Zante Top Tips & Tsilivi

Hello Everyone,
My wife and I have been to Tsilivi five times now, staying each time at 'Zante Palace' apartments. Here is some information that we hope you will find useful based on our personal experience. 'Have A Great Time'

I am assuming you have not been to Zante before.

1. When arriving at Zante airport you will be transferred by coach from the aircraft to the airport where you will pass through passport control onto luggage collection. This always makes me smile because it would be quicker to walk from the aircraft to the terminal, it's so close.
Once inside you will notice straight away how small and very busy it is. I would suggest making your way to the far end of the carousel making sure you stand the building exit door side. It's the last point for collecting luggage before it goes round again but at least you won't have to fight through the crowds to get out.

2. Once outside you will find plenty of taxis waiting on the far side, behind where all the coaches park. If by chance none are waiting, don't worry one will come along in a few minutes, they come and go all day. Just go up and ask for the price to take you your accommodation. It was about £7 - £8 pounds (converted) when we went in October 2001 to Zante Palace, and as you are staying near enough in the same area it should be about the same. This price is for the car, not per person. The Journey takes approx twenty - thirty minutes depending on the driver!. The drivers are all friendly and happy to help.
The thing I like about using taxis are that you beat the coaches to you accommodation so you get checked in nice and quick.

3. The water, not suitable for drinking unless you have very strong stomach. It's.o.k for boiling to make drinks and cleaning teeth but that's about it, and of course showering. Use bottled water which is cheap to buy from the local shop. It will work out even cheaper if you purchase in bulk. Go to the end of the long straight road (town end), turn left and about thirty yards on the left you will find a supermarket selling just about everything. Depending how close you are to Zante Palace apartments there is a small supermarket just below them at the other end of the long road which is very reasonable.
If your accommodation has a fridge, put your bottle of water in the ice box. Although it will turn into the largest ice cube ever, it will gradually thaw out when your out and about giving you a cold refreshing drink for a good part of the day.

4. Power Supply, 220 Volts AC, two round pin socket.

5. I don't know if your accommodation has air conditioning or not. If it hasn't you will normally find that you can hire a fan from reception for the duration of your holiday. It is definitely worth it and I would recommend it. Try and hire it when you check in as they are sometimes in short supply in high season. If they have safety deposit boxes for hire get one of those as well, again it is worth it, if only for piece of mind.

6. Car Hire, cheaper if you book it yourself rather than go through the rep. Again just go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and you will find several companies to choose from. if like us you prefer a scooter I can recommend 'Theo's' who keep all their scooters up to date with the latest models and will supply crash helmets if required. They can be found up in the town. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left, then right at the fork, carry on walking for about ten minutes where you will see 'Theo's' scooters on your right. They also do car hire. Don't forget to take your driving licence as this will be required when hiring either car or scooter and is usually kept by the company until the vehicle is returned. They will let you take your licence back if you prefer, just ask at time of booking.

Warning. Unless you are an experienced rider I would not recommend the scooter hire. The roads can be treacherous in places with large pot holes. The surface can also be like a skating ring in places due to the extremely dry conditions and type of surface. This is very noticeable in Zante Town.

7. One stop on from 'Theo's' scooter/car hire on the same side is the 'Utopia' bar run by, yes you guessed it, Yannis. Everyone seems to be called Yannis. He's a great guy and a true gent who will always be pleased to see you and help you out. He has a new yacht which he takes people out on trips round the island to places that you would not normally go on an organised trip. Mention our names and he will probably charge you double, haha. He has a hard life, he runs his bar with his mother and staff in the summer along with his boat trips and then in the winter he spends all his time ski-ing and snow boarding in his girl friends country, Austria or somewhere like that. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it!

8. For a great view of Zante harbour visit the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will need transport for this as it is a bit off the beaten track.
Directions. Follow the road as if heading towards Zante Palace. Keep following the road up and round the twists and turns for approx 2 - 3 miles. Keep your eyes open for the sign directing you to the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will turn right off the main road on to what some times seems a track. keep following the signs. Once there you will not be disappointed. A bit pricier than elsewhere, but the view is worth it.

9. There are many places to eat, all offering good quality and value for money. You will no doubt find a particular favourite. Most people don't eat before nine when the temperature has dropped to a more palatable level.

10. If like us you like to take the odd drink home!, I would recommend purchasing your tipple on the island as it is cheaper than the airport and on the aircraft. On the other side of the road before 'Theo's' scooter/car hire is a supermarket called 'Margarita's who we found could not be beaten on price, also do money exchange.

11. The bank. Situated in the town. At the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork. Keep walking for a few minutes and you will see the bank on your left.
Although the exchange rate should be the same now they have gone fully over to the Euro you may still find you need to shop around for the best rate.

12. Medical. There is a very good pharmacy on the outskirts of the town with very knowledgeable staff that will actually sell you antibiotics over the counter if they think appropriate or will organise a doctor to see you. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork, keep going until you are almost through the town where you will see the pharmacy on your left. You can recognise it by the sign, a green cross on a white background.

13. The beach. You can't miss it, about a five -ten minute walk from your accommodation. Long stretch of soft sand which gets extremely hot and will burn your feet if not careful. Several places to get food and drink. Water sports span the beach including Para gliding and jet ski's. Don't bother going to the bar situated on the beach behind the jet ski place near Zante Palace, recognisable by a straw roof. Not up to much. There are two guys that just walk up and down the beach all day, one sells fresh fruit salad (Dennis the menace) and the other sells doughnuts. All fresh and very tasty. Not much in the way of toilet facilities unless your down the far end where some of the hotels back onto the beach. This is where the scooter can come in useful, if you know what I mean!.

