Steeped in history, this unique estate on the island of Kefalonia was designed for contemporary comfort and elegant celebrations. Spread over three floors, with fine interiors and landscaped gardens, the main villa brings together the best of two worlds—Italianate grandeur and Greek island living. 

The whole estate, including the old olive mill and 17th-century threshing floor (with views across the Ionian Sea), is available for weddings and other special events, as well as personalized yoga retreats. There is an area used for massage therapy under the big olive tree that overlooks the groves. Breakfast and lunch or dinner can be prepared by in-house Chef Yolanda, and a skippered motorboat, moored at Fiskardo Bay, is available to take guests to the adjacent islands and secluded beaches.

Successors of the original Italian Migliaressis family, the present owners Lysander and Lila have forged a unique home on the Greek island of Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian archipelago. The Migliaressises first arrived on the island in the 15th century, and in the late 1990s, Lysander and Lila became the sole owners of this historic property. Since then, they have spent much of their time carefully curating details and the overall chic impression of the property.

On the ground floor, the lounge and living areas are furnished with tasteful antique pieces. With its floor-to-ceiling French windows, the room opens out onto the Italianate landscaped garden set around a pool. An open-plan dining room and farmhouse-style kitchen connect to the spacious outdoor terrace decked in bougainvillea blossoms for dining al fresco. The sleeping areas on the ground floor consist of an en-suite twin bedroom, with direct access to the terrace and pool and a queen-size bedroom with an adjacent bathroom.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is fitted with a king-size bed, and its adjoining balcony overlooks the pool and gardens below. Another twin room and a separate bathroom with a mosaic shower are also on the first floor. On the lower ground floor, there is a twin bedroom with an en-suite bathroom by private access separate from the rest of the property. 

This villa for rent in Greece accommodates up to 8 guests, with a total of 12 guests on the entire estate. As a venue, it's open to a variety of celebrations and other events, with a capacity of around 150 guests.​ 

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

There is an in-house chef and housekeeper, who can take care of the shopping, cooking and kitchen cleaning. Additionally, a skippered yacht is available for private charter yacht (10 passengers) for daily trips in and around stunning seascapes. 

AROUND

This Greek haven, and largest of the seven Ionian islands, Kefalonia is believed to be the legendary home of Odysseus. Given the ancient setting of the island, one might want to visit the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli which houses prehistoric, Mycenaean and Roman finds unearthed on the island. Another highly recommended museum is that of the Fokas-Kosmetatos Foundation which runs temporary art exhibitions centred on local history and is home to an impressive coin collection from ancient times to the present day. Deepen your appreciation of the island’s history at the Korgialenios Library, one of the largest in Greece, with its marvelous Byzantine icons. In the nearby village of Kourkoumelata, the George & Marie Vergottis Foundation puts on a series of music concerts, featuring world-class foreign and Greek musicians. 

Besides a golden past, guests get to experience the golden beaches of Kefalonia, the nearest being Trapezaki. Sandy beaches can be found in the southwest of the island near the town of Lixouri and in the bays on the south coast between Argostoli and Skala. We highly recommend the Myrtos beach for its world-famous turquoise waters. Antisamos and Xi beaches have water sports centers, and the former was the shooting location for Hollywood blockbuster Captain Corelli's Mandolin in 2001. A unique natural beauty is the Melissani underground lake and the Drogarati cave system. 

The olive grove estate is located in Mousata where the nearest bakery, taverna and mini-market are all within a short walk. Argostoli, the vibrant capital of Kefalonia, is lined with shops, bars, traditional tavernas and restaurants. The picturesque fishing village harbor of Fiscardo retains its original Venetian architecture and is well worth a visit. Make sure you try out local wines made from the Robola white grape variety, and visit a traditional Kefalonian winery, such as the Haritatos or Gentilini vineyards.

LOCATION

Mousata, Kefalonia, Greece. Nearest airport: Kefalonia’s airport (9km, 15 minutes by car).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to October