Located close to Gavalohori, Vamos, and Almyrida, three of the loveliest villages in the desirable Apokoronas region, Villa Pegasus is not only an ideal home away from home for those who like to explore, but also for those who prefer to quietly hide away from the hustle and bustle of daily life whilst on holiday. At the end of a short track, nestling amidst a lush, fragrant forest of pine, fir, and pretty silver green olive trees, with only the sound of bird song and the hum of the cicadas to interrupt the serenity, Villa Pegasus provides both peaceful surroundings and peace of mind. If excellent value for money and privacy are important to you then you can unwind on a comfortable sun-bed next to the larger than average pool at Villa Pegasus without a care in the world.
Upon entering the 4000m2 fenced and gated grounds visitors arrive at the large gravelled parking area which has natural shade from two of the villas’ many mature olive trees, and is bordered by flower beds which have been planted with colourful shrubs including oleander, roses and geranium. Extensive terracotta tiled terracing encircles Villa Pegasus giving guests plenty of room to spread out, with a choice of sun or shade. There is a grove of young cherry and olive trees with a path running through it and space for children to run around and play. The remainder of the extensive garden has been left in its natural state, in keeping with the rural surroundings, with rocky outcrops interspersed with almond, yucca, aloe, and an array of vibrant wild flowers in the spring.
The sparkling 10m x 4m+ pool takes centre stage at rear of the villa and is blessed by a southerly aspect. On long hot summer days it invites you to take a very welcome cooling swim, or just lounge around on the family friendly steps in the Roman end with a refreshing icy drink. The pool terrace is well equipped with sun-beds, umbrellas, a shower, a dining table and chairs, and even a solid brick barbeque that is all set for action. When the sun goes down the enticing aroma of local produce sizzling on the grill, and pretty lighting, creates an enchanting atmosphere that enables you to relax outside enjoying amusing conversation and fine wines from the nearby Dourakis winery well into the night. Clear, balmy evenings are also perfect for star gazing, and the constellation of Pegasus, the magnificent winged horse from Greek mythology, can be seen in the Cretan night sky between July and January.
Inside Villa Pegasus the comfortable, well equipped, and welcoming living accommodation has been thoughtfully arranged over 2 floors with the living room and kitchen located on the top floor in order to best appreciate the eye-catching views of the surrounding area. The bedrooms are on the ground floor where it is easy to sleep at night because it is naturally cooler (though the villa does have full air-conditioning for times when it is particularly hot outside). All 3 bedrooms boast a set of sliding glass doors which lead out on to their own private balconies that overlook the pretty Mediterranean gardens. Ideal for leisurely breakfasts, lingering dinners, or even just lazing around reading the latest best seller, the upstairs main balcony runs along one end of the spacious living room. Shaded by a cypress wood pergola with a terracotta tiled roof, the balcony is equipped with a dining table and chairs, and a couch and coffee table, and has sweeping views to the glorious White Mountains in the south, and peeping out over the top of a quintessentially Cretan landscape of woodland and higgledy-piggledy low stone walls, there is the brilliant blue of the sea to the north.
A pleasant 300m amble down the track that leads to Villa Pegasus brings you to the unspoilt hamlet of Xirosterni which is one of the most picturesque villages in the area and is made up of a few narrow lanes, small chapels, ruins, and sympathetically renovated traditional houses. Everyday essentials can be bought from the well-stocked village shop and unhurried drinks (and occasionally snacks) can be had at the rustic, grapevine covered kafenion. On August 5th and 6th every year this sleepy enclave comes alive when the villagers honour the Saviour Christ (also the name of the main church) by putting on a fabulous feast for anyone who would like to participate. The sound of music, exuberant dancing, and huge amounts of food sizzling away on barbeques, continues into the early hours of the morning, and much merriment is had by all. Just 3kms away are Vamos and Gavalohori where there are a good selection of tavernas, cafes, and shops, and an easy drive of 6km on one quiet country road brings you to the popular and charming village of Almyrida with its Blue Flag sandy beaches, small fishing harbour, choice of seaside tavernas, many shops, and excellent amenities.
*** N.B. Villa Pegasus is situated on the plot of land next to Villa Margaret, an almost identical villa with 3 bedrooms that we also handle. For larger families or groups of friends looking to holiday together whilst still retaining a good amount of independence and privacy, booking both villas together would be a superb option.
Villa Accommodation
Ground floor (10 steps up from the parking area, pool terrace, and garden): an entrance hall, 2 twin bedrooms, 1 double bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 covered balcony/1 semi covered balcony/1 open balcony.
The front door opens to a hallway which has the doors to the 3 bedrooms and the main bathroom. Going clockwise around the corridor, the first door in the corridor opens to a twin bedroom which has 2 wood single beds, 2 matching bedside tables with a lamps, a wardrobe with hanging space, drawers and shelves, a wall mirror, white diaphanous curtains, a window that looks out onto the driveway, hedges, flowerbeds and olive trees, and double doors that open out onto a covered balcony with the same views as the window, and is equipped with 2 directors chairs and a marble table for 2. The second door (at the end of the corridor) is for the double bedrooms. The double bedroom has a wrought iron double bed, 2 bedside tables with lamps, floor to ceiling built-in wardrobes with drawers, shelves, and hanging space, a wall mirror, and white diaphanous curtains. The double bedroom has sliding doors that open out onto an open balcony that is equipped with 2 director chairs, a marble table for 2, and has views to the pool terrace and barbeque area, and also over the surrounding countryside to a neighbouring house. The third door is to the second twin bedroom which has a semi covered balcony/terrace which has steps to the pool terrace and looks out directly over the pool to the garden, mountains, and countryside. The ground floor main bathroom has blue and white tiles, a full size bath with a shower attachment, a wide basin with a vanity unit below, a mirror, wall lights, a toilet, a cupboard, a washing machine, a laundry basket, a frosted window.
Top floor (17 steps up from the ground floor): 1 open-plan kitchen/dining/living area, 1 shower room, 1 covered dining/lounging terrace, 1 open balcony.
The upstairs sea facing terrace is shaded by a wood and tiled pergola and has panoramic views over to the surrounding countryside, the White Mountains, and the sea in the distance. It is equipped with a 2 person couch, and a coffee table, and a green stained wood dining table and 6 chairs]Wide sliding doors lead from the main upstairs terrace to the open-plan living area which has a window that looks out over the driveway and gardens, a 3 person couch and a 2 person couch, a coffee table, a standard lamp, an entertainment unit with the TV and DVD player, a book shelf with a selection of books and family games, a side table with a lamp, and a wood burning stove. The modern, fully equipped kitchen area has built in cabinets, a dishwasher, a ceramic hob with a cooker hood, a built in oven, a fridge/freezer, a microwave oven, a toaster, a kettle, a bottle rack, a dining table, 6 dining chairs, and a shelf unit/rack. The kitchen has 2 windows that look out over the garden to the surrounding countryside, and a door that opens out onto a south facing balcony. This balcony is equipped with a marble table for 2 and 2 chairs, and overlooks the pool and barbeque area to the mountains. The upstairs fully tiled shower room has cream and terracotta tiles, a shower area, a toilet, a basin, a mirror with a light above it, a set of drawers, and a frosted window.
EOT (Greek Tourist Board) License Number: MHTE 1042K92003025901
*** 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.
