UPPING THE ZANTE
Why the Greek island of Zante is tipped to eclipse Magaluf as 2018’s wildest holiday hotspot
With places like Magaluf and Ibiza reining in partying – Zante is tipped to be the wildest holiday destination in Europe this summer
HOLIDAY hotspots across Europe are turning their backs on boozy Brits – with a number of resorts bringing in strict new anti-social behaviour laws.
And with places like Magaluf and Ibiza reining in partying – Zante is tipped to be the wildest holiday destination in Europe this summer.
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According to resort rep Elliot Whyte, the Greek island will have its best year yet.
He told : “2018 will be one of the best seasons to date, as it seems the holiday companies are offering special deals, so I think it will be extra busy.
“Malia, Magaluf and Sunny Beach etc it seems limited to 18-21-year-olds, [but Zante] attracts all age ranges.”
Police and other local authorities have been working hard to crackdown on alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour over the last few years, following a spate of high-profile incidents involving tourists.
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Police and other local authorities have been working hard to crackdown on alcohol-fuelled party behaviourLast summer, Bakari Henderson, 22, was battered to death by a group of men outside a Laganas bar, reportedly because of an argument over a selfie.
A Greek coroner said Mr Henderson died from severe head injuries.
Last year, Hannah Powell also told The Sun how dodgy booze had ravaged her kidneys and blinded her on a holiday to the Greek island.
The medical receptionist has been kept alive with dialysis treatment since the night in Zante 18 months ago when she unwittingly drank bootleg vodka laced with methanol.
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According to the , "a booze price war fuelled by Albanian crime gangs" was to blame for a big rise in the number of sick revellers from alcohol poisoning.
They claimed that gangs import cheap, fake bottles of spirits - often known as “Bulgarian rakı” - smuggled from Bulgaria across Europe.
The alcohol is served from legitimate-looking bottles which appear completely normal to holidaymakers.
But it contains highly toxic industrial substance used in anti-freeze, nail-polish remover and some fuels. An unnamed local told the paper: "Getting control of the bars and clubs here is big business.
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“And Albanian gangsters now run the show. The key is being able to serve drinks at the cheapest possible price.
“Where a cocktail used to cost six euros, now we are told to sell them for two euros.
A 2009 law brought in by Greece’s Ministry of Health makes it clear that the drinking age is 18, but many holiday companies claim that tourists are rarely asked for ID at bars.
One site called Naked Zante says: “You will never, ever, ever in a million years have a problem getting served at a bar in Greece if you are 17.
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“You wouldn’t have a problem if you were 14. The Greeks have a very relaxed policy about alcohol.
You will never, ever be asked for ID in any Zante bar, club or restaurant or at any event.”
Brits looking for a cheap party holiday can still find a bargain in Zante compared to pricier Spanish locations.
For instance, a couple could get for under £250 each.
Once there, drinks prices are much cheaper than places like Ibiza – even if you aren’t drinking the dodgy booze.
According to local website This Is Zante, a beer or vodka mixer still only costs around €3 - €5 in the biggest bars and nightclubs.
In the smaller bars, tourists can buy two cocktails and two shots for €7, while a bottle of supermarket wine can be picked up for €3.
Any Brits looking to get tanked up on the cheap booze are warned to be on their best behaviour with the bar and nightclub bouncers though.
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warns on their website: "Bouncers are not licensed, or worried at all about legal action.
"In the UK security professionals will only use violence when necessary, this is not the case in Zante.
"They will often have an array of nasty weapons to hand – torches, pepper spray and they use them."