14.Volimez market is a good place to visit for bargains in leather (especially belts) china, linen and rugs. A bit of a trek but worth it with plenty of places to stop on the way for refreshments and views. Allow a full day for this trip.

15. Zante Town. A bustling harbour town where there are plenty of shops including designer if you are prepared to scout round the narrow streets to find them. Remember, most but not all shops close in the afternoon until early evening so if you fancy a shopping trip best to do it in the morning. You can also see the fishermen bringing in the catch. They will sell you fish direct of the boat if you wish. This is also where you can get a good deal on boat trips of various sorts. Plenty of bars and restaurants where you can relax and just watch the world go by.

16. All public phone boxes use a phone card which can are cheap to purchase from most shops.

17. Postal Service, Don't bother sending post cards home, as you will have returned home from your holiday days if not weeks before they arrive.


18. Top Tip!, It's that time we either hate or can't wait, and that's going home. As I said at the beginning, Zante airport is very small in comparison with most airports.
And the departure lounge is no exception. Although it has a small duty free shop, refreshments and loo's it gets very crowded. There are allot of seats but are usually all taken. There is also usually a cloud hanging over the whole area from the smokers who are all either totally ignorant or cannot read the signs in the non smoking area's!.
To avoid this health hazard follow my tip.
When you have checked in your luggage instead of queuing up at passport control to go through into 'Lung Cancer City' just go back out side into the fresh air and sunshine. There are plenty of places about where you can sit, either in the sun or under a tree. The area where you checked in your luggage has all you should need, refreshment bar, toilets and a monitor. Just pop back into the terminal now and again to check your flight details on the monitor. When you know your flight is about to land or has just landed then queue up at passport control to go through. If by chance when you are queuing they call to say your flight is now boarding and your way back in the queue, just make your way to the front and explain to the other passengers that your flight is boarding and that you need to get through. They won't mind, trust me, I know from experience. If you time it right though you can almost go straight through passport control and onto the coach to the aircraft, bypassing Benson & Hedges test factory.
One last tip, when you first arrive at the airport you will no doubt have to queue up outside. Only part of the outside area is covered giving you some protection from the sun, so it is advisable to make sure you have a hat and a bottle of water available in your hand luggage as you could be queuing for anything up to an hour.

I hope this is of some use. It's surprising how a few helpful lines can turn into a book, perhaps I should get it published, haha.

By the way, there is life in the form of bars and shops if you turn RIGHT at the end of the road!

If you think of anything else that I might be able to help with let me know.

If you like the Greek Islands you may be interested in taking a look at my web sites, one of which will be updated at the end of June when we return from Kefalonia.

mysite@freeserve.com/digitalgallery

No need for www.

HAVE A GOOD TRIP.

Regards

Stephen

Zante Top Tips & Tsilivi


Hello Everyone,
My wife and I have been to Tsilivi five times now, staying each time at 'Zante Palace' apartments. Here is some information that we hope you will find useful based on our personal experience. 'Have A Great Time'

I am assuming you have not been to Zante before.

1. When arriving at Zante airport you will be transferred by coach from the aircraft to the airport where you will pass through passport control onto luggage collection. This always makes me smile because it would be quicker to walk from the aircraft to the terminal, it's so close.
Once inside you will notice straight away how small and very busy it is. I would suggest making your way to the far end of the carousel making sure you stand the building exit door side. It's the last point for collecting luggage before it goes round again but at least you won't have to fight through the crowds to get out.

2. Once outside you will find plenty of taxis waiting on the far side, behind where all the coaches park. If by chance none are waiting, don't worry one will come along in a few minutes, they come and go all day. Just go up and ask for the price to take you your accommodation. It was about £7 - £8 pounds (converted) when we went in October 2001 to Zante Palace, and as you are staying near enough in the same area it should be about the same. This price is for the car, not per person. The Journey takes approx twenty - thirty minutes depending on the driver!. The drivers are all friendly and happy to help.
The thing I like about using taxis are that you beat the coaches to you accommodation so you get checked in nice and quick.

3. The water, not suitable for drinking unless you have very strong stomach. It's.o.k for boiling to make drinks and cleaning teeth but that's about it, and of course showering. Use bottled water which is cheap to buy from the local shop. It will work out even cheaper if you purchase in bulk. Go to the end of the long straight road (town end), turn left and about thirty yards on the left you will find a supermarket selling just about everything. Depending how close you are to Zante Palace apartments there is a small supermarket just below them at the other end of the long road which is very reasonable.
If your accommodation has a fridge, put your bottle of water in the ice box. Although it will turn into the largest ice cube ever, it will gradually thaw out when your out and about giving you a cold refreshing drink for a good part of the day.

4. Power Supply, 220 Volts AC, two round pin socket.

5. I don't know if your accommodation has air conditioning or not. If it hasn't you will normally find that you can hire a fan from reception for the duration of your holiday. It is definitely worth it and I would recommend it. Try and hire it when you check in as they are sometimes in short supply in high season. If they have safety deposit boxes for hire get one of those as well, again it is worth it, if only for piece of mind.

6. Car Hire, cheaper if you book it yourself rather than go through the rep. Again just go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and you will find several companies to choose from. if like us you prefer a scooter I can recommend 'Theo's' who keep all their scooters up to date with the latest models and will supply crash helmets if required. They can be found up in the town. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left, then right at the fork, carry on walking for about ten minutes where you will see 'Theo's' scooters on your right. They also do car hire. Don't forget to take your driving licence as this will be required when hiring either car or scooter and is usually kept by the company until the vehicle is returned. They will let you take your licence back if you prefer, just ask at time of booking.

