Zante Island Holiday Planner

Transcription

1 Zante Island Holiday Planner Date Price Week 1 Week 2 Zante Highlights: a chance to see some of Zante s highlights, with a boat to Smugglers Wreck cove, and the amazing blue caves. A tasty lunch by the sea, and also a visit to an organic family farm with products such as wine, olive oil, honey. Hear the stories and learn about the real Greece! A day to remember. (pick up 08.30am -full day) Island Combi Tour: camera s at the ready! Enjoy a mixed day of exploring, visit St Dennis church (patron saint of the island) Bochali Hill for great views overlooking Zakynthos town, and then walk on Kalamaki turtle beach. Then why not cool off with a swim in the sea before returning to resort. (Pick up 11.00am) Caretta Boat Trip: sail from the picturesque little port of Ag to Keri caves, south part of Zakynthos. The white cliffs above, and the stunning arches coming out of the sea make for impressive photos. Marathonissi (Turtle Island) has one of the most beautiful beaches with white pebbles, turquoise waters & nearby caves to explore! A fun day out! (pick up 09.30am half day) Olympia: Olympia Ancient site is a must! Take a ferry from the main town to the Greek mainland, then be driven to Olympia the birthplace of the Olympic Games where the Olympic flame starts it s journey every 4 years. An interesting day pf ancient history and sites. (pick up 08.00am full day) Kefalonia: why only visit one Greek Island on your holiday? Have a full day out exploring the neighbouring island of Kefalonia. Visit St George s castle, Drogorati Caves, Melissani Lake and also the capital Argostoli before sailing back to Zante. (pick up 08.00am full day) Lazy Day: why not get away from it all and spend a day relaxing while sailing around the islands beautiful south coast on a sailing yacht! Take a swim in the clear blue waters, or discover hidden bays and caves. Lunch is served at a sea side Taverna. (pick up 09.00am full day) Jeep Safari: no holiday is complete without the fun of a jeep safari! An exciting way to discover the Island, driving through the mountains to get the best scenery! (pick up 09.00am full day) Sunset Cruise: an evening to relax and enjoy the sunset and sail under the stars. Leave the main port before the sunset, and enjoy the scenery and photo opportunities as the sun goes down. A drink is included and also optional light dinner this can be advised by your host in resort. Also available as a private tour. Price depends on dinner and private tour. (pick up 18.30pm 21.30pm) Nightshift: the only way to kick start your holiday! Enjoy a night out with your hosts, discover the nightlife in town and what Zante has to offer. It s a chance to mix with all the group and really get to know your new friends and hosts. A fun night not to be missed! A minimum of 48 hours notice is required for cancellation. N.B All excursions are operated by Forum Holiday Services and not Friendship Travel. A valid Forum Holiday Services ticket is required. All trips are subject to change and availability. Payment is accepted in Sterling or Credit Card. A minimum of 48 hours notice is required for cancellation. If you would like to book any of these excursions, please let your host know. Our host is available each day, if you require information on anything. Just ask!

2 YAMAS ZAKYNTHOS The original Friendship Wine Tour Zakynthos has a long viticultural and wine-making history and produces some of the finest wines of all Greece. The rich, fertile soils and unique micro-climate provide the ideal conditions for the cultivation of the islands grape varieties. Alongside the red grapes of Black Rombola, Katsakulias and the excellent, native Augustiatis, vineyards produce Pavlos, Skiadopulo and Goustolidi grapes, used to produce white wines inluding Verdea, a typical Zakynthian wine. To offer you a unique and original wine tasting experience, we have arranged private escorted tours of four of the principle vintners, where you will learn about the history and processes used to produce these little known, world class wines. Natuarlly, you will also have the opportunity to try the wines of each estate and to buy a bottle, or two of your favorites. THE GRAND TOUR You will be collected from your hotel by private mini bus, joining fellow Frienship vistors at our sister hotel, before driving into the beautiful agricultural heart of the island. Halfway around, we will have lunch at an organic, family run farm where you will be spoilt with fantastic food and home produced wine, included in your ticket! THE ESTATES The four estates you will visit are all within a short distance of each other, allowing you plenty of time to take in the unique aspects of each property. SOLOMOS The Solomos property offers a tour of the estate and bottling plant, where they are able to process over 3000 bottles and hour. The highlight of this family run vineyard is the stunning vaulted cellar running under the main building, which houses a vast array of bottles and barrels, in carefully controlled temperature conditions. Not only is it one of the most beautiful cellars, but it offers a cool respite from the Ionian summer heat. CALLINICO The Voultsou family are understandably proud of their wine heritage. They make and sell wines produced from one of the largest cooperatives on the island. The tour of the property provides a facinating insight into the old ways of wine production and you will walk through the huge chambers, with walls still plastered with years of crystalised sediment from a time when they were used to mature the wine. OENOLPI This property takes wine making to a new level. Established in 2000 by Timothos Christoforos and his wife Christina to continue the family tradition of wine making, the younger generation draw on the experience of Timothos father and the biologist Aik. Lygeria-Christoforou to revive the original varieties of wine from their Zakynthian vineyards. They now produce a range of exceptional wines under laboratory controlled conditions. GRAMPSAS The Grampsas Estate prides itself on the tradition of Zakynthian wine making. Here wine is bottled by hand and strict care is taken in the cultivation process to respect the natural environment to ensure excellent quality ingedients. Thasos is meticulous in his wine making process, creating some of the best wine on the island. The family are always keen to share their passion for wine and to offer visitors the traditional Greek hospitality. Forget what you think about Greek wine & join us on a journey to discover the great wines of Zakynthos!

