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Architect's Villa: The Haven
Kea, Greece
Architect's Villa: The Haven
Kea, Greece
Endless Views by Day, Starry Skies by Night
This vacation home rental in Greece was born from the bones of an ancient sheepfold. It has been given a stylish makeover by an artist and architect couple, with respect for the traditional building style of the region and without any synthetic materials.
Located on the island of Kea, which is an hour by ferry from the mainland, it sits on a large, elevated plot of land of 40,000m2 with two other independent houses (Architect's Villa: Versailles is also available for rental here).
The walls of the house are its most striking feature (apart from the dramatic views, of course). Made entirely of stone and over a meter thick, they not only keep the house cool, but they form a great backdrop to the interiors.
There are more than 300 trees, shrubs and flowers on the surrounding land, all planted by the owners: olive, fig, pear, almond, apricot, mulberry, oak, eucalyptus, pine, cypress, cob, roses, laurel, rosemary, and many more. And best of all, chemicals have never been used.
A stone terrace looks out over the landscape of olive trees and grazing land, where you may see goats and even wild horses. The 360-degree views across the Aegean Sea take in islands such as Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos and Tinos, and at night the house offers the perfect vantage point for contemplating the starry sky in total silence, far from the rest of the world.
This vacation home rental in Greece is a traditional stone cottage that has been transformed into a unique holiday space. The house is 40m2, with a further 80m2 of terraces, and 40,000m2 of land surrounding it.
It includes a fully-equipped kitchen with dishwasher, a double bedroom, a bathroom, a dining table and sitting area with two sofas (where an additional two adults or children can sleep - there is a curtain for privacy).
There is also access to a large covered terrace with a pergola made of reeds, an open kitchen sink, wooden dining table and deck chairs, which look out across the sea, the sunrise and the sunset.
Due to the thick stone walls, the house is perfectly insulated, cool in the summer and warm in the winter, so air conditioning is not necessary.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
There is heating and an indoor fireplace, a TV, and a fire extinguisher. There is an independent laundry, which was a former small stable, and an outdoor parking space.
AROUND
The property is located near Agia Mavra or Velado, on the eastern part of the island, a region that is home to the only ancient oak forest in the Cyclades islands. This is the greenest part of the island.
Only 3km by car from the house, there are two beaches. Orkos beach is quiet and perfect for snorkelling, while the more remote Psathi beach is even more secluded. The main village of Chora Ioulida is about 7km away. The owners recommend the archaeological site of Karthea and the museum in Ioulida. There are many hiking paths.
LOCATION
Kea, Greece. Kea has no airport. Due to its close proximity to Attica there is only one way to reach the island of Kea: by taking the boat from the port of Lavrio. The trip lasts approximately 1-1,15 hour. You can reach Lavrio by car from Attica Road or Poseidonos avenue or you can take the bus or the taxi from the International airport of Athens, Eleftherios Venizelos ( 38 km). Kea can also be reached by boat from the island of Kythnos.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through fall
