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VILLA ARETOUSA 

Armeni

Villa Artousa is located on the quiet outskirts of the charming village of Armeni, famous for it's fresh water springs and fragrant orange groves, and is is a firm favourite with families and couples who repeatedly return here (or to it's neighbour Villa Erofili).  Surrounded by acres of silver green olive groves and looking across to the magnificent White Mountains, you can enjoy the countryside ambience yet be only 2.7km from the National Highway for easy access to explore the rest of the island. As well as having one of the best tavernas in the Apokornas area, Armeni is just a short distance from the town and sandy beach of Kalives with a wide range of taverna's, cafes, bars and shops.       

We have chosen the beautiful Villa Aretousa for it's traditional design and furnishings married perfectly with  high, modern standards and comfort.  You will find a gift of homemade raki, olive oil from the surrounding groves and wine from the owner, Giorgos, who lovingly designed and built Aretousa using local, materials such as the stone for the walls, terrace paving and arches.  The beamed ceilings throughout the villa, the mezzanine level (where extra beds can be added if required) and the pergola's are made from local cypress wood. The unique lights were made at the small glass factory in the village of Kokkino Chorio, where you can visit and watch at work. Decorated in pale yellow with terracotta floor tiles, high vaulted ceilings and traditional dark wooden furniture made by local craftsmen, Aretousa will remain cool on the hottest of days with a/c units in the all bedrooms and kitchen/living area. 

To make best use of outdoor living Giorgos has provided a good selection of outdoor furniture, including sun-loungers and umbrella's, dining tables and chairs. Find sun or shade at any time of the day on the completely private front terrace,  the semi-covered roof terrace or by the pool.  Amongst the olive trees surrounding the villa, the garden, full of many different plants and shrubs (such bougainvillea, hibiscus, geraniums, roses, daises andconifers) provides bright splashes of colours, as do the Greek terracotta pots  scattered around the property. Privacy is generally excellent as a bamboo fence and olive trees provides screening between the two villas, though there are still areas that can be partially seen by the neighbouring villa.

Villa Aretousa and Villa Erofili are ideal for those seeking traditional Crete ambience with high quality, modern facilities amongst a peaceful country setting, but still within walking distance to an unspoilt, sleepy  village, and close proximity by car to the National Highway, many amenities, sandy beaches, craft workshops and archaeological sites.

Accommodation.

Ground floor: Private covered parking underneath the main living area of the house.

First floor (17 steps up from the parking and pool): A large open plan L-shaped living room/dining area and kitchen/1 double bedroom with en-suite shower room/2 twin bedrooms/ 1 bathroom/front pool facing covered terrace. The pergola covered front terrace has a table and chairs and faces north across acres of olive groves to the 16^th Century Turkish Fort at Aptera. A front door opens into the large modern, fully equipped kitchen/dining area which has dark wood cupboards, an electric cooker, a large fridge/ freezer, a toaster, a kettle, and a dining table and chairs which seat 6. The kitchen window has views to the east over olive groves. An archway leads into the living room which has 2 comfortable dark red sofas and a matching armchair, a stone fireplace, a coffee table, a bookcase that has a selection of books and which supports the TV, satellite box and DVD player, a side board and an over head wall mirror. There are 2 windows which look out to the neighbouring villa, and the front terrace and pool area respectively. A small hall off the lounge has the doors to the 3 bedrooms and the main bathroom. The main bathroom has beige and cream tiles with mosaic details. There is a full bath with a shower attachment, a washbasin with a dark wood framed mirror and cabinet, a toilet, a washing machine and a frosted window. The rear twin bedroom has 2 single beds, 1 bedside cabinet with a reading lamp, a wardrobe, and diaphanous sea green and turquoise curtains.  There is a window which looks out to the side flowerbed and next door villa, and double doors which open out onto the back patio (shared with the double bedroom) which is adjacent to a natural stone wall, a carob tree and an olive grove. The double bedroom has a double bed, 2 bedside cabinets with reading lamps, a wardrobe, a dressing table, mirror and stool, cream diaphanous curtains, a window that looks out east to olive groves, and double doors that share the back patio with the rear twin bedroom. The en-suite shower room has cream and khaki tiles, a shower unit, a toilet, a washbasin, a mirror with a dark wood frame, and a frosted window. The side twin bedroom has 2 single beds, 1 bedside cabinet with a reading lamp, a wardrobe, cream and turquoise diaphanous curtains and a window that faces east to olive groves.

Mezzanine/extra sleeping area and Roof terrace (11 stairs from the main living floor, + 1 step to the roof terrace. The mezzanine is reached via a wooden ladder tstyle set of steps in the hallway. It is attic style with a low inverted V ceiling and for a small additional cost we can put extra beds up here for larger groups if required. A door leads out onto the roof terrace which has wonderful panoramic views over the entire area to The White Mountains. This roof terrace is covered with a lattice roofed pergola and has a dining table and chairs.

Location

An easy 12 minute stroll along quiet back lanes finds you in the heart of Armeni village.  Located in the middle of a verdant valley with fresh water springs and a river through the centre, Armeni, with shady tree lined streets and lush foliage is a quiet village, still mostly reliant on farming the surrounding orange and olive groves. The focal point of the village is the traditional kafenion under the shade of a large chestnut tree. There are 4 excellent tavernas, a good butcher shop, a well stocked mini market, and a number of cafés and souvlaki shops. One of the tavernas hosts regular "Cretan Nights" throughout the season, with live music and fun Cretan dancers, but be warned - you are expected to join in the festivities! For a quieter experience, just a little further from the centre of the village is a taverna situated amongst a cool, green lawn with tables set on the river bank. Not only is there a dedicated childrens play area with a vast array of toys, parents can enjoy some time together as there is a babysitter on the premises. For a greater choice of taverna's, bars, cafes and shops Kalives is close by and has a large, sandy beach, clear seas and a traditional fishing harbour (you may also spot the occasional yacht here). Two rivers join the sea, keeping it slightly cooler and fresher than Almyrida.  The village is also the home of a number of talented artists, and the only traditional barrel maker who is left in the area (a great place to go for a wine tasting visit). Five kilometres away in Almyrida, there is a non motorised water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers and catamarans.  Approximately 25 minutes drive along the National Highway you can explore the historic and beautiful town of Chania, whose harbour has been described as the St.Tropez of Crete.

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CAR HIRE WITH THIS VILLA.

LOCAL FACILITIES

K-Travel Rental Prices for 2012 Villa Aretousa

All prices shown are per Villa, per Week, in EUROS. Not per person!

These prices include a free copy of the guidebook "Local Apokoronas Explorer". On request we will be happy to deliver a welcome basket to the villa at 40,00€ extra.

For information in resort, excursions, boattrips and other activities, please refer to the information book in the villa.
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