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The Villa (sleeps 14), is a fully staffed beach-front estate with its own yacht, speed-boats, jetty, 2 jeeps and private beach area. It is set in its own outstandingly beautiful bay, with 400 acres of pine-scented hills, cypress, olive and vine-terraces. The pretty and unspoiled port of Vathi is 3 kilometres away.
Ithaca, the island of the “Odyssey”, is not only an island of unrivalled beauty even in a country of beautiful islands, but also boasts a long history, with fascinating glimpses of the Homeric and Venetian past hidden in her mountains and valleys. It is famous in Greece for the clarity of its waters and the beauty of its many bays, inlets and beaches. The outlying islands of the archipelago, including the famous island of Skorpios, are all a day trip on the Villa's boat. Ithaca is an island for those who are looking for the authentic Greece, who love the countryside, nature, the sea, swimming, sport, and who do not need sophisticated night-life, bars and boutiques. There are some good restaurants now – Try Kalkanis’ in Vathis for great grills, and Hani’s for a sublime setting.
Outside of Skinos facilities, scuba diving can be arranged. We do not encourage jet skis in the bay
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The ultimate authentic Greek island experience, an oasis of peace and unparalleled beauty, a quiet, country life, with beach, boat and sea activities for the more energetic, music, books, home-grown produce, jasmine, candles, shooting-stars, floating on a sapphire sea, plump, warm figs from the tree, idyllic days on the boat, the scent of pine and thyme, crumbling churches, glowing icons, tavernas, cicadas, crystal waters, rosy sunsets, siestas in a jumbo hammock, moonlight swims and lemon-blossom, turquoise bays, flying fish, white pebble beaches, true Greek home-cooking eaten by lantern-light under bowers of bright bougainvillaea, warm service from the staff, and sorrow when it is time to leave.
MAIN HOUSE: Sleeps 10 - Situated 25 metres from the beach. Surrounded by oleanders, jasmine, bougainvillaea and hibiscus, shaded by pine-trees and mimosas. Single storey colonial-style house, French windows, wooden floors and high ceilings. Wraparound terraces surround the property. Accommodation is: 2 double bedrooms, 3 twin-bedded rooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 shower-rooms (all with W.C.) Air-conditioning is available in all bedrooms. Dining-terrace, dining-room, living-room. The house is a cool and spacious family house of great charm, with beautiful furniture and paintings. It has an old-fashioned feel, and is decorated with great style, and an eye for simple comfort and practicality, avoiding ostentation. All rooms open onto terraces facing the sea or the hills behind . Throughout the house and down to the sea, there are never more than three steps, making it ideal for less mobile guests.
There is an Ipod dock, CD (no C.D.s), games for children and grown-ups, plenty of classical records, and a multilingual library. Satellite Television, DVD and video are provided.
There is a house telephone and fax. This has an ADSL plug for computers. Dial up connection cards are available for your lap-top.
Please be aware that the telecommunication infrastructure of Ithaca is not great!
WINE HOUSE: Sleeps 5 - Situated above the main house, a small, traditional farm-cottage with vine-trellised balcony and sea-view. Wine-press in the basement. 1 three-bedded room, 1 twin-bedded room. Air-conditioning. Annex with 1 shower-room, 1 W.C. Simple, clean accommodation, ideally suited to teen-agers, nannies or young singles.
THE CHAPEL: Sleeps 2 - Our smart , new cottage, built just above the Wine House, has probably the best views in Skinos. It consists of a double bedroom with en suite wet-room with shower, dressing area, separate W.C, and a living-room with built-in sofas that can even be used as beds. A wonderful terrace with pergola.
PIANO HOUSE: (On request, by special arrangement only). Sleeps 2 - Situated above its own little beach, a 5 minute walk along a beautiful little path. Stone house with terrace, double bed and piano. Annex with W.C. (Not suitable for small children or elderly people.) Not usually used for sleeping in as it is a very simple house, a bit of a distance from the main house and has no hot water. The house is along the beautiful path to Yithaki beach, a lovely crescent of turquoise water with a simple beach shack serving seafood and chips. A 20 minute walk highly recommended, especially late afternoon or early morning.
THE BEACH:
One of the Villa's main attractions is the beautifully arranged and unique sea-front. A sandy beach area is furnished with a bamboo-shaded canopy, a diving board, volley- ball net, a children’ slide into the sea if required, and a low sea wall. Three wide, shallow steps lead down to the clear water of the bay, which is ideal for swimmers. Multiple craft and beach toys are attached to buoys nearby, as is a swimming platform. Water skis, “hot-dog”, pedaloes, row boats, canoes, windsurf and sailfish are all at guests’ disposal.
Fringing the beach are old olive trees, shading seating areas with swing chairs and tables.
As in all the Mediterranean, although we tend to treat the beach and bay as private, the sea shore is public, and a public footpath leads along the shore to the rest of the beach and to the beach on the other side of the peninsular. In August, the bay and the path along the beach do get busier than at other times.
STAFF:
Gardener, 2 cooks, 2 cleaning ladies, captain/manager and crewman/caretaker. (Further staff may need to be employed at extra cost for larger groups.) The staff are from the village, and work every day from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and 5.00pm to 9:00pm. to provide you with a warm, somewhat informal, and personal service.
THE BOATS:
The “Allegro, ma non troppo” and the speedboats: The estate boat, the “Allegro”, is a beautiful, single masted, wooden-hulled, 12 metre traditional Greek motor-schooner. She has been lovingly maintained by the same team for over 40 years. She sails at 9-10 knots and has a cushioned sunbathing area. The captain has been with her since his childhood, when his father was the captain, and can take up to ten of you to the most beautiful and secluded bays. He prepares memorable picnics on board, with freshly-caught octopus, sea-urchins and lobsters, if his son is successful fishing, the freshest “kakavia” (fish-soup) you will ever have, (plus the best chips in Greece for the children.) These days really are sheer heaven, especially if you are lucky enough to see dolphins playing under the prow of the boat by day, or go out on a calm night to view a magical full moon.
There are 2 speedboats for waterskiing, hot-dogging and fast expeditions. All these are only allowed to be driven by the Villa's staff.
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Nearest airports are Kefallinia, Preveza, and Athens, These are all international charter airports as well as domestic airports, Domestic flights from Athens to Kefalonia take 50 minutes and are once or twice daily depending on schedules. These need to be booked well in advance. The trip from Kefalonia airport to Ithaca takes around 2 to 2 ½ hours. Strintzis line ferries leave Patras ( a 2 ½ hour drive from Athens) twice daily and sail to Ithaca via Kefalonia ( 4 hours).
COSTS:
Not included in the rental price are food, drink and other household shopping, staff meals, fuel for the boats, tips, extra staff and extra laundry. Included are standard staff arrangements, (4 ladies, gardener, caretaker and boat crew,) utilities and facilities, use of boats, laundry twice a week, telephone up to £100, one set of transfers to and from the house.
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