AGENDA in Aura Club

Zante St Dennis Festival experience

Street food, lively processions, fireworks and marching bands – the feast day of St Dennis is Zante's biggest event of the year. And you can enjoy the best views on this evening tour. See the procession of priests in their finest robes and then mingle with the locals in the festival bazaar. Maria, one of our local guides, says, ‘The celebration of our patron Saint Dennis – known as Dionysus locally – is the most important event in every Zakynthian's diary. A highlight of mine is seeing the town in all its festive finery as we weave through the bazaar.'To commemorate the island's patron saint, the whole of Zante comes out to celebrate on the 24th of August. You'll get to join in the festivities, heading into Zante town late afternoon. Take your spot in the crowd to watch the procession first, before a chance to mingle with the locals at the food stalls and bazaar. Maria says, ‘There'll be plenty of local delicacies on offer, including traditional sweet treats, roasted chestnuts, and my favourite – loukoumades – a typical Greek donut drenched in honey.'Soak up the buzzing atmosphere and snap up those last pics of the evening as fireworks light up the sky before the bus takes you back to your hotel.

Zante tour with Blue Caves boat trip and wine-tasting

Timeless villages, wow-factor views and a coastal classic. This small group tour offers a snapshot of Zante's best bits. And if that wasn't enough, you'll get to try local olive oil and wine. Bianca, one of our local guides, says, ‘You get to discover those hard-to-reach places that are a relic of the past – the Skinari windmills, the narrow lanes of Volimes. Even after all these years on the island, I still feel a frisson when I see them.' And to top it off, this tour has a later starting time, meaning you won't miss out on your beauty sleep.We kick off with a tour and tasting at a family-run winery in Kallipado. For generations, it has produced wines made from local grape varieties such as robola and Pavlos. Next is a drive up the east coast with a photo stop at a famous beach. At Cape Skinari, drop in for homemade apple pie and a hot drink at the lighthouse and take some snaps of windmills before hopping aboard a boat for a trip to the Blue Caves. These sea arches have been carved by waves into white cliffs over millennia. And weather permitting, you'll get to dive in for a swim.Back on dry land, you'll enjoy a scenic drive through villages like Volimes and Anafonitria , as we head to Exo Chora. Here, there'll be a stop for a photo of a 2,000-year-old olive tree and a visit to a local cosmetics factory to see how olive oil products are made using the island's own produce, before rounding off the tour in Banatao with a meal in a local taverna. Amidst the backdrop of Insta-worthy landscapes, toast to the days adventures and taste the flavours of Greece with some snacks washed down with wine.

Secrets of Zante with Blue Caves visit and local tastings

It's easy to see why the Venetians called Zante the ‘Flower of the East'. This exclusive tour takes in some of the island's prettiest villages and the remote Anafonitria monastery, too. And that's not all. There'll also be local wine and sweets to taste, plus a short boat trip to the Blue Caves – one of the deepest points in the Mediterranean.

Turtle Island family boat cruise in Zante with snorkelling

Surround yourself with the beauty of Ionian nature on this half-day cruise geared for children. You'll sail past Marathonisi Island, anchoring up for swimming along the way, before gaining an insight into local conservation efforts. Kay, one of our guides, says, ‘We love to show everyone this beautiful place and maybe spot a turtle to understand why and how we protect our environment. It's a fun tour, which makes sustainability visible.'You'll cast off from Agios Sostis, sailing past pine-clad Marathonisi Island in Laganas Bay. This uninhabited islet is nicknamed ‘Turtle Island' because its beaches are a favourite nesting site for loggerheads. Kids will love this one, too – there'll be activities aimed at teaching them more about turtle conservation. They'll also learn about respecting the island's environment, protecting it from litter.Next, you'll swing by the Oasis sea cave for a swim stop before heading closer to the island. We'll drop anchor once more for an extra dose of snorkelling. Remember to keep an eye on the water for signs of loggerhead turtles and dolphins. What's more, the boat has an integrated sewage drainage system, so nothing harms the sea.

