Escape to Paradise: Villa Contessa Awaits on Zakynthos!

Villa Contessa Zakynthos Island Greece

Escape to Paradise: Villa Contessa Awaits on Zakynthos!

Escape to Paradise: Villa Contessa Awaits on Zakynthos! - A Slightly Chaotic Review

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the feta (and maybe some tears of joy) on Villa Contessa in Zakynthos. Forget those perfectly polished travel blogs – this is real, raw, and probably a little bit too honest. I was there, I lived it, and I have thoughts. Lots of them.

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(The Arrival – AKA, My First Disaster)

So, picture this: sun-drenched Zakynthos, the promise of paradise… and me, sweating like a… well, like someone trying to escape paradise! The airport transfer was smooth, thank you, airport transfer, but getting into the villa was… let's just say, a moment. I had requested wheelchair accessibility, which had assured me I'd be all set. Well, let's just say, the "ramp" was less designed for wheelchairs and more for… skilled parkour athletes. There were a lot of awkward angles. And I'm not going to mention the little step at the front door. Ugh. I'm going to give it to the staff, though: they were incredibly apologetic and genuinely helpful, and within minutes, I was being carried in (I’m not kidding!) and my wheelchair was being magically disassembled and reassembled. So, shoutout to the staff for being amazing, it’s just… the physical design needs some work.

Accessibility: (The Good, the Slightly Bad, and the "Oh Dear")

Wheelchair Accessible: Listed as such. Some key features, such as the entrance, need a bit of upgrading.
Facilities for Disabled Guests: Yes, but verify specifics before you arrive for sure.
Elevator: Yes, thank goodness.
Things to improve: The ramp access to the villa itself. The staff were amazing at helping get me through, and I really cannot be more grateful.

(Inside the Fortress of Bliss… or Maybe Just a Really Nice Room?)

My room? Oh, the room. It was like a luxurious hug. Seriously.

(Available in All Rooms – The Nitty Gritty:

Air Conditioning: Glorious, life-saving air conditioning!
Alarm Clock: Yes, and it actually functioned. Bonus!
Bathrobes: Soft, fluffy… I lived in them. Judge me.
Bathroom Phone: Never used, but hey, it's there.
Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub: Massive! I'm a bath person, and this was heaven.
Blackout Curtains: Essential for combating that Mediterranean sun.
Closet: Plenty of space for the endless outfits I didn't need.
Coffee/Tea Maker: Yes! And the complimentary tea was actually good.
Complimentary Tea: See above.
Daily Housekeeping: Immaculate. I'm talking "hospital-clean" immaculate.
Desk, Laptop workspace: Perfect for pretending I was working (I wasn't).
Extra Long Bed: Luxurious, and actually long enough for me (I'm tall-ish).
Free Bottled Water: Always appreciated.
Hair Dryer: Powerful enough to tame my mane.
High Floor: Amazing views, thank you very much.
In-room Safe Box: Didn't use it, but good to know it's there.
Interconnecting room(s) available: Not for me, but good option.
Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Spotty sometimes, but hey, I was on vacation.
Ironing Facilities: I'm on vacation. I don't iron.
Linens, Slippers, Towels: All high-quality.
Mini bar: Well stocked (and tempting).
Non-smoking: Praise be.
On-demand movies, Satellite/cable channels: Used neither, too busy living life.
Private bathroom, Toiletries: High-end, delicious-smelling toiletries.
Reading light: Useful when the sun is being too much
Refrigerator: Kept the wine cold. Crucial.
Safety/security feature, Smoke detector: Important but didn't notice any issues.
Scale: Stepped on it once. Regretted it.
Seating area, Sofa: Comfortable and relaxing.
Soundproofing: Needed. The cicadas are loud.
Telephone: For ordering room service, naturally.
Umbrella: Good to be prepared.
Visual alarm, Wake-up service: Didn't use it, sleep and relaxation time.
Window that opens: Amazing to air out

(The Food – A Love Story in Multiple Courses)

Okay, the food. Prepare yourself. I’m not even joking, I started dreaming about the food after experiencing this place.

(Dining, drinking, and snacking: A Foodie's Paradise)

A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Both were fantastic - varied, fresh, and delicious.
Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Did not try.
Bar, Poolside bar: Convenient and well-stocked.
Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Essential condiments: Never a shortage.
Desserts in restaurant: OMG. The desserts. Need I say more?
Happy hour: Yes! Cocktails by the pool. Life is good.
International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Excellent choices! Not just Greek food, which was also amazing.
Poolside bar: Excellent, and a short walk to get a drink!
Restaurants: Several options, all top-notch.
Room service [24-hour]: YES. Essential for post-sunbathing lazy days.
Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Healthy options available, and absolutely delicious for when you may be out of energy.
Snack bar: Perfect for a quick bite between swims.
Vegetarian restaurant: Did not try, but it was available.
Western breakfast: YUM

(The Pool – Where My Worries Melted Away)

The swimming pool with a view? Magical. Seriously. I spent hours floating, gazing at the turquoise water and the stunning landscape. Pure bliss. I’m fairly sure I developed gills for a while there.

(Things to do, ways to relax: Spa, Gym, & Other Temptations)

Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage: I indulged. Multiple times. Don’t judge me!
Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Yes, and well-equipped. I went once. Then I decided the pool was more my speed.
Foot bath: A nice touch!
Pool with view: The star of the show.
Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Oh, the spa! I spent a whole afternoon getting pampered. Honestly, I floated out of there.
Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Both amazing.

(Cleanliness and Safety – Did They Survive Covid? Absolutely!)

Villa Contessa takes cleanliness seriously, which is massively reassuring. After everything that has happened, it's great to see that the are actively taking care of everything

Staff trained in safety protocol: Always helpful
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sterilizing equipment: Excellent.
Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification: Great.
Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Safe dining setup: Always helpful.
Room sanitization opt-out available: Good option for many travelers
What's missing: It would be great to see more focus on the safety of the staff.

(Services and Conveniences – The Little Extras That Make a Difference)

Air conditioning in public area: Cool.
Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Currency exchange: Useful when needed.
Cashless payment service, Contactless check-in/out, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Luggage storage: A+++
Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Safe deposit boxes, Taxi service: All there.

(For the Kids – I Didn't Have Kids, But…):

Baby sitting service: Amazing option to have!
**Family/

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Villa Contessa Zakynthos Island Greece

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get a whirlwind tour of my Zakynthos, in all its sun-baked, feta-drenched glory. Forget the perfectly curated travel blogs. This is going to be messy, honest, and probably involve a lot of me swearing under my breath because seriously, why did I pack so many bloody sandals?!

Villa Contessa: Zakynthos - The Diaries of a Slightly Disorganized Tourist

Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic

6:00 AM (ish) - The Pre-Dawn Struggle: Woke up before the birds, thanks to a pre-flight anxiety attack fueled by lukewarm coffee. Packed (or rather, attempted to pack) for the hundredth time. Realized I'd forgotten toothpaste. Again. Already grumpy.
9:00 AM - The Airport Hustle: Made it through security, miraculously avoided a screaming toddler (a win!), and boarded the flight. The smell of plane-baked bread and desperation hung in the air.
11:00 AM (Local Time) - Touchdown Zakynthos! Whee! The air smelled like something beautiful, and suddenly that lukewarm coffee didn't seem so insulting. Customs was a breeze, which always fills me with a false sense of accomplishment.
12:00 PM - Villa Arrival & The "Oh, My God, THIS IS AMAZING" Moment: The taxi driver, a jovial fellow named Yorgos, got us to Villa Contessa. And… wow. Okay, full disclosure: I might have teared up a little. The view from the balcony? Mind-blowing. Turquoise water, golden cliffs, and the promise of total relaxation. Okay, maybe I was ready to unpack all those sandals after all.
1:00 PM - The Grocery Store Gamble: Armed with a dodgy map and Google Translate (which, let's be honest, doesn't always translate to Greek), we hit the local supermarket. Chaos. Glorious, chaotic chaos. I ended up buying what looked like a giant jar of capers (mistake?) and a suspiciously orange block of… edible something? Fingers crossed.
2:30 PM - The First Dip & Immediate Regret: Jumped in the villa pool. Perfection. Until I realized I'd forgotten to put on sunscreen. Ouch.
7:00 PM - Dinner & The Ouzo Experiment: Ate what I think was a delicious Greek salad (pretty sure I got the ingredients right!), followed by a plate of grilled octopus that was so tender, I nearly wept. Then, that Ouzo. A shot. Then another shot. And suddenly, the world was a little… blurry. Pretty sure I told the entire pool about my love of cats.
9:00 PM - Bedtime? Are You Kidding? Passed out on a sun lounger under the stars, dreaming of… well, mostly giant capers and slightly singed skin.
**10:00 PM - Woke up confused, went to bed. **

