Katalania

Spreading out to the west is the Gulf of Lagana, home to the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, the idyllic islet of Marathonissi, and a wide arc of seemingly endless sandy beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs.

In terms of amenities, tavernas and bars, nearby Xirokastello and Ano Vasilikas have plenty to offer, while guests staying at Katalania are spoilt for choice when it comes to gorgeous sandy beaches. These include Dafni, Porto Roma, Porto Zorro, Vasilikas, Saint Nicholas, and Gerakas, each of which is just a 10-to-15-mintue drive away. Dafni beach is a 2.1km (25-minute) walk away downhill and has some seafront tavernas (the walk back up takes longer, though not much more than 30 minutes).

The capital of Zakynthos, Chora (or Zakynthos Town), is well worth a visit and just a 20-minute drive away. A few of its historic Venetian buildings remain, there are some interesting museums and galleries, and its streets and squares are flanked with a summery buzz of bars, cafés and tavernas.

At just over 30km long and 20km wide, Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is easily discoverable in a week and you're never much more than an hour's drive from most places of interest. Glorious sandy beaches line the east coast of the island, while to the west things are rather more more dramatic, with towering chalky cliffs, rocky coves (such as those at Porto Roxa and Porto Limnionas) and plenty of excellent opportunities for snorkelling.

Zakynthos's most popular, most spectacular and most photographed beach is Navagio, located in the northwest of the island. Taking its name from the shipwreck that has lain on its sand since the early 1980s, the bay is surrounded on three sides by spectacular tree-topped white cliffs and is only accessible by boat. This sublime setting and the bay's transparent, electric blue waters attract the crowds in high summer, but it's most certainly a sight to behold, both from the viewing point above and from the water below.

The countryside of Zakynthos is peppered with other villages, some of which survived the earthquake of 1953 and offer a fascinating insight into the island's history.