Taste of Zante tour with market, local delicacies and lunch

Zante is famous for its beautiful beaches and landscapes – but it has plenty of other riches, too. Its sweets, cheeses, wines and vegetables are among the finest in Greece. The fun kicks off at the heart and soul of any Greek town – the market. Wander among stalls overflowing with fresh, local vegetables, where you can load up on whatever takes your fancy. Expert guide Nikolaos, adds, “locals shop by colour and aroma, not by recipe, so whatever smells the best becomes that night's dinner.”Then it's on to a traditional mandolato factory. This local variety of nougat – made from almonds, honey, sugar and egg whites – is one of the definitive tastes of Zante. From sweet to savoury, next you'll head to a small cheese factory in one of Zante's oldest villages, Loucha. Here, you'll meet third-generation cheesemakers, see how they make prentza, a creamy goat's cheese and ladotyri, Zante's signature oil cheese, and of course, enjoy a tasting.As lunchtime approaches, you'll head to a restaurant in the mountain village of Agios Leontas for an authentic Greek meal. It comes complete with pitta, tzatziki and frigania – a local, creamy, layered dessert that'll satisfy your sweet tooth. Your final stop is Grampsas Estate Winery, set on the green slopes at the foot of Mount Vrachionas. Nikolaos explains, “Zante has wines you won't taste anywhere else – our grapes have grown on these slopes for centuries. You can expect to taste varieties like fresh, aromatic Goustolidi whites and fruity, spicy Avgoustiatis reds.”

Olympia archeological site day trip from Zante

The birthplace of the Olympic Games is just a short hop across the Ionian Sea on mainland Greece. Catch the ferry over from Zante and head to ancient Olympia for a journey through the centuries. You'll also visit the fascinating Archaeological Museum. Konstantina, one of our guides, says, ‘Olympia has been standing there for more than 2,500 years, still inspiring as a must-stop on the way to a personal Odyssey. To wander around its ruins and to feel the connection with the past is a special feeling.'After docking at Kyllini, we'll drive through the ‘garden of Greece' – fields of tomatoes, melons and cotton – to one of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity. Alongside a licenced Olympia guide and our own local expert, you'll discover where the Olympic Games began in the 8th century BC. See the remains of the stadium where 45,000 spectators cheered on their favourite athletes, including the finishing line and waterside gym. What's more, you'll share the use of an iPad to bring to life the ruins and see how they once looked.You'll also see the ruins of the Temple of Hera, where the Olympic flame was first lit, and of the Temple of Zeus. It was here that the statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood. Afterwards, head to the superb Archaeological Museum to see its collection of statues and bronzes. Finally, head into Olympia town, where you'll have time for lunch and a poke around the souvenir shops.

Smuggler's Cove half-day cruise with panoramic drive

Smuggler's Cove is a picture-postcard white pebble beach with a surprise – a shipwreck from an alleged smuggler who ran aground here in the early 80s. On this half-day boat trip, you'll cruise along the coast to see this famous spot, discover secret coves, swim and soak up the scenery. Kay, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Smuggler's Cove is also known as Shipwreck Beach, or “Navagio” in Greek. It's only accessible by boat, and it's one of the most photographed places in the whole of Greece.'After pick-up, enjoy a scenic drive to Porto Vromi – it takes up to 90 minutes – and hop on a boat towards Smuggler's Cove. You'll have half an hour or so to take in the vistas from the deck before the imposing white cliffs appear, sheltering the cove and its famous wreck. The 200-metre-high cliffs curve and swoop down behind the beach, dwarfing the shipwreck. Kay says, ‘To preserve the natural beauty of the area, instead of disembarking at Smuggler's cove, we'll pause here to admire the scenery and take a few Insta-perfect snaps.'Next, your captain will drop anchor at a nearby bay, and you'll have time to swim in the dazzling waters surrounded by Zante's coastal landscapes – don't forget your snorkel mask for spotting the colourful fish, coral and starfish here. Then, as we cruise back towards Porto Vromi, your captain will take you to a smooth, white-pebbled beach, a place so secret it doesn't even show up on Google. Cool off with a swim stop here and hear the story of the 'Poseidon's Face' – a rock formation believed to depict Poseidon, God of the sea – before setting off for the final leg back to shore.

