjoy many aspects of the island to the
full.
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 Zakynthos
is an island of extreme beauty and my guests have a great time exploring
the island. We usually have one day completely relaxing and enjoying Energyia sessions, with
an outing arranged every other day to 'somewhere special'.
During most weeks, usually one
complete day and/or two afternoons/evenings, are free from any Energyia
structure. This allow guests space and free time to completely do their
own thing, whether that be to laze back on a sunbed, or head off and
explore the island at leisure. We have two planned excursions during each
week; one is an island trip to the North of the Island where we indulge in
the natural beauty and therapeutic properties of the Xigia Sulphur spring
spa.
We spend another day in the Vasilikos region packing mud and lounging at
one of the loveliest beach clubs on the island of Zakynthos.
Excursions integrated into the
Zante
Energyia Holistic fitness activity holiday retreat programme are
always great fun. Our excursions are not
only fun, but they help you explore the Greek island of
Zakynthos, also known as Zante and enjoy
the magnificence of the real beauty away from the touristy areas.
In addition, a variety of other trips can be organized. Depending on
numbers, I can't always accompany you but I am delighted when I can, and will
help you with information and booking excursions.
There
are many excursion trips around the island of Zakynthos, and numerous places of interest to
visit.
In each of the locations
surrounding
accommodation there
is plenty to do by foot! Much of the time you may feel inclined to remain
around the resort, where many activities and locations are easily attainable by walking
on foot.
 A variety of activities that you may wish to integrate into your Energyia
Holistic Holiday retreat
activity
programme include diving,
sailing, water sports, snorkling, turtle spotting, island cruises, jeep safaris,
trekking, horse riding and cycling; plus a wide selection of sightseeing
excursions. Prices for additional excursions and activities are not included in the
Energyia retreat programme fee. While you are here you are sure to want to get
out and about, spending time exploring the island of Zante.
Day Trips and Excursions
Many excursions can be organized, by coach, boat and car.
Exploring Zakynthos Town
Zakynthos Town is a hive of activity during summer months; delightful by night,
and charming by day. You can happily spend hours exploring the town, with
museums, galleries and churches, all providing a hive of cultural
activity.
A spot of shopping is always fun! The
shops in Zakynthos town are arty, with chic boutiques scattered over
several shopping streets. Solomos Square and St Marcos Square
are great in the evening. Numerous tavernas, cafes and bars provide really
enjoyable entertainment with great food and drinks. A number of safaris can be arranged; they include foot, bicycle, motor
bike, horseback, sailing, boats and jeeps. When safaris and boat trips are undertaken, care is taken to
book through companies who obey wildlife guidelines.
The Byzantine Museum of Zakynthos is in Solomos Square.
The museum houses a rich collection of portable icons, a true panorama of
ecclesiastical painting from the Byzantine years up to the 19th century,
with around one thousand religious paintings by post-Byzantine, Ionian and
Zakynthian artists. Works are exhibited by Damaskinos, Tzanes, Kallergis,
Doxaras, Koutouzis and Tsonis.
Although the oldest exhibits in the museum are characteristic examples of
Byzantine art, the works of Panagiotis Doxaras (1622-1700), who studied in
Venice, are naturalistic style and belong to the Ionian Island School.
Doxaras' son Nicholas continued in the Western tradition, as did Nicholaos
Koutouzis (1741-1813). whose works can be found in the museum as well as
in the church of Agios Dionysios.
Templa (icon screens) from the churches of the Pantokrator and Agios
Dimitrios can be found in the Museum, as well as parts of the exterior of
Agios Andreas of Volimes.
In addition, Hellenistic and Byzantine sculptures and statues are also
accommodated here.
 The Solomos Museum houses the magnificent tomb of Dionysios Solomos
(1798-1857) and that of the other great Zakynthian poet, Andreas Calvos
(1792-1869).
In the entrance is a piece of the holly bush from Strani hill
in the shadow of which Solomos was inspired to write "Ode to Liberty" in
May 1823 which later became the Greek national anthem. His poem "The
Free Beseiged" written in May 1823, is also very moving. The rooms on the upper floor
of the Museum contain objects
that had belonged to the great poet and other distinguished Zakynthian
scholars as well as collections that have been donated to the museum.
Information: Tel +30-695-48982
OTHER HISTORICAL & fascinating places to visit in Zakynthos
The ruined monastery of Our Lady 'Skopiotissa', built at the top of
mountain Skopos is an amazing and extremely calm spot. According to archaeologists , it was build around 1400
A.D. on the ruins of the ancient temple of goddess Artemis. I try to find
the time during the course of each week to go up there with a group and
enjoy a meditation at a leisurely pace.
MARATHONISI
Marathonisi is a small island in the Turtles’ bay close to Limni Kerì beach.
The island has no habitants or buildings; it is a major nesting ground for the CARETTA
CARETTA turtles to breed, and has been included in the Zakynthos’
Marine park by the WWF. You can visit the island by private boat or by organized tourists’ visits
by caique and for really strong bodies you can take a canoe and maybe meet
a turtle along the way.
There are two beautiful beaches on Marathonisi: one is mainly pebbles, reachable by swimming
from a huge cave - the other consists of a large sand area smoothly
shelving into the sea.
KERI CAVES
- Accessible only by sea with private boats or tourist excursions.
Along the coast there are many caves whose entrances scarcely suffice to
enter when swimming, others are broad enough to enter directly with a boat.
I often make the trip to the Keri Caves with my Energyia guests by
Catamaran. This is an extraordinary day out.
- We leave in the morning after an early breakfast and return in
time for some relaxing deep stretch and meditation in the evenings.
- While visiting the caves it is possible to stop and swim or sunbathe in one
of the many small beaches of Marathia Cape or to reach by boat the
Mizitres. This is a great sunset excurion which I have done many times
with Energyia guests at sunset. Quite awe inspiring!
- Mizitres are two crags very close to the cliffs that form a
small beach of very fine sand reachable only by boat.
KERI LIGHTHOUSE & SUNSET
Throughout the summer hundreds of people go to the lighthouse to admire the sun diving
in the sea at sunset. We try to fit this into the Energyia week.
LIMNIONAS
is one of the most unknown places on the island - very wild and beautiful
SHIPWRECK
The most beautiful beach in Zakynthos, and possible one of the most famous
in the Mediterranean, Shipwreck can only be reached by boat. We often go
there when we make our journey to the North of the Island.
Bochali
A lovely village at the top of Zakynthos Town with sweeping sea
views, Bohali has a great atmosphere in the evenings. You can head off
there and enjoy the local Zakynthian Kanthathes - traditional Zakynthian
song in the form of love songs, full of harmony and soothing chords for
the soul!
THE BLUE CAVES
One of the most popular and advertised attractions of the island of
Zakynthos are the famous Blue Caves. You
can visit them when we head North for the day trip, or on another organized tour.
Michele Wilburn London UK Tel(0044)(0)(207)2841918
email: michele@energyia.com |
