Villa Ifigenia

Villa Ifigenia is a modern villa that was finished to a high standard in 2006. Located on the top of a hill just behind the seaside village of Almyrida, it enjoys amazing views of the sea and the surrounding olive clad hills. Villa Ifigenia is set above the adjacent villa (Villa Calypso) with its own grounds, pool and private parking area. The villa belongs to a friendly local family who have a quaint gift shop in Almyrida, and whose sister owns the popular "Thalami" seafood taverna in the village. Thoughtfully designed to ensure that all rooms have balconies or terraces that take in the outstanding views. both floors of the house have huge sea facing terraces where one can sit and watch the ferries sail to and from Athens, or the lights twinkling at night from the Akrotiri Peninsula on the opposite side of Souda Bay. The lower terrace is covered, and the upper terrace is open either sun or shade. The villa is a peach/orange colour with dark green aluminium doors, windows and shutters throughout, the furniture, doors and cupboards throughout the inside of the villa are traditionally Cretan, made locally from a warm coloured wood. The upstairs rooms have lovely , traditional high wood beamed ceilings. All modern comforts have been provided for at Villa Ifigenia, including satellite TV, DVD and CD players, dishwasher and washing machine, and air conditioning units in all the bedrooms and the living room. The a/c units also double up as heaters for the cooler nights at the start and end of the season. The water is heated by either solar panel or a back-up immersion heater. The pool is positioned on the side of the hill with panoramic views of the area, it\'s terrace is next to a small rural road, but has been completely screened with bamboo, oleander bushes and small olive trees to ensure privacy. A small natural stone wall runs around the large front lawn that is perfect for children to play on, and has been planted with yucca trees and Washingtonian palms. The garden also includes 2 flowerbeds planted with roses. Ample outdoor furniture, including a BBQ has been supplied in order for you to fully relax and enjoy your holiday. When you do eventually venture away from this lovely villa to visit the beach, or sample the local home cooked food in one of the village\'s four exceptional tavernas, you can easily walk downhill to the centre of Almyrida in approximately 8-10 minutes. It may be little more strenuous walking uphill on the way back, but you will be so relaxed from the wine at dinner that you may not even notice!

Accommodation. Ground floor (2 steps from the pool terrace, level with the parking area): Open plan living room, kitchen and dining area, 1 twin bedroom, 1 shower room, a large sea facing covered terrace. The living room has double doors opening onto a large covered, sea facing terrace furnished with a table and 4 comfortable dark green director\'s chairs and a front door that leads to the pool, front lawn and large private parking area. There is a large wooden couch with navy fabric, 2 matching armchairs, a coffee table, a side table, and a TV/DVD unit which doubles up as a bookcase. The modern kitchen/dining area is fully equipped and includes a dishwasher, ceramic hob and built in oven, a large fridge/freezer, a microwave oven, a portable CD player, and a locally made wooden dining table and chairs which seat 6. All appliances are in matching stainless steel. The kitchen window faces south west, and looks out over Villa Calypso to the olive clad hillside, and the mountain tops. The kitchen area has a door which leads to a small hall with floor to ceiling built-in wardrobes and drawers, and doors leading to a shower room and twin bedroom. The shower room has blue and white tiles, a shower, a white washbasin, a mirrored cabinet, a toilet, and a frosted window to the east. The twin bedroom has 2 single beds, 1 bedside table with a lamp, a dressing table, stool and wall mirror, and pale blue and yellow bedspreads with matching curtains. The window looks west to olive groves and mountain tops, double doors open onto a balcony with views to the olive clad hillside and the tops of the White Mountains.

First floor (17 steps up from the ground floor): 1 double bedroom, 1 twin bedroom, 1 full bathroom and a large open terrace. The twin bedroom has 2 single beds, 1 bedside table with a reading lamp, a wardrobe, and cream and blue floral bedspreads with matching curtains. Double doors open out onto a balcony with views to the sea, the pool, and the entire area, and is equipped with a coffee table and chairs. This uncovered terrace is the perfect lace to sunbath in private. The full bathroom has blue and white tiles and a bathroom suite comprising a full bath with shower attachment, a wash basin, a mirrored cabinet, a toilet and washing machine, and has a frosted window. The double bedroom has a double bed, 2 bedside tables with reading lamps, a dressing table, stool and wall mirror, built-in wardrobes, and matching green and gold curtains and bedspread. Double doors lead to a balcony with views to the mountains and hills. The lovely village of Almyrida is only 750m from Villa Ifigenia, and is built around a pretty crescent shaped sandy beach, with a small fishing harbour at the eastern end. The beach is very shallow and safe, perfect for children. Lining the beach are an excellent selection of tavernas, cafe /bars, bakeries, a jewellery shop, mini-markets, gift shops, ATM, internet access and an off-license. There is a water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers and catamarans A few minutes by car from Villa Ifigenia, there are a huge variety of archaeological sites and traditional villages with wonderful tavernas. There is also an interesting selection of small craft centres and museums, including glass blowing in Kokkino Horio, lace makers in Gavalohori, and silk makers in Kalamitsi. For those of you looking for even more activity, the historic town of Chania is only 35 minutes away by car.