Relaxing in Zakynthos!

This was the first summer holiday we've actually had to take in the school summer holidays, so I was a little apprehensive about what to expect! I was hoping it wouldn't be too hot for the kids (3yrs and 6yrs) and also hoping it wasn't going to be so busy that it made it unenjoyable! We were pleasantly surprised though!

The temperatures were ideal, early to mid-thirties every day and the sea was lovely and warm. We stayed in Kalamaki which has the perfect beach for small children. They can walk out pretty far and it still be only up to their waists. The water is crystal clear and there are plenty of shells to be found! We did have a storm in the middle of the holiday which meant the seaweed was disturbed and there was lots in the sea and piles of it on the beach but this was soon cleared away and normality resumed within a couple of days! We enjoyed a couple of lunches in roadside bars/restaurants close to the beach and its pretty good value for money. More recently, we've been to mainland Spain a lot, so it's a while since I was last in Greece, but we found it much cheaper here than in Spain for food and drinks and general souvenirs.

The main strip in Kalamaki had the usual touristy shops and a few restaurants and bars. As we stayed at an all-inclusive we didn't venture out in the evening with the kids as they were tired from their sand-castle building and shell-collecting but during the day the Strip was pretty enjoyable to stroll along and not busy at all.

Zakynthos is well known for being a turtle-nesting ground and on the beach the nests are protected, if you get up early at the right time of year and are lucky enough you may see turtles hatching and making their first journey into the sea! We took a pedalo out from the beach to try and spot a turtle but didn't have any luck! So we then went on a boat trip from Laganas further along the coast and were fortunate enough to spot two turtles in their natural habitat, which the kids though was completely amazing!

The entire reason for this holiday was just to relax and spend time as a family so in the 10 days we were there, we didn't do anything else! We just spent the time at the beach and around the pool and for that it was just perfect (if not great for a travel agent!). I'd definitely recommend and would go back - friendly people, good value for money, not too long a flight and ideal weather.