Studio in Traditional Village with Sea Views
Picturesque Location in Olive Grove
Self Catering (Sleeps 2 Studio Apartment)
|
|
Self-contained ground floor studio in an olive grove, opening onto sunny patio with sea views and next to the Olive Museum. The area is criss-crossed by cobbled paths, leading to the sea (20 minutes on foot) and up through the olive groves and wooded valleys, over ancient stone bridges to picturesque mountain villages. The high slopes of the mountain remain snow-covered until late spring and snowmelt feeds the gurgling leats which water the groves, producing purplish-black olives the size of small plums. Twenty metres up the cobbled path from the house is the charming Ano Gatzea station, the only stop on the heritage railway, running from Lechonia to the beautiful mountain town of Milies. The train runs once a day, every day in the summer, and at weekends in the spring and autumn along the breath-taking narrow gauge line.
|
|
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 1 September 2011 - 30 September 2011 | 50 | 1 | ||
| 1 October 2011 - 31 October 2011 | 45 | 1 | ||
| 1 October 2011 - 31 March 2012 | 40 | 1 | ||
| 1 November 2011 - 31 December 2011 | 40 | 1 | ||
| 1 April 2012 - 30 April 2012 | 45 | 1 | ||
| 1 May 2012 - 31 May 2012 | 48 | 1 | ||
| 1 June 2012 - 30 June 2012 | 50 | 1 | ||
| 1 July 2012 - 31 August 2012 | 60 | 1 |
Notes on prices
We offer a 5% discount on stays of more than 1 week.
Changeover day
We do not lay down rules about change over days or check in/out times. You holiday is supposed to be relaxing.
Notes on accommodation
We cannot accommodate children at The Old Bakery.
Accessibility
Access to the property is on cobbled village paths. Not suitable for people with mobility problems or fashionable footwear!
Outside
The studio gives on to a patio with sea views and water fountain. Table and chairs under the olive trees and private barbecue. Use of wood-fired pizza oven and spit roast by arrangement with owners.
Coast/Beach
The nearest beach is Kato Gatzea, 20 mins walk on cobbled paths through the olive groves, or 5 mins by car. The village beach has free loungers, or you can go to the classy Rivera Club with drinks and loungers beneath the trees. For something quieter you can go to a small sandy cove with nothing but the fish to keep you company. 2 km further down the coast is Kala Nera (which means Fine Waters), a charming low-key resort with a long sandy beach and boat trips to the islands.
Skiing
Winter skiing is available on Mount Pelion, which has 3 pistes (beginners, improvers and advanced) and a good 5 km cross country course, which is regularly graded. There are views westwards across the Aegean to the perfect snowy cone of Mount Athos, the Holy Mountain, and eastwards across the Pagasitic Gulf to Mount Parnassus, home of the Ancient Muses. The Alpine-style village of Hania a short drive from the pistes has ski shops and kit for hire, and also good places for lunch, outdoors in the sunshine or indoors by a log fire. Good snow, usually, from late December to March. 45 mins by car.
Ski in the morning. Swim in the afternoon.
The sheltered waters of the Pagasitic Gulf are significantly warmer than the rest of the Mediterranean and mid winter water temperatures are often no colder than the English Channel in August! Winter swimming is popular amongst the locals who boast that you can ski in the morning and swim in the afternoon.
Special interest holidays
Self guided walks. We produce our own walking guide to the area, with enough walks to fill a two week holiday, from gentle strolls to full-day hikes, all of which can be done from the house. Choose a walk that fits your mood and energy levels from the photographic guide and then follow the fully described walk plan, with inset map, GPS references and photos of difficult bits.
The studio is set in a working olive grove. From late autumn till New Year, you can harvest your own olives and press your own Extra Virgin at the village olive press. Green olives available from October; black, November onwards. Learn the rural craft of turnery, making beautiful objects from olive wood. You will need 2 sessions to make something you are really proud of.
Take a tour of the regions fascinating sites with your own Ancient Historian. We'll put together an itinerary to suit your personal interests.
Travel
Airports: Volos 60 mins by car; Thessaloniki 2.5 hrs by car; Athens 4 hrs by car. Skiathos (1.5 hrs by boat).
Lots of car hire firms (Hertz, Eurocar, Avis etc) in Volos (15 km). Kala Nera (2km) has a small car hire place which also does mopeds. Boat hire a little further down the coast. There are regular local buses from the village to Volos or down the peninsula.
Distances
30 minutes to Volos, reputed to be the most beautiful city in Greece, at the head of the Pagasitic Gulf with Mount Pelion as a majestic backdrop. Transport links: train, coach, and ferries/ hydrofoils to the Sporades. A lively university town, Volos has an orchestra, theatre, and several cinemas, all outdoors in summer, (no umbrellas necessary). A ritzy shopping quarter, good night life, Superbowl, internet cafes and a great archaeological museum. A regular bus goes to Volos from the village.
Further details
Ano (Upper) Gatzea is in the centre of the main olive growing area, catching the sea breezes. There is a small local museum which can tell you all you ever wanted to know about traditional olive production. There are two cafes, a traditional 'ouzo restaurant' and a taverna. The cafe immediately behind the house caters for local farmers who gather to moan about the price of olive oil. It serves hearty simple fare, inimitable home made wine and excellent home-distilled ouzo of unverifiable alcoholic content. For something a little more classy, the taverna in the main square serves a good selection of a la carte dishes. Kato (Lower) Gatzea (1km) has a variety of shops mini market, bakers, off licence, pharmacy a delightful sea front, with waterside eateries. 20m up the cobbled path from the house is the picturesque Ano Gatzea station, the only stop on the heritage railway, running from Lechonia to the beautiful mountain town of Milies. The train runs once a day, every day in the summer, and at weekends in the spring and autumn along the breath-taking narrow gauge line. As it goes through the village, the railway doubles as a road for locals who obviously give way to the train which travels at about the speed of a mountain sheep, who often share the line too. There is a steep country road which links it with the main road through the village. This means that you can either park 20m uphill from the house or in the village square, which is 5 minutes walk downhill from house on a cobbled path. As the weather changes in the autumn from baking to pleasantly warm, it's time to take to the hills! