Tucked away at the end of a quiet country track Villa Armonia is a hidden gem which offers good privacy and spectacular views over the silvery green olive covered valley below, to the azure sea glittering in the distance. Nestled into the hillside high above the authentically Cretan village of Gavalohori, the solid gates open up to reveal a driveway edged with flower beds and low natural stone walls, leading to a private and peaceful 3000m2 oasis that is perfect for complete relaxation, but is still within easy striking distance of the excellent tavernas in the many surrounding villages, and the gently shelving white sand beaches of Almyrida or Kalives.

Built in 2012 this stylish, modern villa effortlessly combines pretty traditional stonework with thoughtful architectural features such as high ceilings, wide doorways and well placed windows that allow the light to flood in and further enhance the spacious interiors. Decorated throughout to a very high standard the contemporary furnishings, some of which have been hand-painted, and the tasteful ornaments have been carefully handpicked by the caring owners in order to create a very hospitable and relaxing ambience. Taking centre stage in the living room is a piano which is very much in keeping with the Greek name for the villa - "harmony".

As you would expect with a superior property such as Villa Armonia all modern comforts have been catered for including free WIFI internet access, a DVD player, a fridge/freezer, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a BBQ, fully tiled bathroom suites with power showers, and air conditioning units in the bedrooms. 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 2 private parking areas (one of which has natural shade from a mature carob tree). For easy access the upstairs floor has a separate entrance via the upper level of the garden, with a choice of inside or outside steps down to the pool terrace and parking. Open-plan in design the light and airy kitchen and living room has high vaulted ceilings and a wall of windows that look out across the pool terrace to the natural back drop of sea and countryside. The state of the art kitchen with an excellent range of quality stainless steel appliances that will delight the enthusiastic chefs amongst you. Doors from the living room/kitchen/inside dining area open out on to a shaded outdoor dining area, the pool terrace which has a table tennis table, and the larger than average infinity pool which (very unusually for Crete) can be heated for an extra fee of 280.00 Euros per week (payable to the house manager in resort).

The comfortable and charming interiors harmonise perfectly with the restful and relaxing exteriors which are likely to be the focal point of your holiday time. Spreading over 3 levels the attractive grounds have been landscaped around the house with natural stone walls and colourful flowerbeds planted with geraniums and young fruit trees, whilst the majority of the 3000m2 garden has been left completely natural with rocks, olive, carob and almond trees, and a multitude of colourful wild flowers in the Spring. The main terrace is dominated by the larger than average infinity pool and the shaded dining and lounging area which is perfectly placed for parents to keep a watchful eye on the pool activity whilst unwinding with a good book and a delicious glass of chilled local wine. From its commanding position the villa, pool terrace and upstairs balcony all enjoy breathtaking 180 degree uninterrupted views that encompass lush green valley, quaint village, and a sweeping stretch of aquamarine coastline and bay. Early evening, mouth-watering al-fresco meals and barbeques are further complimented by the gold, crimson and rose hues of magnificent sunsets that reflect on the still waters of the infinity pool.

Villa Armonia is the perfect haven for the uncompromising escapist who is looking for coastal seclusion with total privacy.

** Please Note: Whilst there is excellent privacy at Villa Armonia, please be aware that it's close proximity to Villa Prinolithos does mean that on occasion guests may hear the sound of families staying at next door Villa Prinolithos enjoying their holiday (within reason).

*** Please Note: For even larger families or groups of friends who like to holiday together whilst still retaining the option of independence and privacy, the sister villa on this hillside, Villa Prinolithos with 4 bedrooms can be rented out with Villa Armonia.

Villa Accommodation

Ground floor (17 steps from the pool terrace and upper driving area, 17 steps from the first floor: Open plan living room, kitchen and dining area, 1 shower room, 1 twin bedroom. The front door opens from covered dining terrace and the pool terrace into the spacious open-plan kitchen, dining area and living room. There are high beamed ceilings that have been painted grey, a working stone fireplace a 4 person couch covered in brown and white striped linen material, a white linen armchair, a cream painted wood coffee table with a natural wood top, a piano, a cream painted bookcase with a flat screen TV and a DVD player, cream blinds, windows to the pool and sea, and high windows for extra light. The kitchen/dining area has white wood cabinets, natural wood worktops, white wall tiles, green glass fascia on the rear wall, inox appliances including a dishwasher, a built-in oven, a cooker hood, a fridge/ freezer, a microwave a toaster, a kettle, and a cream painted dining table with a wooden top and 4 matching chairs at the table plus 4 other chairs dotted around the villa. The kitchen has windows that look out over the dining terrace to the pool and sea. A door from the kitchen opens into a utility cupboard that has the washing machine, iron and ironing board, and cleaning utensils. A small hallway leads from the kitchen to the downstairs double bedroom and shower room. The shower room has floor to ceiling dark grey tiles, a power shower with a glass screen, a toilet, a white porcelain washbasin that sits on a white wood shelving unit, a mirror with an overhead lamp, and a frosted window. The bedroom has 2 single beds with off white linen headboards, 2 cream painted wood bedside tables with reading lamps, a free standing wardrobe, a cream painted wood dressing table, stool and wall mirror, and beige linen curtains and a blind. 1 window looks east to the side garden and carob trees, and double French doors lead out onto the front pool and dining terrace.

