Island Tour by Coach

Zante Excursions

Derek B           

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We booked with Pelargos tours it is situated at the bottom of the road near to the Magic mushroom.

They were very helpfull and did not push us at all the cost was 20 euro for a full day tour on an air conditioned coach.
We stopped at plenty of places of interest including St Timothie.St Moura,Blue caves the old church of st Dionysius.
The stop at lunch was at port St Nicolas where we had lunch and then as an option booked a small boat trip into the blue caves (cost 7 euro each half price for children) well worth the money and should not be missed.
Also visited was the shipwreck viewing platform what a view.
This trip is a must for anyone visiting Zante for the first time this is an island that is well worth seeing.
October 2005

Karen M           

We liked this trip. Bus on time and well air conditioned, went with Dionissis tours, Guide (Kostos was brill with good humour and loved how he pronouced "Saint", Still I only know "Yammas"!) Nice places you visit, view over shipwreck brill. But be warned if you are a good eater the, restaurant taverner you stop at serves child portions at adult prices. Some nice views as you travel on bus, Dont sit at front or you will be scared stiff!

Sue A           

We had a lovely day, the pick up time was spot on (8:30am) we visted some lovely villages up in the mountains.

 We went with Kosmar.
 
It was a lovely day and thier wasn't to much walking involed.

Carl B           

An enjoyable full day trip by coach, booked with a local TEZ (Zakynthos Tourist Board) travel shop (cheaper than hotel rep.), but couldn't visit Blue Caves due to weather because Island authorities forbid any boat trips if it's too rough (quite sensible!). Saw many interesting sights. Stopped for lunch break in a remote village. Good guide. Opportunity for shopping at one or two stops but could be a little pestered for trade (maybe because it was nearly the end of the season and they wanted to reduce their stock??). Maybe not so suitable for children.

Tracy            

If you don't like heights don't go on this tour!!!!! Nobody told me how high up I was going to be, so I really didn't enjoy it. Everyone else thought it was great though. Our guide was Kostas and he's very good, he even got the driver to pull the bus away from the edge of the cliffs so that me and another very frightened lady could get back on it. Take some money with you as there's lots of things to buy up in the villages.

Diane W           

I would recommend this tour to anyone going to Zante next year as it is the end of the 2004 holiday season. Last Tuesday (12th October) Julie and I went on this lovely Island tour with Smile Tours in Laganas. We were taken to see St Mavourer's (not sure of spelling) Church and our guide was from London originally and her name was Wendy. From the church, we were taken to the Castelli Taverna and was shown the fabulous panoramic view of the island that anyone could ever wish to see!
From there we went up into the hills to the wine tasting place and into Volimes flea market where Julie bought an hand made bracelet for 3 euros. Then we went to St Nicholas Bay where some of our party were taken to the Blue Caves and stayed on the pebbled beach. other people too stayed on the beach. All in all an excellent trip and we have plans to go again to Zante next season. Wow I really enjoyed my first fortnight and Laganas has so much to offer. Many thanks to Sam who is from Liverpool and works for Smile Tours. We did two trips throughout the whole fortnight and they were brilliant. Returned from Zakynthos yesterday (18th october)
From Diane Wilsher

Ruth A           

We booked a trip through our rep called Discover Zante. This trip was very good value for money visiting the blue caves (you have to pay extra 7e for an adult) volimes the small market town and a few more. Our guide was Carole who's commentry really made this trip worth taking, we learnt a lot on this trip (unlike the Sunkissed cruise with Thomas Cook, which was a total waste of money, and I think only ment as a fun day for the reps who came along).

Laura C           

We went on this day out on our second to last day in Zante. Our guide was Carol. She told us lots about the island and even some Greek traditions. We stopped at many places along the way and even had the great opportunity to see caves and actually go in them. (this was an extra 12 euros but worth it). Lunch and relaxation on St Nicholas beach was mmmwell interesting, very expensive and not that brilliant food wise.
The view from the top of the mountain overlooking Zante town and harbour with a refreshing ice cream was a perfect way to end a very enjoyable and memorable day. This is a must if you wanna see the island in all it's glory.