3 ONLY 60 Zante Secrets Our tailor made excursion, exclusively for guests of Friendship Travel, exploring the hidden treasures of Zakynthos. You will be collected from your hotel in a private minibus and after meeting the guests at our sister hotel, we will drive up to Xigia beach. At this unique natural sea spa, famed for the collagen and sulphur which comes from the caves next to the beach, you will have time to swim in the milky white waters, which leaves you and your skin feeling clean, fresh and revitalised. After a short ride through the beautiful rural coutryside, our next stop brings us to an authentic organic farm. Here you will be treated to a relaxed, home made lunch in the tranquility of the family home, surrounded by vineyards, fruit trees and an extensive herb garden. Your hosts, Dimitri & Sia will show you around their farm and explain how they produce one of the finest olive oils in the world from their 2500 year old trees! We have to leave & continue our tour, almost up to Giri, the highest village on the island. Stopping Just short of the peak we can take pictures from the terrace of Vrahos Taverna in the old village of Agia Marina. From here you can see almost the whole island and across the sea to Kefalonia. Bring your camera for this one, it is spectacular! There will be time for a quick coffee if you want to sit and enjoy the stunning view. Moving on, we ll drive over to see the monastery of Virgin Elefterotrias Womans Hermitage, near the church of Santa Maura. Nestled on the side of the hills overlooking the heart of the island, you will have the chance to visit the monastery and grounds escorted by the nuns who look after one of the most important religious sites of Zante. You ll have to cover your shoulders and legs, if you want to see the artworks and icons inside, but they can provide something appropiate if you need it. This is a unique tour of Zante, so don t miss out on this fabulous day!

4

5 Tbjm!Bxbz!pn!b!Mb{z!Ebz THE BOAT Sailing Yacht with comfortable space for up to (max) 18 people Easy gangway access to quaysides & step ladder from the water Deck cushions, shaded seating area & fresh water shower on deck Toilet facilities, wine fridge, table & benches (inside) below deck Professional, Qualified Skipper, Life Jackets & Full Insurance Leaving the port of Zante, we set sail down the shores of Vasilikos and around the southern tip of the island, passing the protected area of Gerakas Beach for the best chance of spotting the famous Caretta Turtles. We ll sail across the bay, passing Marathonissi Island, also known as Turtle Island due to the little nesting beach and its remarkable shape, - It really does look like a turtle! You can see for yourself as we pass the island on our way to cool off in the crystal clear waters of a secluded cove, accessible only by boat and hidden from most tourists. The Keri peninsula is famed for its Blue Caves, but there are also many other spectacular sea sculptures in the area. Sailing passed these natural rock formations we continue round the coast to the picturesque harbour of Keri, where you can go ashore to visit the little village and choose a roof top taverna to enjoy lunch. Sip a glass of chilled wine while sampling some fresh, grilled fish or other Greek specialities, looking over the bay to Turtle Island. Rejoining your yacht after lunch and its time to lounge around on deck, catching some rays, spotting turtles and maybe even seeing dolphins on the way back across the bay. We ll stop for an afternoon dip later, at another secret beach, but as we sail back along the coast to Zante town, you ll be feeling completely relaxed & sun kissed, gently swaying with the motion of the Ionian Sea.