Turtle Cruise to Marathonisi and Keri Peninsula

Loggerhead sea turtles have been residents of Zante's beaches for thousands of years, and with a bit of luck, you'll see them first-hand on this boat trip. Join an expert local guide for an educational day out at sea, passing by nesting sites, swimming in hidden bays and spending time in the village of Keri. Bianca, one of our guides, says, ‘In just one trip, you get to jump into clear waters, cruise along the Keri peninsula and, with luck, see turtles.'Available either in the morning from Zante harbour or the afternoon from Keri harbour, this half-day cruise is a real treat for all the family. You'll pass by the golden beaches of Vassilikos and Marathonisi, a pine-clad islet dubbed ‘Turtle Island'. The reason's simple – one of its beaches is a favourite turtle nesting site. Bianca, who's lived on Zante for more than 20 years, says of the scenery, ‘You can do this tour a thousand times and every day is different.' Be sure to keep a lookout for Loggerheads, and you may even spot a wild dolphin or two.Plus, you'll sail along the Keri peninsula, cruising by its sea-plunging cliffs, caves and lighthouse before dropping anchor for a swim stop at the Bay of Oasis. In the small village of Keri, you have a quick stop to shop for souvenirs, relax in a typical taverna or hit the beach. What's more, a volunteer from local conservation group ARCHELON – the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece – will be on board to give you the lowdown on its work. What is the itinerary for this experience?This experience is available as a morning or afternoon turtle cruise, so the itinerary timings change depending on which one you pick.Morning option:- 8:45am – depart from Zakynthos Harbour- 9:30am to 10:00am – swimming stop at Vasilikos (Porto Roma) for 30 minutes- 11:00am to 11:20am – turtle spotting in Laganas Bay- 11:25am to 11:35am – photo stop at Marathonisi (Turtle Island)- 11:45am to 12:30pm – swimming stop at Oasis Bay for 45 minutes- 12:40pm to 12:50pm – photo stop at the Keri Caves- 1:00pm to 1:30pm – stop at Keri fishing village with time for a short village walk----------Afternoon option:- 12:50pm to 1:20pm – arrive at Keri, village walk and boat departure- 1:30pm to 1:40pm – photo stop at the Keri Caves- 2:00pm to 2:45pm – swimming stop at Oasis Bay for 45 minutes- 2:50pm to 3:10pm – turtle spotting- 3:15pm to 3:25pm – photo stop at Marathonisi (Turtle Island)- 4:25pm to 4:55pm – swimming stop at Vasilikos- 5:40pm – arrive back at Zakynthos Port and transfer to your resort Please note, the times and schedule may vary on the day

Zante sunset cruise on a traditional Greek boat

Watching the sun set over the Ionian Sea is one of those must-do Zante experiences. And this cruise in a traditional Greek caïque boat features a swim before the main event. Constantine, one of our expert local guides, says "even though I've seen it a thousand times, it's a moment that still gives me a frisson. It's magical, romantic and soulful – Mother Nature at her most creative, steering the sun to set between the Misithres Rocks. Utter bliss."The scene is set the moment you board your boat. A wooden caique evokes a sense of nostalgia and tradition. Fishermen in the eastern Mediterranean have used these boats since ancient times. A guide will be on board to give you the inside track on all things Zante. Sailing from Agios Sostis harbour in the south, you'll sail towards Marathonisi, a small islet known locally as Turtle Island. You'll captain will drop anchor offshore for an early-evening dip. See caves and, with luck, loggerhead turtles before cruising to the west coast to catch the sunset.And the spot where you'll see it is hard to beat. Near the Misithres Rocks, there's an amazing view of the sunset perfectly sinking beyond the horizon between the two formations. It makes for Insta-perfect snaps. Plus, there'll be a singer on board who'll fill the air with laidback, romantic tunes to accompany the top-tier view. The romantic atmosphere will accompany you back to port as you sail along to the sounds of waves lapping gently against the hull and live music while sipping on a sparkling wine.

Zante cruise with Blue Caves, Smuggler’s Cove and Greek dancing

This cruise around the northern tip of Zante serves up plenty of camera-friendly scenery and swim stops in hidden coves. You'll see stretches of the island's most mesmerising coastline, including the Blue Caves and Smuggler's Cove – that famous Greek postcard of the rusting cargo shipwreck on a pristine cliff-ringed beach. Chrissy, one of our expert local guides, says, "the sea around the Blue Caves seems to glow electric blue because the white limestone underwater reflects the sun through the azure water.'" You'll get to catch Zante's top coastal draws in one relaxing boat trip. We'll scoot around Cape Skinari, famed for its lighthouse, cliffs, windmills and pastel-blue water. After about two hours at sea, we'll reach Smuggler's Cove and the onshore shipwreck. Back in the 80s, a ship carrying contraband cigarettes ran aground in this chalk-white, pebbly cove. Nowadays, in order to preserve the area, the beach itself is closed to visitors, however, you'll still get to snap up iconic pics of the rusty ship from the boat. Chrissy adds, "Zante's best-known beach is only accessible by boat and it's one of the most photographed spots in the whole of Greece. A crime gone wrong has left us with an unexpected treasure."After a dip, you'll continue to the shimmering Blue Caves, where we'll pause for a photo stop. Carved into the cliffs, the sea-smoothed walls form arches over the dazzling blue waters. You'll have Greek snacks and drinks on board, followed by some time anchored at a secluded beach gem. We'll end the cruise on a high note with some entertainment – Greek dancing – as we bob back to shore.