YOUR HOSTS, CHRIS & HELEN

We are both from London, although Helen is Greek, and we discovered Epidavros in 2020. We bought Villa Rosa on a British TV programme, ‘A Place in the Sun’, to run relaxation and cycling retreats in the Spring and Autumn. https://breakawaygreece.com. We were also filmed by another TV crew, following our first year for ‘A New Life in the Sun’.

When we are not enjoying Epidavros, Chris works on global communications campaigns for good causes, writes books and cycles around the world. Helen works at Arsenal Football Club in London and previously looked after major music stars for EMI Records. We have been married for 33 years and have four children.

We really hope you enjoy your stay, if there is anything we can do to help or anything you need, please WhatsApp Chris on 0044 7932 746 591.

We love Epidavros and our villa and we hope you will too.

Thanks,

Chris & Helen.

Welcome to Villa Rosa

We hope you have a wonderful stay.

Villa Rosa is our home as well as a holiday villa, and much of the furniture has been in our family for many years. We absolutely love spending time here and hope you enjoy it just as much.

Please make yourselves at home, relax, and enjoy everything the villa and the local area have to offer.

A printed sheet containing emergency and safety information can be found on the dresser.

Before You Settle In

1. Your Villa

You have exclusive use of the two-storey main villa, with one double bedroom and one twin bedroom (sleeping up to four guests).

If you’ve booked the full villa, you’ll also have exclusive use of the self-contained two-bedroom apartment downstairs (sleeping up to six guests), accessed via the steps on either side of the villa.

We try to run Villa Rosa as sustainably as possible. Hot water is heated by solar energy, and we recycle wherever possible.

Thank you for helping us do the same.

2. Air Conditioning

All bedrooms have air conditioning.

Please switch the units off when you leave the bedrooms. They cool the rooms very quickly, so they’ll be comfortable again within just a few minutes of turning them back on.

3. Kitchen

The upstairs villa has a fully equipped kitchen.

If you’ve booked the full villa, the downstairs apartment also has a kitchen with everything you’ll need for preparing meals.

4. Wi-Fi

Network: Greece

Password: breakaway

The internet is perfectly adequate for browsing, emails and streaming. If you need particularly fast internet for work or video calls, the beach bars and cafés on the beach in front of the villa usually have faster connections.

5. Parking

There is private parking for up to two cars.

6. Keys

If we’re not there when you arrive, we’ll let you know where the keys have been safely left.

You’ll receive two sets of keys.

Please don’t leave the keys in the inside lock, as this prevents the doors from being opened from outside.

Using the Villa

7. Insect Screens

All external doors have sliding or pull-across insect screens.

They’re particularly useful around dusk, although we generally don’t have many flying insects.

Please be careful when the screens are closed - they can be surprisingly difficult to see, and both adults and children occasionally walk straight into them!

When opening them, unhook the screen carefully as it springs back quite quickly. Children may need a little help.

8. Our Feline Visitors

Like much of Greece, we have several friendly cats that wander around the garden.

Please don’t let them into the villa, as they’ll quickly decide they’ve found a new home! We occasionally leave food outside for the younger cats.

9. Ice

The ice dispenser on the fridge isn’t currently working, but bags of ice are available from all the local supermarkets.

10. Toilets

Please don’t flush toilet paper or sanitary products.

Like most properties in Greece, the drainage pipes are relatively narrow, so all toilet paper should be placed in the bathroom bins provided.

Extra toilet rolls are stored under the stairs, together with spare bin liners under the kitchen sink

11. Recycling & Rubbish

Please empty household rubbish into the communal bins about 30 metres down the hill, taking the first turning on your left.

The large kitchen bin is for recyclable items. Recycling bins with green lids are located on the main road.

12. Washing Clothes

There are two washing machines.

The upstairs machine works best with smaller loads.

The downstairs machine (in the apartment) is more powerful. Simply add detergent and turn the dial to Programme 4.

There is a washing line and drying rack available in the garden.

Please close both washing machine doors gently.

13. Hot Water

Hot water is heated by solar panels on the roof.

During cloudy weather or after several consecutive showers, it may take a little longer to reheat than a conventional system.

14. Garden Shower

If you’ve booked the full villa, you’ll find a cold-water shower in the garden.

It’s wonderfully refreshing after swimming or on hot summer afternoons.

15. Bedding

Extra sheets, duvets and blankets are available in each bedroom.

16. Keeping the Ants Outside

Because of the warm climate, small ants occasionally appear if food or crumbs are left on the floor or worktops.

Keeping the kitchen clean is usually all that’s needed to prevent them from visiting.

17. Telescope

You’ll notice a telescope in the lounge.

Unfortunately, it’s decorative rather than functional - we inherited it with the house! However, there’s an excellent pair of binoculars you’re very welcome to use.

18. Local Information

You’ll find useful leaflets, maps and information about the local area on the dresser, together with the telephone number for our recommended local taxi driver, Spiros.

19. Safety

Please take care when walking on the marble floors, as they can become slippery when wet.

A fire extinguisher is located under the stairs on the main floor.

In the unlikely event of a fire, leave the villa immediately by the nearest safe exit.

The emergency number throughout Greece is 112.

Around Villa Rosa

The Beach

Walk down the hill and bear slightly left to find a pathway leading directly to one of the quieter parts of the beach - perfect for swimming.

A short stroll along the beach brings you to three hotels with bars, restaurants and sunbeds.

Egialos Beach Restaurant is particularly popular and also has its own sun loungers (typically around €6 on weekdays and €10 at weekends, although prices may vary).

Shopping

Our favourite supermarket is the AB supermarket on the edge of the village.

There are also three supermarkets in the village itself, plus a small shop in the campsite opposite the villa for everyday essentials.

Medical Assistance

There is a doctor and a pharmacy in the village.

The nearest health centre is in Lygourio, approximately 15 minutes away by car.

For emergencies, dial 112.

Finally…

Villa Rosa has been a much-loved family home for many years, and we’re delighted to be able to share it with you.

We hope you’ll slow down, enjoy the sea, the mountains, the sunshine and everything that makes this part of Greece so special.

If there’s anything you need during your stay, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Now… put the kettle on, open a cold beer or pour a glass of wine, sit back, and start your holiday.

Welcome to Villa Rosa!

Chris & Helen.