Crete - Sunvil

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Crete
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is a land of myth and history,
of dramatic mountains, fertile valleys and glorious beaches. At the
same time sophisticated and elemental, Crete is unique.
CRETE
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Taverna in Kaliviani
Kalives
First settled by humans 130,000 years ago and positioned between
Africa and Europe, Crete was the cradle of Mediterranean civilisation and
still retains its own strong identity and culture, characterised by a history
of proud resistance against invaders through the ages.
Rich in its physical contrasts, the island has always been the source of
legend and adventure. Fascinating archeological remains are sited all
over the island, from the colourful reinvention of Knossos to the arid
mystery of Phaestos. Three separate mountain ranges riven with
spectacular gorges and rivers stretch from west to east, with lush valleys
falling to a varied coast of small fishing villages and magnificent sandy
beaches.
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MO
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An absorbing mix of Minoan, Venetian and Turkish architecture, the
island’s towns weave together palaces, churches, castles, and minarets
alongside the bustle of markets, cafés and tavernas.
I
OR
CRETE
KALIVIANI
SAMONAS
SAMARIA
GORGE
LAKE
KOURNAS
MT. IDI
ISTRON
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The white mountains provide the backdrop for
western Crete’s dramatic landscape.
Nerokouro
Although just nine kilometres from
Chania there are no signs of tourism
in Nerokouro: a church, a minimarket, a small bakery; a friendly
community and beautiful views over
valleys towards Souda Bay. Souda
Bay with its supermakets, fresh fish
stalls, cafes and tavernas is only 5
minutes drive away.
Panos Stalos
The peaceful village of Pano (upper)
Stalos nestles amongst age old olive
trees. The village boasts three
excellent tavernas and a mini market.
Kato (lower) Stalos and its
neighbouring villages of Platanias and
Aghia Marina hug the coastline and
are a five minute drive away Here
you will find a long sandy beach,
bars, shops, banks and everything
you will need and in complete
contrast to the upper village - but
very handy for any younger members
of the party and so easily accessible.
Armeni
This large, traditional village of
farmers, with a population of about
3,500 people, is set 600 metres
above sea level, inland from the seaside village of Kalives and near the
mouth of Souda Bay. The village is
surrounded by groves of olive,
avocado and orange in a very fertile
landscape. The village is set on the
banks of the Kiliaris river which is
shaded by giant plane trees. The
church of Agios Nikolaos is large and
dominates the centre of the village.
Armeni has a good choice of five
tavernas, a cafenion shaded by a
large chestnut tree, a butcher, several
cafes and a small supermarket.
Kalives, a drive of about 10 minutes
has a larger selection of shops and
two good beaches.
of Crete. The sandy beaches of
Georgoupolis are about a 15 minute
drive and the dramatically located
village of Chora Sfakion on the south
coast a 45 minute drive across The
White Mountains. Many gorges and
small villages are in the vicinity making
Vrisses an excellent base from which
to walk in the area and also to explore
the whole of Western Crete by car.
Vamos
The village has a good selection of
tavernas, a cafenion, a butcher, two
bakers, a couple of mini-markets and
even a bank and pharmacy.
Vamos is really a small town with
many folk and neoclassical
architectural influences. There are
some very interesting buildings in the
village, notably the churches of Agios
Nikolaos and Agios Georgios and the
restored school, originally built in
1863. Twenty six kilometres from
Chania, the village has narrow
cobblestone streets and lanes
passing by interesting and attractive
stone houses. There is a large square
shaded by plane trees. The beaches
of Kalives are 6km away. Vamos has a
good selection of traditional tavernas,
coffee shops, post office, bank,
chemist and a variety of small shops.
A wonderful and beautifully kept
village.
Vrisses
A very well situated, working village
with a backdrop of The White
Mountains about 30 minutes drive to
either of the two main towns of
Rethymnon and Chanea in the west
Kalives
About 20km East of Chania and at
the entrance of the dramatic Souda
Bay, Kalives has retained its village
atmosphere and boasts two long
sandy beaches, one to either side.
