Posted by White Key Villas on Fri, Apr 23, 2010
Mykonos Town by Night
Marvelous Mykonos is characterized by its traditional white, cubic Cycladic architecture and its picturesque windmills; situated in the center of the Cyclades, this famous beauty has attracted the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis only to become the place to be for “anybody who was anybody”, a liberal party diva blurring day and night into a non-stop celebration and a long-time favorite of international jetsetters and glamorous socialites. Mykonos is also a very gay-friendly resort, featuring some predominantly gay (yet fun for everybody) beaches like Super Paradise and bars like Pierro’s.
The charming thing about Mykonos however is, that it permits you to decide for yourself how near or far away you want to be from the crowd and tumult and one of the best ways to accomplish this, is by renting an exclusive villa. There is a great selection to choose from, either close to town, or away from it all. Truth is, Mykonos is all about fine things and actually hosts some of the most exclusive private villa rentals in Greece, which function like private sanctuaries of peace and tranquility with stunning views over the Aegean, private pools and lavish comforts. It is up to you really, to decide, whether you want to leave your summer haven and to what destination.
Villa Phaedra, Super Paradise
No matter your lifestyle and your preferences, Mykonos offers diverse entertainment. You can be part of the larger following of dressed-up fashion icons and celebrities, who enjoy the posh, organized beaches like Psarou and Elia, as well as dining in first class restaurants like Matsuhisa Nobu or Katrin's and sipping cocktails in one of the island’s affluent cosmopolitan nightlife establishments like Astra.
You are equally welcome to stay aloof from all the mayhem, opting for a calm yet opulent vacation, for which Mykonos also offers exquisite choices: Go to Rarity Gallery for some fine modern works. Vassillis and Christos the curators have extensive knowledge of international artists and their charm and gallery is a joy.
Opt for a visit to Agios Sostis and enjoy the splendor of dining 'alfresco' at Kiki's overlooking the clear blue water sea. Say hi to Vassilis as you sample the modern Greek salads and have your chicken or pork chop cooked to perfection in an outdoor barbeque. This jewel in the crown of Mykonos is a favorite of noted artists and even restauranteur Nobu himself!
An imperative must do is to dash to the archeological site of Delos. Refresh your soul amongst the ruins and walk through the town where Cleopatra and Apollo once strolled. Is your idea of a magnificent meal a picnic on a mythical island? Savoring among the gods can be set up for you in a heartbeat! Finally, take your love to a sunset swim to the hidden cove of Kapari beach. And "surrender to destiny!" as a great Greek once said.
Well, such options are only a small example of the alternatives available for you on this extravagant island and also why someone who is not necessarily a party animal should still be visiting Mykonos. Be certain, Mykonos has the whole package, tranquility and glamour, natural beauty and ultimate style. We at White Key Villas will be delighted to help you discover the Mykonos of your choice! Once we find a luxury villa that captivates you, working out the ideal mixture of socializing and quiet relaxation will come naturally!
Posted by White Key Villas on Thu, Feb 04, 2010
Hydra Capital/Port
Some of the nicest memories I have from the 80s’ when I was a child spending the summer in Greece, were the cruises we took to Hydra, probably the most peaceful island in the Saronic Gulf. Car-free, with no modern means of transportation allowed, this island, where you had to find your way around only on foot, by mule, through a water taxi or some other floating vehicle, was always most intriguing to me. I loved the sense of arrival to the port of Hydra, with the beautiful 18th century buildings greeting you. If you arrived early in the morning, colorful fisher boats with fruits, vegetables and certainly fresh fish were waiting for you right by the harbor. Once there, we were walking around the promenade and the small alleys in town eating really well at family -run taverns and browsing the little shops filled with handcrafted jewelry, artistic appliances and natural sponges that testified to the island’s once very active sponge diving tradition. And if you felt like a refreshing swim, it was either hiking to a rock from which you could access the crystal clear water or taking a little boat and finding a bay that suited your moods.
The amazing thing after all these years, is not the fact that Hydra still remains one of my favorite Greek islands; but that it has practically not changed at all.
Villa Margarita
Serenity, peacefulness and an inspiring natural pureness, are still the predominant characteristics of Hydra. It is not surprising that during the 50s’ various artists, like Leonard Cohen, as well as a series of producers, discovered it as a refuge to relax and regain inspiration and as a forgotten paradise to be rediscovered in movies. To this day, Hydra keeps attracting new generations of artists, which nurture its many quality art galleries with fresh ideas and who keep this international community of artists alive. No wonder, that just off the port, this little island also features a multilingual bookstore.
Hydra is also a favorite destination of sailing crowds, who either chose to sail out for the weekend or frequently organize competitions. It is a beautiful visual to see the little port blazed up with dozens of sailing masts. That is the other interesting thing about Hydra, that even though it is not a touristy destination per se, it has a devoted, rather sophisticated following and a fashionable and cosmopolitan (night) life.
