Getting there—Gavalochori is very charming and easy to navigate once you get your bearings. However, try to arrive by day, as you will be going by landmarks. Also, don’t trust Google! Stick to the main roads, at least to start. The blue directional signs are your friends! And when in doubt, just ask. A friendly shop keeper helped us find exactly where to go.
At the Villa—We stayed in the Hera villa. The car park is accessible from the upper road, which is narrow. We found it best to back in. There are switches in the parking area to illuminate the walkways at night. There is also a pedestrian entrance to the villa on the lower road. The village and its delicious, family-run restaurants are a short walk away.
Our first impression of the villa was that it is beautifully sited, designed, and landscaped. The outdoor area has a large pool and covered seating and dining areas, as well as a nice gas grill and outdoor food prep area with sink. The outdoor dining area is best in the morning and after the sun has gone down. There are roller shades, but they are tricky to use, and not very practical if the wind is blowing. The view is fantastic, and we loved hearing the sounds of the local sheep and chickens. Because of the terrain, there is an “amphitheater effect,” and sound does carry. There was some construction in the neighborhood during our stay, but that is temporary. It is overall a very quiet place.
Inside, the villa is nicely designed with lots of amenities. We appreciated the filter coffee machine, large refrigerator, and washing machine. It stays fairly cool if you close the shutters in the heat of the day. However, we did find the loft sleeping area to be hot even with the air conditioning (which is located downstairs) and fan running. (We were there in August.)
Overall, we had a great experience and recommend this villa and host to anyone. We would love to return.