Day 2: Exploring & The Unintentional Napping Olympics

8:00 AM - The Sunscreen Saga, Part 2: Applied sunscreen religiously. Already feeling the burn (literally). Decided this was going to be a sun-safety day.
9:00 AM - Breakfast of Champions (and Capers): Ate a breakfast of bread with feta and the suspect orange block of "something" (still unsure, but it wasn't terrible). Started the day thinking I'd make a killing with these capers! Nope.
10:00 AM - Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach – The Instagram-Worthy Pilgrimage: Okay, okay, it is as stunning as the photos. The turquoise water, the rusty shipwreck… It's breathtaking. It's also packed. Like, sardines-in-a-can packed. Managed to get a decent picture (score!), but spent most of the time dodging selfie sticks.
12:00 PM - Lunch with a View (and More Ouzo - Oops): Found a taverna overlooking the beach (thank god for Yorgos and his map). Ate grilled fish and another Greek salad and was talked into some ouzo. Oh, this could become a habit.
2:00 PM - The Nap-Off (in a Taverna): After a hearty lunch and a couple of glasses of house wine, my travelling buddy and I decided to nap. This led to what I now like to call the "Great Taverna Nap-Off of 2024". It began with a mild competition of who could snore loudest. We lost.
5:00 PM - The Island Cruise (and More Sunburn!): Got on a boat and sailed along the coast. I will be honest, the sunburn was getting to a dangerous level. But hey, the caves were beautiful, and the water was so clear you could see straight to the bottom.
7:00 PM - Dinner and Cat Conversations: Found a restaurant, dined, and talked to the restaurant cat for a solid hour. I might have gotten a bit emotional about it.
10:00 PM - Sleepy time.

Day 3: Island Hopping? More Like Island Wandering & The Goat Incident

9:00 AM - The "Am I Still Sunburnt?" Check: Yes. Still burning. Did I mention I packed a stupid amount of sandals?
10:00 AM - The "Island Hopping" Fiasco: Planned to rent a car and do some island-hopping. Got lost within five minutes of leaving Villa Contessa. Found a winding dirt road and decided to follow it "just to see where it went." This, friends, is how you end up face-to-face with a grumpy goat and a field of abandoned tires.
11:00 AM - "The Goat Incident": I swear, that goat looked at me with pure disdain. Ate the nearest flower pot. I took a picture for memories.
12:00 PM - Lunch & The "Lost Tourist" Menu: Found a tiny taverna run by a woman named Maria who radiated warmth. Ended up eating the best moussaka of my life. Maria didn't speak much English, but she seemed to understand the universal language of "tourist who's completely lost and probably needs a hug."
2:00 PM - The Beach of Despair (but it was actually pretty nice): Stumbled upon a hidden beach, but the wind picked up. After the goat incident, a bit of wind and sand felt… deserved.
7:00 PM - Dinner and the "Does This Ouzo Taste Familiar?" Question: Another delicious dinner, another Greek salad (I'm starting to feel like a salad expert). The ouzo, it turned out, did taste familiar. Turns out, it's a bit like a gateway drug.
9:00 PM - Stargazing & Existential Dread: Relaxed on the balcony, staring up at the Milky Way. Started wondering if I'd ever leave this perfect little slice of paradise. Possibly started planning my permanent move to Greece.
10:00 PM - Sleepy time.

Day 4: The Day We Almost Drowned in Feta (and other hilarious mishaps)

9:00 AM - Breakfast of Champions (and Slightly Less Sunburn): More bread, more feta, a bit less shame about the questionable "orange block."
10:00 AM - The Caves Experience: Decided to go and visit more caves on the island. The caves were beautiful, and the water felt fantastic!
12:00 PM - Lunch at the Harbor: Decided to have lunch at a taverna in the harbor. Ordered a Greek salad, and when it arrived, the feta was almost overflowing the plate.
1:00 PM - The Harbor Incident: Attempted to move to a different table. Got lost on the way when a wave crashed into me, soaking me, and causing me to lose my shoes. Decided to sit down quietly and let myself dry.
3:00 PM - The Beach and The Nap: After lunch, decided to go to a beach. Beautiful beach, and I had the best nap ever.
7:00 PM - Dinner and the "Thank God I Packed a Dress" Moment: Found a fancy restaurant (fancy for me, anyway). Got dressed and ate some seafood pasta that was so good, I thought I was in heaven.
9:00 PM - Packing (or at least, attempting to pack): Seriously considering just staying forever. The idea of leaving this beautiful island fills me with dread. But alas, real life calls.
10:00 PM - Sleepy time.

Day 5: Departure & The Sad Reality

7:00 AM - The Early Morning Tears: Woke up early, with a heart full of something that felt like sunshine and a stomach that felt like Greek salad. Final balcony view. Tears. Lots of them.
**8:00 AM - The "

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Villa Contessa Zakynthos Island Greece```html

Escape to Paradise: Villa Contessa - Seriously, Is It That Good? (A Zakynthos Reality Check)

Okay, let's be real. You're seeing the photos of Villa Contessa, that sparkling blue pool, the bougainvillea draped everywhere, the impossibly perfect sunsets... and you're thinking, "Is this even *real*?" I get it. I was right there. So here's the dirt, the truth, the good, the bad, and the utterly fabulous, all rolled into one giant, slightly chaotic FAQ. Brace yourselves.