Warning. Unless you are an experienced rider I would not recommend the scooter hire. The roads can be treacherous in places with large pot holes. The surface can also be like a skating ring in places due to the extremely dry conditions and type of surface. This is very noticeable in Zante Town.

7. One stop on from 'Theo's' scooter/car hire on the same side is the 'Utopia' bar run by, yes you guessed it, Yannis. Everyone seems to be called Yannis. He's a great guy and a true gent who will always be pleased to see you and help you out. He has a new yacht which he takes people out on trips round the island to places that you would not normally go on an organised trip. Mention our names and he will probably charge you double, haha. He has a hard life, he runs his bar with his mother and staff in the summer along with his boat trips and then in the winter he spends all his time ski-ing and snow boarding in his girl friends country, Austria or somewhere like that. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it!

8. For a great view of Zante harbour visit the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will need transport for this as it is a bit off the beaten track.
Directions. Follow the road as if heading towards Zante Palace. Keep following the road up and round the twists and turns for approx 2 - 3 miles. Keep your eyes open for the sign directing you to the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will turn right off the main road on to what some times seems a track. keep following the signs. Once there you will not be disappointed. A bit pricier than elsewhere, but the view is worth it.

9. There are many places to eat, all offering good quality and value for money. You will no doubt find a particular favourite. Most people don't eat before nine when the temperature has dropped to a more palatable level.

10. If like us you like to take the odd drink home!, I would recommend purchasing your tipple on the island as it is cheaper than the airport and on the aircraft. On the other side of the road before 'Theo's' scooter/car hire is a supermarket called 'Margarita's who we found could not be beaten on price, also do money exchange.

11. The bank. Situated in the town. At the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork. Keep walking for a few minutes and you will see the bank on your left.
Although the exchange rate should be the same now they have gone fully over to the Euro you may still find you need to shop around for the best rate.

12. Medical. There is a very good pharmacy on the outskirts of the town with very knowledgeable staff that will actually sell you antibiotics over the counter if they think appropriate or will organise a doctor to see you. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork, keep going until you are almost through the town where you will see the pharmacy on your left. You can recognise it by the sign, a green cross on a white background.

13. The beach. You can't miss it, about a five -ten minute walk from your accommodation. Long stretch of soft sand which gets extremely hot and will burn your feet if not careful. Several places to get food and drink. Water sports span the beach including Para gliding and jet ski's. Don't bother going to the bar situated on the beach behind the jet ski place near Zante Palace, recognisable by a straw roof. Not up to much. There are two guys that just walk up and down the beach all day, one sells fresh fruit salad (Dennis the menace) and the other sells doughnuts. All fresh and very tasty. Not much in the way of toilet facilities unless your down the far end where some of the hotels back onto the beach. This is where the scooter can come in useful, if you know what I mean!.

14.Volimez market is a good place to visit for bargains in leather (especially belts) china, linen and rugs. A bit of a trek but worth it with plenty of places to stop on the way for refreshments and views. Allow a full day for this trip.

15. Zante Town. A bustling harbour town where there are plenty of shops including designer if you are prepared to scout round the narrow streets to find them. Remember, most but not all shops close in the afternoon until early evening so if you fancy a shopping trip best to do it in the morning. You can also see the fishermen bringing in the catch. They will sell you fish direct of the boat if you wish. This is also where you can get a good deal on boat trips of various sorts. Plenty of bars and restaurants where you can relax and just watch the world go by.

16. All public phone boxes use a phone card which can are cheap to purchase from most shops.

17. Postal Service, Don't bother sending post cards home, as you will have returned home from your holiday days if not weeks before they arrive.


18. Top Tip!, It's that time we either hate or can't wait, and that's going home. As I said at the beginning, Zante airport is very small in comparison with most airports.
And the departure lounge is no exception. Although it has a small duty free shop, refreshments and loo's it gets very crowded. There are allot of seats but are usually all taken. There is also usually a cloud hanging over the whole area from the smokers who are all either totally ignorant or cannot read the signs in the non smoking area's!.
To avoid this health hazard follow my tip.
When you have checked in your luggage instead of queuing up at passport control to go through into 'Lung Cancer City' just go back out side into the fresh air and sunshine. There are plenty of places about where you can sit, either in the sun or under a tree. The area where you checked in your luggage has all you should need, refreshment bar, toilets and a monitor. Just pop back into the terminal now and again to check your flight details on the monitor. When you know your flight is about to land or has just landed then queue up at passport control to go through. If by chance when you are queuing they call to say your flight is now boarding and your way back in the queue, just make your way to the front and explain to the other passengers that your flight is boarding and that you need to get through. They won't mind, trust me, I know from experience. If you time it right though you can almost go straight through passport control and onto the coach to the aircraft, bypassing Benson & Hedges test factory.
One last tip, when you first arrive at the airport you will no doubt have to queue up outside. Only part of the outside area is covered giving you some protection from the sun, so it is advisable to make sure you have a hat and a bottle of water available in your hand luggage as you could be queuing for anything up to an hour.

I hope this is of some use. It's surprising how a few helpful lines can turn into a book, perhaps I should get it published, haha.

By the way, there is life in the form of bars and shops if you turn RIGHT at the end of the road!