James T           

Went with English guide, Nina. Very informative. Went into blue caves in a tiny boat, was great fun, but be warned, health & safety isn't quite the same out here! (Had to push some poor lady off her seat to save her from having her head smashed open by the rocks above her head in the cave as clearance from boat was only a few inches when the waves rocked the boat!!)

Nigel C           

Booked this through Smile tours in Argassi. Guide was Kostas - he was great. We stopped at a roadside "shop" for home made wine & honey. Warning - this place was very expensive for other goods (lace/mats). Save your money and buy in Volimes instead. We paid €3.50 for a turtle mat there instead of €6 at the roadside shop. There is a lot to cram in but do as we did, have a day to chill between each trip. This trip is well worth the money.

Mary-anne W           

We did the tour by coach as our jeep safari trip was cancelled due to rain. It wasn't as exciting as the jeeps would have been, but it's a good second best. The wine tasting was fun!! One piece of advice, if you go on this trip then take your lunch with you, as the restaurant where we stopped was awful! (tour run by Cavo Grosso)

Joanne G           

We have just returned from Zakynthos. We did the island tour by coach. We booked through our Kosmar rep who use Eurozane. The guide Steve (from the blue half of Manchester) was really interesting. The stops are very interesting and the weather was quite good on the day we went. We went to the blue caves which are beautiful. However, we went in quite a large boat. It seemed much beter for those people on the small boat as they can go right into the caves . We also were taken to the shipwreck viewing platform. The views are just breathtaking up there and you get great shots of the shipwreck. The platform is also very sturdy, though they only allow 7 people on at a time. I'm not that keen on heights if the ground underneath me is not solid, but I didn't have a problem here and could have stayed on there all day. Some people were foolishly trying to get photos from on the nearby cliff, but we were told that people had been blown off there. As it's an awefully long way down I wouldn't recommend you try to get the shots form there. It was also good as we were unable to see the shipwreck up close as our trip was cancelled due to high winds. The trip cost 20 euros.

Leanne F           

We went with smile tours in Argassi, E10 per person and no charge for my 4 yr-old.
Our guide was Wendy and she was very imformative, coach was wonderful -comfortable and modern.
Loads of stops for visits and refreshments.
We paid an extra E5 and went on the boat trip INTO the caves -very enjoyable.
Enjoyed this more than the round the island boat trip.

Alan            

We booked this through our Airtours rep.Our guide was Hilda,a lovely scottish lady.She was very informative throughout the tour and made sure there was frequent stops for refreshments etc.Thanks for a nice day out Hilda.PS; and the tablets,ha ha ha.

Angie H

I tried to book this trip twice and the bus didnt turn up for either.I booked with 2 different companies one was Tsilivi travel and they just left us standing, the others name I cant remember but it was opposit Pieros at least he came and told us it had been cancelled. Be carefull who you book with you could be stood at a bus stop for a long time.

Hayley T           

I would recommend this trip as you get to see a ot of the islands although it is a long time on a coach the scenery is brilliant. Highly recommended. Ideal for your last day so you can see the sights in comfort and you can relax.

Nigel B           

Would have liked to seen more of the Island - everywhere we stopped seemed like it was so that the locals could have money from us. I would have liked more photo opportunities and less bar/ restaurant/ shop stops.

Lyn G           

excellant trip and sue was fantastic

Mary M           

We booked the trip through Peter in Argassi. The pick-up time was civilised...9.50! It was lovely to see a different side of the island..not just the hoony bars/clubs etc. The scenery was beautiful. Our guide was Jenny, who had a vast knowledge of the island and its history. The stop times at places were just enough to have a look around, do a bit of shopping etc. The best bits were the look-out point over the Shipwreck beach [ though had to wait ages as three coaches turned up at the same time ], and the trip from St. Nicholas out to the blue caves. The colour of the water is a beautiful turquoise and the boat goes right inside the caves, with only a few indhes to spare!! definitely recommened!

Steve H           

Volimes has the most rugs I've ever seen in one place. Anybody who's been knows exactly what I'm talking about. It was Rug City.

