About this property
Villa Hermes sits in a glorious, elevated plot four kilometres from the village of Tavronitis and roughly 22km west of Chania. The property comes with plenty of space, five bedrooms, traditionally styled living space and extensive gardens and terraces. It gives you a taste of the real Cretan way of living and offers the most amazing countryside and sea views.
The village and beach of Tavronitis are named after the River Tavronitis which flows into the area. Tavronitis Beach is a pebbly beauty that actually runs from Kolimbari to Stalos. Near the beach there are many inviting tavernas and restaurants. Just along from Tavronitis is Maleme with its historic airport, the field of the Battle of Crete. Maleme is a delightful, peaceful resort with a fabulous array of bars, tavernas and shops. It sits between Tavronitis and Gerani with a three kilometre beach. Maleme’s lively neighbour Platanias is just fifteen minutes away with its Blue Flag beach and buzzy nightlife. Chania Old Town is thirty minutes away boasting its incredibly beautiful Venetian harbour and lighthouse and its charming narrow cobbled streets full of unique boutiques, atmospheric restaurants and bougainvillea. Alternatively, you can head west to the island’s astounding beaches of Balos, Falasarna and Elafonissi or for a very active day out, you can hike through the phenomenal Samaria Gorge.
Villa Hermes stands proudly in its lush mature gardens. Its stone architecture is broken up by numerous balconies and terraces. Within its walls are traditional, somewhat rustic spaces that ooze atmosphere and charm. The living area is bright and spacious with huge windows and glass doors drowning it in natural light. A feature fireplace sits in the corner with vibrant red sofas and chairs surrounding it. At the far end is a smart, formal dining table and chairs where you can dine with a view. To one side is a very well-equipped kitchen with a handy breakfast table. Here, the chefs in your group can cook delicious feasts while other guests keep them company. Double doors open to the well-tended colourful gardens from the kitchen. The next door guest toilet is home to a washing machine. There is an elevator next to the entrance which takes guests to all three levels of the villa. This is very useful for those with mobility issues.
The villa boasts five air conditioned bedrooms of which three are twins and two are doubles. They all offer ensuite bathrooms, two of which have turbo massage baths and two enjoy turbo massage showers. Each of the bedrooms come with a television and DVD player and they all boast furnished terraces or balconies, perfect for your early morning cup of coffee or evening chilled glass of local wine. The lower ground floor is home to one of the twins which enjoys a turbo massage shower and sliding doors to a tranquil terrace and lawn at the side of the villa. The lower ground floor is also home to a spacious games room and gym where you will find a pool table, table tennis table, an exercise bike and treadmill. You will know where to find your teens if they are not in the pool! Another of the bedrooms is located on the ground floor. It offers three single beds and an accessible shower. On the first floor you will discover three further bedrooms. Two offer comfy double beds and the other again boasts three single beds. They also enjoy ensuite bathrooms. The bedrooms all have a similar design with dark wood ceilings and wooden furnishings. You will sleep well and wake to the sound of birdsong in this peaceful spot.
Outside, Villa Hermes enjoys wonderful gardens with lush lawns, towering trees and fragrant borders, a 10m x 5m swimming pool, a children’s pool section, a sun deck, an alfresco dining space and a built-in barbecue and pizza oven space. Your barbecue masters will enjoy themselves here! You will truly relax at this special villa, totally mesmerised by the one hundred and eighty degree, panoramic views stretching from the imposing White Mountains to the stunning coastline below. You will be very tempted to stay put on some days though the captivating beaches, charming villages and beautiful harbour towns will be waiting.
Villa Hermes enjoys a rural setting with outstanding countryside and sea views. It sits in its elevated position 4km above the charming village of Tavronitis, close to the Rodopos peninsula. The villa is within easy reach of Chania, Kissamos, Balos Beach, Falasarna Beach and Elfafonissi Beach. Tavrontis and Maleme, the next village, are laid-back spots where you can truly relax. Being edged by low dunes and sprinkled with towering trees, Maleme Beach is lovely. Snorkelling, fishing and horse riding are available locally and there are some mini-markets and tempting tavernas. The foothills behind Maleme are excellent for fresh country walks perfumed by the wild thyme and oregano. An hour’s ramble out of Maleme takes you to the charming hilltop village of Deres with its whitewashed church and inviting taverna. Maleme is famous for being the place where German paratroopers attacked Crete in 1941. Tavronitis and Maleme are peaceful havens but if you are looking for some livelier entertainment, you can head to Platanias roughly 13km away.