If you think of anything else that I might be able to help with let me know.

If you like the Greek Islands you may be interested in taking a look at my web sites, one of which will be updated at the end of June when we return from Kefalonia.

mysite@freeserve.com/digitalgallery

No need for www.

HAVE A GOOD TRIP.

Regards

Stephen

Zante Top Tips & Tsilivi


Hello Everyone,
My wife and I have been to Tsilivi five times now, staying each time at 'Zante Palace' apartments. Here is some information that we hope you will find useful based on our personal experience. 'Have A Great Time'

I am assuming you have not been to Zante before.

1. When arriving at Zante airport you will be transferred by coach from the aircraft to the airport where you will pass through passport control onto luggage collection. This always makes me smile because it would be quicker to walk from the aircraft to the terminal, it's so close.
Once inside you will notice straight away how small and very busy it is. I would suggest making your way to the far end of the carousel making sure you stand the building exit door side. It's the last point for collecting luggage before it goes round again but at least you won't have to fight through the crowds to get out.

2. Once outside you will find plenty of taxis waiting on the far side, behind where all the coaches park. If by chance none are waiting, don't worry one will come along in a few minutes, they come and go all day. Just go up and ask for the price to take you your accommodation. It was about £7 - £8 pounds (converted) when we went in October 2001 to Zante Palace, and as you are staying near enough in the same area it should be about the same. This price is for the car, not per person. The Journey takes approx twenty - thirty minutes depending on the driver!. The drivers are all friendly and happy to help.
The thing I like about using taxis are that you beat the coaches to you accommodation so you get checked in nice and quick.

3. The water, not suitable for drinking unless you have very strong stomach. It's.o.k for boiling to make drinks and cleaning teeth but that's about it, and of course showering. Use bottled water which is cheap to buy from the local shop. It will work out even cheaper if you purchase in bulk. Go to the end of the long straight road (town end), turn left and about thirty yards on the left you will find a supermarket selling just about everything. Depending how close you are to Zante Palace apartments there is a small supermarket just below them at the other end of the long road which is very reasonable.
If your accommodation has a fridge, put your bottle of water in the ice box. Although it will turn into the largest ice cube ever, it will gradually thaw out when your out and about giving you a cold refreshing drink for a good part of the day.

4. Power Supply, 220 Volts AC, two round pin socket.

5. I don't know if your accommodation has air conditioning or not. If it hasn't you will normally find that you can hire a fan from reception for the duration of your holiday. It is definitely worth it and I would recommend it. Try and hire it when you check in as they are sometimes in short supply in high season. If they have safety deposit boxes for hire get one of those as well, again it is worth it, if only for piece of mind.

6. Car Hire, cheaper if you book it yourself rather than go through the rep. Again just go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and you will find several companies to choose from. if like us you prefer a scooter I can recommend 'Theo's' who keep all their scooters up to date with the latest models and will supply crash helmets if required. They can be found up in the town. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left, then right at the fork, carry on walking for about ten minutes where you will see 'Theo's' scooters on your right. They also do car hire. Don't forget to take your driving licence as this will be required when hiring either car or scooter and is usually kept by the company until the vehicle is returned. They will let you take your licence back if you prefer, just ask at time of booking.

Warning. Unless you are an experienced rider I would not recommend the scooter hire. The roads can be treacherous in places with large pot holes. The surface can also be like a skating ring in places due to the extremely dry conditions and type of surface. This is very noticeable in Zante Town.

7. One stop on from 'Theo's' scooter/car hire on the same side is the 'Utopia' bar run by, yes you guessed it, Yannis. Everyone seems to be called Yannis. He's a great guy and a true gent who will always be pleased to see you and help you out. He has a new yacht which he takes people out on trips round the island to places that you would not normally go on an organised trip. Mention our names and he will probably charge you double, haha. He has a hard life, he runs his bar with his mother and staff in the summer along with his boat trips and then in the winter he spends all his time ski-ing and snow boarding in his girl friends country, Austria or somewhere like that. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it!

8. For a great view of Zante harbour visit the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will need transport for this as it is a bit off the beaten track.
Directions. Follow the road as if heading towards Zante Palace. Keep following the road up and round the twists and turns for approx 2 - 3 miles. Keep your eyes open for the sign directing you to the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will turn right off the main road on to what some times seems a track. keep following the signs. Once there you will not be disappointed. A bit pricier than elsewhere, but the view is worth it.

9. There are many places to eat, all offering good quality and value for money. You will no doubt find a particular favourite. Most people don't eat before nine when the temperature has dropped to a more palatable level.

10. If like us you like to take the odd drink home!, I would recommend purchasing your tipple on the island as it is cheaper than the airport and on the aircraft. On the other side of the road before 'Theo's' scooter/car hire is a supermarket called 'Margarita's who we found could not be beaten on price, also do money exchange.

11. The bank. Situated in the town. At the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork. Keep walking for a few minutes and you will see the bank on your left.
Although the exchange rate should be the same now they have gone fully over to the Euro you may still find you need to shop around for the best rate.

12. Medical. There is a very good pharmacy on the outskirts of the town with very knowledgeable staff that will actually sell you antibiotics over the counter if they think appropriate or will organise a doctor to see you. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork, keep going until you are almost through the town where you will see the pharmacy on your left. You can recognise it by the sign, a green cross on a white background.

