My father wrote a book about our childhood adventures in an ancient olive press on the island’s remote north coast — long before roads, let alone fridges, had reached that far. Years later, when I had a child of my own, I was drawn back to that wild, fragrant place — to the hills and coves that once bewitched his grandfather.

Our son was just five months old on his first trip. You can fly direct with British Airways or take the old-world route: a road trip to Venice, then sail down the Adriatic like the Venetians did five centuries ago, when they ruled the Ionian and nicknamed Zakynthos:

‘fior di Levante, the flower of the East.’

On the untamed northern coast sits The Peligoni Club, a barefoot, bohemian sanctuary and sailing club where friends return year after year. Perched on the rocks above the sea, it combines the privacy of a villa with the magic of a beach club — where top chefs cook relaxed feasts and the sunset feels like it’s only yours.

Families are quietly central to everything here. There’s a crèche for babies and babysitting in your villa, while siblings over four can join Rugrats camp or the Tennis Academy (recently frequented by a world champion and his family).

You can travel light thanks to Petit Peligoni — toy and bedtime boxes complete with blackout blinds, baby bouncers, and white noise machines, while still savouring a chance to reconnect.

Older children are split into Trojans, Spartans and Olympians, sailing by day, and sharing pizzas and mocktails by night, with mentors who remember all their names. It’s community without pretence.

The emphasis is on the wild and the real — ant trails, sea caves, barefoot lunches, long naps in the shade. It reminded me of my own childhood, and in our son’s early paddles in crystal shallows, I found a kind of symmetry.

Zakynthos turned out to be the perfect place for a baby’s first summer. The days slowed down. The sea gleamed. And slowly — as Durrell wrote,

‘the magic of the island settled over us.’

Four years on, we still return. And the secret corners of this wildflower island are as enchanting as ever.

Viewfinder: Zakynthos

Greek island magic in Ionian tones — white cliffs, deep turquoise coves, and long, nameless afternoons.

Roomkey

The Peligoni Club — a sustainably minded hideaway where barefoot luxury meets effortlessly cool. Think secluded bays, organic farm-to-table dining, and an island vibe that’s equal parts laid-back and exclusive.

The Table With a View

Lofos Restaurant, Bohali — hilltop meze elevated by panoramic vistas of Zakynthos Town and endless Ionian blue.

Roulas Beach Bar, North Coast — a hidden gem with authentic local energy, chilled vibes, and its own bay for swimming off the beaten track.

Through the Lens

Navagio Shipwreck Beach — iconic from the cliffs above, that signature turquoise glow meets weathered steel, offering one of the world’s most cinematic coastal frames. But go early, before the world wakes up..

Mountain Villages of Keri and Volimes — explore quiet blue domes, winding stone streets, and timeless village life where tradition still whispers in the breeze.

On The Road

Classic Land Rover Defender or vintage Fiat 500, fully tech-equipped — embrace island exploration with style. Hire from Zakynthos Classics, where sustainability meets adventure, and every journey is part of the story.

Balcony Read

Margarita’s Olive Press by (disclaimer, my beloved father) Rodney Shields — a lyrical exploration of heritage, land, tradition and conservation that feels like a slow, sunlit afternoon on a Mediterranean terrace.

‘A diverting tale, properly flavoured with yoghurt and honey,’ Dennis Potter

‘Not since Durrell has Greece been written about so passionately. A spirit of place is back.’ Charles Allen

‘The book that made me want to go to Zakynthos,’ Louis de Bernieres

Future Frame: For The Global Citizen

Zakynthos through the window — a call to protect, preserve, and join a worldwide movement for our planet’s most precious places.

Support the preservation of Zakynthos and the wider Ionian environment by contributing to the vital work of the Ionian Environment Foundation. Every effort helps safeguard these turquoise waters, rugged cliffs, and unique ecosystems for future generations to enjoy. Learn more and get involved at ionianenvironmentfoundation.org.

Originally commissioned by the Telegraph Media Group. With special thanks to the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO).