Saronic Islands holiday villa rental, Hydra Island with walking, beach/lake nearby, log fire, balcony/terrace, internet access

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Hydra villa house (villa)

Home description

This beautiful villa is a three story private house to rent, furnished to a high standard located on the island of Hydra, just minutes from the main port. Enjoying tranquillity and privacy, the villa is within easy reach of the town with its restaurants and cosmopolitan night-life and only a short walk to all amenities.

The small island of Hydra, which makes up part of the Argo-Saronic Islands and remains the adornment of the Saronic Gulf, is famous for the calm life it offers to its visitors during the day, its natural environment, rich tradition and hospitality, and the intense, cosmopolitan night life it can offer to those who wish during the night.

The town of Hydra, which lies at the centre of the north coast of the island, is built amphitheatrically around the port, inside a close cove. Left and right to the entrance of the port lay the bastion with its cannons that used to protect the city from attacks. Today the port of Hydra is full of boats that anchor here.

Villa Vrakas	Ground Floor terrace
Living room1	Living room2

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/48882

The Attica region

Greece is a country of natural beauty, charm and warm hospitality. It enjoys great weather, beautiful and diverse landscapes, many scenic beaches and crystal clear waters. One of Greece’s most beautiful and historical regions is the Attica region.

The region of Attica gave its name to the special light that captivated artists, to styles of pottery, sculpture and verse, and to the most cultivated form of ancient Greek. It is a triangular-shaped peninsula, which stretches south including the famous site of Marathon and the capital city of Athens with its magnificent Acropolis, to the coastal region of cape Sounion in the north. The Saronic Gulf islands embraced by this peninsula are also part of the Attica region.

Easily accessible from Athens and just a short boat trip from Piraeus port you can discover the Saronic Gulf islands of Salamis, Aegina, Angistri, Poros, Hydra and Spetses. These islands and waterways are ideal for a short sailing holiday as well as a more extensive family getaway offering a wealth of diverse experiences.

One of these islands, where the visitor can enjoy picturesque whitewashed houses, untouched hillsides and secluded beaches, is the well-loved island of Hydra. Away from the hustle and bustle of Athens this elegant and peaceful island has been a favourite escape for Athenians and visitors alike for many years.

With its sunny climate, wonderful food and beautiful beaches, it is the perfect place to experience this passionate culture with many traditions.

Saronic Islands / Hydra Island area

Narrow, picturesque alleys, paved with slabs, and houses, adorned with flowers, form a colourful and romantic web running through Hydra town. It is perfect for those keen on walking and exploring nature and with diverse degrees of difficulty, the paths presented here should satisfy even the most discriminate adventurer.

The island is scattered with museums, many of which are housed in old mansions such as the Historical Archive Museum or The Koundouriotis Mansion in Hydra Town, one of the finest examples of the Island's architecture.

At the right side of the port, the coastal road leads to the little towns of Spilia, Milous, Kamini and finally, passing numerous pebble beaches along the way, arrives at Vlihos.

There is no transportation in Hydra, but for a small fee, donkeys will accompany you on your way home or on excursions across the island.

Beaches:
Hydra offers several beaches with rocks, sand or pebbles. They are accessible on foot, with donkeys or by boat and offer the characteristic Hydranian crystal clear blue water.

To name but a few, close to the harbour is a beautiful rocky area called ‘Spilia’. It attracts many tourists every year and it is an ideal place to enjoy the panoramic harbour view. It is also a place where you can have a snack and drink, day or night.

Along the coastal road, ‘Hydronetta’ offers swimming, nice music and fruit cocktails from the bar 20 hours a day. Just next to it, there is also a small pebble beach, with lights that light up the sea at night.

Further along the road lies Kamini, a small, natural, picturesque harbour full of fishing boats. Next to it, it is ‘Mikro (small) Kamini’, a beautiful, pebbled beach, ideal for water sports and small children. Kamini and the following beach at ‘Vliho’ offer several tavernas with local food and hospitality.

Finally, 25 minutes walking distance from the main town port, 7 minutes by boat, or 3 minutes by sea taxi, there is an organised beach called ‘Mandraki’. Here you will also find water sports like windsurfing, skiing and beach volley.

For more information about Hydra, it’s 300 churches and monasteries and it’s diverse beaches and sights, please visit http://www.hydra.com.gr

How to get there

The Saronic Islands and Hydra are easily reached by taking one of the regular ferries from Piraeus, Poros, Methana and Aegina or the daily ferry from Spetses.

