Heading out from Zakynthos town, our first destination is the exquisite suburb of Bohali! Here you can enjoy the sensational view for 15 minutes! You are at what is possibly the most attractive part of the island! We then continue on towards Tsilivi and its tourist area, admiring its splendid beach from above!

Passing by Psarou beach, we continue up to the village of Ano Gerakari, built on a hill and topped by the church of Saint Nikolas. We stop here for 15 minutes to enjoy the image spread out below us. An unforgettable view over the whole of the island! At the foot of the hill, the road forks; to the right it joins up with the main road leading to Alykes. Alykes is a pretty fishing village with an impressive sandy beach! There are also many tourist facilities. The village takes its name from the salt flats there, producing salt. Our route now leads uphill towards Katastari, the most densely populated village in Zakynthos, with plenty of water and lush olive groves.

Leaving Katastari, we pass through several picturesque villages in the foothills of Mount Vrachionas, known as "the villages of Riza (root)". The first of these is Pigadakia with the church of Saint Barbara that contains treasures from other ruined churches. We then pass through Kallithea with its picturesque houses and lush flower-filled yards!

Skoulikado comes after Kallithea. This village has a long tradition in "Omilies", a type of amateur, traditional folk theatre written by unknown play writers with natural talent and it is acted in the open by amateur actors who extravagantly satirize events in Zakynthian society.

A little later we reach Agia Marina. The church of the same name is a protected monument. It is a basilica without a dome, in the shape of a cross and it was founded in 1835. The interior architecture is quite impressive. The exceptional "Helmi Natural History Museum" is also located here, housing collections of flora and fauna with over 1,500 exhibits from the island’s natural environment. We can stop here for 30 minutes if you wish to visit it. (if you visit the museum the tour’s length becomes longer) (It is open from 9.00 am to 18.00 pm.) Leaving here we pass through the small villages of Agioi Pantes, Fioliti, Lagadakia, Vougiato and after a few kilometres we see Maherado spread out before us, deep in its olive groves. We stop here for 10 minutes. The basilica of Agia Mavra is a wonderful church with an exceptional carved stone belfry, whose Venetian bells are famous for their melodious sound and can be heard all over the island! The final sight on our tour is the convent of the Virgin Mary Eleftherotrias that resembles a fortress. We stop here for 10-15 minutes. A place for silence and admiration! We then return to town, a distance of approximately 11 km.

Heading out of town, we follow the picturesque road to the flower-filled suburb of Bohali. We stop here for about 15 minutes for you to admire the wonderful view. This is possibly the most attractive place on the island. We then continue on towards the village of Maherado in the centre of the island plains. We stop for 10 minutes at the church of Agia Mavra, in basilica style with a wonderful interior that was destroyed by fire some years ago and is now being restored. The Venetian bells in its exceptional carved stone belfry are famous for their melodious sound and it is said that they can be heard all over the island.

From there our route takes us through lush greenery before arriving at Lithakia, a rich market town at the foot of the mountain. There are several old mansions and a centre for sea turtle protection. From here we take the uphill road through the verdant mountainous scenery that leads us to Agalas, a traditional village against the backdrop of the blue Ionian Sea. Here we have a 10 minute stop. Passing through pine forests, olive groves and shrubland, we head towards the village of Keri. A pretty village, completely different from all we have seen so far. Before entering the village, we pass by the church of the Virgin Mary Keriotissas, built in 1745 on the spot where her miracle-working icon was found. It is a Renaissance-style church with pillars at the entrance and a wondrous baroque iconostasis.

The narrow village streets lead us to the Pharos (lighthouse) where we stop for 10 minutes. It stands 300 metres above the sea. The blue of the Ionian Sea mingles with the horizon! The view is breathtaking! On our left two enormous white rocks (reefs) rise out of the crystal water to take part in the spectacle! They are the so-called "Mizithres". Here one does truly not know what to admire first. To the left of the lighthouse flutters the largest Greek flag in the world (Guinness world record).

