Autumn on Zakynthos

After the heat of the summer the island steadily cools. September and October signal the end of summer and the advent of autumn. The wild cyclamen emerge and cover the ground in a riot of colour, the sea retains it summer heat, the days shorten and towards the end of October the evenings cool.

Temperatures range from 25 degrees at night to 32 degrees in the daytime. By end October expect 26 degrees during the day and 17 degrees at night (but then in the UK you might expect only 8 - 12 degrees at most).

It's a time of peaceful contemplation, the olives are harvested, the restaurants are quiet. There's a vast range of fresh vegetables and fruit - melons and figs abound.

Olive picking on the road to Paliovigla

There's still a lot to do - sailing, swimming and walking etc. It's hot enough to relax in and by the pool, the sea is as warm if not warmer than August and walking and painting is back on the agenda.