4. Zakynthos Early Morning Shipwreck, View point and Blue Caves
Begin your experience with a pick-up from your accommodation. On the way to take the boat, you will enjoy the views of the olive groves, vineyards, the diversity of the landscape, the traditional village houses, the old churches, and the stunning panoramic views of the turquoise sea waters until we arrive in Porto Vromi.
From this small port, we will get on board a small to medium size boat, which allows us to enter inside the caves. It will take about 20 minutes to sail along the west coast, and reach to Navagio Beach that is our first stop.
Now that you are one of the first tourists to land so early at one of the most famous beaches on the planet, grab your camera and get ready to snap the best pictures with the most amazing background of the rusty hull of the commercial shipwreck, named, M/V Panagiotis, which grounded onshore in 1980 and lies in the middle of the white sandy beach.
The next stop is the blue caves that took their name from the sapphire color cast by the sunlight shimmering through the water and being reflected into the caves. For about 20 minutes, you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling. Another stop will be a secluded, and originally pebbled beach which is a characteristic sample of the natural beauty of Zakynthos, for swimming or sun tuning. Simply, another hidden gem.
We continue our 3 hours boat trip, exploring more caves, each one more unique than the other. However, the last one is the magnificent Poseidon cave. Next to it, there is a natural rock formation in which you can easily spot the stunning face of Poseidon, the god of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses.
Back to the minivan to visit the Shipwreck View Point. From the platform, you will be able to see and photograph what is considered one of the 30 most beautiful beaches all over the world. For safety reasons, you will follow the guide walking about 10 min along a stony path leading out to the cliff top to a high promontory facing the sea, where he will help you capture the best photos of the iconic shipwreck in the background.
Full of pictures it is time for lunch (own expenses) at a Greek, Zakynthian family-run taverna, named Galaxy, a neat location at Anafonitria. Yiayia (grandmother in Greek ) Dimitra is the boss of the kitchen, with her delicious home-cooked traditional dishes with fresh homegrown vegetables and homemade wine and desserts, while the rest of the family would treat you like a family member or a friend. Simply authentic taverna in a mountain village, very nice atmosphere, good menu, sensible prices, very generous dishes.
Last stop will be the famous 2,000 years old olive tree at Exo Chora. It is one of the seven oldest olive trees in the Mediterranean, and probably one of the oldest olive trees in the world. Some local treats and we are ready to drop you off to your accommodations.