Combining sea views with a charming rural setting, this is an idyllic bolthole for a couple looking for a more authentic Greek island experience, without any sacrifice in modern comfort. The villa is bright, light and brand new (2024), attractively designed in traditional style and decked out in the classic pastel shades of the island. Private villas just for two are a relative rarity, and this one is both cute and spacious, with a super-king-size bed and wonderful views over Afales Bay and Platrithias village.

The setting at the edge of Kolieri village is delightful, with olive trees to the rear and a wide terrace in front where you can sit and enjoy the ever-changing colours of the Ionian sea below. Exogi village clings photogenically to the hillside above, and you can reach the popular villages of Stavros and Frikes in just a few minutes by car. Strolling out to dinner is a holiday highlight, so it’s a real bonus to have a couple of excellent tavernas within about 15 to 20 minutes’ walk (a little longer on the way back up). To complete the scene, the owners are installing a new private pool for summer 2025, so this villa really will have it all.

Ithaca is one of our most popular destinations for walkers, and you can walk to the School of Homer, believed to be the long-lost Palace of Odysseus, right from the front door. These fragments of the ancient world are small and beautifully evocative, much like Ithaca itself, which is all part of this island’s enduring appeal.

Good to know: we are pleased to offer a reduction of 10% on the accommodation price at Phileo until photographs of the finished swimming pool are available in the spring of 2025.

Our choice of Greek properties is as diverse as the islands themselves, ranging from simple seaside charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal. To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.