Julia B           

hire your own car, they only take you to places that are free to see anyway! that way you can see them at your leisure without getting pushed around, at all places several coaches turn up at once,recommended, shipwreck, volimes (the locals do try to persuade you to buy),keri lighthouse, kambi, for a meal watching the sunset,

Peter B           

The contents of the trip were ok, but the time spent at most of the locations was laughable! At probably the prime spot, the view from the cliff tops of the ship wreck, we just had time to lean over the edge of the viewing platform for one very quick snap, and then we were wisked away to the next location. Also the stop for lunch was at the worst restaurant we have eaten at in the Greek Islands. The food was undercooked, very poor quality, and over priced. A tourist trap if we ever saw one. However overall I would say that the trip was worth the 10 Euros that we paid just to see some of the beautiful parts of the island on our first trip there.

Shirley C           

Booked with Dionisios? and at 13Euros including lunch it was fantastic.Boat trip was brilliant , meal at stop off ex. all in all well worth it.Only problem, the coach drivers driving on tiny mountainous tracks frightened me to death.Shopping stop a rip off, we can get the same "hand made" lace goods in local markets.Look at the cars in their back yards.Home made olive oil in fanta bottles(to prove authenticity?) is rubbish.Organic wine is ...yeuk, especially when you get home.

Richard & Sarah           

We did this trip through Argo with Forum travel. A nice day, which we did in reverse because the weather was a bit dodgy in the morning. Ended up at the Blue Caves in the afternoon to be told by the locals that the little boats weren't running so there was no point going out. Our guide, Nina, who was brilliant, had spent all day ringing them and been told 3 times since lunchtime that the weather had improved enough so that the little boats were going! Volimes is great for lace, tablecloths, etc. Lunch was fine. The view over Zante town is nice and the ice cream is brilliant (not included). Be prepared for a long day. Well worth doing.

Kathryn S           

Booked with Pelargos (T.E.Z.)tours on main street Kalamaki , 10 euros each. Guide Joanne was excellent visited all main sites, good meal at mountain restaurant very reasonably priced, wine tasting, but no pressure to buy at anything at any of the stops, excellent value!!

Andrew S           

We booked the round the island tour by boat and coach by Dionisis tours aka rip off merchants, take my adviace and book with your travel reps (never thought I would say that??). The boat tour was a disaster, it cost 60 euros for two adults and two children, it started off ok but when we reached the northern point of the island the sea state changed dramatically, the lower deck looked something like an A&E ward after a major traffic accident with most people throwing up. The guides on the boat spoke a lot of the tour in Italian but not muvh in english, so I havent a clue what I missed, stay away. The round the island coach tour was not bad (again 60 euros), the guide Malcolm certainly knew his stuff, but they take you to insignificant places just to fill in the day. The coach had seen better days, just compare it to what the germans get, but the draiver was excellant. We also had the experience of visiting Zakynthos with them, which is just a glorified bus service between the resort and town, no guide, no commentary. Conclusion, pay the extra nd get the quality, what made me laugh was at the front of the coaches was a plaque sayong they were professional greek toursit service, guess that one yourself.

Jo T

Hi there, my boyfriend and I are going to Zante next week for the first time. We are staying in Argassi and we would like to hear from people who have stayed there before and what they thought of it. Also ive had a look at the excursions page/comments and none really say anything about excursions from Argassi. Thank-you ! ! ! ! !

Jon & Kay           

Families - maybe, but be prepared to be fleeced at every stop! Save your money and have more fun on Zakfari!

Jeffrey B           

Dioysis tour guide Sue gives much information not all of which is totally relevant. She doesn't tell you that the boat that takes you to the caves is too big to go in them or that the water is much bluer looking down on the shipwreck and this is free. She find it strange that the monastery is nearly always closed yet a sign clearly states it shuts at one. She takes to a farm for fresh produce at Harrods prices! She does take your side when you complain at the meal stop that you are being served half measures. The tour is fair value for the price but on reflection Smile tours had a better day planned. Sue's not so bad either!

Gary M           

Booked the tour with Dionosis which were a lot cheaper than the Tour operators. A mature lady by the name of Sue was the guide for the day. She told us lots of interesting stuff about the culture and customs of the island. This was all first hand as she lives on the island. Plenty of time at each stop to have a look around, shop, drink, smoke whatever. I would recommend to anybody.

