Prices from 565.00 Euros per week.

1 Double bedroom with En-Suite Shower room, 1 Twin bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom,

Private Hydro pool / jacuzzi (4 x 2 meters and depth 1.00m)

Sleeps a maximum of 5 persons

Virtually untroubled by tourism, the charming and historically protected Cretan village of Douliana sits on a wooded hillside with sweeping views to the sparkling Mediterranean in the north and the majestic White Mountains in the south. A favourite among visiting artists and photographers, Douliana is just a few minutes drive inland from the pretty beach villages of Kalives and Almyrida. Amongst this little enclave of traditional houses, in a much sought after private location within a well tended Mediterranean garden, Maria's Village House offers the appeal of a well loved home rather than a purpose built holiday unit and is only 2 minutes by foot from two outstanding local tavernas.

Personally overseeing every aspect from design through to the completed construction, the care and attention to detail from Maria and David, the artistic and friendly owners, is immediately apparent. Upon entering the front door we were instantly captivated by the welcoming and calming atmosphere in this beautiful property and we certain that Maria's Village House must be included in our portfolio. This enchanting and romantic village house has been crafted to combine traditional island style with every modern comfort. Cypress beamed ceilings, tiled floors, and exposed stone work therefore blend perfectly with WIFI internet access, satellite TV's, a DVD player, a washing machine, gleaming modern bathrooms with floor to ceiling tiles, and a kitchen that is a chef's delight with its comprehensive inventory and excellent range of modern fitted equipment which includes a cooker with ceramic hob, large fridge/freezer with an ice maker and water filter, and a small dishwasher. There are air conditioning units in the bedrooms, and for the cooler nights at the start and end of the season there is an ingle nook fireplace and a wood burning stove in the living rooms and the A/C units also double up as heaters. The water is heated by either solar panel or a back-up immersion heater, and there is a Triton shower with water heater in the main bathroom.

All of the rooms at Maria's Village House are unusually spacious and have attractive furnishings that are particularly comfortable and pleasing to the eye. The light and airy principal living room encompasses the entire first floor and features an impressive stone fireplace, a high vaulted ceiling, tastefully upholstered plump couches, and carefully chosen heirlooms that have been in Maria's family for generations. The bedrooms, kitchen and upstairs sitting room all have doors which lead out onto furnished terraces, with a choice of sun and shade, that look down over the eye-catching hydro pool, well tended mature garden, and across the surrounding countryside of pine and olive towards Souda Bay. Especially appealing is the terrace outside the twin bedroom which is shaded by a pergola covered in grape vines that are resplendent with luscious grapes in the summer.

Concealed behind stone walls, bamboo screening and a huge variety of fruit trees the private terraced rear garden is an absolute delight. Taking centre stage on the upper terrace, encircled by flagstones,  greenery, and brightly coloured flowers, is the enticing hydro pool. Perfect at any time of year, the hydro pool has seats, massage jets and a choice of hot, warm, or cold water which is a huge bonus in the Spring and Autumn when standard pools can be very chilly. Relaxing in the cooling waters of the hydro pool during the long hot summers days is positively therapeutic, and at night, whatever the season, romantic couples will be inspired when sipping a crisp glass of wine from the excellent local Dourakis Winery under the clear, star filled Cretan night sky.

Scattered around the pool terrace and front courtyard are terracotta pots and flowerbeds that have been planted with a myriad of vibrant Mediterranean shrubs and flowers including cyclamen, geranium, hydrangea, ficus, yukka, and sweet scented magnolia and gardenia. The garden has truly been a  labour of love for Maria and our guests will reap the benefits of her hard work. Depending upon the time of year (usually late summer), succulent fruit can be plucked direct from the many fruit trees which include banana, peach, nectarine, plum, pomegranate, apricot, fig and apple. Fresh herbs picked from the herb garden will further enhance the already delicious flavours of salads or meats and locally caught fish that you can grill on the adjacent barbeque. To ensure your complete relaxation the garden and terraces have an array of outdoor furniture including a dining table and chairs, sun-beds and umbrellas, and a comfortable couch and armchairs.  Birdsong from the canaries in the garden's aviary, and the occasional comment from the cheeky and talkative mynah bird, Nikos, are likely to be the only interruptions.

The rural surroundings make for excellent walking territory with numerous paths and trails criss-crossing across the hillsides of olive and pine to the quaint surrounding villages and to the sea at Kera Cove. For cyclists, the district council has made a cycle lane on the local roads, and for those who love sea swimming, Kalives Beach proudly flies the coveted EU Blue flag which is only given to beaches with high standards in cleanliness, bathing water quality, and environmental and coastal protection. For the less active amongst you a short stroll will bring you to the local kafenion and tavernas where you can while away the hours sipping Greek coffee or cold beer with the locals, or enjoy a mouth-watering meal with a choice of traditional Cretan cuisine, or the famous juicy steaks with a choice of sauces that are made to order by the fabulous Kitty.

All in all, Maria's House is a unique and charming home with special character set in a gorgeous village. Ideal for couple's and small families, we cannot imagine better value for money or a more delightful property.

Accommodation.

