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Detailed Hotel Description
The Villa Palladio comprises of a ground floor area and upper floor totalling 303 m2 and can easily accommodate from 8 to 10 persons. There is 190 m2 of courtyard offering a 30m3 swimming pool and hydro massage.
On opening the courtyard door, before you lies a majestic view of the Mount "Vryssinas" with its widespread thick vegetation and buzzing of insects and birds songs.
The Venetian nobles productively used this information to choose Chromonastiri and to build their summer homes. Today a stroll through this residential area, the narrow roads to the Villa Claudio will compensate you. You can stop at one of the local traditional kafenions for refreshments or have snack or meal at one of the two taverns and buy supplies from the local Mini Market.
The high stone built walls in combination with the courtyards, swimming pool and BBQ area secure moments of complete relaxation, enjoyment, and meditation in privacy that harmonizes perfectly with the rich and natural structural environment of the area.
On the ground floor there are three areas
· A detached 36m2 apartment complete with one bedroom boasting a wrought iron double bed of that era, sitting room and bathroom. The old stone floors, with the wooden ceiling made from Cretan cypress trees give this area its own identity, although the rocky foundations are quite visible. Altogether guests feel as though they have gone back in time to another century but with all the comforts of modern day hospitality. This ground floor area is where the parents of the household used to stay and very often they all lived together in the same house.
· An arched room for various uses.
· The kitchen is unique area and offers all modern equipment and suppositions for hygiene. All the materials used are from wood, stone and iron. The small islet and kitchen work benches are metal, Inox, as are all the electrical appliances. There is a gas cooker, electric oven, microwave oven, large refrigerator, dish washer and washing machine. There is a full set of dishes and cooking utensils. In this open plan area you can make your own or have your breakfast and meals cooked for you enjoying them whilst sitting at the long wooden monastery type table of that era, with enough space for 10 place settings just as it used to be in the 16th century.
At the top of the stone steps is a small veranda with a wonderful view of two old entrances that take you to the "EROTOKRITOS" and "ARETOUSA" apartments. These apartments are interconnected so that guests have an open plan style use.
The "EROTOKRITOS" apartment was used as a "Master" room and is today the master bedroom complete with fireplace, Hamam, veranda and bathroom. These entire areas total 40m2 and is complete with a 21m2 main bedroom complete with double bed and four (4) windows with unique breathtaking views of the mountains. This room is connected to a small sitting room with fireplace. Next to the fireplace is an old Turkish Hamam that has been restored and although small offers a historical area with hydrotherapy, steam bath and hydro massage.
The apartment to the west has a small veranda and an old outside WC that has been renovated and is again in operation. The view from the veranda is majestic with distant sounds from the shepherds herding their flocks high up on the mountainside.
· The "ARETOUSA" apartment, once the main area also used for socializing has also been carefully renovated and offers modern luxury:
· The large high ceiling 28m2 sitting room still has the same use with modern appliances such as comfortable sofas, dining room table, satellite TV, the wall paintings, music, DVD and a small refrigerator for soft drinks and beverages.
· A spacious 15,5m2 bedroom with has two separate beds that can be joined together, a piece of furniture with matching mirror and direct telephone line next to it. The two fashionable windows that look out onto the courtyard are made from wood and stone.
· A smaller bedroom with two beds able to be joined together has a stone book shelf and small courtyard.
· A modern bathroom with running hot water all day long is made from selected materials that have created an essential hygienic bathroom, sensational yet with a design harmoniously blending with the rest of the building.
The wood and stone floors of this apartment have under floor heating or cooling alike according to temperatures.
For the owners of the VILLA PALLADIO it is a courageous dream, a search for new quality tourism and is directed at small groups, friends, families, or colleagues etc. who wish to enjoy a quiet yet interesting holiday. It is directed to all those who know how to choose, to innovatively rest themselves in an atmosphere of comfort and endless luxury which will remain unforgettable.