Julie O           

Did this tour also through Dionosis tours. This was the best tour I have ever done (did the boat tour last year but found it boring) but this was excellent. The guide, Malcolm, was excellent and the day as a whole was great. Again, the company ensured that we did not hit the crowds - we were just leaving as the hoards arrived - very well planned. Would not hesitate to recommend this company to anybody.

Alvin B           

Good value for money. The rep' was very informative, and helpfull with any questions we asked.

Leon D           

This trip is brilliant you get to see everything and you can go and see the blue caves they are beautiful. we went with airtours/mytravel and you get too see everything be wise and don't in the front seat as it can be a little hairasing as you go along the mountain roads. But be careful and don't get out at the monastary in zante town as you may have to kiss st dennis feet and he has been dead since 1670. Don't say i didn't warn you.

Maureen T           

We booked the island coach tour with Manfredas on Tsilivi main street [run by a lovely Greek man with perfect English] and found it informative, enjoyable, and good value. [The schedule was well planned and one was not left for a long time in a spot which merited only 10 minutes scrutiny.] Our guide was Constantina - a Chelsea Clinton lookalike - who was interesting and humorous. Only criticism was the restricted lunch menu but think this may have been dictated by the time available for the stop. A tour well worth doing especially for a first-time visitor to Zakynthos.

Muriel W           

This was one of the best trips we have been on, normally dont like trips, but this one was very informative was not a long drawn out affair but a steady pace would recommend this trip to anyone.

John J           

Went last year to Tsilivi in june, very hot with mozzies and the odd snake. Bottled beer is not cheap considering there are no excise duties and the local wine is an aquired taste!. I found the coach trip gave a good tour of the north of the island with some excellant scenic views. The stopping points are for a short time and most are at small outlets selling trinkets etc. Remember you are on holiday so make the best of it. I will do another coach tour when I return this october, when it is cooler. I hope it does not rain for ten days as commented earlier!!.

Philip C           

I have to say I did not enjoy the island tour as much as I thought I would. The first stop was the blue caves, which we were led to believe through the guide was worth seeing. Quite frankly you saw just as much from the ferry crossing to Kefalonia as you do on the boat which goes just into the cave. i.e a cave with water in it. It was described as an intricate set of caves that you could go through. We then set off for Volimes, small village with market. We only had 30 mins here, could have done with an hour. No sooner had you had a snack and drink it was time to get back on the bus. The shops looked good selling lace items etc. Then visited the Shipwreck vantage point, which was a nice photo spot. Where we stopped for lunch was pretty awful and quite expensive and I am sure there was an arrangement between the guide and the restauarnt. The visit to the Madonna Church was very good, and informative. Overall the trip was average. However it was my first coach tour trip, and perhaps I expected too much. The ensuing coach trip to Kefalonia was by far better and our TEZ tour guide Joanne, was fantastic and made up for the not so good island tour.

Alan E           

Hmmm....I totally disgree with N.Sharples too - the coach trip was FANTASTIC for me and my wife, plus our two kids. We really enjoyed ouselves and the guide was great, food was just right trad. greek and little stops were excellent. There were one or two moaners on our coach giving the poor rep a hard time for petty reasons, but then I suppose there always are the odd ones who like to moan about the smallest things rather than enjoy the day, soak up the environment and learn something too about the island and it's proud people. By the way, I feel it right to point out that the comments made about 6-month working are unjustified. Do you realise how little these people actually earn? A Waiter, for example, may only earn £1600 while he/she can in the summer, having to make this money last through the winter until the tourist season starts again.

Alison G           

Hi, Well Natalie, you certainly have some serious hangups don't you?! I'm going to Zante in June and really looking forward to it. A holiday is what you make it and depends who you are with. (must have had bad company eh?) I hope I am not as 'intelligent' (as you OBVIOUSLY are!) as you, because I would like to enjoy this holiday and only us 'guliable'lot seem to have a nice time. I think you actually need to grow up.

Greg J           

Is Nat Sharples the biggest whinging plank ever?I think so.Not only is she a lysdexic tunc,she is also a little harsh being critical on the lack of history because most of the places on the island were decimated by an earthquake in 1953.The trip is the best way to see the island,then you can hire a car and go back to see the bits you liked best.

