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VILLA HARMONY

Gavalohori

Villa Harmony has been painstakingly and lovingly constructed by the father and sons of the Krassakis family,  also known as the owners of the incredibly popular "Dimitris Taverna" in Almyrida. Set on 4 levels of a terraced hillside just above the pretty village of Gavalohori, the villa has beautiful views of Souda Bay and The Akrotiri Peninsula in the distance, the quaint village, and acres of olive and conifer trees which spread across the valley below. The large pool and surrounding terrace enjoy these lovely views and are completely private - they cannot be overlooked by even a single nearby property. This location is ideal for anyone who is seeking privacy, yet would like to be close to a traditional, rural village and only 5 minutes away by car from the beach.

Villa Harmony is a sumptuous stone house with the option of a completely self-contained apartment on the ground floor, perfect for families or large groups that have members who would like a little more privacy(this apartment is rented out at an additional cost). It is only ever rented as one unit with the villa, not separately. Combining traditional Cretan design with modern facilities; spacious interiors with stone archways, fireplaces with details of Ancient Greek characters, and open beamed ceilings of cypress wood open out onto a multitude of stone terraces and balconies, with ornate black metal railings, stone columns and a choice of sun or shade. All of the outdoor terraces have been fully equipped with an good supply of garden furniture including sun-beds, umbrellas, marble coffee and dining tables, and director's chairs. The surrounding plot has been beautifully landscaped with natural stone walls, terracotta clay pots and flower beds planted with an abundance of different trees and plants including; banks of mesembryanthum, ivy, cacti, dozens of mature sweet smelling rose bushes, fruit trees, carob trees, palm trees, and lavender. The attention to detail is incredible, even the driveway has railings with built-in terracotta pots planted with geraniums, and an internal watering system. It is rare to see a Cretan property finished with such artistry and care.

The wooden living room furniture has been hand crafted locally to match the wooden doors shutters, kitchen cupboards, and built-in wardrobes. The pretty and ornate bedroom suites, made from wood and black metal, have been shipped in from Athens. In order to ensure maximum peace and privacy, none of the bedrooms have connecting walls. Every modern comfort for has been provided for at Villa Harmony, such as a large flat screen TV, a DVD player, a fridge/freezer, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a BBQ, a Jacuzzi bath in the master bedroom suite, and air conditioning units in the bedrooms, and living area. The a/c units also double up as heaters, and there is a fireplace for the cooler nights early and late season. There is solar powered hot water with a back-up immersion heater, and a covered parking garage set just under the house. The apartment has a separate entrance next to the pool terrace and has the same amenities as the main house with the exception of the dishwasher and microwave.

Accommodation.

Middle floor (A ramp and 6 steps up from the driveway, 13 steps from the garage, 1 step from the living area to the bedroom and den, 1 step from the den to the patio, 5 steps from the patio to the terrace planted with roses, and 9 steps from the roses terrace to the pool): Open plan living room, kitchen and dining area, 1 shower room, 1 twin bedroom, 1 den/5^th bedroom. Throughout the house there are beige or cream coloured floor tiles (excluding the bathrooms). The front door opens from the side porch into a large living room with a sea facing balcony, and a window that faces west and looks over the pool. There is a stone fireplace, 2 wooden couches with pale yellow and brown fabric, a matching armchair, a coffee table, a side table, a TV/DVD stand, a wall clock and 2 large plants in terracotta pots. A large archway leads through to the large modern, fully equipped kitchen/dining area which has wooden cabinets, wood effect worktops, cream wall tiles, a dishwasher, an electric cooker, a fridge/ freezer, a microwave oven, a toaster, a kettle, a coffeemaker, and a dining table and chairs which seat 6, the window looks out over the pool and rose bushes to olive trees and the small village of Douliana. Just off the kitchen is a shower room with beige tiles, a shower unit, a toilet, a washbasin with a wooden mirrored cabinet and a wooden cupboard, and the washing machine. 1 step up from the kitchen and shower room are the doors to the twin bedroom and the den. The twin bedroom has 2 wooden single beds, 2 bedside cabinets, 1 reading lamp, coat hooks, 1 small window that looks east to the neighbouring villa, a small chapel, and a hill, 1 small window which looks south to the hill behind the villa, and a door that leads out onto the side porch. The den/4^th bedroom has 3 seater couch the same as that in the lounge, and that can sleep 1 person, a rollway bed for a second extra person, a built-in desk/drawers/wardrobe, a side table, a small window to the hill behind, and doors that open out onto a side patio which has flowerbeds full of roses and fruit trees, and steps to the pool.

