Villa Nelia is beautifully isolated; other homes are distant and apart from an occasional engine, you'd be unaware of other people nearby.

There is a liberating sense of space, not only from the property's generous size, but from its outstanding location. The main pool area overlooks miles and miles of rolling landscape to the west, framed by distant mountains and the haze of the sea to the north. The land to the north rises from a neighbouring vineyard to more tree-covered hills behind the property. No buildings overlook it. You get absolute privacy.

The noises you'll have you get used to: the trickle of the pool, crickets, a nearby rooster, the twice daily clatter of goat / sheep bells, and occasionally the wind. That's it. I can barely imagine a better location in which to unwind.

The villa itself is perfect. It's spacious, high-ceilinged, and is well looked-after. You can choose air-conditioning in each room if you want. The sliding doors and windows are thoughtfully fitted with fly screens, so you can let in fresh air if you prefer. There's also the added security of electric shutters.

One piece of advice I'd pass on to renters is to make sure the car you hire is fit for very steep hills because the approach to the villa is at a fierce angle (which we noticed to be quite common amongst several other homes around the nearby villages). We had to rev the engine of our Ford Focus and shoot up the incline in 1st gear. But once you press the button on your fob, the gates close behind you and you are safely in your luxury palace.

Our host Maximos was discrete and helpful. He helped us rent our car, which removed one bit of hassle. We found communicating through WhatsApp to be an easy way of asking for advice or seeking help. There was an issue with intermittent WiFi (we had two teenagers with us who, even though they were online far less while on holiday, were still typically heavy users), but Maximos sorted the problem.

If you want peace, comfort, privacy and a spectacular location, you'd be hard pressed to find a better property than Villa Nelia.