It may have been many months since we in the Northern hemisphere last had our full quota of Vitamin D, but the longer days might have had you craving some sun, and looking ahead to the summer holidays.
The search for a truly fantastic sun-soaked getaway can be a tricky one. With locations all over the world at your disposal, it is often difficult to pick a destination that offers a bit of everything – good food, beaches, culture and luxury. Well, search no further.
Oliver's Travels' Villa Hislop in Crete is nothing short of incredible. It was my first visit to this Grecian island, but it will certainly not be the last. This accommodation has everything you could ever wish for and more, boasting a stunning view and plenty of attractions nearby, whether you’re a family or travelling with friends.
Read on to discover the best Villa Hislop has to offer, as well as the intriguing history behind its breathtaking view…
Purpose-built villa
Not sure which friend to bring on holiday? Faced with heated debates between family members about which hotel to pick? This ten-bedroom villa begs the question: why choose? A variety of luxurious rooms sleep up to 20 guests, including a smaller room for children, making it an ideal getaway for big family holidays or group trips with friends.
To say it is purpose-built would be an understatement: every single need has been thought of and anticipated. There is an office space, a home cinema and two fully equipped kitchens, a play area for children, a private infinity pool and two jacuzzis.
The outdoor kitchen was a special highlight. Guests can organise a cooking course in Greek cuisine for those who like to get more hands-on, or enjoy catering with a meal under the stars, featuring local delicacies cooked and eaten outside. What’s not to love?
Wellness-first
Villa Hislop belongs to Oliver's Travels Wellness Collection, which includes villas that put a special emphasis on wellbeing. As such, there are some incredible facilities available, including masseuses and yoga instructors for guests.
Beyond the bedrooms, which feature stunning ocean views, the set up prioritises wellness, with a private wellness retreat within the villa itself, complete with a hammam room, jacuzzi, sauna, massage room, and gym equipment, for those who like their getaways to put physical wellbeing on par with the mental wellbeing that comes from the Cretan vista and immediate air of relaxation which descends when entering the villa.
Historic past blended with modern amenities
Without doubt, the highlight of Villa Hislop is the view. It is no exaggeration to say that waking up to it every single morning prompts immediate joy, and a very happy holiday could easily be passed looking out across the bay at the beautiful blue sea and island of Spinalonga, watching day by day as it changes in the morning light to sunset.
Sure enough, the villa is built to maximise enjoyment of the view – it can be taken in from a sun lounger by the private pool, or from one of the many luxury ensuite bedrooms, or the huge outdoor kitchen.
Looking across the bay, one’s eye is immediately drawn to Spinalonga, an island within touching distance of the mainland, but history has set it miles apart. To some, the name Spinalonga might prompt some recognition. It’s the same place that inspired Victoria Hislop’s bestselling novel, The Island, which is best read poolside at Villa Hislop while taking in the island in question.
Its ruined architecture shows the remains of a Venetian fortress, which has changed hands as well as being a strategic military location for much of history, until in 1903, the Cretan government declared the mandatory isolation of leprosy patients on the island. So came an extraordinary shift in the lifecycle of the island, as an original colony of 251 lepers arrived the following year. Leprosy was treated with terrible stigma: patients were forced to leave their lives and families behind, struck from the register of names in their home towns as if they had not existed before then.
To make matters worse, the mainland and nearby town of Plaka were visible from Spinalonga, close enough that figures could be made out on the shoreline, ordinary people allowed to go about their daily life while the residents of the island were trapped in a ‘living death’.
Suffice to say, it is well-worth a visit. The colony closed in 1957 and the island was abandoned until its restoration in the early 2000s, which means that visitors are able to see much of the island as it was.
What to do in the area
As well as visiting Spinalonga, there’s plenty to do on the sea, including catamaran hire, waterskiing and sailing. With the aquamarine Cretan waters and warmth, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The town of Plaka has plenty of good restaurants where local seafood and other Greek staples can be enjoyed – is there anything so delicious as a good Greek salad? An afternoon can be spent on the secret beach directly accessible from the villa, or wandering the souvenir shops in Plaka.
Further afield are trips to the Palace of Knossos, or inland to Zeus cave, the purported birthplace of Zeus, or a visit to the larger nearby town of Elounda. While there’s plenty to do away from Villa Hislop, I’d wager you won’t want to stray far from this amazing spot.
Weekly rates start from £8,765, sleeping up to 20 guests. To book please visit www.oliverstravels.com or phone 03338880205.
