Trikeri Island (Greece), Villa Alkesamos

Introducing Villa Alkesamos... The beautiful Villa Alkesamos is part of a small development of sixteen properties, set on the lovely island of Trikeri overlooking the Pagasitic Gulf, on the east coast of Greece. It sits right at the end of the Pelion, a spectacularly scenic area of Greece with mountains and views galore. With no transport as such, it's as peaceful and tranquil as you can find. The space VILLA FACILITIES: Sleeps: 5 (1 double bedroom with en-suite, 1 twin bedroom, both with free-standing fans and 1 Klik Klak sofa bed in the living room) Bathrooms: 2 (1 en-suite shower room and 1 small wash room) Kitchen: 4 ring gas hob and gas oven with grill, fridge/freezer, microwave, bread maker and kettle Sitting area: good sized sitting area with coffee table, CD player, books and board games. Garden: private garden with a variety of seating areas, large covered outdoor dining table and chairs, loungers and hammocks Other facilities: bouyancy aids, dart board and table tennis table. Please note: You may notice that some of our previous reviews mention a two-person red kayak. Until recently, this was available for guests to use, but we've since removed it from our Airbnb listing after discovering a very small hole. Although it lets in very little water, we wouldn't feel comfortable advertising it if there was any possibility of compromising our guests' safety. The kayak is still stored on Agia Sofia Beach, and the life jackets remain in the wardrobe at the house. Location: the villa is just a short walk to the water's edge and a ten minute stroll to the tavernas. TRIKERI ISLAND: There are no cars or roads as such, just a few concrete paths to help with transport to the Monastery but mainly bare earth tracks cover the island and the sound of vehicles or any other man-made sound is a rarity. There are two tavernas to choose from (the only decision you have to make!) and a permanent English resident close to Villa Alkesamos to look after the properties and to help with any problems. Being on the northern side of the development, the side of the house and the interior remain cool, even in high summer. The garden is a particular feature with numerous flowers and shrubs – bougainvillea, jasmine and oleander often in bloom and a lemon and orange tree occasionally in fruit! The villa is air-conditioned. We have insect screens fitted to both bedrooms and the en suite bathroom. There are heaters in the bedrooms and a free-standing heater for the sitting room, should you ever need them. Although the villa isn't overly child friendly (with steep steps leading up to the front door and a balcony), the villa is equipped with a high chair and a cot. Guest access GETTING THERE: The nearest airport to Trikeri is Volos. If you are flying from the UK, it's most likely you'll need to fly to Thessaloniki and make your way to the island from there. In the event that your flight arrival time means that you miss the ferry departure, we found Volos to be a nice place to stop over for one night. Alternatively, you can drive a further 2 hours along the coast to Alogoporos which is the nearest mainland to Trikeri Island. From there, you can call the water taxi to pick you up and take you to either the 'taverna side' of the island or 'Agia Sofia side' which is closer to Villa Alkesamos (approx 20 euros per journey). BY CAR: If you're driving, the nearest mainland point to Trikeri is Alogoporos. We have an allocated parking space at the taverna in Alogoporos for guests staying at the villa. Just let us know in advance so we can notify them. VOLOS - TRIKERI FERRY: There is a ferry service that runs from Volos port to Trikeri Island. However, the service is somewhat irregular, with boats currently operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The boat departs Volos at 13:45, and the return boat from Trikeri Island leaves at 08:15. It's a good idea to check for updated schedules, as additional services are typically offered during the summer months. BUS TRAVEL: If you'd prefer not to drive, you can check the latest bus routes here: 🔗 KTEL Volou Bus Routes You’ll likely need to take a bus from Thessaloniki to Volos, followed by another bus from Volos to Trikeri, which operates twice daily. Once you have an estimated time of arrival on the island, we'll try and ensure that our host, Jo is there to meet you at the villa. Otherwise, the key will be left safe for you. If you do get dropped at the taverna side of the island and have a large amount of luggage, it's possible to book Vangelis and his tractor to take you up the steep hill to the complex (approx 15 euros). Other things to note PROVISIONS: As of summer 2024, a small mini-market has opened on the island, offering basic essentials. Additionally, a fruit and vegetable boat arrives in Trikeri every other Wednesday, providing fresh produce for purchase. However, I recommend stocking up on food and drinks in advance in case the shop is closed or the fruit and veg boat isn’t running. You can also take a water taxi to Alogoporos