Zakynthos - Maherado - Agios Leon - Navagio.

Just 10 klm north of the city is Maherado, the second largest village of Zakynthos, after Katastari. The church of Agia Mavra is impressive. It is built in simple royal style among the cypress trees where its bell-tower stands out from far away and it is said that the sound of the bells is the most melodic sound in Greece. Going northwest and climbing the mountain, we come across the village of Agios Nikolaos or Kiliomeno, in 480m above sea level. There, stands the impressive bell-tower of Agios Nikolaos, which dates back in 1893 and its traditional houses of 16th century. Between Kiliomeno and Lagopodo, stands the so called by the botanists "Garden of Orchids" because of its 42 kinds of orchids.

From Gyri, the road leads to the unexplored caves of Hagioti and Black Cave. Reaching the village of Agios Leon, we find the homonymous chapel, which is an impressive representative of folk architecture. This chapel is using the lower part of a windmill as its bell-tower. To the justify, in a distance of 3 klm, stands Kambi, built in the steep slope of Shiza. In the same area, exists a Mycenaean cemetery with chiseled caves. Across the sea stands the island of Fokia. Its name is due to its shape, sea lion. (Fokia means sea lion in Greek).

We reach the next island Maries, after Exo Hora. Maries took its name from Maria Magdalene. From the top of mountain Vrahion the view that reaches Kefalonia, is wonderful. Then we come across Navagio, the most beautiful part of the island with its wonderful and well-known beach. It is a unique landscape surrounded by white rocky slopes, green vegetation and smooth sand that reach the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea. It is an ideal place for a romantic night out. A few kilometers down, is the graphic bay of Porto Vromi, from where we recommend you to rent boats and explore the caves. From the small port, depart many boats for the beach of Navagio, which only take half an hour. The captain of the boat stops in caves with deep blue waters and white sand for those who want to swim there. Do not forget to take water with you.

Across the sea, stands the islet of Bodi, which, in the past, used to connect with land by a small bridge. To the justify, stand the village of Bohali and Kastro. Going straight ahead, we come across Tsilivi, one of the beautiful beaches in the island with excellent sand. This beach attracts many visitors. The cape of Toraditis protects the bay from the strong winds and thus offers the visitor an ideal place for relaxation. After Tsivili, stands the picturesque Planos, an ideal choice for swim since its waters are clean shallow and safe.

The beautiful long beach and the shallow waters, place Alikes among the best beaches of the island. Behind the settlement, are the salt-pits of Alikes, which used to be the economic base of the area. The road to the right leads to the village of Orthonies. Following the road to the justify, we come across Kato and Ano Volimes, which are famous for the wonderful hand woven materials and needle works. Then we reach the three Gerakaria, Ano, Kato and Meso Gerekari. In a distance of 9 klm, is the small port of Agios Nikolaos, from where the boats to Galazia Spilia depart.

STROFADES

In the deep waters of Ionian Sea, 45 kilometers southwest of Zakynthos and 78 kilometers west of Katakolo bay in the Peloponnese, stand out the two small, isolated islands of Strofades. The ancient Greeks used to call them "Floating Islands" because they look like they are floating. The biggest island is called Stamfani and the smallest Arpyia. The two islands are connected with a reef isthmus. In Stamfani stand a lighthouse and the monastery of Panagia Pantohara, which was built during the Byzantine Empire in 1241. Agios Dionysios, the protector of the island, used to be a monk in this monastery. Impressive and imposing at the same time, the monastery stands like a medieval fortress with walls that reach 25m height, obviously to protect the monastery by the pirates' attacks.