The small Island of Zakinthos with its wonderful climate and pleasant people is the most southerly of the Ionian Islands. Just West of mainland Greece, it is an excellent destination for biking, walking or just lazing about on the beach. If you holiday there in the Spring or late Summer the weather conditions are ideal with a temperature of about 20 to 25 deg. The Summer months of July, August and early September should be avoided if at all possible because of the excessive heat and the crowds of people that head there for the beaches.
The North of the Island is excellent for Mountain biking with lots of off-road tracks and narrow quiet roads that meander from one side of the Island to the other. The biggest problem is getting lost, for there are no reliable maps, but it just makes life that more interesting. If you stay in the North of Zakinthos, which I recommend, there are a few Cycle Hire Places around Alykes. Most of the Mountain bikes on hire are of budget type with about 15 gears, but most need lots of mechanical attention, so take a good toolkit with you. A good tip is to take a good saddle and padded shorts in your suitcase for the saddles supplied will really make your eyes water.We spent a fortnight riding around the Island on these bikes covering about fifty miles a day. Though not ideal, they did the job without letting us down and the price was very reasonable.
Mount Vrachionas is the highest mountain on Zakinthos. Standing at 756 metres it can be seen wherever you go on the Island. With its peak usually covered in cloud by late evening, it is one of those mountains that you just have to climb. My wife and I made four attempts to get to the top of this mountain before we finally made it. The first two attempts we got hopelessly lost, the third we had to turn back due to a violent thunderstorm and on the fourth attempt we finally made it to the top.
The Paths up this mountain hold no difficulty, with a good wide track that leads up to the top. The only problem is finding your way through the winding streets and tracks of the small village of Katastan that finally leads you out onto the really beautiful open mountain. In early spring it is carpeted with wild flowers of all hues. By late September and early October the whole mountain becomes red with the fruit of the Strawberry Trees. This edible fruit that looks like a strawberry grows on a tall bush and has a strange taste not dissimilar to a Kiwi fruit and can be quite refreshing to eat as you weave your way up the hot dusty track to the top. 
From the top of the mountain the views are simply spectacular, with the whole of the Island spreading out before you. To the North you can clearly see the mountains on the island of Kefalonia separated from Zakinthos only by a short stretch of beautiful shimmering blue sea.
Getting there from Britain. You can either buy an inexpensive package holiday or get a cheap flight from one of the numerous holiday companies, obtaining your own accommodation when you arrive. In the height of the season, July to mid September, you may find accommodation very scarce. Don't forget that the last direct flight back to Britain is usually about the third week of October. A good company to try is www.cheapflights.com . Zakinthos is only a small Island, approximately 60 miles long by 38 miles wide, therefore the cost of transport from the small airport will not be too costly.

A Walk up Mount Vrachionas.