A hidden gem of a villa with panoramic views and a larger than average pool, A hidden gem with panoramic views and a large pool. Villa Rosaria is an oasis of calm, surrounded by an acre of Olive groves, and a Mediterranean garden, on the wooded outskirts of the charming village of Gavalochori. This location is ideal for those who love nature and value their privacy, whilst being within walking distance of eateries, a bakery, and mini markets (1km), and a four minute drive to sandy beaches and excellent facilities in the popular coastal resort of Almyrida.

Just off a country road the gated private driveway passes by olive trees down to the concealed Villa. Second gates usher guests to the gravelled parking area and turning circle adjacent to Villa Rosaria and guest rooms which are courtyard style around the impressive swimming pool. A southerly aspect it is an undeniable suntrap. A selection of terraces around the villa are where guests spend most of their time, they have been designed to incorporate different areas for relaxing with a choice of sun and shade. The supply of garden furniture such as tables, chairs, umbrellas, and sun-loungers make it impossible not to sit back, take in the scenery, and chill out. The peace and tranquillity is occasionally broken by the morning jingling of bells, when the neighbouring shepherd moves his goats and sheep up to the eastern hillside to graze!

Fringed by raised flower beds and fruit trees taking centre stage is the 50sq metre pool that entices a refreshing swim. An archway leads to the barbeque area with dining table and benches that are situated beneath a shady bamboo topped pergola. Completing this idyllic setting are spectacular mountain views, beautiful shrubs, roses, yellow trumpet vine, lilac, callistemon (bottle brush), viburnum, aloe, fragrant honeysuckle and jasmine, and a variety of herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano and basil, which can be freshly picked for use. Oranges, peaches, pomegranate, and figs can be picked when in season and the lemons are perfect for a crisp gin and tonic at sundown. Elsewhere on the grounds are a myriad of vibrant flowers and shrubs such as bougainvillea, hibiscus, lantana, oleander, wisteria, geranium, yucca, wild almond, and Hottentot Fig, in addition to the many olive trees, traditional terracotta pots, and a vine that is starting to wind itself over the summer house and will hopefully be bearing grapes in a year or so.

There is no shortage of space. The owners have created an appealing and comfortable retreat with all modern amenities. The villa, guest rooms, swimming pool and garden have been equipped with Free unlimited WIFI, a flat screen TV with TV channels. Two Amazon Alexa smart speakers, a ceramic hob and built in oven, fridge, fridge/freezer, microwave oven, dishwasher, Bosch washing machine, white aluminium doors, windows and shutters, and air conditioning units in the four bedrooms. The villa has an energy efficiency certificate, solar powered hot water with a back-up immersion heater, and a 12,000-litre reserve water storage tank for those times in the summer when water is restricted.

Villa Rosaria lends itself perfectly to groups or families with differing age groups, and to family members with disabilities. The Villa is joined by an archway to two ground floor guest bedrooms, each with their own en-suite shower rooms with doors opening out onto the pool terrace. The Villa itself has a large kitchen/dining area, and one Twin bedded room on the ground floor which has double doors, one leading onto the swimming pool terrace and the other leading onto a terrace overlooking the surrounding Countryside and White Mountains. The bedroom is adjacent to a wet room.

Upstairs is the master bedroom with en-suite and a living room. The upstairs rooms offer direct access to balconies which enjoy wide-reaching views across swathes of olive and conifer trees to the White Mountains in the southwest and Souda Bay in the north. Glass panels and adjustable sunshades make the balconies completely private and can be used in the height of the day during the summer or if the wind picks up. A comfortable lounge suite on the west side balcony, provides the perfect place of solitude, quietly reading a book away from the rest of the group, or for star gazing at night, or watching the lights from the ferries on their nightly journey to Athens.

The Villa is superbly priced for large parties during high season when it is rented with the guest rooms. Low and mid-season Villa Rosaria can be rented without the guest bedrooms making this property easily accessible to couples and small families who want quality accommodation, value for money, privacy, and access to local amenities and beaches.

