Villa Faye, Vrisses, Crete

Set on a hillside on the edge of a small hamlet 1.5 km from Vrisses this handsome air-conditioned luxury villa in crete provides an exceptionally comfortable base for exploring this green and verdant area in the rural heart of Crete, yet it's still only a 10 to 15 minute drive to the sandy beaches of Georgioupolis.

Owned by Manousos and named after their young daughter, this lovely old house has been painstakingly renovated, then fitted out and equipped to a remarkable high standard to create a luxury villa in Crete, with many beautiful pieces of furniture and an eye catching collection of designer lamps and light fittings. Polished wood floors, high beamed ceilings and exposed stonework all add to the period flavour yet contrast perfectly with the two lavishly appointed bathrooms and the equally well equipped, modern kitchen.

The main entrance door of this luxury villa opens into an elegant sitting room with a lovely stone archway that leads through to the stylish kitchen/dining room with large fridge-freezer, dish washer and full cooker with ceramic hob. To one side through a smaller archway is a cosy and hugely romantic seating area set around an open fireplace, great for roasting chestnuts perhaps, or just enjoying a nightcap on a cool evening.

All the bedrooms are stylishly furnished with fitted wardrobes, dressing tables with mirrors and comfortable beds with quality mattresses. On the ground floor is a double bedroom, with adjoining bathroom with a turbo massage bath and a washing machine.

At first floor level there is a further attractively furnished sitting room with open fireplace and two large sofas, plus one twin and one double bedroom sharing another luxurious bathroom with turbo massage bath. These two bedrooms also share a spacious, partially covered roof terrace, with quality cane patio furniture and stunning views towards the mountains.

High walls and electric gates appear to provide more than sufficient privacy from the tiny lane that leads past this luxury villa in Crete and the only passers by we spotted were a flock of sheep without a shepherd and a few geese! Inside Fortress Faye a fragrant jasmine bush marks the edge of the villa's extensive terrace tiled in local stone. On the far side of the terrace and a few steps from the kitchen, is a purpose built barbecue complete with chimney and oven, with nearby a covered gazebo with dining table and chairs, where you can wine, dine and digest (savour) the gorgeous views over the pool and countryside to the distant mountains.

5 steps below the terrace the large 10m x 5m pool is surrounded by areas of lawn bordered by pretty flowerbeds and both the terrace and poolside enjoy extensive rural views towards the White Mountains.

All bedrooms and both living rooms have TV's with the TV in ground floor living room also having a satellite receiver. Both double beds have two single mattresses providing more space and comfort but "seamless togetherness" when required.

Villa Faye is situated in a rural area and although you are unlikely to ever see any passing traffic, local geese, chickens and sheep will make their presence known, sometimes inconveniently early in the morning we suspect!

Many of the villages in the surroundings still remain virtually untouched by tourism and we were very taken with the atmospheric village of Vafes where there are some lovely old houses, some dating back to Venetian times. We had lunch outside at the taverna on the square and the food was simple, but very good. What was equally impressive was the "spotless toilet facilities" which appeared to be linked to the owner's house by a tunnel!

NB. If you want to wine & dine without driving, there are some good tavernas in Vrisses, which is no more than a 20 minutes walk.

If you like Villa Faye, you may like these other Villas in Crete, 

Georgioupolis / Vrisses, Crete
Although Georgioupolis with its lovely sandy beaches is now a thriving seaside resort it still retains a pleasing rural ambience and leisurely pace of life. Numerous tavernas and cafes surround the bustling village square whilst in little side streets you will find a number of small shops selling jewellery and local pottery. In Vrisses, huge Plane trees line the road where you will find mini-markets, a bank and a bakery (do try the cheese pies). Of a morning time this is a bustling little town, but by mid-day the pace slows and the tavernas spread their tables out towards the banks of the river Voutakis, where you can relax in the shade and enjoy a bowl of creamy local yogurt and honey, for which this area is famous. ...More about Georgioupolis / Vrisses >>

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