Villa Sundial Greece

You’ll be captivated by the rustic charm, yet elegant luxury, when you vacation in Villa Sundial in the village of Emporio, on the south coast of the Cycladic island of Santorini, set in the Aegean Sea. This historic villa was originally three houses, that have been cleverly combined into one residence, to create a unique holiday home that is overflowing with charm. Villa Sundial has four spacious bedrooms, and can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests, ideal for a large family or group of friends travelling together. This beautiful three hundred and eighty square metres, stone-built, villa is washed in sun-dried ochre, and set within its own high walls, for privacy and seclusion. The central courtyard is a sanctuary of serenity and home to your own private swimming pool.
An external staircase will take you to a terrace with panoramic sea and village views. Recently renovated Villa Sundial has all the mod cons and Wi-Fi throughout. The exquisite interiors complement the historic architecture of the exterior, with internal classic Cycladic white-washed, local stone walls, and iconic domed ceilings. The villa has been furnished with original pieces and traditional Greek artefacts, the décor is a palette of contemporary muted colours, and has an ambience of stylish sophistication, whilst retaining a welcoming holiday home from home vibe.
Enter the villa through the original powder blue wooden double doors, which will take you into the most charming courtyard. The courtyard is home to a superb curved swimming pool, with a rock waterfall feature. Huge silver-grey cushion chaise sun loungers surround the pool, lie back and lose yourself in this year’s best seller. A stylish wood and cushioned seating set is ideal for meeting for morning coffee and discussing the day’s activities. Feast alfresco at the dining table on delicacies from the local market. Take the external staircase to a simply stunning all-white fully furnished terrace, with incredible azure Aegean Sea views. Look up to the top of the town, where there is a beautiful bell tower, best enjoyed in the evening, as the sun sets, and the lights of the town begin to twinkle.
Go inside the villa to discover a central seating space, with a long cappuccino-coloured sofa, wooden carver chairs, hewn wooden tables, and old trunks on display, all facing a flat-screen television. The dark wood refectory dining table is the perfect place for some impressive indoor entertaining. The farmhouse-style kitchen is fully equipped with everything you will need to cater for a happy holiday. There are four spacious exquisitely dressed double bedrooms, each one with a different theme. As they were once three separate properties, each bedroom is almost a mini-suite. The sapphire blue-domed bedroom is home to a wood framed double bed, with tiny bedside tables.
The adjacent terracotta coloured bathroom has a walk-in shower, and a wooden seat WC. The second suite is all white, with a wood based double bed and a flat-screen television, and a separate white soft seating area with another smart TV. The third bedroom is washed in peach paint, with a double bed, surrounded by a built-in confessional style wardrobe, with bedside nook inlets. The fourth is a turquoise trim twin room, with bunk beds, just right for younger guests. There are two further bathrooms, one putty coloured with a walk-in shower, and a separate guest shower room.
Villa Sundial can be found in the medieval village of Emporio on the south coast of Santorini, a Cycladic island in the azure blue Aegean Sea. The villa is twelve kilometres from Santorini’s International Airport, and nine kilometres from the port of Athinios. Arrive by plane from European destinations and Athens, or island hop by ferry and catamaran. The inland village of Emporio sits at the foot of Mount Profitis Ilias and is dominated by a fifteenth-century Venetian Castle, and the ruins of the Tower of Nimborio. Winding streets are populated with whitewashed houses, traditional cave homes, and blue-domed Orthodox churches with ornate bell towers.
Amenities are within walking distance of the villa. In the village minimarts and bakeries will provide provisions for your holiday, and whilst you are there stop at a bar or friendly taverna, for a glass of local wine or two. The village is famous for the churches of Agios Nikolaos, believed to have been built on a third-century BC burial site, and the beautiful Panagia Mesani, with its magnificent bell tower. Take a walk to the Hill of Gavrilos and look at the windmills, before playing pirates in the labyrinthine passageways of the old town.
The nearest beach is the black sands of Perissa, a popular organised family-friendly destination, with a selection of water sports.  Nearby Perivolos, is one of the best organised beaches on the island with volcanic scenery, a mountain backdrop, a choice of exhilarating water sports, and an active nightlife. The main town of Fira is nine kilometres from the villa, here you can visit several museums, take a walk up the top of Thera Mountain, explore the ancient city ruins, and admire the views from the world’s only sunken caldera. From Fira hike the nine kilometres of the caldera edge until you get to the most-photographed town of Oia, an original fishing village on the north coast. Enjoy wandering the winding lanes of this enchanting town, shop in luxury boutiques, eat seafood at the water’s edge, tilt at windmills, visit blue domed churches, cliff dive off Ammoudi Bay, and stay until sunset for the photographs. Take a boat trip to the uninhabited islet of Nea and Palia Kameni, an active volcano, with a path of black lava rock, smoking craters, and sulphurous hot springs.
Visit the villages and find out what life was really like. Highly recommended is nearby Pyrgos, found in the foothills of Mount Profitis, surrounded by vineyards that produce the highly prized Assyrtiko white wines. Take a trip back in time as you walk down the steep medieval alleyways, populated with tavernas and wine bars, art galleries and gift shops, a museum that showcases traditional island life, and one that is home to religious relics in the former Agia Triada chapel. Don’t miss a visit to Akrotiri, a prehistoric city, that was believed to be the first settlement on the island dating back to Neolithic times. Santorini hosts an annual film festival, and the twice daily film screenings at the alfresco Cine Kamari are not to be missed.
The island is renowned for its fabulous wines, most especially the crisp dry whites, take a tour of the many vineyards, and make sure you take a bottle home with you. Spend a day island hopping, swimming and snorkelling in the cobalt blue seas, enjoying a meal of Greek meze on board, or simply watching the sunset as you come back into the harbour.