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Currants – κορινθιακή σταφίδα In August, sometimes even into September, we see the currants spread all over the island infront of the houses. In former times they were put on square wooden frames. Today they use great awnings or meshed networks. They originally come from the region of Achaia on the Peloponnese, but mid-16 Jh [...]

The patron of the island of Zakynthos: Agios Dionysios The Island feast (24.8.) Backgrounds The Holy Dionysios was born in 1547 in Zakynthos, son of Nutzios Sigouros and Pavlina Valvi. He was baptized in the name of Draganigos and is of aristocratic descent (one of the leading families of the island). Since his youth he [...]

Garlic plays a major role in the Zakynthian kitchen. The inhabitants of Zakynthos love garlic in all variants and also love to eat it raw. In earlier times, ifinfants had intestinal problems such as worms, it was treated with garlic. Of course, garlic is not the only herb used. Rosemary grows in huge bushes on [...]

The mild Mediterranean climate and humidity help Zakynthos to a green landscape. Even the most barren places on the Island bloom in the spring. The greenery made the Venetians name the Island „Flower of the Orient“ – in their language „Fior di Levante“. In August the average temperature is 27 ° C in January around [...]

The Greek Orthodox Easter – “Pasha” rarely falls on the same day as the Easter of the Catholic and Reformed. But the real problem behind the present situation arose in the 16th Century when the Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian in 46 BC. It took some time until all countries appropriated this calendar (Greece until [...]

New Italian restaurant on Zante-Island! In December 2009 a fine little ristorantino opened up in Zakynthos. “La Bruschettina” is exactly what you expect when you want to go to an Italian ristorante. It seats about 30 people. Its owner, Nino Fotis, also owns “La Bruschetta” in Keri, a restaurant well known to every holiday traveler [...]

If you arrive unprepared into the Zakynthian carnival, you will be very surprised in what your eyes will see. It does not seem to be Greek at all, with all that is happening in the streets.  More or less three weeks per year are covered by the carnival, with dances, parties, parades and theatrical performances. [...]

“Limni Keriou” – the lake of Keri, was already well-known in ancient Greece because of its tar springs. They were mentioned, in particular, by Herodot. The lake is located in the very south of the island. As you travel down to the sea, you will see the tar spring of Herodot on the left side [...]