Top floor (17 steps up from the middle floor): a hallway, 1 double bedroom and en-suite bathroom, 1 twin bedroom and en-suite bathroom, and an open roof terrace. The wooden staircase comes up from the lounge to the landing which has double doors that open out onto a large roof terrace. The roof terrace has fabulous 180 degree views of the entire area including the villages of Gavalohori and Douliana, acres of olive groves, Souda Bay and the Akrotiri Peninsula. The master bedroom suite has high wooden  vaulted ceilings, a double bed, 2 bedside tables with reading lamps, a dressing table, mirror and stool, and built-in floor to ceiling wardrobes which have hanging and drawer space, double doors lead onto the roof terrace, a window looks out west over the pool terrace. A small step leads up to the en-suite bathroom with floor to ceiling cream and light brown tiles, a Jacuzzi bath with a shower attachment and a headrest pillow, toilet, a wash basin with a mirrored cabinet, a toilet and a frosted window. Across the hall from the master suite is the twin bedroom suite. The en-suite bathroom is the same as in the master suite with a stanard bath as opposed to a Jacuzzi bath. The twin bedroom has high wooden vaulted ceilings, a small high round window, 2 single beds, 2 bedside tables with reading lamps, a dressing table, mirror and stool, a chair, and built-in wardrobes floor to ceiling wardrobes with hanging and drawer space. Double doors lead out onto an east facing balcony, and a window which faces north to the village and the sea.

Ground floor optional apartment: (Open plan living room and dining area, kitchen, shower room, and 1 double bedroom). The apartment is located in the ground floor of the main villa and has a completely separate entrance located 6 steps below the pool terrace. The front door opens out into the living room/dining area which has cypress wood beamed ceilings. There is a stone wall with figures of Ancient Greeks, a stone fireplace, a built-in sofa with 2 built-in end tables, a cane 2 seat settee with large cushions, a coffee table, a dining table and chairs for 4, a wall clock, brown and fold curtains, a stone shelf for the TV, and 3 wooden drawers and 2 cabinets with glass doors that are built-in to the stone walls.  2 windows look out north over olive groves and rose bushes to the village. Through a small archway is the fully equipped kitchen which has wooden cupboards, an electric cooker, a toaster, and a large fridge/freezer. The shower room has floor to ceiling beige and cream tiles, a shower unit, a washbasin with a wood mirrored cabinet and light, a toilet and a washing machine. The double bedroom has a pretty iron and wood bed, 2 matching bedside cabinets and reading lamps, built-in floor to ceiling wardrobes with drawers and hanging space, a wall clock, and a window out onto a flowerbed and the pool terrace.

Gavalohori is a very traditional village and it has great historical importance in this area. There are buildings still remaining from Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish eras, and artefacts have also 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 located on one of the village's narrow streets. On the outskirts of the village there is a lovely picnic area beneath a thicket of shady trees and next to some Venetian Wells. The village square is only a short walk away, and is still very much the focal point of village life. The main kafenion/taverna is a beautifully renovated stone building, sit under the kafenion's shady mulberry trees and watching the world go by, a favourite past time for both locals and visitors alike. On the opposite side of the square there is the Women's Craft Co-operative which is trying to keep traditional handicrafts alive by making and selling products such as pottery and lace. In the village you can also find 2 more tavernas, 2 mini markets, a café  and a bakery.  Just 5 minutes by car to the lovely village of Almyrida and is built around a pretty crescent shaped sandy beach, with a small fishing harbour at the eastern end. The beach is very shallow and safe, perfect for children. Lining the beach are an excellent selection of tavernas, café/bars, bakeries, a jewellery shop, mini-markets, gift shops, ATM, internet access and an off-license. There is also a water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers and catamaran. For those of you looking for even more activity, the historic town of Chania is only 45 minutes away by car.

LOCAL FACILITIES

K-Travel Rental Prices for 2012

Villa Harmony

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

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

The Apartment is available during any of the above time periods for an   additional cost of €425.00 per week when booked with the villa.