The buzzy tourist resort of Kissamos sits on the edge of the Gramvousa peninsula. Kissamos is also known as Kastelli Kissamou in reference to the former Venetian fortress that used to dominate the town. Kissamos enjoys many tavernas, beaches and plenty of shops. Surrounding the town are fertile olive groves and vineyards. The main beach is Mavros Molos which is sprinkled with trees, sunbeds and parasols. The Archaeological Museum of Kissamos is located on the main square, Stratigou Tzanakaki, boasting an impressive collection of local discoveries from a wide range of historical eras. A little further north of the main port of Kissamos is the quaint, colourful Old Port of Kastelli Kissamou which is brimming with brightly coloured fishing boats, a photographer’s dream.
On the Gramvousa peninsula, Balos Lagoon Beach is absolutely stunning and one of the most photographed beaches in Greece. The lagoon of Balos has silvery white sand and exotic, white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and ideal for snorkeling. The lagoon and wider area with rare species of flora and fauna are protected under the Natura 2000 programme. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves and the area is a shelter for protected monk seal and loggerhead sea turtle. You will think you are in the Maldives or somewhere as it is so beautiful. Balos can be reached by car, though be prepared for a bumpy ride or you can take a boat trip to the beach. North of Balos, in Cape Korykon, there are remains of the small Roman town of Agnio with the temple of Apollo and the picturesque chapel of Agios Sostis.
At the western base of the stunning Cape Gramvousa, 17km west of Kissamos, you will discover Falasarna Beach, another fabulous Cretan gem. The beach has been voted as one of the ten best beaches in Europe in the past. Falasarna Bay actually consists of five consecutive dazzling, silver-sanded beaches. It is huge as well as gorgeous and has such a dazzling, clear, turquoise blue sea. At the northern end of the beach there are ruins of the ancient Grecoroman city of Falasarna. There are several companies offering watersports including Falasarna Activities who offer wakeboard and jet ski tuition.
Elafonisi is also a magical place that consists of a small islet with white and pink sandy beaches. Visitors can wade out to the island to enter another world. The island is an internationally classified nature reserve and home to more than one hundred rare plants including summer flowering sea daffodils that look like white cups. The island is a nature lovers paradise. To the left of the sandbank, windsurfers enjoy the prevailing winds.
The charming and picturesque Old Town of Chania is roughly twenty five minutes away in the car. Its atmospheric 14th century Venetian harbour, old port, narrow, cobbled shopping streets, colourful bougainvillea and waterfront restaurants make this a top-notch evening out. The sunset views are breathtaking with the Venetian lighthouse a focal point. You can walk along the harbour wall to the lighthouse.
Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe at 16km which would take roughly six hours to pass along the whole gorge. Otherwise you can drive to Chora Sfakion and take a boat to Agia Roumeli and walk at few kilometres at the end of the gorge. The Imbros Gorge is also very beautiful and takes approximately two hours. You can combine this walk with swimming in Fragokastelo Beach.
Accommodation
The Villa
Villa Hermes is a traditional, rustic Crete villa which can comfortably sleep up to 12 guests with private pool.
Lower Ground Floor
- Games room/gym with table tennis, pool table, running machine & bicycle machine
- Bedroom with twin beds and en-suite shower room
Ground Floor
- Open-plan living & dining area
- Fully-equipped kitchen
- Cloakroom
- Bedroom with three single beds and en-suite shower room
First Floor
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with three single beds and en-suite shower room
Exterior Grounds
- Private swimming pool (10m x 5m)
- Terrace
- Dining facilities
- Barbecue
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air conditioning
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Washing machine
- Iron & board
- Elevator/lift to all floors
- Safe box
- Parking