Villa Muriel

Villa Muriel is located on the hillside of the small village of Lefktro, in West Mani, on the Western Mani Peloponnese Peninsula, in Southern Greece. There is a new road that connects the international airport to Kalamata and is approximately fifty-five kilometres, a one and a half hour's scenic drive through the Greek countryside. The village itself is a 15 minute walk away or a five minute drive, where you will find plenty of local provisions for your stay, including welcoming cafes and bars, lots of family-run restaurants, and a Greek orthodox church or two.

There are two great beaches within the area, the nearest is Stoupa, fed by the freshwater morning streams from the mountains. And just over the hill is Kalogoria with its inviting turquoise water and rich marine life, made famous by Nikos Kazantzakis and the film Zorba, the Greek. Other notable beaches in the vicinity include the crystal clear waters of Ritsa, the official beach of Kardamyli, and similarly at the Paralia of Delfinia, Kalamitsi, and Foneas. The Taygetos mountains form a fabulous backdrop to the villa and provide some great trails for those who like to hike and see the area’s natural flora and fauna. The fishing village of Agios Nikolaos is a walkable three kilometres from the villa, where you can delight in the charms of traditional Greek life. The village of Limeni is also well worth a visit, a thirty-five kilometre drive from the villa. Renowned for its wild beauty and emerald waters, Limeni is a historic harbour town, where you can explore the recently restored 1762 Castle of Movromichalis. At Limeni you can access the sea via steps or platforms from the rocks, then enjoy its unique ambience in one of the many cafes and restaurants.

The flourishing financial and cultural centre of the town of Aeropolis is a twenty-five minute drive away. Famed for its tower houses built out of local stone, it has a new and old town, and an open-air market every Saturday. Reputed to be the starting point of the revolution against the Ottoman Empire, discover its history in the Pyrgos Pikoulaki, the museum of Mani. Meet in Plata Athanaton, the central square, where you will find the Taxiarches Cathedral, a museum of religious artefacts, and the Byzantine Chapel of St John. Stroll down the picturesque streets, shop for souvenirs, sip ouzo in a local café and watch the world go by. And if it’s nightlife you are after Aeropolis is the place to be. The Mani Peninsula is famed for its food, most notably the local delicacy of glina or syglina, a smoked pork sausage, the wild herbs of thyme, oregano, and mint, and homemade honey naturally scented with pine or orange blossom from the indigenous flora. Kalamata claims to be the best olive oil in the world, and you can test this for yourself with a walking tour and tasting with a dedicated olive oil sommelier. The Maniots claim to be descendants of Mycean, Dorian, Spartan, Byzantine, Franks, Saracens, Italian, Venetian, and Ottoman cultures, all play a part in their local history.

Take the car and discover the numerous castles and fortresses, churches and chapels, monasteries and ruins scattered throughout the coast and peninsula. For those who fancy a more relaxing holiday, the area is blessed with many beautiful bays and beaches, such as Neo Otilo or Itylo, where you can sunbathe on loungers with parasols. Whilst the more active can practice water sports at Vathy or Mavrovouni beach and jet ski in its deeper waters. Follow in the steps of the author Patrick Leigh-Fermor to Kardamyli, where you can visit the home which inspired many of his books. And for film fans, it is also the setting for the romantic comedy Before Midnight. Further afield make a cultural odyssey to the ancient towns of Argolis, Sparta, Mystros, Monemvasia, Diros, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, and the Corinth Canal, where you will discover the world of Homer and the ancient Greeks.

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