13. The beach. You can't miss it, about a five -ten minute walk from your accommodation. Long stretch of soft sand which gets extremely hot and will burn your feet if not careful. Several places to get food and drink. Water sports span the beach including Para gliding and jet ski's. Don't bother going to the bar situated on the beach behind the jet ski place near Zante Palace, recognisable by a straw roof. Not up to much. There are two guys that just walk up and down the beach all day, one sells fresh fruit salad (Dennis the menace) and the other sells doughnuts. All fresh and very tasty. Not much in the way of toilet facilities unless your down the far end where some of the hotels back onto the beach. This is where the scooter can come in useful, if you know what I mean!.

14.Volimez market is a good place to visit for bargains in leather (especially belts) china, linen and rugs. A bit of a trek but worth it with plenty of places to stop on the way for refreshments and views. Allow a full day for this trip.

15. Zante Town. A bustling harbour town where there are plenty of shops including designer if you are prepared to scout round the narrow streets to find them. Remember, most but not all shops close in the afternoon until early evening so if you fancy a shopping trip best to do it in the morning. You can also see the fishermen bringing in the catch. They will sell you fish direct of the boat if you wish. This is also where you can get a good deal on boat trips of various sorts. Plenty of bars and restaurants where you can relax and just watch the world go by.

16. All public phone boxes use a phone card which can are cheap to purchase from most shops.

17. Postal Service, Don't bother sending post cards home, as you will have returned home from your holiday days if not weeks before they arrive.


18. Top Tip!, It's that time we either hate or can't wait, and that's going home. As I said at the beginning, Zante airport is very small in comparison with most airports.
And the departure lounge is no exception. Although it has a small duty free shop, refreshments and loo's it gets very crowded. There are allot of seats but are usually all taken. There is also usually a cloud hanging over the whole area from the smokers who are all either totally ignorant or cannot read the signs in the non smoking area's!.
To avoid this health hazard follow my tip.
When you have checked in your luggage instead of queuing up at passport control to go through into 'Lung Cancer City' just go back out side into the fresh air and sunshine. There are plenty of places about where you can sit, either in the sun or under a tree. The area where you checked in your luggage has all you should need, refreshment bar, toilets and a monitor. Just pop back into the terminal now and again to check your flight details on the monitor. When you know your flight is about to land or has just landed then queue up at passport control to go through. If by chance when you are queuing they call to say your flight is now boarding and your way back in the queue, just make your way to the front and explain to the other passengers that your flight is boarding and that you need to get through. They won't mind, trust me, I know from experience. If you time it right though you can almost go straight through passport control and onto the coach to the aircraft, bypassing Benson & Hedges test factory.
One last tip, when you first arrive at the airport you will no doubt have to queue up outside. Only part of the outside area is covered giving you some protection from the sun, so it is advisable to make sure you have a hat and a bottle of water available in your hand luggage as you could be queuing for anything up to an hour.

I hope this is of some use. It's surprising how a few helpful lines can turn into a book, perhaps I should get it published, haha.

By the way, there is life in the form of bars and shops if you turn RIGHT at the end of the road!

If you think of anything else that I might be able to help with let me know.

If you like the Greek Islands you may be interested in taking a look at my web sites, one of which will be updated at the end of June when we return from Kefalonia.

mysite@freeserve.com/digitalgallery

No need for www.

HAVE A GOOD TRIP.

Regards

Stephen

Zante Top Tips & Tsilivi


Hello Everyone,
My wife and I have been to Tsilivi five times now, staying each time at 'Zante Palace' apartments. Here is some information that we hope you will find useful based on our personal experience. 'Have A Great Time'

I am assuming you have not been to Zante before.

1. When arriving at Zante airport you will be transferred by coach from the aircraft to the airport where you will pass through passport control onto luggage collection. This always makes me smile because it would be quicker to walk from the aircraft to the terminal, it's so close.
Once inside you will notice straight away how small and very busy it is. I would suggest making your way to the far end of the carousel making sure you stand the building exit door side. It's the last point for collecting luggage before it goes round again but at least you won't have to fight through the crowds to get out.

2. Once outside you will find plenty of taxis waiting on the far side, behind where all the coaches park. If by chance none are waiting, don't worry one will come along in a few minutes, they come and go all day. Just go up and ask for the price to take you your accommodation. It was about £7 - £8 pounds (converted) when we went in October 2001 to Zante Palace, and as you are staying near enough in the same area it should be about the same. This price is for the car, not per person. The Journey takes approx twenty - thirty minutes depending on the driver!. The drivers are all friendly and happy to help.
The thing I like about using taxis are that you beat the coaches to you accommodation so you get checked in nice and quick.

3. The water, not suitable for drinking unless you have very strong stomach. It's.o.k for boiling to make drinks and cleaning teeth but that's about it, and of course showering. Use bottled water which is cheap to buy from the local shop. It will work out even cheaper if you purchase in bulk. Go to the end of the long straight road (town end), turn left and about thirty yards on the left you will find a supermarket selling just about everything. Depending how close you are to Zante Palace apartments there is a small supermarket just below them at the other end of the long road which is very reasonable.
If your accommodation has a fridge, put your bottle of water in the ice box. Although it will turn into the largest ice cube ever, it will gradually thaw out when your out and about giving you a cold refreshing drink for a good part of the day.

4. Power Supply, 220 Volts AC, two round pin socket.

5. I don't know if your accommodation has air conditioning or not. If it hasn't you will normally find that you can hire a fan from reception for the duration of your holiday. It is definitely worth it and I would recommend it. Try and hire it when you check in as they are sometimes in short supply in high season. If they have safety deposit boxes for hire get one of those as well, again it is worth it, if only for piece of mind.

