Villa Galania

*** Featured in Sunday Times "Europe's 100 Sexiest Summer Villas" ***

Set on a small hill above the village of Armeni and only 800 metres from Armeni village square, Villa Galania is ideally placed to enjoy the rural idyll whilst still being within reasonable walking distance of local shops and tavernas and just ten minutes by car from the sandy beaches of Kalives .

Parking the car for the first time and then walking up past a small copse of Holme Oak trees where a hammock has been slung and around the corner of the villa, it is easy to imagine you have stepped into a page of Harpers Bazaar or Vogue The pale pastel rose facade of the villa and beautiful pool at one with the serenely peaceful backdrop of rural Crete and the White Mountains which may still have snow during Easter Holidays in Crete.

The young owners of Villa Galania have created a very atmospheric period style property with the skillful use of simple local materials. Covered balconies and terraces provide shade and respite from the heat of the sun, whilst the villa's stone faced doorways and rough hewn timbered ceilings add an authentic touch of the past. Despite the historic Crete flavour, Villa Galania is furnished and equipped to a very high standard and the owners really have ticked all the boxes down to the smallest detail.

Outside around the 9m x 4m pool and adjoining children's pool, there's a huge amount of living space including a smart alfresco cover dining area, a lounge area, a table soccer, plus a rusticated covered barbecue complete with Cretan oven and a small fridge for drinks.

To one side there's a large area of lawn and in the shade of the Holme Oaks is a well stocked herb garden with the folk song classics of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme as well marjoram, mint and a number of other local herbs that Kleanthi uses for brewing tea.

The ground floor is open plan with warm terracotta style tiled floors throughout and decorated with interesting rural artefacts and attractive wall hangings. To one side is a dining area with table and chairs and beyond is the small well equipped kitchen, with a very large fridge freezer full oven with ceramic hobs and a dishwasher plus a kitchen sink with the bonus of lovely rural views towards the mountains.

At first floor level and reached by a wooden staircase is one twin bedroom (A/C) with en-suite shower room and the slightly extravagant master bedroom with double bed (A/C), lovely stone fireplace and en-suite bathroom with a lavish corner bath to languish in. Both bedrooms have warm and tactile wood floors and french doors opening out onto covered balconies overlooking the pool and with views towards the mountains.

From the landing at the top of the stairs a few steps lead up to a tiny gallery with a desk and chair.

Off the living area at ground floor level of the villa is a further guest shower room where there is also a washing machine. The villa also has a TV with DVD player and a portable CD player.