Zakynthos

Today you start with a relaxing hike in the endless vineyards. Your destination is the picturesque church of Saint Nicolas, perched on a hilltop. From there, a breathtaking panoramic view extends over the entire eastern side of Zakynthos, including the charming traditional village of Ano Gerakari. Here you can enjoy a frappé, cold Greek coffee, and then return to your accommodation along harvest paths through olive groves.

Your route today takes you to the village of Katastari at an altitude of around 300 meters. The further you ascend, the more spectacular the view becomes. You walk around the top of the Psili Korofi hill and can watch the buzzards circling before heading back downhill. You will then reach the monastery of St. Ioannis Prodromou, built in the 16th century, where a monk guards the relics. Along the salt plains of Alati, where the locals continue to extract salt from the sea, the path continues to wind downhill until you finally arrive back at the beach of Alykes.

A wonderful hike through the vineyards along the central plain of Zakynthos awaits you. You walk from village to village past shining church towers on old, forgotten paths. After the sleepy villages of Kalithea, Skoulikado and Drakas, you reach Agia Marina. This green and fertile part of the island is dominated by tall cypresses, walnut and pomegranate trees, vegetable gardens and vineyards. Hidden among the purple bougainvillea bushes is your accommodation, a renovated Venetian-style manor house.

A short transfer takes you to the small mountain village of Loucha. You start on the hill and follow an old cobbled path down to the quiet village with around 50 inhabitants. You then hike through the fertile valley, which is the island's vegetable garden and where there is a well in every field. In a dense pine forest, you have the opportunity to make a short detour to the lonely monastery of Iparagathos. This is followed by a long descent from the mountains with breathtaking views over the rest of the island and the mainland on the horizon. The church of Agia Marina can be seen from afar. You finally end the hike along the mountain flank at your hotel.

Today you head south along the flanks of the great mountain Megalo Vouno. The first stop on this extended hike is the abandoned village of Old Lagadakia, where time seems to have stood still since the great earthquake of 1953. The only witnesses are the remaining ruins, which you can marvel at. The path continues through quiet pine forests where wild strawberry bushes grow. At the halfway point, you will reach the village of Lithakia, where you can take a break in one of the local tavernas. To reach today's destination, follow a narrow path to the protected Limni Keri marshland.

The last hike takes you from the Limni Keri valley to the mountain village of Keri. The trail flows over Cape Marathia with the scent of wild sage, aniseed, oregano and thyme. Once in Keri, the local café offers a welcome opportunity for lunch. On the way, you will pass the old church of Panagia Keriotissa with its majestic bell tower. The lively, flourishing path ends abruptly with dramatic limestone cliffs rising 200 meters above the sea. With breathtaking views over Limni Keri, you hike downhill to your accommodation.