One of our favourite owners, Gregory, has now completed the sister Villa to his Villa Petra, each situated at either end of tiny Maza.

In an exclusive and completely private hillside position on the northern side of the village, guests at Villa Amanda can enjoy magnificent views of the White Mountains to the south accompanied by the sublime peace, broken only by birdsong and sheep bells.

This appealing Villa, traditional in style but modern in comforts has paved terraces to the front, furnished with sun loungers and umbrellas, into which the beautiful 9m x 5m L shaped pool with jacuzzi jets in the shallow end is sunk. Conveniently nearby is a purpose built barbecue and outside dining furniture.

Inside, the house has been furnished in a delightful and traditional Cretan style. Through a stone archway, the striking kitchen area exhibits Gregory's now signature, hand painted turquoise fitted units, well planned and equipped to a high standard with a full cooker, fridge/freezer, a small dishwasher, a washing machine and a creamy white dining table and chairs.

Comfortably appointed, the living area is furnished with an L shaped Cretan sofa (and one of the most comfortable we have sat in) a TV, DVD player and Radio/CD player. There is an open fireplace for cooler times of year and lovely when filled with candles on a warm dark evening. Above, a galleried second sit ting room in the eaves of the house is ideal for curling up with a good book and has its own balcony with spectacular views.

A few steps up from the living area, a hallway leads to 3 prettily furnished and air conditioned bedrooms, two with double beds and ensuite shower rooms and one twin bedroom. The family bathroom has a shower and bath with hydro massage air jets. Each of the bedrooms has wooden French doors which open on to the rear garden where Gregory has erected a badminton net for the more active members of the party. There will also be racquets available for use and, Gregory says, shuttlecocks but knowing how easy they are to loose, it may be advisable to find room for some in your suitcase, if you intend to play!

Just a few minutes walk takes you into homely Maza, dis tinguished by the 13th century church of Agios Nicolaos, displaying some beautiful frescoes and certainly worth a peep inside. At a small traditional cafenion on the square, Costa and his family serve simple traditional Cretan fare and hospitality in equal generous measures and there is now a second recently opened taverna no reports at the time of writing

If you can draw yourself away from this rural idyll then Vrisses, just 5 mins away by car will provide you with all the necessities of life a baker, butcher, bank and minimarkets as well as a few tavernas down by its river. Georgoupoulis with its impeccable sandy beaches and old fashioned holiday atmosphere is just a 15 mins drive.

Central heating for occasional early and late season use is also available.

This villa is normally offered on a Friday changeover day.

If you like Villa Amanda you may also like one of these other 5 properties in Crete

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Old Olive Mill * Sleeps 6 £590 to £1695 per week Location: Embrosneros, 6km inland from Vrisses Accommodation: Converted Olive Mill in Historical Roman Aquaduct Village with 2 bedrooms and 2 bath/shower rooms in the main house plus a studio with ensuite shower room with private entrance Villa Artemis* Sleeps 9 £1125 to £1675 per week Location: Vrisses and 6km to Georgoupolis Accommodation: 5 bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms.

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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