A LUXURY RESET IN GREECE
WHERE? Elounda, Crete
WHY? You’re after a luxury group getaway by the sea HOW MUCH? Prices for Villa Elounda Megali, with 16 people sharing, start at £11,844 per week; oliverstravels.com
WHO? Claire Sanderson, Editor-in-chief
Wow, this villa looks fit for a VIP.
Be assured it doesn’t disappoint in person. Nestled on the Cretan hillside, surrounded by olive trees and dusty roads lined with wildflowers, this is the holiday home you should have squirrelled away your cash to buy, but didn’t. At least you can grab a bunch of mates (or family, if you’re one of those rare breeds who all get along) and enjoy it as a holiday jaunt – one as healthful as you want to make it. Hike to nearby archaeological sites or pull on your runners and jog local tracks to the beach and back (hill sprint perfection). Plus, you’ll have access to the spa, tennis courts and water sports offered at the hotel up the road. But – sigh – we’ll have to feed ourselves, right?
Yes, but there’s an argument for not being locked into set hotel menus or à la carte restaurant dishes – you can eat what you bloody well want. Embrace self-catering and get your Greek cook on; there’s a dining table inside the villa but mealtimes are best spent soaking up the tranquil vibes and sun’s rays at the big al fresco tables, either poolside or next to the outdoor kitchen. The Greeks’ emphasis on eating fresh and locally sourced food will inspire you to furnish the tables with greenerthan-green salads, platters of grilled fish, bowls of feta and olives and roasted aubergines smothered in tahini. If you pack the villa out with people, you can share kitchen responsibilities
without anyone feeling like they’re always the one chained to the chopping board, or chat to the team at Oliver’s Travels, who will organise a local chef to swing by and whip up some delicious Mediterranean gems for you.
A big group’s fine, but what if I need some alone time?
The pool area is so large that you won’t exactly be tripping over each other, but should you wish to escape, there are hammocks set up in the shade and various rest areas set away from the main villa where you can soak up the views, drink an ice-cold juice or notch up a solo workout overlooking the sea – whatever floats your boat.