Bering's grand Ionian adventure

Arrive at Zakynthos airport or port, where you'll be met and transferred to your first hotel in Alykes. The trip takes about half an hour. Then you can let the relaxed atmosphere of the island wash over you and perhaps take a dip in the swimming pool.

Hotel (exampel): Zante Dolphin Hotel
Hotel (exampel 2): Eleni's Garden

Your first hike is an easy one, starting at the endless vineyards just behind your hotel. Today's destination is the small church of Saint Nicolas, which is beautifully situated on a hilltop surrounded by the village of Ano Gerakari and from here you can enjoy a great 360-degree view of the whole of eastern Zakynthos. The village is also the perfect place to enjoy a Frappe´ (cold Greek coffee) and get an even better feel of island life. The walk back to the hotel is through olive groves along paths that are only used during the harvest.

Hotel (exampel): Zante Dolphin Hotel
Hotel (exampel 2): Eleni's Garden

After breakfast you will hike to the village of Katastari and the further up you go, the better the views. You reach an altitude of about 300 metres. The trail rounds the hilltop of Psili Krorifi before descending again. Enjoy the total silence, disturbed only by the whistling of birds. The tour's next stop is the 16th-century monastery of Saint Ioannis Prodromou, a gradually forgotten building where today only a single monk guards the relics. The path now descends across the salt plains of Alati, where locals still harvest salt from the sea. The route ends on the beach at Alykes.

Hotel (exampel): Zante Dolphin Hotel
Hotel (exampel 2): Eleni's Garden

You pack your luggage and leave your bags at reception before setting off on the day's beautiful hike. The first part of the route zigzags through the vineyards of the central part of Zakynthos. You wander from town to town, always with the next church tower to steer for. The route follows ancient paths that connect the towns of Kalithea, Skoulikado, Drakas and Agia Marina. This green and lush part of the island is dominated by cypresses, walnut trees, pomegranates, herb gardens and vineyards. When you arrive at your hotel, your luggage will already have been taken to your room. The hotel is a charming newly restored mansion, well hidden behind small trillium vines - a stunning example of old Venetian architecture.

Hotel (exampel): Anatoli Labreon

Etter frokosten blir dere kjørt til Loucha, en liten fjellandsby, kun 15 minutters kjøretur fra hotellet. Ruten starter høyt og ender lavt, så det er hovedsakelig nedoverbakke. Først tar dere en gammel asfaltert sti ned mot den pittoreske landsbyen Loucha, et malerisk sted med ca. 100 hus og 50 innbyggere. Stien fortsetter gjennom en fruktbar dal, som er øyas grønnsakshage, og hvor det er en brønn på hver mark. I en tett furuskog kan man ta en liten sløyfe til det ensomme klosteret Iparagathos. Deretter følger en lang nedstigning fra fjellene med en fantastisk utsikt over resten av øya med fastlandet i horisonten. Kirken Agia Marina er synlig langt borte, langs fjellsiden ender dere ved hotellet.

Hotell (eksempel): Anatoli Labreon

Now it's time to change hotels again. As you walk, your luggage is taken to your next destination. You start by being driven to Romiri, from where you begin the hike. The route heads south along the side of Magalo Vouno mountain. First stop is the abandoned town of "Old Lagadakia". Here time has stood still since the earthquake of 1953 and the only witnesses of that time are now the very photogenic buildings. The trail continues through thick coniferous forests adorned with wild strawberry bushes. Halfway you meet the village of Lithakia, where you can take a break at the local taverna in the shade of the trees. A narrow path leads you on to the marshland of Limni Keri, today's destination.

Note: You can also choose to cut 7km off the route by taking a taxi to Old Lagadakia and walking from there.

Hotel (exampel): Porto Tsi Ostrias

In Limni Keri you can choose to go on your last hike in Zakynthos or you can choose to go on a tour.

For example, you could choose to go on a turtle-spotting trip to the uninhabited island of Marathonisi. The outline of the island looks like a turtle. Coincidentally, the "turtle island" is also the breeding ground of the Caretta Caretta sea turtle. The most spectacular way to end your visit is a kayak tour, which is also suitable for beginners. Discover and explore the beautiful Keri coast with your guide and instructor. The tour takes you along the coast, into caves over crystal clear waters and to hidden beaches.

If you choose the hike
Today's optional route is a spectacular one. You can choose between a challenging 19km walk or an easy 14km walk. Limni Keri is in a valley, so the only way to go is up. The path goes up to 400moh. This area can only be reached on foot, so you can expect to have the area pretty much to yourself. The wild herbs smell wonderful as you walk. Halfway you reach the mountain village of Keri, where the local café is a perfect place to stop for a lunch break and perhaps sample the local dish of wild rabbit. You continue and pass the ancient church of Panagia Keriotissa, which has a majestic bell tower. The route now becomes more and more beautiful as there begin to be flowering thyme, roses and other flowers along the path. The island ends abruptly with a dramatic limestone cliff that drops 200m straight into the sea. You return to Limni Keri when you have finished admiring the view.

Hotel (exampel): Porto Tsi Ostrias

I dag er en spennende dag, for i dag begynner en uke med øyhopping. Først blir dere brakt til havnen i Zakynthos by. Her går dere om bord på en ferge til fastlandet, med et fergeskift i Kilini, før dere når den grønne og frodige øya Kefalonia. Når dere har kommet til Kefalonias hovedstad, kan dere utforske området med en spasertur gjennom Argostolis bakker. Under andre verdenskrig led den italienske hæren store tap, og et monument er dedikert til minnet om dette. Fergereisen tar cirka fire timer.

