turtle swimming on zante beach

A guide to turtle spotting in Zante

Turtle island in Zante sits right at the heart of the most important loggerhead turtle breeding ground in the Mediterranean. A mecca for both loggerhead turtles and wildlife spotters in nesting season, the protected waters here get pretty boat-logged once a turtle is spotted. Which isn’t necessarily a good thing for the turtles – or the people paying to spot them. Happily, there are plenty of ways to see Zante’s turtles in a green and low impact way. We’ve got the where, when, and how all sorted…

one of the most popular beaches in zante

The secrets of Zante’s beaches and bays

For some, there’s only one Zante beach. Yes, Shipwreck Cove gets most of the limelight, but this island has much more than a rusty bulkhead and some alluring cliffs to wow you with. By all means cruise into the famous cove for an afternoon, but if you love your beaches, don’t miss the facility packed shorelines Zante has to offer. As you’d expect, the best beaches in Zante come with watersports, beach bars and plenty of sun loungers. But some come with fjords to explore and more than a few turtle nests too…

seafood restaurant zante

Breakfast, lunch & dinner in Zante

The best restaurants in Zante take some snuffling out. Sure, you’ll never be more than a few feet away from a baked bean and bacon combo on the island’s party strip, but discerning palates will be looking for something a little more Mediterranean. We’ve swerved the fry-ups and found the foodie gems on this island. And boy are your taste buds in for some Greek treats. Rove up into the mountains for sunsets to feast in front of, find fine dining on the beach or relax in front of a plate of traditional, home-cooking…

exploring the caves of tsilivi in zante

Top 10 things to do in Zante

We could just point you towards a well-curated list of beaches and declare our guide on things to do in Zante complete. Such is their allure. But, that’s not the Orbzii way. These shores have enough marketing and word of mouth heft behind them to see that you’ll gravitate there without any help from us. We have of course, covered a couple of essential shoreline must-sees, but we’ve also snuffled out some of Zante’s hidden gems. Head into the mountains for sunsets, wine-tasting and sparkling views, dive down to an octopus nest or pack your binoculars for a glimpse of a squacco heron…

cocktail bar in Zante

After dark: A guide to nightlife in Zante

Let’s face it, Zante’s strip has quite the reputation. Fishbowl cocktails are just the start of the foam-covered shenanigans in Laganas. But, this island has much more to offer than wild nights of DJ sets and dancing on the tables. Across the island you’ll find bars catering to a different clientele. Rare wines, sky bar views, sunset terraces and cocktail mixologists are waiting to be discovered. We’ve covered the best of both worlds to help you choose between paint parties and pairing your wine with dessert…

Picturesque morning scene of Sicily, Italy, Europe.

Sicily

You could come to Sicily just for its stellar beaches. No one would blame you. Sparkling coastlines lifted straight from the Caribbean colour chart aren’t to be trifled with. And Sicily’s la dolce vita certainly lends itself to a fortnight of sun-blush tomatoes, al dente carbs and a barrel of wine. There’s just one problem: The island’s practically bulging at the seams with things to do. And we’re not talking a couple of cobbled streets and some mildly interesting architecture here. No, you’re looking at cities stuffed with artefacts from every civilisation that chose to swing by. Greek, Roman, Spanish, Arab and Norman colonies all had a crack at Sicily, leaving behind one of the largest archaeological sites in the world. So that deserves a day trip. Then there’s Sicily’s quirks to contend with. A set of catacombs housing 5,000 mummified bodies is the kind of curio you just can’t help but peek at. There’s more dark tourism – necropolis, tombs and ghost towns. Which is all rather distracting on an island with an active volcano you can ski down. So by all means drop in to taste the citrus fruits, olives and unique grape varietals, just add in a few extra days – or weeks to see Sicily’s best bits.

Tischi Toschisea food restaurant in Sicily

A food and wine lover’s guide to Sicily

Brace your tastebuds for the time of their life. Vineyards in Sicily come with the chance to slurp on unique wines – and nibble on gourmet-grade tasting platters prepared by chefs passionately showing off the region’s best produce. And that’s before you’ve even considered booking a table at the best restaurants in Sicily. Restaurant and vineyard numbers run high – so you could find yourself on the wrong end of some serious FOMO. There is a solution though: food and wine tours of Sicily. They’ll get you to the best spots – and save time. Or you could take some inspo from our picks below…

Alcantara Valley views in Sicily

A-Z of the best places to visit in Sicily

Cities in Sicily vie for your attention with baroque palaces, ancient ruins or – perhaps more tactically, irresistibly crisp, creamy cannolis. But, some of the best places in Sicily deliver on all three counts. Others, swerve the historic angle and instead provide a place for you to work off the mountain of carbs you’ve inhaled in the 10 minutes after your plane landed. We’ve brought you a mix of Sicily’s top spots. Use the list for inspo or carve out an itinerary. Just don’t miss the Valley of the Temples. It’s Sicily at it’s very best.

white cliffs at a beach in sicily

Secrets of Sicily’s beaches and bays

The best beaches in Sicily come with the opportunity to spend a rather different day at the beach. Dive down to a WWII bomber, spot falcons soaring above, tiptoe through orchids or scale the many steps of a natural phenomenon. Which all suggests the trusty bucket and spade is a little redundant. Fear not. On Sicily, the beaches cater for everyone. Families can find town beaches choc-full of facilities or quieter spots to laze the day away. Not every piece of coast comes with a quirky must-see. Which might be just the ticket after a fortnight of exploring and adventure.

mummified remains in palermo

Top 10 things to do in Sicily

The question of what to do in Sicily could likely be met with near infinite responses. Which could leave you a little overwhelmed when it comes to compiling a ‘things to do in Sicily’ itinerary. Naturally, there are some must-sees – but the best things to see in Sicily are those a little left of ordinary. On this island, do expect plenty of dark tourism – along with the chance to find treasure, skip among some of Europe’s finest ruins and ski down a volcano. An eclectic mix with one constant: gourmet-level food and wine at almost every turn. Buon appetito!