The hilly, green island of Zante (Zakynthos), on the Ionian Sea in western Greece is renowned for its unspoilt natural beauty. Hillsides are covered with pine forests, the fertile valleys support olive groves, vineyards and orchards of citrus fruits, and the southeast coast boasts several idyllic beaches. Like neighbouring Kefalonia, Zante was struck by the 1953 earthquake that destroyed many of its finest buildings, though the capital, Zante Town, was rebuilt as best it could be. Today the island's busiest and best-known resort is Laganas, (11km/7 miles south of Zante Town) on the south coast, which has now established itself as one of Greece's top 24-hour party resorts for the 18-30 age group. Strangely, Laganas lies within Zakinthos National Marine Park, where protected wildlife includes some 1,300 sea turtles and Mediterranean monk seals. The other top holiday resorts are Argassi (4km/2.5 miles south of Zante Town) and Tsilivi (5km/3 miles north of Zante Town). Other attractions here are the sea caves, notably the Blue Caves and Keri Caves, accessible only by boat from the sea, and the stunning Shipwreck Beach in Smuggler's Cove, which features on countless postcards.