BACK TO PROPERTY OVERVIEW
Villa Polyxena
Amaliapolis, Greece
Villa Polyxena
Amaliapolis, Greece
A Villa Overlooking the Aegean
Designed in harmony with the contour of the hill on which it's built, this villa for rent in Greece is an extra-large hideaway perched above the Aegean at the base of Mount Pelion. Occupying a lovely spot along the Volos Bay near the fishing village of Amaliapolis, it looks out across the sea from its terraced gardens, dropping down to a private beach.
Drawing its aesthetic inspiration from the traditional Sporades and Pelion colors of Greece, the whitewashed structure is accented with rich blue tones and constructed of limestone, wood, hand-made tiles, and stone floors.
The expansive living room in the main house includes a dining area that can seat up to ten guests, with a chef's kitchen.
There are eight en suite bedrooms including a kid's room, some of which have private terraces with amazing views across the water. The master includes a dressing room and an adjacent suite with room for two additional guests and a rooftop balcony overlooking the sea.
There are also two independent guest cottages with room for a total of sixteen guests.
The terraced gardens offer several dining and lounge areas with steps leading down to the pool, and the shore where there is a boat dock and jetty with a shaded lounge area next to the small sandy beach while other small, pebble beaches are accessed along a footpath.
At swimming distance from the private beach, there is a small uninhabited island with a fascinating and abandoned 13th-century church which, while star gazing decades ago, the owner caught a glimpse of in the darkness. Illuminated by just the glow of a lantern from a fishing boat, the enchanting scene prompted him to permanently illuminate it year-round via a photo-voltaic system.
THE TREASURES OF MAINLAND GREECE
The Magnesia region and bay of mainland Greece lies at the western part of the Pagasetic Gulf, known as Nea Mintzela. In the sheltered gulf, completely off the beaten track, is the sleepy, picturesque fishing village of Amaliapolis, named after the first queen of modern Greece, Amalia. Largely unknown, it's a step back in time. With gently sloping sandy beaches and a calm bay, you'll spy the colorful wooden boats bobbing in the sea, where throughout the ages, and to this day, lanterns are used at night to illuminate the sea to attract fish. The local tavernas are never in short supply of the fresh catch of the day and there are several new quaint bars to enjoy drinks at sunset right on the water.
Off-shore, is a small island with a quaint little church called Agia Trianthas dating back to the 13th century, and when illuminated at night, adds an ethereal backdrop, while across the bay, the Pelion and the island of Skiathos complete the picture.
Nearby are several calm bays with iridescent waters and virgin territory where you can explore a beautiful and lesser-known part of the mainland.
The astonishing rock formations and sky-high monasteries of the UNESCO site of Meteora are just over an hour away in an otherworldly landscape not to be missed. Thermopylae, the site of the great historic battle and the mythological "Gates of Hades" is also an hour north. The port city of Salonika is just over two hours away with much of the ancient Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history remaining, including the ruins of Roman Emperor Galerius’ 4th-century palace and the upper portions of the Ano Poli. One of the cradles of civilization, the ancient town and UNESCO site of Delphi is just over two hours south where the famous temple and oracle of Apollo lies on the lower slope of Mount Parnassus.
Athens is three hours south.
LOCATION
Amaliapolis, Greece. Nearest Aiport: Athens (282km)
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year-round with much less tourism than many of the islands
