Sunflower Complete Series: ZAKYNTHOS (2008)

Updated 02/11/2008

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Updates given below supplement the information provided in the guidebook. It is vital that this Update is read in conjunction with the text of the book, but note that the Update applies only to the edition stated.

Information has been forwarded to us by users of the book, and Sunflower Books offers the data in good faith but cannot be held responsible for any misleading or inaccurate content in the Update. Unless indicated otherwise, what appears here has not been verified by the author or publisher, so please allow due caution when new or amended routes are suggested. Each piece of information is dated; bear in mind that some of the older observations may have since been overtaken by events or further changes. If, during your holiday, you are using the current edition of the guide and are able to provide any additional updating to add to this page, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please send information, preferably in hard copy, by post, to Sunflower Books, PO Box 115, Exeter EX2 6YU (or if you prefer, by e-mail, to mail@sunflowerbooks.co.uk).

BUSES: There is a new bus station in Zakynthos town. Until we can post the exact address, please ask at your hotel. (Sunflower, 6/08) + The north of the island (where all the major sights are located), is very poorly served by bus. There is the Askos Stone Park, for example, but there is only one bus per week to go there, and that leaves the main tourist area at 1pm, which is tremendously hot, and is not a good time to visit the park at all. (User, 8/08) [The author replies: Askos was not included in the book as I strongly disagree with the way it is promoted and the conditions in which the animals are kept there.]

General: I'm an Italian and this summer I spent my summer holidays in Zakynthos, at Keri (as last year), with friends that have been going there for ten years. Even if I wasn't there to walk, but to enjoy the sea, I appreciated your new guide Zakynthos guide that I bought in Athens airport. I just want to point out: at page 43 (and somewhere else) is mentioned the 'Greek poet Hugo Foskolos': sorry, but this is a mistake, as Ugo Foscolo (this was his name) was Italian (even if he was born on Zakynthos and died in London); he wrote in Italian and is considered one of the major poets and writers of Italian literature. (User, 11/08) Page 34 - 8 September Orthonies Festival. We traveled to the north of the island on Monday 8th September visiting amongst other places Orthonies. There was no sign of any activity. My guess is that these festivals take place on the nearest Sunday? Please advise. Page 53 Taverna Gerolymos, apparently hasn't opened this year. (User, 11/08)

Car tour 1: The Nemorosa Folklore Museum is currently closed (I would have appreciated this information because the location is not exactly around the corner from the main tourist accomodation sites). Also the Maritime Museum (page 44) was closed upon my visit, and it actually looked as it if it had been abandoned. (User, 8/08) [Author comments: The maritime museum is still there and opens regularly; The Nemorosa museum was open last year; I will check for this year. I cannot know in advance, it depends on the owners.]

GPS users: Free waypoint downloads are available for all the walks. Click on the link above to go to the main page for the book, where you can download all the waypoints, as well as files to use with Google Earth.

Walk 2: After a few yards of pebbles, the terrain underfoot changed to rocks, making the going very difficult and slow. (User, 6/08)

Walk 9: When I came to the lake and tried to find the tar pools, locals told me that they are not where the book says they are but on the other side of the lake, at a private house, and there is nothing much to see left because they are a thing of the past. (User, 8/08) [The author comments: the tar pools are exactly where I said they are in the book, I go there frequently - and the photos are at that exact location.]

Walk 11: Coming from Zakynthos town the concrete bus shelter is on the left side of the road, not on the right! We did not see the signpost "Mount Skopos". (e-mail, 6/08)

Walk 14: There was a very big fire (probably 2007) which has destroyed large parts of the landscape. On both sides of the walk one can see very big burned areas in black and grey colors; the pine trees are destroyed, only olive trees survived. It looks very sad and there is almost no shade. (e-mail, 6/08) [There are periodic fires, as we have some problem with arsonists. However, the vegetation usually regenerates completely in 2-3 years. Author, 6/08)

Walk 18: The starting point is incorrectly shown on the fold-out map (it is correct on the sketch map). On the folding map, it should be at the next junction to the east - where the road SW of Exo Chora meets the track running south to the viewpoint over Schiza Bay. (Sunflower 6/08)

Walk 20: There was no green signpost near the parking area. The left-hand dirt track turned right after several minutes and led back to the village. We did not find any other track there and we also did not find the cave or the vineyard. So we gave up and started from the point were you return from the walk (and went back on the same track). (e-mail, 6/08) [Editor's comments: It may be that you have to turn left twice in quick succession at the start of the walk - the sketch map shows a short track off to the right which you ignore. It is possible that this track has been extended and now runs back to the village.]