Fifteen minutes from Heraklion, Crete, in a mountain area called Rogdia, is the Villa Artemis. Nettled in between a tree-lined hillside, Villa Artemis stands as a white jewel overlooking the beautiful Aegean Sea. The villa has a whitewashed decor around the pool with a private surrounding pool garden that lets you feel like you are the only one on the mountain. Enjoy a private swim and a cool drink as you take in the panoramic views that will take your breath away. Look at our lovely garden and enjoy the flowers and fruit that grow most of the year.
Once you’re ready and can be dragged from the gorgeous views, come inside to our spacious three-floor house where you can enjoy two separate and distinct living rooms. Sit outside at our outdoor dining area or go out to the veranda for a drink.
Enjoy our spacious kitchen and beautiful bedrooms for your family experience. The early evenings can be savored sitting on the patio overlooking the sea, enjoying the cool breeze and perfumed air of Jazmine flowers. This is why you came to Crete. You earned this all year long and now, lay back, relax and enjoy. This is your treat to yourself. If you want a delicious and traditional Cretan meal, simply step outside your private gated yard and walk next door to Taso’s Meteora restaurant. Tasos runs a friendly and quality restaurant that makes a spit-roasted lamb that you’ll never forget. Enjoy the convenience and the quality as you eat overlooking the gorgeous Aegean Sea. As you eat, you will marvel that while you are at the villa, you don’t even realize that there is anything near it, yet there it is. The villa gives you complete privacy but with incredible convenience.
Enjoy the hydro massage in our pool as you sit and view a panorama of sea and sky and mountains. This will be your moment of zen as you peaceful enjoy your place in the Greek universe.
A drive down the mountain leads you into the beach town of Amoudara, where you can enjoy the bars and restaurants of the area. There is a large supermarket there and numerous beaches for your enjoyment. Further west of Amoudara is Agia Pelagia, which is one of Crete’s most charming beaches, where you can spend the entire day swimming and eat at the numerous tavernas. There are bars there for an active nightlife and you can do all this within a 15-minute drive of the villa.
A drive into Heraklion will reward you with the sight of a Venetian fortress on the water at the port. Enjoy the beautiful blues of the water against the Medieval stone of the fortress as you explore the colorful fishing boats of Heraklion port. Take a walk up the main road up from the port and see the unique shops that sell rugs and lamps from an Old bygone era. Walk to lion Square fountain and sit at one of many cafes and enjoy a drink or the traditional bonanza cheese pie dessert. Engage in serious people watching and explore Heraklion as the natives know it.
Another short drive, less than 15 minutes from the town of Heraklion is Knossos, the archeological wonder. Knossos is part of the oldest civilization of Europe and predates classical Greece by over 1000 years. This is the Minoan civilization and it is a glorious thing to see. Enjoy a walk through a Palace that had indoor plumbing 3000 years ago. Gaze upon the colorful architecture that is unique in the history of civilizations. This unique place is less than 20 minutes from your villa.
A longer drive of 45 minutes takes you to the beautiful coastal town of Agios Nicholas. A seaside town with great shops and restaurants all around you. In the center of the town, there is a saltwater lake that is believed to be bottomless by the locals. It actually is a geologic vent that is believed to connect to the volcano of Santorini. The waters are a deep hue of blue and the beaches are inviting if the sun is too much for you after a long walk around the shops.
When you leave, stop on the way at the Milatos cave in Sissi. The cave is a short walk around the mountain where is lays hidden. The cave is worth the visit to see how it was turned into a church in a part, as you look over the overhang of the entrance. Let your imagination soar as you peer into the honeycomb entrances and paths that lead you further into the depths of the mountain and remember, people hid and lived there hundreds and thousands of years ago.
There are so many places to explore and experience on Crete that you may need many more trips to just scratch the surface. This is a magical island and our villa is a magical villa. Let us welcome you and show you how to experience Crete like a native.
