This is a wonderful little home – pleasing in every way. The rooms, courtyard and living space is perfect for resting, enjoying a meal together and as a starting point for seeing the island. It is just as pictured – unusual and beautiful. Natural lighting and breezes from the beautiful double Dutch style door and some cool skylight/air-shafts through the roof add to the functionality and character of this house.
We used two of the three bedrooms available, stayed up late into the evening in the living room, and had our breakfast – with amazing breads from the local bakery - in the courtyard every morning. The fridge was stocked with bottled water, some juice, butter and packets of jam, bread and some fresh fruit. Visit the local bakery, mini-markets and/or supermarket up the road for coffee, fresh yogurt; add olives, cheese and hit the local wineries in the village to get your evening off to a good start.
There are plenty of linens; the kitchen is well supplied with dishware and cookware. The dishwasher and washing machine is a big plus, too with soap/detergent included! Two bathrooms make living really easy. You may want to bring your own personal bath products (soap, shampoo, lotions, etc.) when you stay.
As there is no actual address for the home, we found our way to Megalochori and asked for help from the local folks at the bakery along the main road that bypasses the old town. We did not meet Iowanna herself, but her Mom came to meet us within a few minutes. There’s no car parking in the old town, so we followed her and parked our car at the beginning of the main street of the old village; she insisted on carrying one of our bags for a very short walk to the house. She is friendly, energetic, sweet and lovely and so very helpful – she checked with us every morning to see if we needed anything. Her Mother and Father live in the house next door and are immediately available if necessary.
It is a fantastic place to stay - safe, picturesque and charming. From Megalochori – by car – you can get to the major sites and sights of the island without difficulty. There is a bus stop just outside the village on the main road for alternative transportation. The village itself is small, quaint and fun to explore with a few restaurants, wineries, craft/souvenir shops and churches. Motor bikes and only a few cars from residents come through the narrow streets; small groups of tourists do come through periodically - but do not fill the streets and spoil the town as much as in Fira or Oia. We loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone – it was one of the highlights of our two week stay in Greece.