Accommodation.
Ground floor (1 step up from the parking area): entrance hall, twin bedroom with adjacent wet room, open-plan kitchen/ dining room and utility room.
The front door opens to a large hallway, the kitchen/dining area, the staircase, a wet room that is fully equipped, a twin-bedded room which has white wrought iron beds, bedside cabinets with reading lamps, a hanging rail, chest of drawers with mirror and two double doors leading to covered terraces. One terrace overlooks the swimming pool and the other faces southwest with views of the White mountains. The fully equipped kitchen/dining area has a dishwasher, ceramic hob and built in double oven, fridge/freezer, larder fridge, microwave oven, toaster and coffee making machine, a large oval table with chairs and pine dresser. Windows face the parking area and Stelios’s olive grove and double doors lead, 1 step down to the pool terrace. To the right of the front door is the utility room which houses the washing machine.

First floor (17 steps up from the ground floor): Living room, double bedroom with en-suite, 3 balconies. The double bedroom has a pine double bed, bedside table with a reading lamp, chest of drawers, wall mirror and hanging rail. Double doors lead out onto a large terrace which overlooks the pool and has panoramic views of the surrounding area. The en-suite bathroom has a bath with shower and is fully equipped. The Living room is well furnished with two comfortable couches, a large Silver Smiths tool chest, Free standing fan, Television and a wood burning stove etc. The Living room has double doors leading out onto two balconies. The smaller with two chairs overlooks the swimming pool, and the larger balcony has panoramic views of the White Mountains, surrounding Countryside and Souda Bay. This terrace has a comfortable two-seater settee, coffee table and two chairs.

Guest Rooms: (1 step up from the parking area and are on the same level as the kitchen/ dining area in the Villa, and 1 step down to the pool area): twin bedroom with en-suite and double bedroom with en-suite. Both bedrooms have private entrances and double doors that lead onto the swimming pool terrace. The twin room has two single wrought iron beds, bedside tables with reading lamps, wardrobe, and wall mirror. The en-suite is fully equipped. The double room has a white and brass wrought iron double bed, bedside tables and reading lamps, wardrobe and wall mirror. The en-suite is fully equipped.

Gavalochori is a traditional village and has great historical importance in this area. There are buildings remaining from Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish eras and artefacts have been found in the area from Neolithic and Minoan Times. Many of these artefacts are now housed in the Historical and Folklore Museum which is on one of the village’s narrow streets. On the outskirts of the village there is a picnic area beneath a thicket of shady trees next to Venetian Wells. The village square is still the focal point of village life. The main kafenion/taverna is a beautifully renovated stone building which is run by Monica Papatheofilo. The food is delicious and the prices sensible. Sitting under the kafenion’s shady mulberry trees and watching the world go by, is a favourite past time for both locals and visitors alike. On the opposite side of the square is a gift shop that sells local arts and crafts. In the village you have two mini markets, two cafés, and a bakery. Villa Rosaria is just 4 minutes by car to the village of Almyrida which is built around a crescent shaped sandy beach. The beach is shallow and safe, which is good if you have children or are not a strong swimmer. Lining the beach are many excellent tavernas, cafes and shops. There is a water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers, paddle boards, and catamarans. For those of you looking for even more activity, the historic town of Chania is only 45 minutes away by car.

*** As of January 01, 2024, the Greek government have replaced the old “bed tax” with a new tax that is applied to all stays in short-term rental accommodation in Greece. The Climate Resilience Levy is a response to the devastating forest fires and floods that Greece has experienced in recent years, with the government hoping to generate extra funding that will go towards financing reconstruction, supporting victims, and increasing the country’s defences against future natural disasters.

The owners of all short-term rental accommodation are legally obliged to collect the Climate Resilience Levy as a separate tax for all overnight stays (per villa) as follows:
€10.00 per night on stays between March 01 and October 31, and €4.00 per night on stays between November 01 and February 28/29.

The Vrbo system does not yet have a section for collecting the Climate Resilience Levy and we have, therefore, had to add it to the billing section as an extra fee which will show on the booking as a Host Fee (until Vrbo update their system).

Whilst we understand the potential budget concerns of our guests, this tax/levy is beyond our control and we encourage our guests to see this as a way of contributing to the protection of the planet and the beautiful area where they are holidaying.