Hotel (exampel): Mirabel

Argostoli is actually quite small and within half an hour you'll be walking through the fields, hearing only the rustle of the tall eucalyptus trees. The path narrows and ascends through a shaded valley, but it's slightly overgrown and you're not the first walkers to take this route. Carved into the rock, old wagon tracks are clearly visible; this used to be a supply road to a large settlement at the top of the hill. Hidden in an olive grove, you'll come across Mycenaean cyclops walls made of large boulders, an ideal spot for a picnic. The route continues downhill, following goat tracks.
Argostoli is visible in the distance. Finally, in the town, behind the vegetable market, you can see sea turtles. These Caretta Caretta turtles are fed by local fishermen and you're bound to see a few of them. There's no better way to say goodbye to all the natural beauty that Kefalonia has to offer. Our recommendation is to celebrate your last night at one of the traditional tavernas, where Kantades are sung. These local songs pay tribute to the beauty of the Ionian islands, and with everything you've seen, you'll be able to sing along.

Hotel (exampel): Mirabel

Early in the morning, right after breakfast, you'll be taken by taxi to the starting point of your hike (your luggage will be transported to the end of the hike). In the village of Drakopoulata, time has stood still since the 1953 earthquake, with the Venetian-style ruins bearing mute witness. The only signs of life are goat bells on the mountainside. The route will immediately ascend, steeply but not for long, following an old path through a narrow valley. The descent follows through a shaded gorge before you finally reach the coast. From there, there are various views with wide panoramas of the fertile Sami Delta with cypress trees sticking up.
At sea level you can visit the Melissani Caves, which are actually one of the biggest attractions in Kefalonia. It's a lake with crystal clear water, in a cave with an opening in the roof. The sun's rays shine through and create a prism in the deep clear water; a truly photogenic sight. The afternoon ferry to Ithaca takes approximately half an hour. On arrival, a taxi will take you to Vathi, the pleasant capital town set in the lee of a natural bay. Enjoy this charming town, stroll through the many narrow streets and visit the small archaeological museum. Here you can see local finds from the Mycenaean period. In the evenings, Vathi is a lively village and you can enjoy freshly caught fish at one of the traditional fish taverns on the quay.

Hotel (exampel): Mentor

Today's tour takes you to the southern part of the island. The area around Marathia is untouched nature with no human activity. First you'll be taken by taxi to the end of the road, then continue on foot. After an hour's walk, consider taking an extra turn to Spiliotissa, a hidden church in a cave and a peaceful place where you can enjoy true silence. Via an old path, which has recently been made passable again, the route slowly descends along the mountainside. On your right, you'll have a fantastic view of the Ionian Sea with the high peaks of the mainland on the horizon. The trail winds through dense forests of tall cypress trees and passes through the village of Perachori. At the local café, Spiridoula makes her own walnut cake and it's definitely worth a stop. The next stop is the ancient Byzantine church of Theotokou, a protected monument with ancient frescoes in the interior of the old church. Finally, the route ends in the square of Vathi, where we recommend a refreshing drink.

Hotel (exampel): Mentor

Keener walkers can head to the remote beach of Gidaki, a paradise that can only be reached on foot. The first part follows a quiet asphalt road, past Minimata and over Skinios beach. The road turns into a path and continues through a shady, dense forest of pine trees.
The road smells of wild herbs, such as sage, anise, oregano and thyme. Suddenly, a stunning view of Gidaki Beach appears. A snow-white beach, contrasting with the azure sea and the grassy green hills, it's a picture postcard view, so don't forget your camera for a stunning selfie.
If you don't feel like hiking, you can relax on your balcony or enjoy the beach. Within a short distance there are several beautiful beaches. Filiatro beach is where the locals hang out to see and be seen, Dexia beach offers natural shade from overhanging olive trees, and Loutsa is an intimate sandy beach. Or you can explore the charming town of Vathi and enjoy a cold Greek frappe coffee in the main square as you watch the tranquil island life go by. Why not hire a small motorboat to reach the most deserted beaches? But the best way to visit such beaches is by kayak. Jorgos is the only kayak instructor on the island and he'll be happy to guide you around.

Hotel (exampel): Mentor

After breakfast, a taxi will take you to the port of Piso Aetos and it's time to say goodbye to beautiful Ithaca. Once back on Kefalonia, a beautiful route will be laid out through the nearby hills. First, the path goes up to the summit at Agios Fanentes, a ruin of a Byzantine monastery. After a sloping road, you can take a break at the Acropolis of Same; a unique archaeological site hidden between ancient olive trees. The site is not commercialized and you can freely wander around and climb the ancient Mycenae entrance, which is still intact. The descending path continues through a dense pine forest with native mastic trees. At sea level, the route follows the boulevard and ends at the sweet Karavomilos Lake. After lunchtime, a taxi will take you to Poros, where you will stay near the harbor.

Hotel (exampel): Hotel Astir

To get from Kefalonia to Zakynthos you need to take the same ferry as last week, from Poros port via the mainland back to Zakynthos. The final hike is a walk through the town. You'll visit the hill Lofos Strani, a place with a lot of history and where the Greek national anthem was composed. The hill Bochali has a fantastic view and is a good place to have a coffee. From the Venetian fortress, a winding road leads back to the city. Our recommendation is to celebrate your last night at one of the traditional taverns, where Kantades are sung. These local songs celebrate the beauty of the Ionian Islands; with all you've seen, feel free to sing along.

Hotel (exampel): Strada Marina

At the end of your trip, you'll be driven to Zakynthos Airport or the port in time to catch your flight or ferry. It's also possible to extend your stay, so contact us if you want to hear more about this.