Zakynthos (Zante) holiday villa: Kalamaki

Just returned from Zante, I (42yr) was there with my Wife (39yr), son (9yr), Neice(20yr) and father-in-law (66yr). What a wonderful relaxing holiday. Everyone enjoyed Kalamaki,the villa and surroundings. The complex was so so friendly and we met a great bunch of people sharing the complex. There are plenty of brilliant places to eat out on a night. We ate out somewhere different nearly every night. The best thing we liked about Kalamaki Court was the safety of my son in the complex. We could let him play around with the other children knowing that he was completey safe. He spent loads of time hunting for lizards and frogs with the other kids. Brilliant Brillant place to stop. You don't need a car as the taxis to the town and back are only 5 euro each way, but I would advise to get a car.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect on this holiday as I was used to staying in hotels and do love my creature comforts, but we were enticed by the photographs and rave review of friends re Zakynthos and went ahead and booked this villa. (we, being Myself, my husband and our girls aged 5 and 7). I shouldn't have worried as we arrived to a spotlessly clean villa, with every mod-con you can imagine.(AC, Washing machine, dishwasher, Microwave, Full sized oven, fridge-freezer, communal BBQ, TV/DVD). But the best part was the pools, and the fact they're on your doorstep, no hiking up and down steps with towels and creams,books ect, plus I could sit at the table in the shade and have lunch with the kids in full view of me. They have a ball with their choices of pools and unlike most hotels they could use lilo's ect. When they got hungry or too hot or whatever they could just pop inside and meet their needs. It was also dead handy to be able to pop around the corner to the local supermarket for the essentials but I'd suggest going to Lidls (maybe 2 or 3 miles away) for a big shop. Whenever we called a taxi it came within 5 mins. The beaches are fabulous, mind the turtles though. Kalamaki town is a short hop away. I'd recommend the Melon Bar, Drunken Corner, Mermaids restaurant and Crystal beach is very close too, I'd recommend the Crystal beach hotel, the Oceanic and Georgia Restaurant. It's very child friendly and most of the Stag and Hens parties seem to be centred in Agassi (TG) so no loss there then! Kalamaki Ct. is about 10 mins from the airport. It's gated, so very safe for kids. There are 2 restaurants in 5 mins walk. I recommend Christos (his wife Emilia is the best cook on the island and grow most of her own ingredients). You're surrounded by Olive tress with a few orange trees here and there to add to the colour. . It did myself and hubby wonders to be able to relax so much especially with the kids. If you want to buy cigs it's €30 for 200. Leather and jewellery is also cheap. You can also get the "designer" bags and the "latest dvds" quite readily. I also appreciated the fact that an english lady from the mgt. company dropped in at the start to make sure we had everything that we needed and to answer any question we may have had. I highly recommend this Villa, especially because of the safety and privacy it afforded us, also because of it’s accessibility to everything. I'm already saving for next yrs return visit.

Stayed here with my husband and three kids (all under age 7) in July. Had an absolutely fantastic time. Cot there on arrival and accomodation best we have ever stayed in. Already planning return trip next year.