Situated off a rural track on a forested hillside that looks across the valley to the mesmerising White Mountains, Villa Perdika is the ultimate in privacy and seclusion. Pleasingly decorated and incredibly spacious, this exceptional, well laid out accommodation lends itself easily to relaxed summer living. With every modern amenity supplied, Villa Perdika is ideal for the uncompromising escapist who would like to holiday in beautiful surroundings whilst still being only a few minutes by car from the tavernas and well-stocked mini markets in the popular village of Plaka, and the sandy beaches, and many amenities in the charming coastal resort of Almyrida. Much time will be spent relaxing in the extensive fenced and gated grounds which include a long driveway and a quintessentially natural Cretan landscape of olive, carob, and pine trees, almond, mimosa, grapevine, hibiscus, oleander, sage, thyme, lavender, and rocks of all shapes and sizes. The star of the show is undoubtedly the pool terrace, which is paved with local stone, and at the heart of which is the inviting 10m long pool that is flanked by an array of comfortable sun-loungers, giant cushions, a double air mattress, and a free-standing hammock, all of which invite you to just lie back in the brilliant sunshine to the sound of birdsong, or take a delightful dip in the gloriously cooling pool water. Adjacent to the pool is the pergola covered dining and lounging terrace that is framed by a vibrant fuchsia bougainvillea and is the ideal shady sanctuary for young and old alike when summer temperatures are at their height. Equipped with a barbeque, a dining table and chairs, a long built-in L-shaped sofa, a coffee table, and 2 rope swing chairs, this is a wonderful spot for many a delicious and fun holiday meal in the open air, whilst at night clever lighting (including glass lamp shades that were hand blown at the Kokkino Horio glass factory) turns this main terrace into a romantic and enchanting place. Décor both inside and out is a harmonious combination of soothing shades that include white, blue, grey, and beige with fixtures and furnishings that are comfortable and well-coordinated in the style of a country house throughout. The fully equipped shaker style kitchen boasts a multitude of appliances including a large Ilvie range with 2 double ovens, 4 burners, and a griddle, a tall fridge, a freezer with 4 drawers, a dishwasher, a coffee/cappuccino machine, a coffee grinder, an electric juicer, a kettle and toaster, not to mention the walk in larder and utility room, all of which is very unusual for rental property, but then it was designed by the previous owner who was a chef. It should inspire those amongst you who love to cook, particularly with amazing fresh produce that is grown, raised, or caught locally. Villa Perdika has many other attributes that make it a very rare villa, not least of which is the size of the much larger than average rooms. There is also an entrance hall with a couch, a marble staircase, white painted beamed ceilings made from local cypress trees, and a plethora of books, DVD’s, family-friendly board games, and children’s toys, and outside there is covered parking area for keeping the car cool. In the 3 decades that we have been working with villas on Crete, we have never come across a villa that is quite as unique as Villa Perdika, and that offers the best of both worlds: a comfortable country retreat, blessed with complete privacy and impressive views, but just a stone’s throw from the excellent amenities of Plaka and Almyrida. *** As of January 01, 2024, the Greek government have replaced the old “bed tax” with a new tax that is applied to all stays in short-term rental accommodation in Greece. The Climate Resilience Levy is a response to the devastating forest fires and floods that Greece has experienced in recent years, with the government hoping to generate extra funding that will go towards financing reconstruction, supporting victims, and increasing the country’s defences against future natural disasters. The owners of all short-term rental accommodation are legally obliged to collect the Climate Resilience Levy as a separate tax for all overnight stays (per villa) as follows: In 2024: €10.00 per night on stays between March 01 and October 31, and €4.00 per night on stays between November 01 and February 28/29. In 2025: €15.00 per night on stays between March 01 and October 31, and €4.00 per night on stays between November 01 and February 28/29. Whilst we understand the potential budget concerns of our guests, this tax/levy is beyond our control and we encourage our guests to see this as a way of contributing to the protection of the planet and the beautiful area where they are holidaying. The Vrbo system does not yet have a section for collecting the Climate Resilience Levy and we have, therefore, had to add it to the billing section as an extra fee which will show on the booking as a Host Fee (until Vrbo update their system).