Zakynthos: A Family Adventure on the Beautiful Greek Island

With an overcrowded ferry due to Easter, we set sail for the picturesque island of Zakynthos. Upon arrival, our first mission was to find a place to stay for the night. The next morning, we hit the road again — groceries first, then off to explore the stunning west coast. But we didn’t get far. The olive trees hanging low over the roads meant we had to reverse quite a distance back.

As we continued driving, the clutch started acting up. Uh-oh. We made our way to the nearest beach. Despite the clear blue skies, we stayed inside the campervan — outside, the wind was so strong it felt like sandblasting.

This was our first impression of Zakynthos. We looked at each other and thought, “Why did we even come here?” It was Good Friday, so all garages were closed. We parked the camper in front of one and decided to spend the night there.

Stranded for Easter — But Making the Most of It

The next morning at 9 AM, still no sign of a mechanic. So we rented a small car — or as our daughter Diede calls it, “our little car” — to explore the island. Lucky us, the car rental had a garage next door that could fix the campervan. The part wouldn’t arrive until after the Easter holidays, but at least the van was still drivable.

We parked along a quiet beach and set out in our rental to experience the island’s charm: cozy coves, dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and nature in full bloom. Slowly but surely, we began to understand why Zakynthos is such a beloved travel destination.

Celebrating Easter Abroad

We celebrated Easter not with traditional dishes, but with banana pancakes — a family classic. We called our families back home and had a fun Easter egg hunt. Later, we wandered into the local town center. We couldn’t believe how many fellow Dutch travelers we encountered — but then again, it was spring break in the Netherlands.

Hiking, Swimming & New Friendships

We chose a beautiful hiking trail — a bit of a challenge, but our little mountain goat of a daughter hardly blinked an eye. Along the way, we met Pascalle, a friendly Dutch girl around 15 years old, who joined us. Her parents were a bit slower, so we reached the end ahead of them — only to find a rocky shoreline with a rope leading into the sea. Undeterred, Mirre and Pascalle decided to climb down for a swim.

Mirre was in sandals, Pascalle in brand-new sneakers. Mirre insisted she couldn’t go barefoot, curious to see what her parents would think of her swimming in her underwear with a stranger — thankfully, a friendly one. Our daughters Jinte and Diede laughed watching them. The water was incredible, especially after the hike.

A Few More Days of Island Life

After the weekend, we took the camper to the garage. We couldn’t sleep in it overnight since their gates closed at night — so we booked an apartment with a pool instead. Tough life, right?

We made a day trip to the famous Navagio shipwreck beach and the breathtaking Blue Caves of Zakynthos. The water there was unreal — a surreal shade of blue. Next to us, we met a Dutch pediatric nurse from The Hague, who instantly clicked with our girls. It’s amazing how people with the right touch with kids make everyone feel comfortable.

Launching a Dream Project

That night we finished up our course. At 2 a.m., the moment had arrived: our project finally went live! Mirre, being the perfectionist she is, will surely continue refining it, but this was a moment to celebrate. We’re incredibly proud. And guess what? Word of mouth is the best marketing — so if you’d like to support us, please share: www.komteenkindbijdedokter.nl

Goodbye Zakynthos, Hello Adventure

Before we knew it, it was our last day on the island. Most tourists fly home, and people were often surprised — but mostly inspired — by our travel lifestyle. Years ago, we were inspired during a vacation in Italy. Maybe now we became that couple for someone else. You never know when a chance encounter can change your life.

We soaked up the sun at Banana Beach — sounds tropical, right? A restaurant visit, a playground stop, one last ice cream — and then the call came: the camper was fixed and ready to go. It was running smoothly again, and it felt amazing to have our tiny home back.

The next morning, we ferried back to the mainland — rejuvenated and full of stories. It truly felt like a proper vacation week.

Travel vs. Vacation — Yes, There’s a Difference

You might be thinking: “But aren’t you always on vacation?” We hear that a lot. And while we are on the road full-time, there is a distinct difference for us: a vacation means staying longer in one place, working less, and being surrounded by more tourists. Traveling is about moving often, standing free in nature, and embracing simplicity and freedom.

And we’re loving every second of this free-spirited lifestyle!