6. Car Hire, cheaper if you book it yourself rather than go through the rep. Again just go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and you will find several companies to choose from. if like us you prefer a scooter I can recommend 'Theo's' who keep all their scooters up to date with the latest models and will supply crash helmets if required. They can be found up in the town. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left, then right at the fork, carry on walking for about ten minutes where you will see 'Theo's' scooters on your right. They also do car hire. Don't forget to take your driving licence as this will be required when hiring either car or scooter and is usually kept by the company until the vehicle is returned. They will let you take your licence back if you prefer, just ask at time of booking.

Warning. Unless you are an experienced rider I would not recommend the scooter hire. The roads can be treacherous in places with large pot holes. The surface can also be like a skating ring in places due to the extremely dry conditions and type of surface. This is very noticeable in Zante Town.

7. One stop on from 'Theo's' scooter/car hire on the same side is the 'Utopia' bar run by, yes you guessed it, Yannis. Everyone seems to be called Yannis. He's a great guy and a true gent who will always be pleased to see you and help you out. He has a new yacht which he takes people out on trips round the island to places that you would not normally go on an organised trip. Mention our names and he will probably charge you double, haha. He has a hard life, he runs his bar with his mother and staff in the summer along with his boat trips and then in the winter he spends all his time ski-ing and snow boarding in his girl friends country, Austria or somewhere like that. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it!

8. For a great view of Zante harbour visit the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will need transport for this as it is a bit off the beaten track.
Directions. Follow the road as if heading towards Zante Palace. Keep following the road up and round the twists and turns for approx 2 - 3 miles. Keep your eyes open for the sign directing you to the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will turn right off the main road on to what some times seems a track. keep following the signs. Once there you will not be disappointed. A bit pricier than elsewhere, but the view is worth it.

9. There are many places to eat, all offering good quality and value for money. You will no doubt find a particular favourite. Most people don't eat before nine when the temperature has dropped to a more palatable level.

10. If like us you like to take the odd drink home!, I would recommend purchasing your tipple on the island as it is cheaper than the airport and on the aircraft. On the other side of the road before 'Theo's' scooter/car hire is a supermarket called 'Margarita's who we found could not be beaten on price, also do money exchange.

11. The bank. Situated in the town. At the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork. Keep walking for a few minutes and you will see the bank on your left.
Although the exchange rate should be the same now they have gone fully over to the Euro you may still find you need to shop around for the best rate.

12. Medical. There is a very good pharmacy on the outskirts of the town with very knowledgeable staff that will actually sell you antibiotics over the counter if they think appropriate or will organise a doctor to see you. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork, keep going until you are almost through the town where you will see the pharmacy on your left. You can recognise it by the sign, a green cross on a white background.

13. The beach. You can't miss it, about a five -ten minute walk from your accommodation. Long stretch of soft sand which gets extremely hot and will burn your feet if not careful. Several places to get food and drink. Water sports span the beach including Para gliding and jet ski's. Don't bother going to the bar situated on the beach behind the jet ski place near Zante Palace, recognisable by a straw roof. Not up to much. There are two guys that just walk up and down the beach all day, one sells fresh fruit salad (Dennis the menace) and the other sells doughnuts. All fresh and very tasty. Not much in the way of toilet facilities unless your down the far end where some of the hotels back onto the beach. This is where the scooter can come in useful, if you know what I mean!.

14.Volimez market is a good place to visit for bargains in leather (especially belts) china, linen and rugs. A bit of a trek but worth it with plenty of places to stop on the way for refreshments and views. Allow a full day for this trip.

15. Zante Town. A bustling harbour town where there are plenty of shops including designer if you are prepared to scout round the narrow streets to find them. Remember, most but not all shops close in the afternoon until early evening so if you fancy a shopping trip best to do it in the morning. You can also see the fishermen bringing in the catch. They will sell you fish direct of the boat if you wish. This is also where you can get a good deal on boat trips of various sorts. Plenty of bars and restaurants where you can relax and just watch the world go by.

16. All public phone boxes use a phone card which can are cheap to purchase from most shops.

17. Postal Service, Don't bother sending post cards home, as you will have returned home from your holiday days if not weeks before they arrive.


18. Top Tip!, It's that time we either hate or can't wait, and that's going home. As I said at the beginning, Zante airport is very small in comparison with most airports.
And the departure lounge is no exception. Although it has a small duty free shop, refreshments and loo's it gets very crowded. There are allot of seats but are usually all taken. There is also usually a cloud hanging over the whole area from the smokers who are all either totally ignorant or cannot read the signs in the non smoking area's!.
To avoid this health hazard follow my tip.
When you have checked in your luggage instead of queuing up at passport control to go through into 'Lung Cancer City' just go back out side into the fresh air and sunshine. There are plenty of places about where you can sit, either in the sun or under a tree. The area where you checked in your luggage has all you should need, refreshment bar, toilets and a monitor. Just pop back into the terminal now and again to check your flight details on the monitor. When you know your flight is about to land or has just landed then queue up at passport control to go through. If by chance when you are queuing they call to say your flight is now boarding and your way back in the queue, just make your way to the front and explain to the other passengers that your flight is boarding and that you need to get through. They won't mind, trust me, I know from experience. If you time it right though you can almost go straight through passport control and onto the coach to the aircraft, bypassing Benson & Hedges test factory.
One last tip, when you first arrive at the airport you will no doubt have to queue up outside. Only part of the outside area is covered giving you some protection from the sun, so it is advisable to make sure you have a hat and a bottle of water available in your hand luggage as you could be queuing for anything up to an hour.

