Vrisses | Sleeps 2-8
Head just five minutes by car from the quaint little village of Vrisses into the foothills of the White Mountains, and a small track will lead you to Villa Maris. This house is striking, with spacious rooms, traditional décor and French doors leading from the bedrooms onto balconies. Yet it’s the panoramic views around that leave guests in awe – 360-degree vistas of vineyards and farms, olive groves and pine forests nestled below the great peaks.
Grassy gardens and an expansive patio wrap around the stone-built villa, with the large swimming pool taking pride of place. There are pretty fruit orchards, an impressive outdoor kitchen with barbecue and pizza oven, and a welcome shaded eating area that looks over both the pool and sweeping landscape.
If you can tear yourself away from Villa Maris, the nearby National Road provides easy access to northwest Crete’s sights, while the lovely sandy beaches of Georgioupolis are just 10 minutes’ drive away. Meanwhile, the rugged south coast is under an hour's drive.