Centred around a tree-shaded
square, housing a couple of cafes and
a fine church, Kalives has authentic
local tavernas and small shops which
cater for most needs.
The village has a population of 1,400
and in Byzantine towns was the likely
site of Kissamos, one of the ancient
city of Aptera's two harbours. To one
side of the village is the sea and
behind low hills covered by orange
and olive groves with the dramatic
White Mountains in the background.
A highly recommended spot, with
easy access to atmospheric Chania,
the Venetian built main town in the
West of Crete.
CRETE NEROKOURO
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1 bedroom
Villa Stella
1 bathroom
At Nerokouro | Sleeps 2
car hire included
■ Early Booking Offer
swimming pool
air conditioning
Villa Stella is a romantic retreat for couples.
One of the few houses in the village of
Nerokouro, Villa Stella provides a simple but
peaceful and comfortable escape from the
crowds.
WiFi
Although just nine kilometres from Chania, there are no signs of tourism
in Nerokouro: a church, a mini-market, a small bakery; a friendly
community and beautiful views over valleys towards Souda Bay
The villa opens out to a dining terrace with bougainvillaea and hibiscus;
three steps down to an alternative dining area in the shade of a large
mulberry tree; two further steps down to the barbecue area bordered by
roses; further steps to a small garden of citrus trees and date palms and
finally the pool terrace.
Accommodation: open-plan sitting room, dining and kitchen area; bathroom with
shower; steep staircase up to one double bedroom.
Facilities: air conditioning in bedroom; satellite TV/DVD & CD player; Wi-Fi; washing
machine; microwave; safe deposit box; barbecue.
Private swimming pool: 7m x 5m & depth 1.5m – 1.6m
Amenities: there are good fish tavernas in Souda, four kilometres away and Chania,
a drive of fifteen minutes, offers a wide selection of tavernas, shops and bars. The
best beaches are to be found at Kalives, thirteen kilometres away. Note: The 50
metre walk from the car park area to the villa is very steep.
For more detailed information & photos visit www.gicthevillacollection.com
V I L L A E S C A P E S 187
C R E T E PA N O S S TA L O S
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3 bedrooms
Isadora Villa
2 bathrooms
Near Panos Stalos | Sleeps 2 – 8
car hire included
■ Early Booking Offer
swimming pool
air conditioning
This striking villa, with its landmark chimney
rising amidst the surrounding hills, offers a
rare mixture of comfort and seclusion,
stunning panoramas and stone-clad
terraces, dusky pink plasterwork and palm trees. While it dazzles over the
private pool in the daytime, the sun as it sets seems to bathe the villa in a
special, luminous glow.
The extensive terraces, both open and covered, provide plenty of space
for relaxation, and the swimming pool has an integrated children’s
section.
Accommodation: open plan living/dining room, with fireplace and doors to terrace;
fully equipped kitchen; double bedroom with ensuite bathroom; two twin bedrooms
with doors to terraces; bathroom (with washing machine). Two sofa beds available.
Facilities: air conditioning throughout; satellite TV/DVD & CD player; microwave,
dishwasher, washing machine; in-built barbecue. All bedrooms have their own safety
deposit box.
Private swimming pool: 8m x 6m with designated children’s section 2m x 1m.
Pool depths 0.50m – 1.60m – 2.05m
Amenities: the nearby village of Panos Stalos (1.5km) has a mini-market and a few
tavernas, while Kalo Statos (3.5km) has a sandy beach, restaurants and shops.
Further afield, the elegant Venetian harbour of Chania (10km) rarely fails to delight.
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Isadora Villa
For more detailed information & photos visit www.gicthevillacollection.com
V I L L A E S C A P E S 189
CRETE ARMENI
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3 bedrooms
Villa Chlöe
2 bathrooms
At Armeni | Sleeps 2 – 6
car hire included
■ Early Booking Offer
swimming pool
air conditioning
It is rare to find a well-appointed villa close to
Crete’s northern coastline and Souda Bay,
with total privacy and without immediate
neighbours.
