What boxes need ticking when you look for that special Greek island holiday?
Most people look for: a modern villa with pool but one that feels Greek; the biggest and most dramatic sea views possible; seclusion but close to a village and beaches; privacy and tranquillity.
All of our Ionian properties have one or more of these attributes but here is a shortlist for each island of the ones we consider to head the wow list.
The Best Sea Views
PAXOS
Bougainvillaea (sleeps 2) – forested, west coast hillsides and the open sea.
Evangelia (sleeps up to 4) – birds eye views over Gaios port.
Jupiter (sleeps up to 6) – east to the Greek mainland, north across Mogonisi Bay, west to AntiPaxos.
Chimara (sleeps up to 8) – a big sea and the mountains of the mainland, framed by tall cypress trees.
ITHACA
Sunset Cottages (sleeps 2) – watch the sun set behind the north coast of Kefalonia.
Fassoulou’s Cottage (sleeps up to 4) – over Afales Bay and across the sea to the islands of Lefkas, Meganissi, Kalamos, Arkoudi and Atokos.
Hilltop House (sleeps up to 5) – the highest spot above Kioni Bay.
Tzika House (sleeps up to 8) – across the sea to Kefalonia’s north coast.
KEFALONIA
Sonia’s Apartment (sleeps 2) – watch the fishing boats and yachts arrive at and depart from Fiscardo port.
Villa Lito (sleeps up to 4) – a valley of olive groves to the sea, the pine and cypress forested foothills of Mount Aenos and the sandy coastline.
Villa Cara (sleeps up to 8) – looks out over a spectacular, natural landscape of pine and cypress to the sea and in the distance, the island of Zakynthos.
LEFKAS
Rhoda (sleeps 2) – the sun sets directly opposite.
Vassiliko (sleeps up to 4) – over a valley of olive groves and across Vassiliki Bay to the islands of Ithaca and Kefalonia.
Victoria (sleeps up to 10) – across Vliho Bay and up to Lefkas’ mountainous interior.
Helena (sleeps up to 10) – panoramic views over the offshore islands of Skorpios, Sparti, Skorpithi, Meganissi and across the sea to the Greek mainland.
Escape the Crowds with Total Privacy
PAXOS
Aspro Alogo (sleeps 2) – a tiny hamlet of just a few houses in the hills above Loggos.
Cressida (sleeps up to 6) – only the sound of cicadas to disturb.
Spiantzi (sleeps up to 11) – a private headland of 2 acres and private access to the beach below.
ITHACA
Loutsa Retreat (sleeps up to 8) – hidden from the outside world within beautiful private gardens and forested hillsides of olive and pine.
KEFALONIA
Paradiso (sleeps up to 7) – a total escape with an acre of lawns overlooking a landscape of olive groves and cypress trees.
Acacia (sleeps up to 10) – large, private grounds look out across the sea to the tiny island of Dias and to Zakynthos.
Efkalyptos (sleeps up to 16) – a spacious and comfortable retreat above Spartia’s sandy beach.
Spartia Retreat (sleeps up to 18) – surrounded by 5 acres of beautiful, extensive gardens just inland from the seaside village of Spartia.
CORFU
Helios (sleeps up to 8) – dramatic views all the away along the east coast to Corfu Town’s fortress.
Perivoli (sleeps up to 10) – 2 acre private gardens of crimson bougainvillaea and orchards of orange, lemon, avocado, pear, apple, plum, grapefruit and a private olive grove.
The Manor House (sleeps up to 10) – a mid 18th Century Venetian residence, hidden away amongst five hillside acres of citrus orchards, olive groves and cypress trees above the east coast.
You Couldn’t Get Closer to the Sea
PAXOS
Mermaid Cottage (sleeps 2) – 5 paces away from the sea.
Delia (sleeps up to 4) – just above Monodendri beach (Ben’s Bar).
Anastasia (sleeps up to 6) – you really couldn’t get closer to the sea!
Beach House (sleeps up to 7) – set above a small beach.
ITHACA
Dexa Beach House (sleeps up to 4) – set in an olive grove, just 15 metres from the beach where Odysseus ended his odyssey.
Poseidon (sleeps up to 7) – set above a small cove within the bay of Frikes.
KEFALONIA
Above the Beach (sleeps 2) – bordered by gardens of fruit trees, just above the beautiful sandy beach of Makris Yalos on Kefalonia’s south coast.
Villi’s House (sleeps up to 6) – from the front terrace you can hear the sea lapping on to the bathing rocks below.
Lassi Beach House (sleeps up to 10) – a sumptuously comfortable home just above the sandy beach of Makris Yalos.
Beach Villa (sleeps up to 12) – a private pool just above Makris Yalos sandy beach.
