Essence

Rising in an uber-panoramic, cliff-top position on the northeast coast of Zakynthos, Essence is well-placed for those who love the sea, beaches, and exploring picturesque villages and towns. At just over 30km long and 20km wide, Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is easy to get around and many of the island's best spots are close to Essence.

A 20-minute walk from Essence is the little harbour village of Agios Nikolaos. It may be small, but it offers most of what you will need on a day-to-day basis, including a beach, crystal clear waters, a minimarket, boat rental and a few tavernas and bars.

A few minutes' boat ride up the coast from Agios Nikolaos are the Blue Caves, a series of sea grottoes that are particularly well worth exploring in the morning when the eastern sun illuminates them with the sapphire colours of the sea. It's also a great spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Numerous lovely sandy beaches line the east coast, including those at Makris Gialos and Xigia (10-15mins) and Alykes (just over 25mins).

Heading west across the island, meanwhile, you will soon come to Zakynthos's most popular, most spectacular and most photographed beach: Navagio. Taking its name from the shipwreck that has lain on its sand since the early 1980s, the sandy 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 above and below.

In terms of villages and towns in the area, the unspoilt twin villages of Volimes (upper and lower) have some interesting buildings, including traditional stone-built houses, a windmill, a couple of churches and a 400-year-old monastery. There are also a few eateries, should you get peckish while exploring.

Slightly further afield, though still just a 45-minute drive down the coast, is the capital of Zakynthos, Chora (or Zakynthos Town). A few fascinating Venetian buildings survive, and its museums and galleries, vibrant summery atmosphere, and host of bars, cafés and tavernas make it an attractive proposition for a day out.