Villas Eleftheria, Kalithea & Irini

Many of our guests have relished the rural setting of Pendamodi, a traditional Cretan village, yet with easy access to the beaches and tourist facilities of the coastline below. These three detached villas stand in a prime position on the edge of the village, with uninterrupted views over the rolling hills, extensive olive groves, vineyards and unspoilt countryside.

Each of the villas is individually designed in traditional style but incorporates a high level of modern comfort, not to mention its own good-sized swimming pool. The nearest beach is just 15km away at Amoudara, but it may take some enticement to lure you away from the peaceful seclusion of this rural retreat.

Common features of each villa are a spacious living room with an open fireplace, satellite TV (limited English speaking channels), DVD and CD player, and the open plan kitchens come complete with a range of appliances, including full-size cookers, microwaves and dishwashers. The lounges and all the bedrooms are air-conditioned and a washing machine has been installed in one of the bathrooms in each villa. The individual outdoor areas are also well furnished to allow for comfortable al fresco dining, perhaps making use of the barbecues provided, and there is plenty of space for relaxing, reading or just enjoying the stupendous views.

Villa Eleftheria is a single storey villa with two bedrooms (one double, one twin) and two bathrooms. Kallithea also has a double and a twin bedroom but is arranged on two floors. Irini is the largest with three bedrooms (a double and two twins) and three bathrooms, again with two storeys.

In addition, there is a separate studio cottage, Levanta, consisting of an open-plan bed-sitting room with a double bed, a fully equipped kitchenette with two-ring hob, microwave, fridge-freezer and washing machine, a shower room and a garden terrace. Levanta Cottage does not have its own swimming pool but is perfect for families or larger parties staying in one of the villas requiring additional accommodation, for instance for accompanying grandparents or older children desiring a degree of privacy. Alternatively, the cottage can also be rented separately by couples wishing to use Pendamodi as a peaceful base for country walks and exploring the island by car.

A welcoming kafenion is just a short walk away, offering you the opportunity to socialise when you feel like it and enough simple dishes for you to dine out without the necessity of using your hire car. The village also has two mini markets. A selection of local tavernas and restaurants - some delightfully unpretentious, others surprisingly sophisticated - can be found in the surrounding villages; the nearest is just 3km away.

If you wish to enjoy a thoroughly up-to-date standard of comfort in a truly timeless setting yet have easy access to tourist facilities and beaches, the island's capital and the main historical sites you could do little better than Pendamodi. What makes a stay here even more special is the opportunity to experience many of the cultural aspects of traditional Greek village life, thanks to the villas' proprietor, Jocelyne Kerrigan, who lives on-site from May to September. Not only is she always happy to offer advice on interesting things to do and places to see, but with her wealth of local contacts she can arrange various activities that will enable guests to take away much more from their holiday than merely a golden tan! Some of the activities that Jocelyne can arrange include:

• Greek cookery lessons - The Mediterranean diet, and especially the traditional Cretan diet with its emphasis on fresh vegetables, herbs and olive oil, has become recognised as one of the healthiest in the World. After sourcing local ingredients, learn how to prepare them in true Cretan style and enjoy the results accompanied by the local wine.


• Greek dancing and music - Spend an afternoon learning traditional Greek dances from a professional dancer living in the village. Or enjoy a performance on the Lira, the traditional Byzantine musical instrument.


• Greek language classes - Whether you just fancy an hour's lesson to learn a few basic phrases or a more intensive course over the length of your holiday, we can arrange classes with a Greek-Canadian resident of the village.


• Wine and raki afternoons - Half-day trip my minibus to visit a nearby winery: enjoy a walk through the vineyards followed by a wine tasting. Or visit the local raki distillery to learn about Crete's distinctive spirit; this is best done in late August during the grape harvest.


• Astronomy and Art Workshops - We can arrange evening visits to Sasteria public observatory in south-east Crete for star-gazing in small groups or even private viewings. During the daytime, Sasteria also hosts art workshops, so get creative and sketch, draw or paint the beautiful countryside or charming village scenes.


• Sailing - Enjoy a day on a sailing boat with a friendly and knowledgeable captain. €350 for a full-day sailing trip for groups of up to 7 people

Naturally, all activities are subject to availability and payable locally. Prices vary according to number of participants. Jocelyne will be happy to discuss your individual interests with you.