Much more than a holiday home, staying in Delenia is like having your own private village.
The space
Much more than a holiday home, staying in Delenia is like having your own private village. Strategically located on a secluded corner of the Aegean, yet surprisingly close to Athens and its International Airport.
All bedrooms have large external doors, as do the lounges and kitchens. No corridors, no lobbies, and lots of outdoor dining and lounging areas.
Situated in south Evia (or Euboea, Greece's second largest island, after Crete) it is a mere two hours from the International Airport, and yet the estate itself lies on an undiscovered part of the Aegean sea. Delenia offers a unique combination of easy accessibility and complete privacy.
Delenia consists of a total of five buildings; there are five bedrooms (all en-suite, with their own cooling systems and own fireplace and under floor heating for the winter months), two kitchens, two living rooms, one study and three dining areas.
We also have a barn conversion that sleeps another 6-8 guests (10 max), and is available for 300 euros per night:
airbnb/rooms/816346
The outdoor areas are the epicenter of life in the summer months, and have been designed accordingly: a large terrace with clear views of the Aegean; al fresco dining areas, plus a stone barbeque and traditional Greek bread oven; tennis and basketball courts; an outdoor four-poster bed; a Hammam (Turkish steam room) which also has sauna; and, of course, the sea water swimming pool.
The layout encourages togetherness, but also allows for privacy. Guest rooms are spread over three buildings, each one independent from the other, and entirely self-sufficient.
1. The main building comprises of a large living area: a kitchen, a dining room (table for 16), living room and one double bedroom. This is the David McTaggart room, and offers exquisite views of the Aegean sea from the bed. There is one double bed in this room, plus a small loft with a single mattress, that can be brought down, if preferred, as there is enough floor space.
2. The second building houses the master bedroom, and, again, exceptional sea views from the bed and bathtub. There is also a large study/second living room/kitchen area here. This can be used as a sixth bedroom: there is a top-of-the-range sofa bed here, with a double latex mattress. The bedroom and the study have independent entrances (as do all rooms in all buildings) so no need to disturb others in order to get in or out!
3. The third building consists of three large bedrooms – all with their own individual character and layout. The first one, Chryssa’s room is the largest and has ample desk space for studying or working; the second, the Turkish room, has a double bed and a single bed; and the third, ‘to paidiko’ or the children’s room, is a playground for young and old alike, with lofts, Tarzan ropes, and firemen’s sliding poles. All bedrooms have one double bed, plus additional sleeping space. The children's room has got a large loft with a single bed on one side and a semi-double on the other (so up to five people in total could sleep in this room); the Turkish room has got a single bed as well as the double bed; and Chryssa's room has got enough floor space for a fold-out bed or mattress to be laid out.
4. Barn conversion: sleeps 6-8 people. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and lounge (can be hired for a small fee - please ask!)
5. Cottage: sleeps 2-3.
COOKING, CLEANING and AIRPORT PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF:
Daily cooking services - one meal per day prepared by Maria and Koula. You just pay for the ingredients. Read the rave reviews of their cooking! Think moussaka, souvlaki, roast chicken, tzatziki, greek salad, aubergine dishes and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options if required.
Pre-shop: We can help you get your list to a local supermarket, who can usually deliver on the day you arrive. So you can maximise sun-bathing time!
One airport pick-up and drop-off, for up to four people, is included in the villa rental price.
The villa will be cleaned during your stay if you are there for one week, and sheets will be changed.
ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA
I recommend sight-seeing trips to the ancient towns of Karystos or Eretria, or the mysterious Dragon Houses (Drakospita) which are dotted across southern Evvia (also spelt Euboea). Day trips in to Athens can also be arranged.
Activities in the area include trekking, cycling, diving, cruises and canoeing/kayaking, all of which can be arranged from Karystos. Especially recommended is the excursion to the Dimosari Gorge, near Karystos (4 hour-trek) and snorkeling in the Petali Islands (frequented by Winston Churchill, Maria Callas, Aristotle Onassis and Rudolf Nureyev, no less!) and boasting a house belonging to the Picasso family.
Please look up Dive in Evia Dikelas - for snorkeling/fishing/diving trips, but also a good source of information on historical sights and stuff to do on dry land!