I hope this is of some use. It's surprising how a few helpful lines can turn into a book, perhaps I should get it published, haha.

By the way, there is life in the form of bars and shops if you turn RIGHT at the end of the road!

If you think of anything else that I might be able to help with let me know.

If you like the Greek Islands you may be interested in taking a look at my web sites, one of which will be updated at the end of June when we return from Kefalonia.

mysite@freeserve.com/digitalgallery

No need for www.

HAVE A GOOD TRIP.

Regards

Stephen

Zante Top Tips & Tsilivi


Hello Everyone,
My wife and I have been to Tsilivi five times now, staying each time at 'Zante Palace' apartments. Here is some information that we hope you will find useful based on our personal experience. 'Have A Great Time'

I am assuming you have not been to Zante before.

1. When arriving at Zante airport you will be transferred by coach from the aircraft to the airport where you will pass through passport control onto luggage collection. This always makes me smile because it would be quicker to walk from the aircraft to the terminal, it's so close.
Once inside you will notice straight away how small and very busy it is. I would suggest making your way to the far end of the carousel making sure you stand the building exit door side. It's the last point for collecting luggage before it goes round again but at least you won't have to fight through the crowds to get out.

2. Once outside you will find plenty of taxis waiting on the far side, behind where all the coaches park. If by chance none are waiting, don't worry one will come along in a few minutes, they come and go all day. Just go up and ask for the price to take you your accommodation. It was about £7 - £8 pounds (converted) when we went in October 2001 to Zante Palace, and as you are staying near enough in the same area it should be about the same. This price is for the car, not per person. The Journey takes approx twenty - thirty minutes depending on the driver!. The drivers are all friendly and happy to help.
The thing I like about using taxis are that you beat the coaches to you accommodation so you get checked in nice and quick.

3. The water, not suitable for drinking unless you have very strong stomach. It's.o.k for boiling to make drinks and cleaning teeth but that's about it, and of course showering. Use bottled water which is cheap to buy from the local shop. It will work out even cheaper if you purchase in bulk. Go to the end of the long straight road (town end), turn left and about thirty yards on the left you will find a supermarket selling just about everything. Depending how close you are to Zante Palace apartments there is a small supermarket just below them at the other end of the long road which is very reasonable.
If your accommodation has a fridge, put your bottle of water in the ice box. Although it will turn into the largest ice cube ever, it will gradually thaw out when your out and about giving you a cold refreshing drink for a good part of the day.

4. Power Supply, 220 Volts AC, two round pin socket.

5. I don't know if your accommodation has air conditioning or not. If it hasn't you will normally find that you can hire a fan from reception for the duration of your holiday. It is definitely worth it and I would recommend it. Try and hire it when you check in as they are sometimes in short supply in high season. If they have safety deposit boxes for hire get one of those as well, again it is worth it, if only for piece of mind.

6. Car Hire, cheaper if you book it yourself rather than go through the rep. Again just go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and you will find several companies to choose from. if like us you prefer a scooter I can recommend 'Theo's' who keep all their scooters up to date with the latest models and will supply crash helmets if required. They can be found up in the town. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left, then right at the fork, carry on walking for about ten minutes where you will see 'Theo's' scooters on your right. They also do car hire. Don't forget to take your driving licence as this will be required when hiring either car or scooter and is usually kept by the company until the vehicle is returned. They will let you take your licence back if you prefer, just ask at time of booking.

Warning. Unless you are an experienced rider I would not recommend the scooter hire. The roads can be treacherous in places with large pot holes. The surface can also be like a skating ring in places due to the extremely dry conditions and type of surface. This is very noticeable in Zante Town.

7. One stop on from 'Theo's' scooter/car hire on the same side is the 'Utopia' bar run by, yes you guessed it, Yannis. Everyone seems to be called Yannis. He's a great guy and a true gent who will always be pleased to see you and help you out. He has a new yacht which he takes people out on trips round the island to places that you would not normally go on an organised trip. Mention our names and he will probably charge you double, haha. He has a hard life, he runs his bar with his mother and staff in the summer along with his boat trips and then in the winter he spends all his time ski-ing and snow boarding in his girl friends country, Austria or somewhere like that. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it!

8. For a great view of Zante harbour visit the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will need transport for this as it is a bit off the beaten track.
Directions. Follow the road as if heading towards Zante Palace. Keep following the road up and round the twists and turns for approx 2 - 3 miles. Keep your eyes open for the sign directing you to the Balcony Bar/Restaurant. You will turn right off the main road on to what some times seems a track. keep following the signs. Once there you will not be disappointed. A bit pricier than elsewhere, but the view is worth it.

9. There are many places to eat, all offering good quality and value for money. You will no doubt find a particular favourite. Most people don't eat before nine when the temperature has dropped to a more palatable level.

10. If like us you like to take the odd drink home!, I would recommend purchasing your tipple on the island as it is cheaper than the airport and on the aircraft. On the other side of the road before 'Theo's' scooter/car hire is a supermarket called 'Margarita's who we found could not be beaten on price, also do money exchange.

11. The bank. Situated in the town. At the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork. Keep walking for a few minutes and you will see the bank on your left.
Although the exchange rate should be the same now they have gone fully over to the Euro you may still find you need to shop around for the best rate.

12. Medical. There is a very good pharmacy on the outskirts of the town with very knowledgeable staff that will actually sell you antibiotics over the counter if they think appropriate or will organise a doctor to see you. Again go to the end of the road (town end) turn left and left at the fork, keep going until you are almost through the town where you will see the pharmacy on your left. You can recognise it by the sign, a green cross on a white background.

