Silver Grove Crete

Twelve acres of olive grove surround this Cretan villa, and that sense of being absorbed into the landscape stays with you from the moment you arrive – birdsong, horizon views, and two turquoise pools glowing at dusk. Each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom, so groups get real privacy, and the attic room with its freestanding bathtub is a retreat apart. The bedroom on the ground floor is designed for guests with reduced mobility, with level access to the living areas and light pouring through large windows. Rethymno is a fifteen-minute drive, with beaches at Spilies and Geropotamos both within 5km.

Home truths:
* The villa is part of a small complex of three villas sharing the olive grove estate, so you may occasionally be aware of other guests elsewhere on the grounds – though the outdoor area for this villa is fully enclosed and private.
* At full occupancy, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in bedroom four.
* For those with reduced mobility, there's a ground floor bedroom and bathroom here.
* The fourth bedroom in the attic has a sliding door rather than a solid door, so it offers slightly less sound separation than the other rooms – worth bearing in mind if you're a lighter sleeper.
* You'll need a car to make the most of your stay here. The nearest shops are a few kilometres away along a steep road, and both the beaches and Rethymno town require a drive.