The space

Inside, the first floor of Villa Kyriaki is open plan, subliminally divided by wide spanned mellow stone arches supporting the wood ceiling. There are four doors to the garden, one on each side of the Villa, so if there is a cooling breeze then you can’t help but catch it. The sitting area is comfortably furnished with a sofa and armchairs by a fireplace and a flat screen TV. There’s a table and chairs for dining, although the great outdoors will be a draw, where you can dine on the shaded terrace.

The kitchen cupboards are of traditional dark wood but with a sleek update, and they're topped by a run of gleaming white marble work top. There is all the equipment needed for cooking holiday meals or preparing food to be grilled on the nearby barbecue. The double and twin bedrooms on the first floor share a bathroom at this level and a shower room on the first floor. They also share a terrace, from where the views down to the sea and across to the old village of Tsikalaria are simply sublime. Giorgos, the young owner and a carpenter by trade, has extended his signature work from indoors to out with a beautiful hammock built in the garden.

Joining this handmade furniture is a swing seat, rattan sofa set and dining furniture and of course the beautiful 8 m x 4 m pool. If you enjoy walking, head inland just 2kms to the café/taverna Rotonda. The owner, Stelios, is a cousin of Kyriaki, and he will be pleased to give you directions for a 2-hour walk around the village of Kalathenes or if you are really keen the 5-hour circuit walk to Milia and back. At Rotonda, although the menu isn't huge, it is as fresh as it gets with crisp cucumber and juicy tomatoes picked straight from the garden below. The rear terrace has a lovely view of the surrounding area, and it's a cool spot to sip a glass of raki or two and exchange nods with the locals.