With its pristine white geometrical forms, its welcoming, light-filled interiors, its wrap-around terraces, and its seafront location, Villa Espera is a very tempting proposition indeed. Add a refreshing pool, a beach at the bottom of the garden, enchanting sunrises, and close proximity to the magical little harbour town of Naousa, and it would be fair to say that this charming home lacks for nothing when it comes to summery allure.
Inside: accommodation at Villa Espera is spread over two independently access floors.
The main entrance to the ground floor leads in to an open-plan space, whose luminous atmosphere, clean lines and understated modern style on show sets the tone for the rest of the house. To one side is a well-equipped kitchen with honeyed wooden cabinetry, pristine white worktops, and a raised table with bar stools. To the other, united by sandy tiled flooring and white walls, is a dining area, which is furnished with a rusticated wooden table, chairs and a bench.
A couple of steps lead down from the dining area into the living room, which is divided into two sections: to the right, are a couple of stylish lounge chairs facing a cubic fireplace; to the left is a large L-shaped sofa and a TV. Two French doors and a pair of windows bring in the sea views and allow the space to flow out onto the terrace.
Accessed via a few steps from the far end of the living room are the first three bedrooms:
• the main bedroom, a spacious, double-aspect double with a walk-through wardrobe, an en-suite shower room, sea views and access to the main terrace
• two double-twins with garden views and an en-suite shower room
An external staircase leads up to a large, fabulously panoramic terrace, off which the guest accommodation is accessed:
• a suite with a comfortably furnished, sea-view living area, a private balcony, a walk-through kitchenette, a bright double bedroom with garden views, and an en-suite shower room
• a double with sea views, en-suite shower room and a little kitchen corner
Outside: Villa Espera rises in extensive gardens of about 1.5 acres that have been planted with an alluring variety of low-lying Mediterranean flora, herbs, ornamental grasses, blossom-rich bougainvillea, succulents, and olive, fruit and palm trees.
An irresistible path makes a beeline through the grounds down to the garden gate, beyond which, just across a road, is the little sandy beach and shallow, turquoise waters of Megali Glastra.
Terraces fan out around the property, offering plenty of space for everyone to find their own spot. To the front, accessed from the living area, is a voluminous, shaded dining area, gazing out to sea. A couple of steps beyond is the tempting blue pool, which is well-supplied with comfy sun loungers.
This main terrace flows round both sides of the house, passing little lounge areas furnished with sink-in bean bags, to a secluded al fresco area that’s home to a shady dining gazebo served directly by both the kitchen a large, classically Greek, built-in grill.
An external flight of steps leads up from this area to the upper level of Villa Espera, where, outside the two guest rooms, is a large, supremely panoramic terrace looking out over the gardens and across the azure Aegean Sea to Naxos. It hosts a well-furnished, shaded sitting area and a little table and chairs. This space will prove extremely popular with yoga enthusiasts who enjoy performing sun salutations as Helios appears in the eastern skies each morning.
Children should not be left unsupervised on the upper floor's terrace.
Because of natural changes to the coastline from season to season, the sandy beach in front of this property may not look as it does in the photos.
The beach is reached by a flight of steep steps equipped with a rope for balance so the access may not be suitable for young children or guests with limited mobility.
Villa Espera sits on the northeasternmost headland of Paros on the little sandy beach of Megali Glastra. A 10-minute stroll away are the glorious beaches of Santa Maria and Small Santa Maria and a pair of tavernas. It is also extremely well located for exploring the north of the island, which has plenty to offer.
For many people, Paros is the most authentic of the Cyclades. One of the larger islands, it has something for everyone, young or old, party-goers or culture-seekers, bourgeois or bohemian. Amongst its many attractions are buzzing little towns, myriad beaches, world-famous windsurfing conditions, gourmet restaurants, sleepy traditional villages with waterfront fish tavernas, religious, cultural and historical sites, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
Thanks to the relatively limited distances involved - the island measures less than 25km from north to south - it is easy to explore in full in a week or two, no matter where you're staying. Its mountainous hinterland, with peaks rising up to around 700m, is dotted with the occasional monastery and crisscrossed by old mule tracks. Down on the coast, meanwhile, there is an array of beautiful sandy beaches and idyllic coves, and a day or two spent on a boat exploring these is heartily recommended.
In terms of towns and villages, picturesque Naousa, sleepy Marpissa, and buzzing Parikia (the capital and main port) are just a 15-, 20- and 25-minute drive away respectively. The former boasts a little harbour, a web of narrow streets flanked by shops and tavernas, and the remains of a Venetian castle. The second is a white-washed beauty that appears unchanged for centuries. It’s a pleasure to amble round its narrow streets, while a walk up to the monastery of St Anthony on the hill above offers spectacular views of the island. The third, meanwhile, is a vibrant little town gathered around a semi-enclosed bay that woos visitors with its sandy beaches, its many bars and tavernas, its archaeological museum, and its impressive Byzantine Church.
Just across the bay from Naousa is idyllic Kolimpithres beach, renowned for its transparent waters and fascinating rock formations, while for those with an interest in history, a visit to the Mycenaean Acropolis is called for. Sitting atop a rocky scarp high above Kolimpithres, it was built way back in the 13th century BCE and offers not only insights into Paros's long history but also stunning views. It’s quite a walk to get up there, so you may wish to tackle it in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s not so hot.
Paros's most northerly tip, the Monastiri peninsula is also close by. A protected park covering some 80 hectares of rocky, element-sculpted hills, hidden sandy beaches, walking trails, and undisturbed flora and fauna, it’s a great day out for nature lovers and hikers with the added bonus of an end-of-excursion swim in the sea.
Cultural tours are readily available on Paros, so not matter whether you wish to learn about Parikia's old town centre, the ancient marble quarries, or the unique island of Despotiko, you'll be able to delve into the island's history with ease. Children are well catered for too, and a trip to the butterfly nature reserve just north of the airport is good fun.
If all that wasn't enough, Paros's little sister, Antiparos, is just a 10-minute ferry ride across the water from nearby Pounta, making a little island hopping eminently possible.
Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.
The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.