SERVICES
· Under floor heating and air condition throughout
· Pool with hydro massage
· Bath towels
· Sun loungers
· Hammam and hydro massage
· Solar heated water
· Satellite TV, DVD and two mini stereo players
· Washing Machine
· Dishwasher
· Electric oven
· Microwave oven
· Gas cooker
· A large refrigerator as well as a separate small fridge
· Large BBQ and wood oven
· Safety deposit box
· First aid box
· Hairdryers
· Electric iron and ironing board
· Fire extinguishers
· Cleaning service and care of the area twice a week
Service upon request
· healthy body treatment and beauty treatment with steam bath (Hammam)
· Food and lessons on getting to know the traditional Cretan cuisine.
· A guide for lovers of nature and to cultural events and travels
· Daily cleaning and washing of clothes
Restoration
The Villa Palladio was renovated and completed within a period of five years, in order to once again offer the ideal holiday choice for those who know and value quality, simple luxury and comfort together with fond memories of traditional Crete.
Upon request in this large arched independent kitchen, there is the opportunity to take some cooking lessons or demonstrated with the preparing and cooking traditional food.
The kitchen is fully equipped with all modern appliances and is used only by you, as an area where you can be taught how to cook and present Cretan cuisine. The products used are mostly bought locally from the villagers. Old traditional recipes from the Cretan cuisine based on pure olive oil are also available upon request. The simple taste of healthy food cooked in the village can be enjoyed and served next to the BBQ or pool or taken in the kitchen
Walking excursions
Small walking excursions:
· A short walk around the premises will take about thirty to forty minutes.
A walk amongst nature combined with a visit to the Byzantine churches of "Panagia Kera" and "Agios Eftichios" will take about an hour and 30 minutes each. These Christian monuments are important for their holy images, a reminder of this historical artistic skill as it contains primary illustrations of this Byzantine skill in the municipal of Rethymnon.
· A longer walk can involve a hike to mount "Vryssinas" which in ancient time was made as a Holy pilgrimage. If walking only it will take about 4 hours and almost half his time if you also use a car for driving halfway up. On the way you will find the E4 pathway.
· A worthwhile walk taken through the gorge of Mylon which you will see as you approach on your drive up to the residence. You can walk through the gorge, by the river and through the abandoned habitats with their water mills which will take you about two hours depending on how far you wish to go on. In fact walking all the way through will take you right down to the sea.
· All these excursions are very enjoyable and you can even do taking a car especially if it is a jeep. The area offers a thick network of rural roads which can be used just to take walks amongst nature or even only after just a few kilometers you will reach the cross point to Amari and Spili.
Excursions by car
Travelling towards the city of Rethymno, after just 7 kilometers we arrive at the national road and crossroads for Amariou. From this point you have the choice for doing the following:
· Go west towards Chania and after a relaxing drive of about 45 minutes you will arrive at the old town where you can do some local sightseeing or continue further and drive to the Samaria Gorge.
· Eastwards takes you along the coastal beaches of Rethymon and after an hour or so driving you will reach the town of Heraklion where you can continue on through till you come to the historical Palace of Knossos.
· Driving South bound will take you onto the old road towards Amari, Spili, Agia Galini, Plakia and on to the Monastery of Preveli.
As you will have now probably realized, you are situated almost in the center of Crete having all the comforts of your own home and more so that you can easily reach all the worthwhile places on the island within easy reaching distance and not only the places where any visitor should not dare miss but you also have other unique opportunities of choice for which we can recommend to you.
A swim in the sea or a stroll through the old town of Rethymno is a matter reaching within 15 minutes.
A visit to one of the neighbouring towns such as Chania and Heraklion is just 1 hours driving distance.
Participation at rural activities
Guests have the opportunity to participate at any of the local events and any other activity that takes place at that time of the year in relation to the natural environment and thus is able to obtain more knowledge about Cretan tradition, communication and knowledge of the everyday life and work concerning natural environment.
The Villa is situated at the edge of the traditional and graphic location of Chromonastiri, within the protected area of the NATURA network. Just 10 klm from the old town of Rethymno, 7 klm from the beach and the central axis road which runs through Northern Crete that links together the towns of Chania and Heraklion. Chania airport is a mere 1 hour drive (70 klm) whilst Heraklion is 1 ½ hours drive (80 klm). Geographically the residence is situated in the center of northern Crete facing the sea and the mountains at a height of 380 meters, unique evidence for a healthy stay and holiday.
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BBQ