Alonnisos.
This elegant house of 210 square metres - which was built eight years ago - is set on a terraced hillside in an olive grove (of mature trees) – surrounded by gardens with lemon, orange, clementine, quince, apricot and other trees; flowering shrubs, bougainvilleas, jasmines, wisteria and an array of roses. The house is situated in the beautiful bay of Megali Ammos, Alonnisos, with dazzling views across the sea to the Northern slopes of Alonnisos and Skopelos. Megali Ammos bay has a number of small beaches of both sand and white pebbles and is one of the most beautiful places on the island of Alonnnisos.
The double-storey house - which is elegantly landscaped into the hillside and discreetly nestling among greenery - has a meandering flagstoned path down to the sea, about 35 metres away with its own direct sea access and waterfront. It is surrounded by numerous terraces, some with seating and eating arrangements and some of which are roofed. There is the circular gin-and-tonic terrace just above the sea - perfect for sunset drinks - a terrace for sun-bathing or for evening drinks right in front of the house, a terrace for evening meals (near the kitchen) with a large marble table under an ancient olive tree (which can be floodlit at night) and a roofed area outside the kitchen for breakfast and lunch. There is also a smaller marble table by the barbeque and wood-oven on the eastern side of the house by the vegetable garden.
This luxurious double-storey villa was designed and built to a really high standard. It has three large, double en-suite bedrooms, stylishly furnished. Two of them are upstairs and the third one is on the ground floor next to the living room. They all have large, sliding, floor-to-ceiling panoramic picture windows with spectacular views over the sea and Skopelos beyond. All three en-suite bathrooms have walk-in showers, and are luxuriously clad in pink marble.
The ground floor – all on one generous level with no steps anywhere (perfect for dancing) - contains the large main reception room which is furnished with two large, comfortable, white sofas and armchairs and has an elegant dining table set to the side. The panoramic, sliding, French windows give views of the sea and, beyond, Skopelos and flood the gracious living-room with light and sunshine. There is also a Television, DVD player and a music centre.
The sliding French doors lead to a spacious terrace on the same level, offering outstanding views over the olive trees to the sea and blurring the boundaries between garden and house.
Through a graceful arch there is a stylish Italian-fitted kitchen with white Naxos-marble surfaces and a large pantry attached which can be accessed through impressive 100-year-old sculpted wooden doors from Rajasthan in India. On the opposite side there is a hallway (with a guest W.C.) leading to the downstairs bedroom.
There are cool, white marble floors throughout the ground floor and polished oak-wood floors in the upstairs bedrooms.
The upper storey has a wrap-around large balcony and outside the master bedroom there is a large, roofed loggia with large cane sofa and armchairs for morning coffee.
The house is situated in the bay of Megali Ammos – one of the most beautiful places in Alonnisos. Those wishing for a holiday by the sea can be assured that the clean, clear turquoise water of this bay are just steps from your door.
The main port of Patitiri, with shops, super markets and restaurants, is a 15 minute drive away from the villa.
Booking notes
An advance payment of 30% of the total rental cost is required to confirm a booking, the remaining 70% along with the refundable deposit to be paid eight weeks before the arrival date. The booking is considered confirmed by both sides, after the above payments. Once paid the advanced payment and the rent are not refundable in case of cancellation by the tenant. The refundable deposit is repaid immediately after the departure of the tenant.
Travel notes
There are ferries and hydrofoils to Alonnissos from both Volos and Aghios Konstantinos. During the winter months getting to Alonnissos means a flight to Athens and an internal flight to Skiathos, or 5 hour train or coach journey to Volos or a three hour coach journey to Aghios Konstantinos followed by a ferry or hydrofoil trip to Alonnisos. In the summer months there are charter flights from London and UK to nearby Skiathos (an hour and a half away by hydrofoil).
There is a website for more information: www.alonnisos.co.uk
Rates: from €1,500 per week in low season (May,June September, October); from €2,500 for July and August