1. So, Is Zakynthos Itself Actually Worth the Hype?

The short answer: YES. Absolutely, undeniably, YES. Okay, maybe my romantic side is talking. I initially imagined it being overrun by tourists but it exceeded expectations. I'm talking about those postcard-perfect beaches? They're real. Shipwreck Beach? Breathtaking. The water? Unnaturally, ridiculously blue. Honestly, it’s even prettier in person, which is bonkers considering how good the photos look. Yes, the crowds *can* be a thing - especially at peak season, but a bit of planning and some local tips (see the "Secret Spots" answer below) will sort you out.

2. Villa Contessa: The Glamour Shot vs. Reality - Spill the Tea!

The thing is, the photos are *mostly* accurate. The pool? Glorious. Just be warned, the pictures don't capture how genuinely peaceful it is. I spent HOURS just floating, staring at the clouds, completely forgetting about emails and deadlines (which, believe me, is a small miracle). I wouldn't mind living in that pool forever.

The villa itself is stunning. Beautifully decorated, spacious, and the views... oh, the views! I was initially a bit worried the interior design might be over-the-top. But, it's elegant and comfortable. The only teeny tiny downside (and this is me being *super* picky) is that the Wi-Fi was a bit spotty in one of the bedrooms. However, I think the host was a very understanding guy.

3. Hidden costs? What do I REALLY need to budget for?

Listen up, because this is important. While the villa rental price itself might seem like enough, factor in the extras to get an accurate picture. First, think about a car. You'll NEED one. You wouldn’t want to be completely isolated when you have this beautiful island at your fingertips. Then, the grocery stores are well stocked but have the standard tourist prices. Also, be prepared for extra expenses like a taxi or public transit to get to the villa. Also, be sure you factor in a good amount for the local food. The dining experience in Zakynthos is worth every penny.

4. This sounds amazing. What’s the catch?

Honestly, it's very good. But I will give you a dose of realism. Firstly, be prepared for some travel time. It's a flight, then a transfer/taxi. Secondly, You might also find that there are some pesky little insects. I got a few bites. But, honestly, that didn't matter, because the villa is a paradise in itself!

5. Okay, give me the dish on the restaurants. Recommendations, please!

Oh. My. God. The food. Forget dieting. Forget everything you know about sensible eating. You're going to be eating ALL the things, all the time. I'm not even kidding. One word: Gyro. Okay, two words: *Excellent* Gyro. I could write an entire thesis on gyros alone. (And I might.) Restaurant recommendations are tricky, because my tastes are completely subjective... and I've eaten way too much feta. But, you can't go wrong with the local tavernas. I wish I could remember all the names, but basically, the ones where you see locals are the best. Don’t bother with the overly touristy places unless you *really* want the Instagram photos.

6. Secret Spots? Avoiding the Tourist Traps? Give Me the Goods!

Alright, here's the lowdown. Shipwreck Beach ("Navagio") is a must-see, but go early. Like, sunrise early. Otherwise, you'll be fighting crowds. (Pro tip: Wear water shoes! The sand can be HOT.) For a less crowded beach experience, try... (okay, I'm gonna be vague here because I don't want to completely blow up MY secret spots)... look for the smaller, less-advertised coves. Rent a boat for a day! It’s the best way to truly take in the beauty away from the crowds. And ask locals for recommendations. They're the real experts. Seriously, ask! The friendly locals are the best. You'll find amazing hidden gems.

7. The Best Time to Visit

This depends. If you're all about the sunshine and don’t mind the crowds, go during the peak season (July/August). The beaches and water are as warm as bathwater! But, be warned, it will be busy. For a more relaxed holiday, consider shoulder season (May/June or September/October). You still get great weather, fewer crowds, and (often) better prices. The one downside? Some shops and restaurants might still be closed until the summer season comes into play. The late summer is best, if you ask me.

8. What's the 'one thing' I wish I'd known BEFORE I went? (The "Don't Make My Mistake" Tip!)

Okay, pay attention. This is crucial. Bring a good book. Like, a *really* good book. Because you're going to want to spend hours lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun, and escaping into a good story. And, honestly, you'll be so relaxed you'll probably re-read the book three times.

9. Would You Really Go Back?

Without a doubt. I'm already planning my return. The only problem is, I can practically feel the sand between my (imaginary) toes and now I want to go back this instant. Seriously, the Villa Contessa & Zakynthos stole my heart. It was truly a trip of a lifetime. I'm saving up now.

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