We then take the main road leading to Keri Lake down through the pines, enjoying the view of a quiet bay with its picturesque little harbour. The sea and surrounding scenery give the impression of a peaceful lake when seen from above! Opposite the beach is the thickly-wooded Marathonisi.We return to the main road which takes us to the beach at Lithakia and the islet of Agios Sostis. In the past it was connected to the mainland, but during the earthquake of 1633 it was separated from the coast. It takes its name from the little church of Agios Sostis which has stood there since the 14th century. Laganas is next on our route, its cosmopolitan beach one of the largest in Greece! Its bay is home to the sea turtles Caretta-Caretta, as they come to lay their eggs here as well as on the islets of Peluso and Marathonisi, just opposite. After passing through the tourist resort of Kalamaki, our trip ends back in Zakynthos town.

On this tour we will visit the traditional mountain villages and the rugged west coast of Zakynthos as well as part of the east coast. The first village where we stop for 10 minutes is Macherado, 9.5 km. away. Its church is dedicated to Agia Mavra and Agios Timotheos. It is built in basilica style while its exceptional carved belfry is famous for its Venetian bells which are very melodious and can be heard all over the island! Leaving behind the olive groves at Maherado, we turn uphill. Immediately we come across the women’s Monastery of Eleftherotrias which resembles a fortress and is faced with carved stone. If you wish we can spare 15 minutes for a quick visit. 7 km. further on, the village of Kiliomeno comes into view with its stone houses. We admire the church of Agios Nikolaos in the square and its remarkable neoclassical belfry built in 1893 from carved stone. The next village is Agios Leon, which takes its name from San Leone, bishop of Catania, whose icon can be seen in the picturesque church, founded in the 14th century. Turning left, we enter the village of Kambi with its old houses, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves reaching down to the edge of the cliff on the west coast. At the highest point of “Schiza,” stands a large cross in memory of the victims of the civil war. The view looking down 300 metres at the rocky cliffs and bright shades of the sea is unbeatable!

Continuing along we reach the square in Exohora where there is a huge 130-year old plane-tree and behind it, the basilica of Agios Nikolaos built in 1700. The fresh air and smell of thyme revive our spirits as we go on to the village of Maries. A large, green, mountain village; its church dedicated to Mary Magdalene who, according to tradition, stopped here on her way to Rome to teach Christianity! It is a three-aisled basilica dating from the 15th century, containing outstanding works of art! A little further on, we see Anafonitria, a small village and the historic Monastery of the Holy Mother, where the patron saint of the island, Agios Dionysios, took his vows and there hid his brother’s murderer who asked for protection while on the run, before forgiving him and helping him to escape to Kefalonia!

The 15th century medieval tower, the little church with the valuable Byzantine icon of the Virgin brought here from Constantinople after its fall in 1453, as well as the saint’s cell, deserve our attention for a few moments which is why we stop here.

Passing through the village and along a route lined with pines and amaranth, we come in view of the enchanting location of the Monastery of Agios Georgios Gremnon, built in 1540-50. It was the richest monastery of its time. We stop for 15 minutes. Returning to the main road we come to a knoll with a platform from where we can see the much-photographed beach, Navagio (Shipwreck). The exotic beach that has become the trademark of Zakynthos and indeed of Greece, throughout the world! We stop for 15 minutes so you can enjoy the impressive natural painting beneath your feet! Take photographs by climbing on to the platform with bated breath, or without! We then go on to the village of Volimes. This consists of three interesting settlements, built of stone before the earthquake in 1953. The village is well-known for its handmade rugs, lace, cheese and honey. In the settlement Meso Volimes the church of Agia Paraskevi stands out, dating back to 1633! Its interior is a work of art! From here the road takes us to Korithi, from where we can get to cape Schinari. The old lighthouse, its surrounding area, and the view over the sea undoubtedly form an unusual, eerie, mountain scene. We stop again for 10 minutes.

Our tour seems endless, but we are sure you have not yet had your fill of the island. So the picturesque little harbour of Agios Nikolaos awaits us. From here ferry-boats depart for Kefalonia. At the entrance to the bay lies the islet of the same name with the ruins of the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, which belongs to the Vatican. Following the coastal road southwards, we reach the captivating beach at Makris Yialos. The colours in the sea are indescribable! We continue on to Xigia, an unusual beach due to the sulphur in its waters. We then pay a visit to the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, from the 17th century. The view of the south side of the island is exquisite.

Katastari, the largest village in Zakynthos, awaits us further down. It has plenty of water and extensive olive groves. Returning to town through fertile fields, we come across the villages of Agios Dimitrios, Agios Kirikas, Vanato, and our tour ends in Solomos square in Zakynthos town.