Old Olive Mill, Embrosneros, Crete

The Olive Mill, perched on a hilltop at the edge of the village of Embrosneros offers a rare opportunity for would-be travellers in time to experience several different ages in a short period. The village, founded in the 14th century, nestles into a gentle fold in the green and picturesque foothills of Crete's famous Lefka Ori or White Mountains and remains virtually untouched by modern day tourism. The larger village of Vrisses with several tavernas, minimarkets, butchers and baker, is a short 5 mins drive away but you will feel as though you have shifted forward 20 years and the lovely sandy beaches of picturesque Georgioupolis, where the more usual 21st century tourist facilities are on offer, is a real time journey of just 20 mins by car.

Amongst the 100 year old beams and stone arches, the house has recently been tastefully brought up to the specifications required to meet the needs of modern holidaymakers. On two levels, the living space is open plan , the lounge area being four steps down and furnished with Cretan style sofas, a TV, DVD and portable CD player. On the higher level and softly pleasing to the eye, the powder blue kitchen is well equipped with oven, four ring hob, large fridge freezer and there's a large marble dining table.

A spacious landing offers an attractive alternate sitting area with polished wooden floors, a leather day bed and French doors to a balcony with inspiring views and steps down to the pool. The two twin bedrooms share a shower room on the first floor and a large bathroom with full bath and a washing machine on the ground floor. One bedroom has doors to a private balcony with its own staircase down to the swimming pool terrace. Ideal for teenagers or grandparents, the third, studio style twin bedroom,  has an ensuite shower room and  its own entrance from the terrace.

Neat paving surrounds the generous 8m x 5m pool which incorporates a children's area and beside the pool, the choice of outside barbecues and ovens will allow you to grill, bake or braise between dips. Terraces surrounding the villa are intriguingly higgledy piggledy with stone steps connecting the different levels and green lawns disappearing downhill towards the village. Now redundant, the original grinding stones and mechanism, once an important part of village life, makes an attractive feature in the Olive Mill grounds.

Walking into the village you will find a small cafenion and a simple taverna where you can eat "Cretan village style". Visitors at the Old Mill House should be aware that they will be guests in an area that sees few tourists even in the summer months and that they will occasionally feel like time travellers to a gentler age with a slower pace of life; which we think only adds to its appeal!

Historians may like to note that the village is best known for the Tower of Alidakis, probably originally constructed by Venetian rulers and reconstructed by the Turkish janissary for which it is named and where a wonderfully preserved stone amphitheatre is the occasional venue for summer classical concerts

"The Old Olive Mill is really something special - what a welcome from the family and such an astonishing stream of eggs, wine, honey, fruit, home-made pies....  The house has great charm. We gather it is their first season and as some of their earliest clients, we would like to recommend the house, its location and the whole experience of staying there"

Georgioupolis / Vrisses, Crete
Although Georgioupolis with its lovely sandy beaches is now a thriving seaside resort it still retains a pleasing rural ambience and leisurely pace of life. Numerous tavernas and cafes surround the bustling village square whilst in little side streets you will find a number of small shops selling jewellery and local pottery. In Vrisses, huge Plane trees line the road where you will find mini-markets, a bank and a bakery (do try the cheese pies). Of a morning time this is a bustling little town, but by mid-day the pace slows and the tavernas spread their tables out towards the banks of the river Voutakis, where you can relax in the shade and enjoy a bowl of creamy local yogurt and honey, for which this area is famous. ...More about Georgioupolis / Vrisses >>

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