Somark            

Hey Ena Sharples are you Jewish?Firstly mai e rekomeend yu git a speelcheeck!!!!!!The trip around the island does take in the best parts of the island,including the blue caves-if you wish to take advantage of being in the correct part of the island for seeing these amazing caves.Getting up to Volimes to buy local crafts and goods gives you the chance to buy a lasting memory of a beautiful island, NOT AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL SOOPERMARCKET!!!! I'll be going back to this jewel of an island again,even if you are not,you whinging old b@$+@r.

Jo            

this was an excellent well thought out trip run by al la carte excursions. nina was our guide and new heaps of facts and figures. we went to some great places. well worth the money!!!!1

George            

The island tour was booked through Dionious Travel company, the old silver grey guide was very good, you so all the main attractions, had the chance to purchase farms goods, worth the money

Smiffy S           

Took advice from the web-site and toured the island by coach-can't remember which one, but know that it was run by T.E.Z. It was 5,000 Drachma each which included a lovely lunch in the tiny village of Axo Hora-first class coach driver (felt very safe)called Dimitres and the guide was Joanna. An excellent and throroughly recommended way of seeing the island-as it also allowed you ro stop for a boat ride out to the Blue caves.

Philippa S           

We booked through Dionisos Tours and it cost around 10 pounds each for the day, which included lunch. We had the chance to visit the Blue Caves by boat, which cost around 3 pounds each extra and was worth doing. We visited lots of places on the island including the shipwreck view point (from above), a monastry and church. We also stopped in a little village where we had time to look at and buy all the hand woven/embroidered stuff (although I could have done with longer there!!!). We also stopped at a lovely farm shop where they sold olive oil and local wine etc. I wasn't keen on a long coach trip, but I would thoroughly recommend it!

Louise D           

Booked the trip with Olympic. Really enjoyed the day - learnt alot about the island and got to see a lot of it too. Also got the chance at the end to catch a 20 minute boat trip (1500 drx) to the blue caves. Our tour guide, Jean, was really good too.

Natasha S           

As per usual the greeks tell you about how wonderful there island is, and "how amzing" the blue caves are before you go. We went on a coach trip and paid 8 quid each. We were told that we were going to see the blue caves, however when we got there, we had to pay an extra 4 puund each to go on a broken old boat, to see ...well bright blue sea really. The excursions are misl-leading and over-priced. HOW THE HELL, CAN YOU BE PROUD OF A SHIP WRECK WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN THERE SINCE THE LATE EIGHTIES, AND WHICH TURNED UP CARRYING FAGS, AND DRUGS...Before we went on the excursion we were led to believe that we were going to see some excellent sites, however, all we experienced were a bunch of greedy greeks, who thought nothing of charging the earth for a general poor quality service. I know there may be a lot of people out there who like to spend there day being "taken for a ride" but for anyone out there who is thinking of coming to zante for the history, culture or wine..THINK AGAIN. This place is not for your intellectuals/graduates/mature people... Lastly, as I missed the point before. IF YOU DECIDE TO GO ON THE COACH TRIP, BE PREPARED TO BE TAKEN TO EVERY LITTLE GREEK SHOP AND STALL AROUND THE ISLAND. THIS WAS A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT BY THE COACH COMPANY TO GET THE TOURISTS TO PART WITH CASH ON THINGS THAT WERE SUB STANDARD. IN OTHER WORDS, WHILE WE WERE SUPPOSED TO TOURING ZANTE, THE COACH CONSISTENTLY STOPPED, THREW US OFF THE COACH TO FACED BY HARD SELLING GREEKS, SELIING HIDEOUS LACE PLACEMATS, CARPETS WITH PICTURES OF TURTLES ON IT AND EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, WHICH WAS THE EXACT SAME PRICE OF GREEK EXTRA VIRGIN OIL AVAILABLE FROM THE TESCO FINEST PRODUCTS RANGE PRICED 2.99. It really wpould not have bothered me so much if the prices were cheap in zante. If you say purchase an item from its source(where it grown etc) then you expect to pay very little, as there are no production costs etc, however in zante, they will sell you fruit and oil at more of a cost than in britain. Why? because you are a tourist, and because when you are holiday you are more willing to put your hand in your pocket. I really think that the people of the island, laugh at us British because of our gulibility. The coach guide said to us that most people on the island work for only six months and the rest , they do nothing. they collect benefit she says, because its more than the average wage. DO you wonder why they can afoord to have six months off a year? wanna know why? Go to zante and find out...but take heed, bring plenty of money with you as you are going to need it.

