In early May we three older ladies decided to venture abroad and go on holiday to Zante, known locally as Zakinthos. Bags packed and safely delivered to the check-in desk, we were at the airport in good time to go wandering around the many interesting shops at Gatwick. Eventually our ‘plane was ready to leave and off we flew. Our hotel was only 10 minutes from the airport so it was very interesting to see the many different logos on the ‘planes that went to and from Zante. We stayed at the Bitzaro Grande Hotel which is probably better suited to older people, where nothing was too much trouble for the staff, everywhere was extremely clean, the food was of good quality, varied, plentiful and satisfying, and as we stayed on an ‘all-inclusive’ basis the wine at every meal was just waiting to be poured! The highlight of our week’s holiday was going on a glass-bottomed boat to see the turtles and the blue caves. Our very knowledgeable guide took us out to sea to where the turtles seemed to be waiting for our arrival, just under the surface. To see these majestic creatures come up to the surface to breathe and then go gently back down under the water was truly magical. There are several well-protected beaches on which the turtles lay their eggs and this usually happens later in the year. Going further along the coast our boat was manoeuvred into hidden caves, all our fellow travellers in the boat unconsciously breathed in as it seemed there was too little space for our craft to enter. However, once inside the caves the colours of the rocks were spectacular.Although their economy is going through a hard time, we found the Greek people to be friendly and helpful and we all agreed that would not hesitate to go back to Zante or visit another Greek island.
