Vacation Rental Description
Villa Khami is a modern villa built and equipped to a high standard in 2004. Set on a hill overlooking the Mirabello gulf in north east Crete, Khami is 12km towards Sitia from Aghios Nikolaos between the village of Kalo Horio and the resort of Istron. This part of Crete is renowned for its majestic and dramatic mountain scenery. Khami is ideal for large family parties, sleeping up to ten in five double/twin bedrooms with three bathrooms and its own freshwater pool. Khami is owned by a family who have been coming here for twenty years, attracted not only by the beautiful weather, scenery and beaches, but also by the friendliness of the local people who have always made our visits so enjoyable. It is the sort of place that draws you back time and again.
The five bedrooms are on two floors: first floor has a double, two twin bedded rooms (one with ensuite bathroom) and the main bathroom. All bedrooms on this floor have their own balconies. The top floor has a double and twin room with another bathroom and a covered balcony terrace. All bedrooms have air conditioning.
Ground floor has a fully equipped kitchen and open plan lounge dining area and a wc.
Please bring your own towels for pool and beach.
Further details outdoors:
The terrace set above the pool has another dining table for 10. It is in the sun at breakfast and perfectly shaded in the heat of the day. There are plenty of pool loungers and umbrellas provided. There is also a poolside shower.
The hill on which Khami sits is between the traditional Cretan village of Kalo Horio and the resort of Istron, which has grown up along the coast road. The resort has been developed with sensitivity. There is no high rise overdevelopment, but visitors are well catered for with plenty of tavernas (getting on for 20 altogether) and mini markets. There are also a couple of bars and an internet café. Istron has three different beaches, ranging from pebbles to beautiful sand. Some of them are blue flag beaches, which mean they also have showers, loungers and café facilities. Tracks up into the mountains and around the coastal headlands give plenty of opportunities to walk off any over indulgence in the tavernas!
Khami is at the Aghios end of Istron, the furthest beach at the other end of the resort is about 5 minutes by car, but probably 40 minutes walk in the heat. As such we think a car is essential for your stay. The tavernas at our end of the resort are about ten minutes walk, so it is possible to walk down for the evening, but the hill can seem quite steep when full of Moussaka, and a torch is also advisable for night time excursions.
There are plenty of other blue flag beaches along the coast if you tire of the local offering. For more lively night life, Aghios Nikolaos has plenty of bars and clubs and is easily accessible by bus or taxi. Aghios offers the best shopping for visitors and locals alike, where there is also a market every Wednesday, selling everything from a wide variety of fresh produce to clothes and fabrics.
A drive up to the Lassithi plateau, a large flat arable plain in the mountains once irrigated by windmills, is a must. Some of the windmills have been restored, though few pump water, and there are many craft shops selling rugs and pottery as well as honey from the mountains. The village of Kritsa is close by in the hills behind Aghios and is famous for its lace and linen.
To get there: Fly to Heraklion, Villa Khami is an easy 1.5 hour drive towards Sitia. Crete is four hours from the UK by air. In season there are plenty of direct charter flights to Heraklion airport from Gatwick, Manchester, Hull, Bristol and other regional airports. Look for flights with Easyjet, Thomson, Olympic, Monarch, Airtours, XL.com, British Airways or via the cheap flight portals such as charterflights.co.uk
Facilities
Aircon
Cleaning Service
Cooking Utensils
Dishwasher
DVD
Heating
Kitchen
Linen Service
Microwave
Amenity Parking
Private Pool
Refrigerator
Sterio
Washer
The kitchen is very well equipped and there is a BBQ. There is also a table tennis table. Towels are provided for indoor use, but guests need to bring their own towels for pool and beach use.
Activities
Beach
Golf
Restaurant
Shopping
there is one golf course on Crete, about 30 mins drive from the villa.