WiFi
Villa Chlöe is set in large, private grounds, with views out over a rolling
countryside of farmland and to the sea in the distance. With a gated
driveway, the villa has peaceful seclusion.
Within a fifteen minute drive from Chlöe, are many hilltop and seaside
villages.
Accommodation: open-plan sitting room and dining area; kitchen; one double
bedroom, ensuite bathroom with shower; two single galleried bedrooms; bathroom
with bath. Staircase to gallery over sitting room; one twin bedroom.
Facilities: air conditioning in all bedrooms; satellite TV/DVD & CD player; Wi-Fi,
washing machine; dishwasher; microwave; barbecue and safety deposit box.
Private swimming pool: 9m x 5m & depth 0.50m – 1.5m with child section.
Amenities: the village of Armeni, a drive of just two minutes, has five tavernas, a
baker, a butcher and a small supermarket. Kalives, a drive of ten minutes, has a wider
variety of shops and tavernas and a sandy beach.
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Villa Chlöe
For more detailed information & photos visit www.gicthevillacollection.com
V I L L A E S C A P E S 191
C R E T E VA M O S
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3 bedrooms
Villa Stathis
2 bathrooms
At Vamos | Sleeps 2 – 6
car hire included
swimming pool
air conditioning
Villa Stathis is situated on the outskirts of
what has been described as the most
delightful village in Crete – Vamos.
WiFi
This 100 year old stone house has been
carefully renovated to combine traditional architecture with modern
comforts. The interiors are cool and spacious and, outside, the pool area
is surrounded by olive groves. To the rear of the property is a delightful
courtyard with a sheltered dining area and barbecue.
Stathis is within walking distance of Vamos and all that it has to offer,
including proximity to the spectacular White Mountains. Sandy beaches
can be reached by car in approximately ten minutes.
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Accommodation: ground floor – fully equipped kitchen/dining and living area; twin
bedroom with ensuite bathroom with shower. Mezzanine (leading from dining area) twin
beds. First floor – master double bedroom with ensuite bathroom with bath.
Facilities: air conditioning; TV/CD player; Wi-Fi; washing machine; dishwasher;
microwave; barbecue and safety deposit box.
Private swimming pool: 8m x 4m & depth 0.60m – 1.5m
Amenities: within walking distance of Vamos, two tavernas offering fresh organic
Cretan dishes, beaches, shopping and choice of restaurants at Kalyves and Almirida
ten minutes by car.
CRETE VRISSES
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2 bedrooms
Villa Aphrodite
2 bathrooms
Near Vrisses | Sleeps 2 – 4
car hire included
■ Early Booking Offer
swimming pool
air conditioning
WiFi
Villa Aphrodite has a private, peaceful and
countrified setting on the outskirts of the tiny
hamlet of Maza. Six kilometres south of the
sandy beaches of Georgioupolis and three
kilometres away from the pretty village of
Vrisses, Maza has a few traditional stone houses and a sleepy square
with a small chapel and a taverna – just a five minute walk from the villa.
Villa Aphrodite has views over the surrounding countryside and valleys of
pine forest and olive groves unfolding towards the White Mountains.
Spacious and comfortably furnished interiors lead to stone terraces,
bordered by lawns, with uninterrupted views.
Accommodation: open-plan sitting room, dining and kitchen area; one double
bedroom with ensuite shower room; one twin bedroom; bathroom with bath.
Facilities: air conditioning throughout; satellite TV/DVD & CD player; internet
connection; Wi-Fi; washing machine; dishwasher; microwave; mosquito screens on
all windows; barbecue.
Private swimming pool: 8m x 4.5m & depth 0.90m – 1.4m
Amenities: nearby Vrisses has three tavernas, a renowned bakery and a selection of
café bars and shops. One taverna in maza (5 minutes walk). Georgioupolis, a drive of
fifteen minutes, has sandy beaches, watersports, horse riding and canoe trips up the
river to feed the turtles. The large resort town of Rethymnon is a 30 minute drive.