and then drive the short 5-minute trip to Trikeri town, where you'll find a couple of mini-markets and a charming square to enjoy a cup of coffee. During your drive from Thessaloniki to Alogoporos, you'll pass a couple of Lidl stores, and Volos is a particularly convenient stop for groceries, drinks, and other necessities. The two tavernas on Trikeri Island are both open daily from early until late and we find ourselves eating there most nights. THE MONASTERY: The Monastery of the Virgin Mary is a 20-minute walk from the villa and clearly visible. It has a small 18th-century church with an arcaded courtyard of cells and a delightful garden of orange trees, Madonna lilies and other unusual plants. It is open at varying times during the week and the lady who looks after it speaks no English, but will open the church for you and probably hover as you look around, in return for a donation to church funds. When visiting the monastery please dress respectfully (long skirts, covered arms etc) There is an annual festival of the Virgin Mary on or around 9th September when well over 1000 Greek visitors visit the island in one day to pay their respects at the monastery. A very lively time is had by all at the tavernas later when dancing and singing go on till the small hours. DAYS OUT & OVERNIGHT STAYS: If you are travelling to Trikeri via Thessaloniki, we recently enjoyed a wonderful meal at Stou Mitsou restaurant. And if you fancy something a bit more touristy, The Pirate Boat for cocktails at sunset is always fun! If you're staying overnight in Volos on your way to Trikeri Island, there are plenty of accommodation options available. We often head to Isalos Beach Club for dinner and cocktails—just a short stroll along the lively port. During your stay, you can arrange a water taxi to take you from Trikeri to the mainland where you can visit Makrinitsa or Tsagarada on Mount Pelion. From there, you can continue down to Damouchari Harbour (a small, picturesque coastal hamlet located in the eastern part of the Pelion Peninsula, where part of Mamma Mia was filmed) and then on to Papa Nero Beach. For a well-paced trip, consider staying in Tsagarada for a night to explore the inland areas, which offer a striking contrast to the coastal spots. On the second day, you can visit Papa Nero Beach before heading back. For a unique experience, take a ride on the steam train from Lechonia to Milies—a scenic journey lasting just a couple of hours rather than a full-day excursion. Additionally, Horto and Kala Nera are both accessible by water taxi from Trikeri Island and feature beautiful beaches and charming tavernas, perfect for a relaxed day out. OTHER INFORMATION: WiFi: There is no WiFi at the villa so as and when required, we use the WiFi at Diavlos Taverna Rubbish: Sadly recycling hasn’t reached Trikeri yet. Wheelie bins can be found outside the main gate to the complex for you to dispose of any rubbish. Washing: There is no washing machine at the villa, but if you need any laundry done during your stay, Jo can take care of it for 5 euros per load, including ironing. Just leave your items with her, and she’ll handle the rest! Other: It's worth mentioning that in September 2023, a significant storm hit the island, resulting in damage to several properties and boats. Fortunately, Villa Alkesamos remained unscathed. However, during our visit to Trikeri in April 2024, we observed a recurring occurrence of debris washing up on the pebble beaches. If you do choose to paddle or swim in the sea, it’s worth packing some sea shoes. If you're drawn to the rustic, rugged, and unpolished allure of Trikeri Island, it's likely to captivate you. However, if your ideal getaway involves pristine white sandy beaches and the polished glamour of somewhere like Mykonos, Trikeri might not meet your expectations. FINDING THE VILLA: On your day of arrival, if you’d like to get in touch with Lizzie or Jo, and if Jo is available, she will be more than happy to meet you at the jetty and show you to the villa. The nearest jetty is Agia Sofia, so ask the water taxi to drop you there. From Agia Sofia, it's about a 6-7 minute uphill walk to the villa. With your back to the sea, take the path to your right. You'll see a wire fence ahead—turn left, keeping the fence on your right. The path then veers uphill to the right; follow it until you reach a cluster of 16 white villas with wooden fencing. Turn left along the path—Villa Alkesamos is the last house at the front, marked by the fish mural. Alternatively, you can ask the water taxi to drop you at Diavlos Taverna. This route involves a 10-12 minute walk, including a steep hill. If you have a lot of luggage or prefer not to walk up the hill, you can book Vangelis and his tractor to take you up to the complex for approximately 15 euros. To reach Villa Alkesamos from the taverna side, walk up the hill behind the playground and follow the telephone wires along the path. You'll eventually arrive at the Nereides Villas complex, which will be on your right-hand side. Registration Details 00003765415