Merlis Car Hire - (Car Rental in Zante)

Stephen V           

Excellent prices at approx £17 a day for a Fiat Seicento. Cheaper than paying for a taxi that's for sure. Saw more of Zante than I thought we would by hiring a car from Merlis. Friendly service and dealt with replacing our flat tyre swiftly.

Water Village - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Stephen V           

For the biggest water park on the island of Zante, the signposting to find the place is absolutely non-existent! We spent a frustating hour or more in a hire car driving round looking for the place, and were about to give up when one of my travelling companions notice the slides on the horizon!

Facilities are basic, but overall it was better than I expected, and decent value for the 10 euro entrance fee. The cheaper tickets are only available from 2pm I seem to recall, although that was in May 2004.

Day trip to Kefalonia - (Zante Excursions)

Stephen V           

Good trip without a doubt, although I would have removed the church visit to spend more time in Argostoli and the Mellisani caves.

Day trip to Olympia - (Zante Excursions)

Stephen V           

Very impressed by the ancient Olympia site itself, but the town leaves a lot to be desired. Our site guide Nicki was excellent, and made the visit round the ancient ruins and sights all the more enjoyable.

Glass Bottomed Boat Trip - (Zante Excursions)

Stephen V           

Besides not being on a glass bottomed boat for the trip, it was still and enjoyable experience. Saw a couple of turtles at sea, and got some good pictures too.

Zakynthos Airport - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Stephen V           

One of the poorest airports I've ever been too. Facilities are just about OK, but they lack enough seating for everyone, and the queuing system is a joke. The holiday companies should be investing in the airport given the number of tourists going through there every year!

Spaghetomania - (Restaurants in Kalamaki)

Stephen V  (19 July 2004)         

Food was passable, but not that memorable. Didn't give them a second chance once we discovered Mermaids and The Guru.

Antonis Apartments - (Accommodation in Kalamaki)

Stephen V           

I actually grew to like my apartment after the initial shock of seeing how basic the facilities were. Goes to show how little you really need to live when you have to.

Kalamaki Resort - (Resorts in Zante)

Stephen V           

Much better than expected. Intending to visit several more times in the future. Would live there if the airport and flight availability were better all year round.

Thomas Cook - (Tour Operators in Zante)

Stephen V  (26 July 2004)         

If I were to rate the holiday by the standard of the tour operator, it would have been average at best (which it wasn't!). My advice is to divorce yourself from the whole corporate package on arrival and organise things yourself. Don't book any excursions with them as they can be found cheaper elsewhere. Same goes for car hire. Even with the free day extra package from Avis on offer when I was there in May, the local firm I used were half the price for more days!

Didn't consider the reps arrival talk worth bothering with in retrospect as it's just there to flog the tours, car hire, etc., and nothing is really said beyond what they tell you in the welcome envelope I received on the transfer bus.

Airline end of things was fine. Food OK and selection of movies good.

Kampi - (Places to Visit in Zante)

Stephen V           

Quality of the food at the restaurant next to the cross surprised us. Worth a visit definitely. Just watch that last bend in the road if driving up there as it's sharp!