Top floor (17 steps up from the ground floor, 11 steps to the mezzanine in the triple bedroom: 1 double bedroom, 1 triple bedroom, 1 shower room. The double bedroom has a queen size bed with off white linen headboard, a matching armchair, a cream painted wood free standing full length mirror, built-in grey shelves with a built-in dressing table and frosted glass behind them, a free standing grey wood and frosted glass wardrobe, beige linen curtains, high circular windows for extra light, and double French doors that open out to the large balcony that is shared with the triple bedroom and looks out over the pool terrace to the sea. The triple bedroom has a main floor with couch which folds out into a bed, a cream painted wood dressing table, wall mirror and matching chair, a small grey wood and frosted glass wardrobe, beige linen curtains and a blind, a window to the side garden and trees to the east, and double sliding doors that lead out onto the sea facing front balcony. Steps lead up to a mezzanine which has 2 single beds and a small window to the rear of the property. The upstairs shower room is exactly the same as the downstairs shower room. A rear door leads from the upstairs hallway out onto a covered terrace. Steps lead around the house from the upper rear terrace to the lower front pool and dining terrace.

Villa Location

Set equidistant between the villages of Gavalohori and Vamos , there is a wide choice of amenities at just a short drive from Villa Armonia. The very pretty village of Vamos has narrow streets and stone houses and is the administrative centre of the area. Vamos is an ideal starting point for hikes to the surrounding hills and it boasts the only forest of pine wood to be found in the area. A traditional stone road (kalderimi) still remains and a walk in the old part of the village is of great interest. To the south-east of the village, in the Karydi area, one can see the monastery of Agios Giorgos. The ruins of the church’s cells and the old oil-press, with its wonderful domes, remain standing to the present day. As it has done for hundreds of years, day to day life in Vamos revolves around the village square where the locals leisurely pass the time whilst drinking coffee and chatting to each other. The village has a great atmosphere and a large number of amenities including a bank, 2 petrol stations, 3 wonderful tavernas, 2 souvlaki shops, a handful of cafes, a post office, a bakery, a book shop, a hairdresser, a butcher, a clothes shop, a jewellery shop, and a number of gift shops and mini-markets. 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 artifacts 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 still very much the focal point of village life. The main kafenion/taverna is a beautifully renovated stone building which is run by the very friendly Monica Papatheofilo. The food and desserts here are delicious and the prices are low. 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 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 3 more tavernas, 2 well stocked mini markets, an excellent souvlaki cafe, and a bakery. Villa Armonia is just 8 minutes by car to the lovely village of Almyrida which is built around a crescent shaped sandy beach. The beach is very shallow and safe, which is good news if you have children or are not a strong swimmer. Lining the beach are many excellent tavernas, cafes and shops. In Almyrida there is a scuba diving centre, paddle board and pedalo rentals, and a water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers and catamarans. Other activities in the area include boat trips, private boat rentals, horse riding, a private eveing of astronomy and mythology at your villa,  private sight-seeing flights in a light aircraft, big game fishing charters, and organised walking and coach tours. For those of you looking for even more activity, the historic town of Chania is only 45 minutes away by car.

Villa Amenities

Views?	Sea / Olive Groves / Valley / Gavalohori Village
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Microwave Oven
Fridge / Freezer
TV
Satellite TV
Air conditioned bedrooms
Air conditioned living area
CD player (the DVD player plays CD's)
Free WIFI access
Computer	YES
DVD Player
BBQ
Ping pong table
Mosquito screens to windows
Central heating
Fireplace (wood is not included in the rental price)
Hairdryer
Iron and ironing board
Pool Towels	YES
Welcome Basket

Any steps? How many?

0 steps from the upper parking area and pool terrace into the main living area and downstairs bedroom and shower room. 17 steps from the main living area to the top floor bedrooms and shower room, 17 steps from the pool terrace to the upstairs separate entrance and rear garden, 20 steps from the lower shaded driveway parking area to the pool terrace and villa.

How private?

Very private.

Nearest neighbour?

Villa Prinolithos (also on this website) 30m to the side, set on a slightly higher terrace and screened from Villa Armonia.

CAR IS NECESSARY WITH THIS VILLA.

Villa Rental Prices

The following prices shown EUROS, per Week, for the Villa for up to 7 persons. An 8th person can be accommodated for an extra 50.00 Euros per week.

***  Pool Heating is available for an extra fee of 280.00 Euros (€40 per day), payable in cash to the house manager in resort. 

*** 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.

We will collect the Climate Levy with your final balance payment and it will be clearly itemised on your Booking Confirmation.

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.