Savine

The village of Limni Keriou (a few mini-markets, a handful of tavernas and cafés, a beach and, importantly if you're thinking of renting a boat, a little harbour) is just over 10 minutes' drive away. The bay on which it sits is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, home to the idyllic islet of Marathonissi, and a wide arc of sandy beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs. Another beach close to Savine (15mins drive) is the lovely secluded stretch of sand at Marathia, just to the south of Limni Keriou.

At just over 30km long and 20km wide, Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is easily discoverable in a week and you're never 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 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, a few of which, such as Lithakia and Exo Chora (this latter with 16th-century houses, a 17th-century church and a 2,000-year-old olive tree) survived the earthquake of 1953 relatively unscathed.

Finally, about 30 minutes' drive away is the capital of Zakynthos, Chora (or Zakynthos Town), which is well worth a visit. A few of its historic Venetian buildings remain, there are some interesting museums and galleries, and its streets and squares are flanked by a summery buzz of bars, cafés and tavernas.