The Sea At Golden Hour

The Sea At Golden Hour: Crete

Up on a hilltop overlooking the sea, this stone villa has views as far as the eye can see. Three kilometres from the town of Elounda and facing east, at the end of the day you’ve got an unparalleled view of the sun setting over the water. Head into the charming harbour town of Agios Nikolaos, a ten-minute drive away, for an evening of shopping, tavernas or perhaps a day chartering a boat.

Gardens bloom with olive trees and wildflowers all around the villa. Bag a poolside beanbag lounger to soak up the sun or relax in the shade of the veranda. A banquet-sized dining table provides the alfresco option on the terrace, alongside that fabulous view, so you can watch yachts cut across the ocean as you dine. Perhaps the best place to enjoy the view is from the sun-trap roof terrace, lined with sofas. Pathways through the wild countryside are shared with another villa and lead to secret playparks and hammocks in the trees.

Inside, it’s calm and white with boho touches like big wicker lamps and wildflowers in vases. The main living room is flooded with sunlight from floor-to-ceiling windows and a second living room is centred around an old-style fireplace with candles glowing. A Scandi-chic desk sits on a raised area should you need to work remotely and there’s a home gym and games rooms for fitness and leisure.

Home truths:
*Your host can provide a travel cot, high chair and stroller for infants, just ask
*A night guard with a dog patrols the perimeter between midnight and 6am
*There is private parking with this villa and having a car is recommended as it is fairly remote
*There is a similar neighbouring villa 180 metres away which shares the twisting pathways and children's playpark