Tiered and terraced like a glorious celebration cake, this villa stands in the heart of Crete’s wild interior. The view is greenery and misty mountains as far as the eye can see. The villa towers above an azure swimming pool, surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. There are plenty of loungers to laze away the day, seating beneath a pergola and a circular sunken hot tub for a sunset soak. The highlight of the outdoors has to be the taverna-style dining area beneath the wooden ceiling which has a built-in outdoor kitchen and is, quite simply, huge.

Accommodation inside is spread across five apartments, each with its own fully-equipped kitchen and wrap-around terrace. Views from the top of the home stretch beyond the mountains and all the way to the sea. In terms of location, you’re a twenty-minute drive from the Venetian ruins and pristine sandy beaches of Rethymno, but there are hiking trails to explore on your doorstep if you fancy.

Home truths:
*A cleaning fee of €100 is required to be paid at the end of your stay
*Pool maintenance is included with your stay
*This villa is in a remote part of Crete so having a car is recommended and there is plenty of private parking