For more detailed information & photos visit www.gicthevillacollection.com
V I L L A E S C A P E S 193
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Chania at night
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CRETE KALIVES
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3 bedrooms
Villa Anastasia
2 bathrooms
At Kalives | Sleeps 2 – 7
swimming pool
■ Early Booking Offer
air conditioning
WiFi
Just a few kilometres before Almirida and
fifteen kilometres from Chania, Kalives is an
attractive seaside village overlooking Souda
Bay and the Akrotiri Peninsula with the
dramatic White Mountains and endless
orange and olive groves in the background.
Villa Anastasia is the Kalives village house of the Tsigounakis family. The
front entrance leads to the narrow village high street and the rear
entrance opens on to a small street bordering the sea. The sandy beach
of Mistraili is just two hundred metres away; here the shallow waters are
ideal for children.
You do not need a car here but it is recommended for exploring.
Accommodation: ground floor: open-plan sitting room, kitchen and dining area;
bathroom with bath. First floor of one double bedroom and two twin bedrooms (one
with three beds); kitchenette; bathroom with shower.
Facilities: air conditioning in all bedrooms; satellite TV/DVD & CD player; Wi-Fi; safe
deposit box; washing machine; dishwasher; microwave; barbecue.
Private swimming pool: 8m x 4m & depth 1.4m – 1.8m
Amenities: Kalives village has a good selection of tavernas and shops and two long
sandy beaches. There are small craft centres in nearby villages: glassblowing in
Kokkino Horio, the bell maker in Neo Horio, the lace makers in Gavalohori and the silk
makers in Kalamitsi.
For more detailed information & photos visit www.gicthevillacollection.com
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CRETE VRISSES
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3 bedrooms
Villa Georgia
3 bathrooms
Near Vrisses | Sleeps 2 – 6
car hire included
■ Early Booking Offer
swimming pool
air conditioning
A five minute drive from the village of Vrisses
to the foothills of the White Mountains
culminating in a steep climb up a short steep
track leads to the dramatic hilltop location of
Villa Georgia.
WiFi
Set within extensive grounds, this very private villa is a haven of rural
peace. From this lofty place one can see valleys with tiny villages, olive
groves, farms, vineyards and pine forest.
The garden and terraces around the pool are on one level and include a
covered barbecue and dining area and a lawn bordered by mulberry and
olive trees.
Accommodation: ground floor of an open-plan sitting room and dining area; kitchen;
one twin bedroom; bathroom with hydro-massage bath. First floor of one double
bedroom, ensuite bathroom with shower; one twin bedroom; ensuite bathroom with
shower.
Facilities: air conditioning in all bedrooms and sitting room; satellite TV/DVD & CD
player; Wi-Fi; washing machine; dishwasher; microwave; mosquito screens on
windows; barbecue and safety deposit box.
Private swimming pool: 10m x 4.5m & depth 0.90m – 1.7m
Amenities: nearby Vrisses has three tavernas and a selection of café bars and shops.
The sandy beaches of Georgioupolis are a drive of fifteen minutes. The resort town of
Rethymnon is a 30 minute drive.
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For more detailed information & photos visit www.gicthevillacollection.com
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CRETE VRISSES
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3 bedrooms
Villa Kontis
2 bathrooms
Near Vrisses | Sleeps 2 – 8
car hire included
■ Early Booking Offer
swimming pool
air conditioning
Six kilometres south of the sandy beaches of
WiFi
Georgioupolis and three kilometres away
from the village of Vrisses, Maza is a tiny
hillside village of a few traditional stone
houses and a sleepy square with a small
chapel and two tavernas – all just a five
minute walk from the villa. The surrounding landscape contains valleys of
pine forest and olive groves unfolding towards the White Mountains.
Villa Kontis enjoys a peaceful and idylic location. The original house of
stone has been restored and extended to incorporate traditional and
modern features with attractive gardens.
Georgioupolis, a drive of fifteen minutes, has sandy beaches,
watersports, horse riding and canoe trips up the river to feed the turtles.