Ground floor (1 small ramp and half a step from the private parking area, 2 small steps up from the living area to the bathroom): Large open plan living room, kitchen and dining area, the bathroom, and a semi-covered courtyard.  The front door opens from the semi covered front courtyard into the living room which has open beamed ceilings, and pale terracotta/pink tiled floors.  There is a dark wood day bed/couch, a bookcase with a stereo unit and CD player, a fireplace with a wood burning stove, fireplace utensils, a clock, a side table, a large dining table and 8 chairs, a sideboard, 2 small children's chairs, 2 large floor candlestick holders, lace curtains, a butcher's rack, a staircase and 2 windows that look out to the front courtyard. A stone archway leads through to the kitchen and doors to the bedrooms. The modern kitchen is fully equipped and includes birch veneer and glass cabinets, beech worktops, a cooker with a ceramic hob, a large fridge/freezer with a water cooler and ice maker, a microwave, a kettle, a small dishwasher, a washing machine, a round dining table and 4 chairs, and a window which looks to the hydro pool and doors that lead out to the main terrace, hydro pool and garden. A door on the south side of the kitchen leads to the master bedroom and en-suite shower room. The master bedroom has a pretty cream iron queen size bed, 2 bedside cabinets with lamps, a dressing table, a wall mirror, 2 chairs, a TV unit with a 32inch flat screen TV, floor to ceiling built-in wardrobes with shelves, drawers and hanging space, a window to the side garden,  and double French doors to the main terrace, hydro pool and garden. The en-suite shower room has pale cream and pink floor to ceiling tiles, in-set spotlights, a shower unit, a sink with a round wall mirror and lamp, and a frosted window. On the north side of the kitchen is a small hallway with doors to the main bathroom and twin bedroom. The main bathroom has off white and light green floor to ceiling wall tyres, a large corner bath with a shower attachment and a Triton water heater, a wide sink with a dark oak vanity unit, a mirror, lamp, laundry basket and a frosted window. At the time of writing the twin bedroom is being re-furnished. There will be 2 single beds and a TV,  and there are double French doors that lead out on the main terrace.

First floor (17 steps up from the ground floor): 1 large sitting room, 1 open terrace with sea and garden views, 1 balcony with views of the village and the White Mountains. The upstairs living room has very high beamed ceilings, a magnificent ingle nook stone fireplace, open stone work walls, 2 x 4 person couches, a coffee table, a teak TV unit, a corner shelving unit, a teak display cabinet, games such as chess and backgammon, a window to the side garden and hydro pool, and a window to the village. There are doors to a balcony that overlooks the front courtyard to village houses and the White Mountains, and there is a set of quadruple French doors that open out on to a large wrap around terrace that is equipped with a table and chairs and that overlooks the hydro pool, rear garden, and surrounding tree covered hillsides to the sea.

Location

Douliana is a typical Cretan village built with 2 tavernas, a tiny church, stone houses, and dry stone walls bordering groves of olive, pine and carob. The kafenion in the centre of the village is only 75 meters from Maria's Village House and is still the focal point of daily life, where the post for the entire village is delivered, and the men come to chat, drink coffee (or something stronger) and play tavli (a form of backgammon). In the summer they sit under the greenery covered pergola, and in the winter they huddle around the wood burning stove. The local mini market is surprisingly well stocked with all of the essentials and has fresh bread delivered daily. Douliana has a fantastic location with just a short drive to many other villages in the area, the National Highway, and local beaches. The nearby villages of Kalives or Almyrida have long been popular destinations for holiday makers seeking a typically Greek seaside resort that has many amenities, but is far removed from brash tourism. Both villages have sandy beaches, small fishing harbours, and a wide choice of excellent tavernas, cafes and shops. Lining the beach in Almyrida are 4 excellent tavernas, 9 café/bars, 2 bakeries, 2 jewellery shops, 5 mini-markets, 3 gift shops, a pharmacy, an organic fruit and vegetable shop, an off-license and Villas Crete Holidays for tourist information and guided tours. Also in Almyrida there is a scuba diving office, and a water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers and catamarans.  A few minutes by car from the house, there are a huge variety of archaeological sites and traditional villages with wonderful tavernas. There is also an interesting selection of small craft centres and museums, including glass blowing in Kokkino Horio , lace makers in Gavalohori , and silk makers in Kalamitsi . For those of you looking for even more activity, the historic town of Chania is only 35 minutes away by car.

Villa amenities

Views? Mountains / Sea / Village Washing machine Dishwasher Microwave Oven Fridge / Freezer TV Satellite TV Air conditioned bedrooms Air conditioned lounge CD player WiFi Internet access DVD Player BBQ Mosquito screens to windows Central heating Fireplace/Wood burning Stove Yes in both living rooms Hairdryer Iron and ironing board Welcome Basket Number of bedrooms 2 -1 Double Queen size bed, 1 Twin Number of bathrooms 1 Bath/shower/both Both     Pool depths 1.00m Pool size 4 m x  2 m Type of shade by pool Umbrellas and trees     Sofa bed YES – for 1 person or child Maid service 2 times a week     Distance to nearest taverna 75m : 1 minutes on foot, 1 minute by car Distance to nearest beach 2.7km : 45 minutes on foot, 6 minute by car Distance to nearest mini market 75m : 1 minutes on foot, 1 minute by car Distance to nearest cash machine 3.4 km : 60 minutes on foot, 6 minute by car How far from airport 40 minutes How far from nearest large town 40 minutes

Rental Prices

All prices shown are per Villa, per Week, in Euros. Not per person!
These prices include a free Welcome Pack, a villa information folder, rep's services, and detailed directions ot all of the sights form the guide book, “Crete on the Road” by Frankie Miles.

From :	To :	Price:
Winter 2011	02.04.12	Please Ask
03.04.12	30.06.12	565
01.07.12	31.08.12	800
01.09.12	29.10.12	565
The above prices shown are in EUROS. These prices include a Free Welcome Pack, a villa information folder, and detailed directions to all of the sights from the guide book “Crete on the Road ” by Frankie Miles.

F.A.Q

Any steps? How many?
  2 steps into the front courtyard and house from the on-street parking area, 4 steps to the pool terrace from the main terrace/touse, 5 steps from the pool terrace to the lower garden, and 17 steos to the first floor.

How private?
This is a mostly private village house.

Nearest neighbour?
10 m to one side.

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