Orchard Villa is set close to the sea in a 2000sq.m. hillside garden and olive grove with pool and stunning views. Architect-designed with traditional blue wooden shutters, red-tiled roofs, also roof terrace, exposed wood-beam ceilings, large flagstoned split-level lounge with bar, open-plan kitchen, and open log fireplace (for show in summer!). Sleeps ideally 6 (8 max.), : master bedroom with en-suite bathroom; 3 twin bedrooms sharing 2 shower-rooms (all air-conditioned). From lounge, 4 French windows open onto a wide vine-covered walled patio for outdoor meals/barbecues, above beautiful rose and flower gardens with sunbathing terraces down to a lovely pool, all with panoramic views considered locally as best on Skiathos - even the Mediterranean! Orchard Villa sits on a low wooded ridge looking out over Skiathos Bay across Achladies and Vassilias beaches; some scattered villas nearby, and 2 small family hotels with scenic pools/bars open to

Skiathos Island is in the ‘Greek Top-5’, N-E of Athens in the Aegean sea (an arm of the Mediterranean Sea) with a spectacular coastline of bays, inlets, and offshore islands. Only 5-25 mins. drive away are over 50 attractively-set beaches and coves, from the Greek no.1, Koukounaries, to away-from-it-all coves and inlets. Most are easily accessible, and SANDY - unlike many other islands. The dozen or so largest feature sunbeds-umbrellas-watersports, and all but the smallest have tavernas. The closest are ¾ Km / ½ mile or so (15-20 mins. walk) down from the villa.

There’s boat hire for sailing, sea-fishing, or just pottering; two SCUBA diving schools, snorkelling, fishing trips; and minutes inland, wooded hills and valley streams for walks or horse-riding ... though many visitors hardly get beyond lazing at home under the vines, watching yachts, ferries, and islands across a cool drink, the pool, and the 20-mile bay.

Picturesque Skiathos village with its cobbled pedestrian-only high street, shops, harbour, and marina offers scores of enticing tavernas for lunch or dinner, cool Youth-Only-Zone night-life, and music in the open-air theatre. Trips further afield by ferry, hydrofoil, or day-trip boat take in nearby islands (Skopelos island town puts Clovelly in the shade ... ); the Aegean Marine Park (seals and dolphins); also historic sites at Athens, Delphi and Meteora (but - long trips).

Getting there:
... is easy to arrange yourself - the airport is 12 mins. drive from the villa, with many direct seat-only flights from Europe and several UK airports (by First-Choice Air, Thomson Travel, Excel, etc.), or scheduled flights via Athens (budget carriers Easy-Jet and Virgin; also British Airways, Olympic, Swiss, etc.). Most charters ex-UK are on Fridays; flight c.3½ hrs, mostly arriving mid-dayish and, departures mid/late afternoon. Our friends - a local English couple who also maintain the garden and fix any house problems - meet-and-greet you at the airport or port; and unlike many rentals, they can usually save you long waits away from the villa on transfer days. Connection via Athens is by coach/hydrofoil (c.5½ hrs) or daily Olympic Airways flight (c.½ hr); we can recommend overnight hotels if needed. For long lets, from UK by car/ferries takes 3-3½ days (2-2½ days from Europe), virtually all motorway.

Locally - car hire (recommended), or use the efficient radio taxis or frequent island buses; scooters, trail bikes, and cycles are available. For trips to nearby islands or the mainland there are ferries, hydrofoils, water-taxis, and day-trip boats.

Dates open as on chart. Prices are for each week of occupancy in a min. 2-week rental, with 1-6 of beds taken. Discounts or premiums for other lengths of stay and other change-over days. Orchard villa has 8 beds, but ideally suited to 6 adults (price as above), or 4 adults + 4 kids if a degree of crowding is acceptable. Please ask about groups of 7-8 if with kids, beds 7-8 are at 50% pro-rata discount.