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Also known as Zante or Zakynthos, Zakinthos is southernmost in the Ionian island chain, and ruggedly beautiful. From the craggy northern mountains, springs flow down to verdant valleys, feeding a teeming variety of wildflowers in the south’s open plains.

Beautiful, sandy beaches are another lure. Many of them are hidden away in charming coves, and some are accessible only by boat. A few are restricted because they are the preferred nesting locations of loggerhead turtles, an endangered species.

Zakinthos, the main town and cruise port, is quintessentially Greek, with whitewashed homes and many bars along the water where you can stop in for an ouzo. The town was destroyed by an earthquake 50 years ago but does claim a couple of good museums, including one on Greek literature. But you have to venture inland to get to most of the historic sites, such as a Venetian fortress, thought to have been built inside the walls of a long-gone acropolis. Visitors’ favorite beach resorts, Argassi and Tsilivi, are both only three miles from the port.

Language: Greek     Currency: Euro (EUR)