When Life Gives You Apricots

When Life Gives You Apricots: Crete

Nestled away in the Cretan countryside and overlooked by the island's famous White Mountains, this stone villa brings contemporary amenities and stylish design to a rustic spot on the map.

The villa itself looks fairly traditional from the outside, having been constructed from stone and wood. However, step behind the front door and you'll find modern living quarters dominated by natural light, rich wood finishes and sleek tiling. The double-height living room is particularly chic, but we're also especially fond of the Jacuzzi bathtub in one of the en-suites.

This being Crete, you'll most likely want to pass as much time outdoors as possible and there are plenty of ways to do just that here. The swimming pool in the middle of the grounds is sure to be a firm favourite on hot afternoons, while the surrounding loungers bring some resort-level relaxation. You can find some a few peaceful spots out in the garden, but none are as tranquil as the hammock hidden away underneath apricot trees.

Although the local village feels wonderfully isolated, there's a restaurant and shop only 400 metres away. Almyrida's sandy beach is only a 6km drive away when you're craving a dip in the sea, while the city of Chania is only 24km to the west as well.

Home truths:
*The villa is spread over two floors with no elevator, but there are two twin bedrooms on the ground level
*There’s free parking for up to four cars on the driveway and additional spaces on the street
*Your host can provide a cot, high chair, children's tableware, a changing table, safety gates and fireplace guards for free upon request
*A welcome basket, pre-arrival shopping list, a 24/7 landline service, linen and towels changes, pool towels, garden maintenance, and pool cleaning two or three times per week are all included in the cost
*Well-behaved dogs are welcome to accompany you during your stay