Villa Dodona, Peloponnese

Villa Dodona is a large property set on a hillside surrounded by olive groves with a dramatic backdrop of the surrounding mountains and with sweeping views over the sea. The property comprises a four bedroom villa with a spacious guest house sleeping 2 more guests on the lowest level.

The property is on three levels. The ground floor level has a very spacious L-shaped open plan living room with large dining area. Comfortable sofas and armchairs are positioned around an open fire-place. There are artistic touches throughout with some beautifully chosen objets d’art that blend perfectly with the homely atmosphere. Two large doors lead from this open plan space to a large, airy veranda with spacious outdoor dining area for 10 that has views right across the Gulf. A few steps down from the veranda is a very pleasant shady garden with coffee table and chairs set out under an old olive tree.

From the living room, there is a separate kitchen which is well equipped for preparing family meals. Doors lead from the kitchen out to a side garden where the barbecue is situated. On this floor, there is also a guest bedroom which can be set up as a double or two single beds and en-suite bathroom with shower and WC. This bedroom also has its own private sea-facing balcony.

On the upper level are three bedrooms: The very spacious master bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom with shower and WC, and a large balcony overlooking the sea. There is a third double bedroom with separate bathroom with shower and WC. This bedroom also has its own private sea-facing balcony. The fourth bedroom has two single beds and a separate bathroom with shower and WC. This bedroom has views over the surrounding mountains.

From the kitchen garden, steps lead down to the lowest level of the villa where the guest house is situated. The entrance leads into a playroom featuring a new ping-pong table-tennis table. There is a separate open plan large living room in the guest house with French Windows leading directly to a patio and to the pool terrace. At the far end of the living room is a kitchenette for preparing meals and a dining table for 4. There is a double bedroom and en-suite bathroom with shower.

The property has a long 'kitchen' garden to one side of the villa where the barbecue area is situated. To the other side of the property and accessible from the main veranda is the second shady garden. A gate and steps lead down to the swimming pool terrace which is entirely fenced making it an ideal property for families with young children. The pool is very large (11m x 5m) with four steps into the shallow end making it ideal for children and older people to get in and out of the pool easily. There is an elegant teak deck with sun loungers and a large umbrella surrounded by lushly planted gardens.

Villa Dodona is very well located being only 500m to the nearest tavernas though the last 80 metres is an incline so guests may like to take their car to the village. This village is renowned for its excellent grilled meat tavernas in particular and Greeks will come from miles around to sample the tasty cuisine. There is also a very nice bar perched on the hillside with a fantastic view right over the sea.

The local Beach (Pounta), has the coveted Blue Flag denoting the cleanest beaches of Europe, is just 2-3 mins by car or around 20-25 mins by foot.

New for the 2023 season is a speedboat with skipper that guests can hire for fishing trips, snorkelling, and exploring both the local bays as well as the beautiful island of Trizonia opposite and the Neo-Classical town of Galaxidi with Ancient Delphi above. Equipment for fishing, snorkelling and waterskiing is provided as well as a 'doughnut' for kids.

The local town of Diakopto has some excellent shops selling local produce including meat, fish, fruit and vegetables much of which is organically produced or fished locally.

This is an area rich in culture and history - the archaeological sites of Delphi, Corinth, Mycenae and Epidavros can be visited as day trips and there are many surrounding towns and villages of interest to visit including some very picturesque mountain villages untouched by time. Kalavryta Ski Centre is about 40 mins from the villa along a spectacular road that cuts straight through a gorge. Along the seashore, there are plenty of good beaches with some excellent beach cafes and tavernas selling freshly caught fish.

Villa Dodona would suit families or a group of friends looking for a comfortable villa to experience a more authentic side of Greek summer living with places of historical and cultural interest close by.

For groups of up to 6 guests, a 10% discount applies - please enquire.

2023, the swimming pool system was upgraded with an electrolysis cleansing mechanism (the purest way to clean swimming pool water).