The island’s central stage of the Caldera was created by a volcanic eruption some four thousand years ago leaving Akrotiri’s Minoan ruins, believed to be the remains of lost Atlantis. The legacy of this drama is an island so enchanting that it’s exploration leaves vivid memories with all who visit – swimming from the black sandy beaches of the east coast; discovering the island’s many white cubic churches; driving through the interior plains of wheat and tomato fields, vineyards and pistachio groves; ambling through narrow streets of chic boutiques and shops selling beautifully crafted wares; choosing from one of the many cliff-top eyries to enjoy some of the most dramatic views in all of Greece.
We offer a selection of villas and mansion houses, which have been renovated to blend traditional and modern island architecture. We feel they are the best to be found on Santorini and will appeal to those looking for a peaceful and comfortable island retreat.
The two cliff-top villages of Imerovigli and Oia and the island villages of Megalochori and Pyrgos, where our properties are located, offer an enticing selection of tavernas, bars and shops, hidden away in narrow, pedestrianised cobblestone streets. We recommend the hiring of a car to discover the different parts of the island including the beaches on the east coast.
The beautiful village of Megalochori provides a peaceful and more traditional alternative to the busier cliff-top villages overlooking the Caldera yet is only a few minutes’ drive away. Protected from the strong Cycladic winds, the traffic-free village streets lead to a sleepy village square with its whitewashed churches and elegant Venetian bell towers. The village has three tavernas, a bakery and a general store. The best of Santorini’s beaches are a drive of just five minutes. Car hire is recommended for ease of access to the island’s varied attractions.
Most visitors to Santorini stay at one of the island’s many small hotels. Villas with a high standard of comfort are rarely found and for our clients who have often asked for an alternative to a hotel we introduce a small number of romantic and stylish, self-catering retreats.
The Stone House, Mansion Sophia, Villa Ivi and Villa Io are four of eleven properties, which have been craftfully renovated and are now managed by Pol and Ester. They offer a caring yet unobtrusive service to their guests to include a daily housekeeping service at pre-arranged hours, a 24-hour contact for help and advice, beach and pool towels (changed daily) and at extra cost, an in-house chef, a grocery shopping service, a nanny service, private masseuse and a home delivery service (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from their restaurant in Megalochori. Each villa has satellite TV/DVD and CD player.
