This villa sits just inland from Crete’s beach-fringed north coast, a short drive from the buzzing city of Chania. A fifteen-minute drive sees you at the secluded Omprogialos Beach, or drift a little further afield (a twenty-minute drive) to Koutalas Beach. Chania is a forty-minute drive, which is ideal if you’re flying in to Chania Airport. The villa itself sits in glorious isolation, with nothing but the swish of olive trees and cheep of birds to fill your days. Sitting in turquoise splendour against the rust-red landscape, the swimming pool is crying out for a dip in the heat of the day. Settle on a sunlounger, or head to te bubbling hot tub for a soak. There’s shaded dining on the terrace and a built-in stone barbecue, but our favourite spot has to be the secluded sofa terrace, swathed with white curtains for a private moment. A haven of modernity awaits inside, where bright white walls keep things cool and breezy. Should the temperature dip, there’s a stove in the living room to keep warm. A dedicated wine fridge ensures your pinot grigio stays cool and crisp. Bedrooms open up to private balconies, or have doors onto the terrace, so you can awake every morning to glorious sunshine streaming through glass doors.

Read more