Truth is, Hydra is petite in size but grand at heart. It does feature a number of secluded towns throughout the island like Episkopi or Molos, but the port is the center and capital of the island. An international community, comprised of members who have fallen in love with the authenticity of Hydra, have built beautiful and often pricy houses in town or on private cliff sides around the island, having the privilege to unwind in their isolated properties while being able to socialize in style upon request. The island’s close proximity to neighboring Spetses, Porto Heli and the shores of the Peloponnese in general offer alternatively the possibility for daily excursions and even cultural visits like to the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
When it comes to private luxury vacations, Hydra hosts some of the most amazing properties imaginable. Discretely, but with great elegance, it features a few most impressive villas hidden in private bays, accessible only by boat. These estates are among the finest villas in Greece and certainly among the most exclusive rentals, which are kept offline and presented only on an ‘upon request’ basis. Ready for your private water taxi to take you around? Please contact us if you would like us to share more privileged information on that matter with you.
Places to Eat:
- Yacht Club (ex-Lagoudera): The famous bar-restaurant where even Grace Kelly, Melina Merkouri, Onassis and Jackie Kennedy had a great time.
- Caprice: If you are craving Italian Cuisine, this is the place you should have your pizza located in Kamini.
- Castello: Enjoy Mediterranean dishes right on the beach, from finger food to gourmet lunch or dinner.
- Sunset Restaurant -Kanonia: Delicious Greek Cuisine with Great views of the sunset.
- Piratis: The legendary bar of the island right on the port of Hydra. Definitely have a drink here.
- Amalour: A lively bar with a nice (and mostly crowded) terrace on the outside serving nice cocktails.
Things to Do:
- Browse the Art Galleries, look out for ongoing events.
- Visit the churches of St. Constantine (Ag. Konstantinos), the Virgin Mary with its beautiful old clock and the impressive golden chandeliers, St. John (Ag. Ioannis) and there are about 160 monasteries on the island. Note: there is a dress code for most religious buildings: long skirts and covered shoulders for women, long trousers for men
Posted by White Key Villas on Mon, Jan 18, 2010
Villa Jade, Kardamili Greece
When planning a vacation in Greece everybody is familiar with popular destinations like Mykonos, Corfu or Paros that righteously claim an international reputation. But seriously, who has ever heard of Kardamili (also spelled Kardamyli or Kardhamili)? It might come to you as a surprise, but the answer is: all well-versed sophisticated travelers! There is something about Kardamili, this small seaside village in Mani, located on the coast of the Peloponnese and even the strictest critics have been hailing it as Greece's new insider "secret" destination. Articles in the The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, CNTraveller.com and The Lonely Planet are just a small example of the effortless prime editorial space Kardamili has been enjoying lately in prestigious travel media. To be honest, we were somehow disappointed when it occurred to us that Kardamili was not our personal secret destination anymore and that other people got wind of its mesmerizing tranquility, its picturesque village and its pure natural setting that combines rich green vegetation and the sea so harmonically. This region of Greece is very beautiful in general, renowned for its traditional tower-houses, tranquil fishing villages and a delicious local cuisine. But now that the secret is out, we might as well share our own little insider tips with all of you, who are planning a luxury vacation in Greece and never thought that Kardamili could be the ultimate destination! Because what the above acclaimed media won't tell you is, that in mystical Kardamili you can actually experience a vacation in outmost privacy and luxury of the highest international standards. In a small bay of Kardamili, surrounded by pine trees, endless olive groves, sun baked mountains and crystalline seawater, you will find Villa Jade one of the most luxurious private villas available for rent in Greece and certainly one of the most seductive ones regarding minimal architecture. The villa can be reached within a 45 min drive from the airport of the nearest town Kalamata or a 3.5 hrs drive from Athens. Add our offered services of five-star quality to your villa experience and orchestrate one of your most unforgettable vacations.
The White Key Team during our last visit to Villa Jade (in the background)
Places to Eat:
- Lela's Taverna, a lovely family-run restaurant set at a tiny harbor in Kardamili, serving delicious home-cooked traditional dishes.
- Takis Taverna makes definitely worth the ride to the neighboring village of Limeni if you are craving fresh fish in an open-air taverna right by the sea!
- Elies in Ritsa Beach, offers modern atmosphere with pastel tables under the trees and great Greek traditional dishes.
- Akrogiali, a small seafront taverna located in the little harbor of Stoupa, offers great food and views to the harbor and to the the slopes of the Taygetos Mountain.
Things to Do:
- Enjoy the numerous beaches of the area.
- Discover the various hiking trails set among the pure nature of Kardamili and Taygetos Mountain.
- Visit the famous Caves of Diros in the Laconian part of Mani, which are among the most important natural sites in Greece with great archeological significance.