13. The beach. You can't miss it, about a five -ten minute walk from your accommodation. Long stretch of soft sand which gets extremely hot and will burn your feet if not careful. Several places to get food and drink. Water sports span the beach including Para gliding and jet ski's. Don't bother going to the bar situated on the beach behind the jet ski place near Zante Palace, recognisable by a straw roof. Not up to much. There are two guys that just walk up and down the beach all day, one sells fresh fruit salad (Dennis the menace) and the other sells doughnuts. All fresh and very tasty. Not much in the way of toilet facilities unless your down the far end where some of the hotels back onto the beach. This is where the scooter can come in useful, if you know what I mean!.

14.Volimez market is a good place to visit for bargains in leather (especially belts) china, linen and rugs. A bit of a trek but worth it with plenty of places to stop on the way for refreshments and views. Allow a full day for this trip.

15. Zante Town. A bustling harbour town where there are plenty of shops including designer if you are prepared to scout round the narrow streets to find them. Remember, most but not all shops close in the afternoon until early evening so if you fancy a shopping trip best to do it in the morning. You can also see the fishermen bringing in the catch. They will sell you fish direct of the boat if you wish. This is also where you can get a good deal on boat trips of various sorts. Plenty of bars and restaurants where you can relax and just watch the world go by.

16. All public phone boxes use a phone card which can are cheap to purchase from most shops.

17. Postal Service, Don't bother sending post cards home, as you will have returned home from your holiday days if not weeks before they arrive.


18. Top Tip!, It's that time we either hate or can't wait, and that's going home. As I said at the beginning, Zante airport is very small in comparison with most airports.
And the departure lounge is no exception. Although it has a small duty free shop, refreshments and loo's it gets very crowded. There are allot of seats but are usually all taken. There is also usually a cloud hanging over the whole area from the smokers who are all either totally ignorant or cannot read the signs in the non smoking area's!.
To avoid this health hazard follow my tip.
When you have checked in your luggage instead of queuing up at passport control to go through into 'Lung Cancer City' just go back out side into the fresh air and sunshine. There are plenty of places about where you can sit, either in the sun or under a tree. The area where you checked in your luggage has all you should need, refreshment bar, toilets and a monitor. Just pop back into the terminal now and again to check your flight details on the monitor. When you know your flight is about to land or has just landed then queue up at passport control to go through. If by chance when you are queuing they call to say your flight is now boarding and your way back in the queue, just make your way to the front and explain to the other passengers that your flight is boarding and that you need to get through. They won't mind, trust me, I know from experience. If you time it right though you can almost go straight through passport control and onto the coach to the aircraft, bypassing Benson & Hedges test factory.
One last tip, when you first arrive at the airport you will no doubt have to queue up outside. Only part of the outside area is covered giving you some protection from the sun, so it is advisable to make sure you have a hat and a bottle of water available in your hand luggage as you could be queuing for anything up to an hour.

I hope this is of some use. It's surprising how a few helpful lines can turn into a book, perhaps I should get it published, haha.

By the way, there is life in the form of bars and shops if you turn RIGHT at the end of the road!

If you think of anything else that I might be able to help with let me know.

If you like the Greek Islands you may be interested in taking a look at my web sites, one of which will be updated at the end of June when we return from Kefalonia.

mysite@freeserve.com/digitalgallery

No need for www.

HAVE A GOOD TRIP.

Regards

Stephen

Hello Stacey,
About the weather. I'm affraid you just can't tell at that time of year. We have been in September and it's been terrible, yet we have also been in October and it's been very hot and no rain at all. Hopefully by the time you get there it will have all cleared up. I'm sure you should get enough sun for a tan.

If this is your first time to Zakynthos, check out my 'Top Tips' below.

Have a good trip.

Hi Tara,
If your hoping for a quiet time in Laganas, then I think you may be dissapointed as it is probably the liveliest of the resorts. Having said that, by September it may have quietend down a bit. If my memory serves me well I'm pretty sure that most if not all of Lagana's night life by law has to shut down at midnight because of local residents.
Lagana is basically one long road leading down to the beach with bars,clubs and resturants either side.

Not my cup of tea, but then I'm not in my twenties any more!

I'm sure you will have a great time.

Have a look at my top tips page below. It may have some points that will be of interest.

Hi Aaron,
Thank you for your comments. Once you are in Tsilivi town you cannot miss the bars and restaurants - too many to mention. They line both sides of the street. One place you may wish to check out is the 'Paradise Bar'. It's near the outskirts of the town, 5-10 min strole. Just ask for directions. It gets very lively, which I guess is what you are looking for. It's mainly a cocktail bar with all the staff doing their party pieces, but still no problem if a beer is your tipple. There is a night club in the centre of town, sorry, not my scene so cannot give you it's name but I'm sure it will not take you long to find it. Hope this is of some help.

Have a good trip.

Hello to all of you going to Tsilivi, Zante in October. Try and visit Yannis at the 'Utopia' bar near 'Theos' bike hire and Yannis at 'Zante Palace'apartments pool bar. They will be glad to see you and make you very welcome. As you might have Guessed they are almost all called Yannis, pronounced Yanni - without the 'S'.

If you need and more imfo, check out my 'Top Tips' below.

Have a great time.

Does anyone know the taxi fare from Zante airport to Tsilivi.
Not going till September 04, but a rough idea will do.

Thanks