Lake Kournas is just eight kilometres away.
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Accommodation: ground floor of an open-plan sitting room, dining and kitchen area;
one double bedroom and one twin bedroom; bathroom with whirlpool bath and shower.
First floor of one twin bedroom and mezzanine gallery with twin beds; bathroom with
shower.
Facilities: air conditioning throughout; satellite TV/DVD & CD player; internet
connection; Wi-Fi; washing machine; dishwasher; microwave; mosquito screens on all
windows; barbecue.
Private swimming pool: 12m x 5m & depth 0.80m – 1.5m
Amenities: nearby Vrisses, shaded by riverside plane trees, has three tavernas, a
renowned bakery and a selection of café bars and shops. One taverna in maza (5
minutes walk).
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Villa Kontis
For more detailed information & photos visit www.gicthevillacollection.com
V I L L A E S C A P E S 199
CRETE LAKE KOURNAS
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3 bedrooms
Villa Victoria
2 bathrooms
At Lake Kournas | Sleeps 2 – 6
car hire included
swimming pool
air conditioning
Lake Kournas, with its mountainous
WiFi
backdrop and fringe of olive trees, is one of
only two lakes to be found on Crete. The
lake has stretches of sand shared by
swimmers and migratory birds and a
selection of waterfront cafes and tavernas is a five minute drive away.
Villa Victoria, with ample balconies and terraces, has a private and secluded
hillside location with magnificent, panoramic views over the lake and out to
the bay of Georgioupolis. Surrounding the villa is a natural, undulating
landscape of olive groves, small vineyards and grazing pastures for goats.
Child-friendly considerations include fenced front terraces, grass lawns
and children’s pool section.
A simple taverna can be reached within a ten minute walk. The old village of
Kournas, with four tavernas, a mini-market and bakery, is a five minute drive.
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Accommodation: ground floor of a sitting room leading to kitchen and dining area;
cloakroom with shower; one double bedroom. First floor of two twin bedrooms;
bathroom with Jacuzzi bath and shower.
Facilities: air conditioning in all bedrooms; satellite (flat screen) TV/DVD & CD player;
Wi-Fi; washing machine; dishwasher; microwave; safe deposit box; mosquito
screens to all windows; barbecue.
Private swimming pool: 10m x 5m & depth 1m – 1.7m with child section.
Amenities: Georgioupolis, a ten minute drive, offers beaches, watersports, tavernas
and shops.
CRETE THERISSO
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2 bedrooms
Villa Therisso
2 bathrooms
At Therisso | Sleeps 2 – 4
car hire included
swimming pool
air conditioning
Twelve kilometres south of Chania, Therisso
WiFi
village hides away in the foothills of the White
Mountains. The surrounding hills and valleys
of the Theriso Gorge provide many
interesting walks and a drive up to the White
Mountains introduces some of the most spectacular views on the island.
The village was the base for the Cretan resistance during the 2nd World
War and the headquarters of Eleftherios Venizelos, the Cretan Prime
Minister responsible for reuniting Crete with mainland Greece after 400
years of Turkish rule.
Villa Therisso will appeal to those looking for a comfortable, Cretan escape
and a hilltop village position to enjoy dramatic views over Therisso Gorge.
Spacious and comfortable interiors open out on to a series of terraces with
an elaborate barbecue and outside kitchen area besides the pool.
Accommodation: ground floor of an open-plan sitting room and kitchen; study;
cloakroom. First floor of one double bedroom and ensuite bathroom with bath; one twin
bedroom and ensuite bathroom with shower.
Facilities: air conditioning in both bedrooms; mosquito screens on all windows;
satellite TV/DVD & CD player; Wi-Fi (limited, €20 payable locally) washing machine;
dishwasher; barbecue.
Private swimming pool: 9m x 4.5m & depth 0.70m – 1.7m
Amenities: Therisso village, with a shop for simple provisions and a choice of tavernas,
is a walk of three minutes. Beaches on the north coast are a drive of twenty five minutes.
For more detailed information & photos visit www.gicthevillacollection.com
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