Villa Escapes in Greece and Cyprus with GIC The Villa Collection

For 49 years we have tried to preserve a personal service for all those who holiday with us. There will be no attempt to organise you. Having met you on arrival and settled you at your villa, we see it as our task to provide, unobtrusively, a range of services on which you can rely if the need arises.

Each and every GIC villa offers something unique that makes it that extra bit special – whether it be a cottage close to the sea with a boat mooring, a child-friendly villa with pool or a village home where you can truly immerse yourself in the local community. Properties are handpicked for their privacy, standards of comfort and proximity to the sea.

Here are our Top 4 villas:

Villa Thalassa Vista - Skopelos

The English translation of Thalassa Vista is Sea View and this stylish villa, in a stunning location above Skopelos Town, does not belie its name. It is rare to find a town house with a pool let alone a villa in town with privacy so this property ticks all the boxes for anyone looking for the aforementioned attributes.

Skopelos Town has a maze of cobbled back streets to explore where several chic tavernas can be found tucked away and pretty churches peek above the rooftops . The laid back café feel of the harbour waterfront comes alive with colour in the evening and the tavernas offer an array of cuisine to suit all tastes. The occasional jazz bar and cocktail bar can also be found just a street or two behind the waterfront promenade and, for those who like to stay out late, there are two or three small music clubs at the far end of town.

Small excursion boats leave daily from the harbour to the neighbouring island of Alonissos and the smaller islands beyond known as the Marine Park.

Skopelos is a green and fertile island and is famous for its plums. It is also the largest island in the Sporades and has mountain regions covered in sweet scented pine trees. For the more energetic, there are some great areas for walking in the cool air of the forests.

The island has a regular bus service that runs the full length of the island as far north as the pretty cliff top village of Glossa. Much of the island can be viewed from the bus but, in order toexperience the beaches and crystal clear waters of the west coast, car hire is recommended for a few days.

The tiny fishing village of Agnondas is a delight and, not only has a good beach but, as you might expect, has the best seafood tavernas on the island.

Skopelos is a good choice for any first time visitor to the Sporades islands as it is full of contrast and can be the perfect place for those who just want to chill as well as the more adventurous.

Read more about Villa Thalassa Vista or book online>

Villa Kyparissi and Villa Ambelina - Lefkas

These brand new villas came into The Villa Collection portfolio this year and are already selling well for 2014. They are stylish and contemporary and have great views over both Nidri and the group of satellite islands off the coast, which include the picturesque Meganissi.

Nidri is the main tourist centre on the island and it has a cosmopolitan vibe - the bustling harbour is pedestrianised at night and there are many fine tavernas both on the harbour and on the small shingle beach. Of particular note is The Pinewood, which is a popular local choice and has tables on the beach itself. For anyone who fancies more of a ‘local village’ atmosphere, Dimitris is a grill restaurant located in nearby Paleokatouna – the terrace has elevated sea-views where the eponymous owner calculates the bill by writing your order directly onto the paper tablecloth.

For something completely different To Katoghi is an award winning mountain taverna about 15 minutes drive from the villas. It is run by a British couple who have won “Daily Telegraph Best Ex- Pat Restaurant in Greece’ twice. The owners are committed to using local ingredients to produce a modern Greek menu, and they also sell their own olive oil and local honey.

The little beach at Nidri is the closest to the villas but by no means the best on an island famed for its stunning West Coast. This coast is dramatic and wild, and characterised by white cliffs and its ‘milky turquoise’ sea. It is a 30 minute drive from Perigiali on a road which either hugs the East Coast or goes through the traditional mountainous interior. For something closer to the villas, pretty shingly Dessimi Bay is only a 10 minute drive away and has 2 ‘old school’ family tavernas on the beachfront and a man renting out canoes and the odd pedalo. This small pebble beach has crystal clear water and a quiet charm.

The island of Lefkas is only 19 miles long and so most sights are easily accessible. It is a good choice for people who like a range of options from seeing traditional ways of life to enjoying a cocktail on a lively harbour whilst watching the world go by.

Find out more about Villa Kyparissi or book online>

Find out more about Villa Ambelina or book online>

Villa Aquilo - Alonissos

A gem of a villa hidden in the forested area of Alonisso's west coast. The villa is suitable for escapists looking for a high standard of accommodation but also want to be somewhere off the beaten track. To add to the magic, a couple of idyllic small beaches are but a short walk away from this property.

Rather than it being instantly apparent, the beauty of Alonissos is there to be discovered. Perhaps the two best ways of discovering the island are to pack a picnic and follow the mapped walking trails, of which there are many, or to take out a 25hp boat for the day and discover crystal clear waters and deserted pebble coves all to yourself.

The main hub of the island is Patitiri, the island’s port, squeezed into the base of the surrounding cliff sides. Simple cafes ,tavernas and souvenir shops line the harbour front where local fisherman often sell freshly caught fish direct from their boats.

High above Patitiri is the original capital of the island now known simply as Alonissos Old Town. Sleepy by day, it takes on a whole different character by night and, during August, the village holds a couple of festivals in the square with dancing until dawn .

Alonissos boasts good fish restaurants throughout the island, especially in the small harbour villages of Steni Vala and Kalamakia on the eastern coast.

Alonissos is the least populated and most difficult island to get to in the Sporades chain of islands but those looking for the simple Greece of old will not be disappointed. The intrepid traveller is rewarded with good hospitality, crystal clear waters, traditional home cooking and a laid back pace of life.

Find out more about Villa Aquilo or book online

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To book or find out more call our experts on 020 8232 9780

Established in 1965 and part of the Sunvil family, GIC The Villa Collection is a fully bonded, independent tour operator. To ensure clients’ financial protection, GIC The Villa Collection is fully bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority and ABTA. Founder members of AITO, we - unlike many other companies - take full responsibility for the performance of our holiday and travel arrangements.