The city of Karystos boasts the Montofoli Estate (for lovers of wines), two Venetian castles (Bourtzi and Castello Rosso), and a wide sea-side promenade ideal for gentle cycling or people-watching from one of its tavernas.
In between Nea Styra and Palaia Styra is the ancient city of Styra, a city mentioned in Homer's Iliad (Rhapsody B). Additionally near Styra there are ancient structures standing which are 4,500 years old and are constructed using Megalithic Architecture. They are called Drakospita (i.e. Dragon Houses) and have been built using huge one piece stones (monoliths). The size of each of these stones is 4.0m length x 2.5m width x 1.5m height, similar to those found in the Philippines and at Stonehenge. Ships left from the ancient city state of Styra to aid in the rescue of Helen of Troy.
If you plan on hiring cars at the airport (recommended - pls ensure they have plenty of clearance from the ground, as the last 2 kms to the estate is a dirt road with potholes), drive to Harbor Agia Marina (near Marathon village) to catch the ferry to Nea Styra. From Athens airport, it is about 60 km drive to the port of Agia Marina then 45 minutes on the ferry to the port of Nea Styra, on the island of Evia, then a 25-minute drive to villa Delenia. (The nearest village is Eleochori, which you can find on your GPS or online maps).
Additional features include an ensemble of stone benches perched on the cliffs, beside the ‘Window on the Aegean’, and plenty of nooks and crannies to be discovered at your leisure.
Wedding parties welcome.
If you have a large party (wedding or not!) and need additional space, we can sleep 6-8 in the barn conversion - four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and lounge/dinner.
If you have any questions, just ask!
PLEASE NOTE: Because of all these nooks, crannies, steps, slopes, ropes and poles, children get very excited in Delenia, and always have a wonderful time! However, if you are looking for a place that is 100% child-proof, or are worried about your child interacting with the natural environment, then Delenia might not be for you. Please ask if you have any concerns.
DISTANT BOOKINGS: Please use a laptop or desktop computer, if the calendar on the phone app isn't showing you the availability for dates far into the future. I take bookings several years ahead, and there's no need to wait for the calendar to "open" (it's just a glitch on the app).
Guest access
Everything - except laundry/garage/basement in main building. If you need to use the washing machine, please ask the housekeeper or one of her helpers.
Other things to note
TRANSFERS FROM/TO AIRPORT: A taxi from Athens airport to the port of Agia Marina costs 50 euros for 4 passengers, 70 euros for a mini van for 8 passengers, and 150 euros for a bus for 20 passengers one way. If you want to go and come back, it's 260 euros for 20 people and 300 euros for 40 people, both ways (prices may change in 2018/2019). We are happy to organise transfers for you. One airport pick-up and one drop-off is included in the price, for up to four passengers.
The ferry boat costs 4 euros per person (45 mins, from Agia Marina to Nea Styra). At Nea Styra, you will be met by the villa driver who can also arrange taxis to the villa (20 euros per taxi for up to four passengers). Pls note that not all taxis drive all the way down, so you might need to get off at the last village, and then be ferried down by villa driver or by the taxis that do go down. Prices may change in 2018/2019.
SWIMMING POOL: We empty and refill the pool between every set of guests, so the pool might still be filing up when you arrive, and we might need to begin emptying the pool on your last night. This is for the benefit of all guests.
INTERNET - There is free internet but if you have too many devices on at the same time it might jam. Also, please switch off background data and auto-sync: On your smartphone, go to "settings", then "accounts and sync", then "background data" and turn it off; and also "auto-sync" and turn it off. Please ask if you need clarification.
TOILET PAPER - When in Greece, please do not throw toilet paper down the toilet as it causes blockage!
MUSIC - Please bring a standard audio jack cable which plugs into the amplifier's AUX input (we have one but it often disappears, so bring one to be sure!). The other end connects to an iPhone, MP3 or laptop's headphone plug. The stereo system also has a CD player and radio. There are two sets of loudspeakers, one set inside Panayiotis' House/master bedroom (about 30 watts) and another set outside around the dining area (about 70 watts). A switch located next to the amplifier allows you to use each set of speakers independently or simultaneously.
Please note that due to exposure to natural elements, the temperatures attained in the sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi aren't comparable to those in an urban spa, and the equipment does malfunction if it hasn't been used properly - pls ask staff for assistance.
Registration Details
00001784305