Diane P           

We really enjoyed our coach trip of the island and thought it excellent value for money. (We booked on the street as it is much cheaper) Didn't try the boat trip as we were told by several people that it was a very long day and quite boring.

Jano            

We went on the coach tour with JMC. DON'T DO IT! Book with one of the tour operators on the street as you will get more for your money and it will be cheaper. With JMC we didn't get to go to the whinery and we didn't go to the cliff top for a view of the Smugglers Wreck but it was more expensive than the tours offering these stops. This applies for all the other trips too. Look around before you book.

Debra C           

Went with Sue from Dionysia tours. They were great but I thought the caves and the ship wreck a bit of a waste. Far better caves to be found in the med and the ship wreck was just a wreck dragged up by the greeks a few years ago rather than getting rid of properly. Volimes was a bit of a hassle street

Ray G           

Thanks Rimmer, I think I've made my mind up now - Zakfari here I come!!!

Linda C           

Dionysis Tours

Rimmer            

Ray - Boat trip is a long day on the boat, a lot of cliffs, and subject to weather / sea conditions which are very variable all year round. Coach trip has 5 stops (church / shopping / monastery / wine tasting etc.) and is quite 'cultural'. Best way to see island in a day is with Zakfari!

Ray G

Has anyone been on both the boat trip around the Island and the coach trip? From what I see so far the coach trip sounds much more interesting, can anyone comment on this? I'm only going for a week so I don't want to go on both. Thanks

Rimmer            

Alan - Rat problem is from 10 years ago, and all pools are open to the public. Have a great time!

Alan A

My Wife & I are considering Greece for the first time . We have the chance of a "cheapie" to Zante - someone mentioned rats !!!! Also my wife cannot go in the sea - are pools avaialable to use ?(we're due to travel 1/7/01 ) Any help please ? Thanks .

Christine S           

Christine and I chose to go on the DIONISOS trip around the island. The driver Gerassimo was really good. The tour guide SUE was very informative. The trip in the small boats out to the Blue Caves was worth the money, as they go into the caves. The stop for homemade Wine and Olive Oil was also a good choice and good value for money.

Rimmer            

Terry - there are many different travel agents in Tsilivi (and all resorts) selling all types of tours. All tours will pick up from convenient places in Tsilivi, shop around for price, but beware of the quality as the price goes down. Best way to see the island in one day is on 'Zakfari' jeep safari.

Mark H           

Terry, you will find in most towns at least 1 place to book in Argassi they are every wear expect to pay £12-14, the wine is vary good and cheep.

Terry R

Please help! I'm goin to Zante in August and I'd like to know where the coach trips are from (can u get them from Tsilvi?), how much they cost and which are the best

Alison S           

TRY IT - I PROMISE YOU WON'T REGRET IT OR FORGET IT !

Sophie M

Can anyone tell me where they pick up from and how much it costs? cheers x

Sally H           

Great way to see the island in one day then go back again in a car to the best bits, trouble is there are so many 'best bits' you need two weeks!!

Erika N           

we loved the coach tour of the island better than the boat tour,more places to see went right to the top of the mountain taken photos of shipwreck above on the mountain top cage(must go on very clear day to do this) highly recommended.

Terrie B           

If you want to see the whole of the Island in one day, this is the one for you. There is something for everyone. We visited a wine factory, where you can buy bottles as you leave. A village where they sell lace and rugs etc at half the price they are in town. A monastry and a church ( you have never seen as much gold in one place at one time!) We made a scenic stop for photo and videos, you could see the whole island as well as neighbouring Islands. We saw the shipwreck from above(slightly scary it was a long way down). Highlight of the trip is undoubtedly the optional boat trip. For about £3.00 you get around half an hour in and around the caves on the coast. They are quite spectacular. The water is also the most gorgeous colour turquoise I have ever seen. The trip lasts all day but it's well worth it.