Sightseeing in Zakynthos - what to see. Complete travel guide

1. Gestures of Greeks are quite peculiar, and travelers shouldn’t forget about that. For instance, pointing at someone with a hand that has fingers spread wide is considered offensive, so you will insult a local if you do so. Greeks express agreement by turning head to the left or to the right and up (the nose makes a kind of curve with this gesture). Disagreement is expressed by moving the head up one time. Quite often, locals smack their tongue together with this gesture.

2. Zakynthos is not a big city, so many prefer to explore it on foot. Buses usually move to the neighbor towns. Car or motorbike is the most popular vehicle in the region. Rental fees are quite affordable and are often cheaper than calling a taxi.

3. When taking a taxi, it is better to specify the approximate price of a ride in advance and make sure the taxi driver turns the meter on. Tourists should keep one more thing in mind – when calling a taxi by phone the taxi arrives with the meter already turned on. The price can be very high in that case. Taxi drivers who work in the port like one more trick. They like to “gather” a car full of people, but they do not divide the total among all passengers. Everyone pays the full price. This doesn’t apply to people who travel with their families and to couples.

4. If you decide to rent a car, keep in mind that local roads are narrow. The city’s neighborhoods are quite hilly as well. There are no stiff slopes, but drivers still need to be attentive.

5. Kissing both cheeks is a traditional way to great each other in the country. The gender of people greeting each other doesn’t matter. Shaking hands as a greeting is not common. Locals usually do that when they meet someone for the first time. Tourists should also be prepared for active body language and raised voices. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

6. Tourists should never criticize local government unless they want to be disliked by local people. That said, local people are allowed to criticize their government and do that quite often.

7. Simple acquaintances call each other by their family name, and not by their first name. Tourists should call locals by their first name when locals ask for that.

8. Don’t forget about one more peculiarity. The majority of offices and establishments are closed for siesta at 13:00. As a rule, only shops, cafes, and restaurants do not close for siesta in small towns.

9. Being late for an important meeting is quite usual for Greeks. Foreigners should keep that in mind.

10. Big crimes, as well as small crimes like thefts, are rare on the island. However, foreigners should check their receipts carefully in local shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars.

11. Among items that would make great souvenirs, it is important to mention goods connected with Greece – olive oil, wine, and ceramics. Marinated cheese made of goat or sheep milk, mountain honey, and sweets (nougat and pastila) are also very popular souvenirs.