For a quicker journey time catch one of the Flying Dolphins hydrofoils from Piraeus. Your journey will take approximately 1 hour and will cost on average €18, although 1st class is also available. There are also regular services from Spetses, Hermioni and Porto Heli. Alternatively, you can travel by boat, which will take approximately 4 hours and cost €11.

To book or for more information, please go to http://www.greeka.com/saronic/hydra/island/hydra-ferries.htm.

Due to its unspoilt location Hydra itself does not have an airport, but its proximity to Athens allows for quick travel back and forth. The nearest airport is Athens International (Eleftherios Venizelos), from where you can catch an express bus, metro, train or taxi to the port of Piraeus and take one of the ferries or Flying Dolphins to Hydra.

Because of its landmark status the use of cars and motorcycles is prohibited on Hydra.

Activities near Saronic Islands

Facilities

Further details indoors:
Up the typically Hydrian stone steps, the original wooden and metal artwork gate leads onto the ground floor stone terrace, shadowed by vines growing overhead and with access to the two ground level double bedrooms and shower room and WC. One of the bedrooms features two single beds that can be moved together for a double bed, or apart, making it the ideal space for children.

The two bedrooms, part of the original structure, are carved into the island’s mountain with thick stone walls on all other sides, are cool in the heat of the summer and warm in the winter and provide a tranquil space for relaxation and rest away from the busy main house.

Up a further stone steps, the main wooden entrance door leads into a large cool space with deep alcove windows that burst light into this room, which serves as the dining room/reception area. Previously owned by a French gentleman, the design incorporates beautifully crafted modern wooden elements into the traditional stone structure at the heart of this beautiful property. Immediately opposite the entrance, is one of these features – a wooden staircase leading to the second floor. Below these stairs, is a large dining room table, seating 8.

To the right, a door leads into a large traditional bath, shower and WC room, which boasts large alcove windows flooding this room with light.

Into the dining room/reception area, and to the left, a French glass and wood vitrine forms the entrance to the kitchen, with traditional décor, curtains and terracotta tiles.

Antique internal wooden shutters throughout keep the heat out and make this property a calm cool oasis in the height of summer.

The second floor is an open plan bright space, which serves as the main living room. Original features, such as a traditional iron working fireplace, the alcove windows as well as the stone walls and internal alcoves, make this the main entertainment area. At the back of this room, split off by an antique canvas, is the third double bedroom. At the front is the main seating, games, entertainment and TV area.

The door to one side of this room, leads onto a sunny roof terrace, which offers stunning views over the whole town and bay of Hydra, the sea and magnificent sunsets. In the summer, this terrace is large enough to accommodate a table and chairs for relaxing and fun evenings with friends.

Further details

Internet and Wi-Fi is only available
Between June to September; 15 December to 15 Jan and 15 days before to 15 days after (Greek) Easter.

Conditions

Children and pets welcome.
We will go through the inventory with you when you arrive and depart.
30% deposit required to secure booking.
The rest of your balance upon arrival.
Payment by bank transfer.

Rental rates

Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
High Season	7 Apr 08	1 Nov 08	900£ 818	150136	250227	3 Nights
Low Season	1 Nov 08	1 Apr 09	900£ 818	0-	0-	1 Week
High Season '09	1 Apr 09	1 Nov 09	850£ 773	150136	250227	3 Nights
Low Season '09	1 Nov 09	1 Apr 10	750£ 682	0-	0-	1 Week
Low Season '10	1 Apr 10	1 Aug 10	850£ 773	0-	0-	1 Week
High Season '10	1 Aug 10	1 Sep 10	900£ 818	150136	250227	3 Nights

The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

- 30% deposit required to secure booking.

- The rest of your balance with your arrival.

- Payment by bank transfer.

- €100 surcharge for check-in after 2pm. This is to cover lodging expenses of the person delivering the property if they can't catch the last boat off the island.

Guestbook for Hydra villa house

'We had a wonderful time in Hydra and the Vrakas villa. Time seemed to stop here and our break was complete.' - Assen Novatchkov

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Send Enquiry

To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/48882

Contact details for the advertiser of home 48882
Name:	Aris Vrakas
Languages:
Contact Notes: Phone or email 4pm-9pm
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Advertiser joined: Mar 2008