Villa Evian

The villa

Enjoy a seafront stay in the impressive neoclassical Villa Evian, located on the coast of mainland northern Greece, facing the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. This beautiful two - storey villa has seven bedrooms and five bathrooms and can comfortably accommodate up to fourteen guests, ideal for a large family holiday or friend’s get - together. Villa Evian is set on the most verdant grounds, populated with mature trees, handsomely manicured, and a wild open space for your children to play. The saltwater swimming pool sits at the front of the villa that faces out to sea, simply cross the road, and you are on the beach.

The villa has its own private drive and parking spaces and comes with complimentary Wi - Fi throughout and air - conditioning in most rooms. The interiors have been furnished and decorated in a formal style with a neutral palette of beige and cream tones to complement the exterior Neoclassical architecture, whilst each of the seven bedrooms are themed to tell their own story.

Enter this imposing villa from the private drive, where you will find a light and airy sitting room, with two sets of floor - to - ceiling windows that open onto the tiled terrace and gardens. There is a couple of comfy cream sofas, and matching armchairs, with a scattering of wooden coffee and side tables, under a crystal chandelier, facing a flat - screen television on one side and an open fireplace on the other. A fully equipped all - white kitchen has everything you need to cater for your holiday, including a fridge, freezer, cooker and hob, microwave and dishwasher. The adjacent dining area has an informal wicker - style table and eight chairs and a breakfast/cocktail bar, which is perfect for serving morning coffee and evening cocktails. On the ground floor, there is a spacious main bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and three further double bedrooms with two shared family bathrooms. Take the stairs to the first floor, where you will find a second main bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and two more double bedrooms with one shared bathroom. There is also a second kitchen on the first floor, with an adjacent formal dining area, home to a heavy wooden table and eight upholstered chairs, and a magnificent chandelier.

Step through the double doors leading from the living space onto the green grass of the villa grounds. In front of you is a large rectangular seawater swimming pool, with easy - entry roman steps, a ladder and a diving board at the deep end. Perfect for a few lengths before breakfast or for a cooling dip before afternoon tea on the lawn. The pool is surrounded by a paved area with comfortable sun loungers, where you can sunbathe and catch up on this year’s best seller. Cool down under the poolside shower. Relax in the shade on the soft cushioned seating area under the covered pergola, the ideal spot for a morning coffee or cocktails at sunset. Wind down with a snooze in one of the swing chairs or hammocks dotted around the garden. Have lunch under the shaded roof on the patio at a traditional tiled table and eight chairs. Take an evening stroll around the grounds amongst the mature tall trees that give it so much shade, smell the scented pines, and pick your fruit, before sitting down to dinner. Dine in the brick - built circular pergola in the middle of the garden, which is home to a round marble table which can seat up to ten guests on the wrought iron chairs; even better when its freshly grilled local delicacies cooked on the brick - built barbeque for dinner.

Villa Evian is set facing the seafront in the beautiful bay of Anthidona, on the northern coats of mainland Greece. The villa is just forty five minutes north of the capital Athens, and approximately an hour and a half drive from Athens’ International airport. The nearest beach is literally across the road from the villa, and shops for all of your holiday provisions, and friendly cafes and bars, are a short five hundred metres walk away. The best beach in the area is Alkyes Beach in Drosia, with miles of golden sands, crystal clear easy entry turquoise water, sun loungers and parasols, and lots of beach bars to saturate your thirst, whilst DJs bang out the latest hits, and you can club the night away after sunset. Otherwise Limanki beach to the west or Kokkini beach to the east, are quieter but well worth a visit. Soak yourself in some history of the area with a visit to the Castle of Karababa, high on Karithes Hill of the Boeotian coast, it occupies a strategic position overlooking the straits of Euripos that separates the mainland of Greece from the island of Evia. This Ottoman castle was built in 1684 to protect the town of Chalkis from the invading Venetians, a walk around the fortifications will give you grand views over the island of Evia and the Aegean Sea. There is also an extraordinary phenomenon that takes place here, where the water tide reverses every six hours, and then stays still for eight minutes, all due to the pull of the moon, and makes a fascinating watch. The beautiful island of Evia is a remarkably accessible destination from the city centre of Athens, Athens International Airport and the ports of Piraeus or Rafina.

Frequently misperceived as part of the mainland due to its connection by two bridges (a modern suspended one and an old sliding one), Evia is the second - largest island in Greece after Crete. It is, in fact, separated from the mainland by the narrow Strait of Evripos. Chalkida is a small city influenced by a number of cultures, dating back to prehistoric times, through to Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Venetian occupations, all leaving their mark on the town. The waterfront is lined with elegant cafes and restaurants, and luxury brand shops selling souvenirs you’ll want to take home. Walk the Roman aqueduct to the Red House, the city’s landmark, a neoclassical building, which is today a museum, library and cultural centre. Chalkida has a number of worthwhile institutions, including the Archeological Musuem, the Municipal Library & Art Gallery, and the Folk Art Museum. For penance St Nicholas Byzantine church, St Paraskeri’s early Christian Basilica, and the Emir Zade Turkish Mosque are all within the city. Venture further afield to Aidipsos, a thermal spa resort with over eighty hot water springs spouting curative waters. Eretria is a coastal town of the once ancient city, with its origins in maritime and commerce, whilst Karystos is a picturesque port town, with lots of local squares and formal streets made from the famous slate slabs, designed by the original city planner, King Othoris. Limini in north Evia, is an all year round small coastal town, with terracotta roofed houses, and a picture postcard sea front, the perfect place to sip and ouzo and watch the world go by. And of course, if you really want to improve your cultural portfolio, the city of Athens is just a forty five minute drive away, where the cradle of civilisation reveals all of its abundant treasures.