ISLAND TREASURES

IONIAN VILLAS ionian-villas.co.uk

This long-established company offers 310 properties across the Ionian islands of Paxos, AntiPaxos, Corfu, Lefkas, Meganissi, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos, range from waterfront apartments to elegant villas located in complete seclusion or near village tavernas and shops. English-speaking island managers can help arrange invilla chefs and masseuses if required. Top pick: Dionysos, sleeps two, is a secluded villa with private pool among vineyards and pine trees on the car-free island of AntiPaxos, with sea views towards Corfu and the Greek mainland. From £1,020.

PURE CRETE purecrete.com

Operating solely to Crete, as its name suggests, this company has around 25 villas and restored village houses in the west of the island, some but not all with private pools. These mostly range from two- to four-bedroom houses, however the collection also includes a selection of secluded retreats for couples.

Top pick: Artemis’ House, sleeps three, is a simply furnished, one-bedroom stone-built house near Aptera village with views of the White Mountains from its shady terrace and lounge area with sofa bed. From £594.

FREELANCE HOLIDAYS freelancevillas.com

Western Crete and Kefalonia are the key locations for Freelance’s 69 villas which come in a broad cross-section of styles and sizes including six apartments. Among its collection are plenty of options which cater well for groups of friends and family, often within reach of villages with tavernas, shops and bakeries or close to the seashore. Top pick: Villa Anna Maria, sleeps seven, in a spectacular coastal location near the village of Spartia in Kefalonia with a path to a small, rocky promontory equipped with sunbeds. From £1,302.

CACHET TRAVEL cachet-travel.co.uk

The majority of the 40-strong portfolio of villas with private pools are situated in quiet, rural areas throughout the island of Crete. However, Cachet also has a small selection on the North Aegean island of Samos including a cluster of neighbouring villas which can be booked together or separately. Top pick: Mouzakis Villas is a collection of three detached singlestorey villas which sleep from two to six people, each with a private pool, within walking distance of a playground, beach and tavernas in the tiny harbour of Agia Paraskevi on Samos. From

£856 per person, including flights and car hire.