Zante

The Venetians fell in love with Zakynthos, naming it Zante, the flower of the east. They named it well, for this, the southernmost of the Ionian islands, is one of the most colourful, flower-carpeted landfalls in the eastern Mediterranean. Of course, it’s not all wildflower meadows and olive groves – this is a mature holiday island with a brace of excellent resorts offering all manner of diversions. By far the most popular, Laganas is a sociable jumble of restaurants, bars and shops fronting onto an excellent beach.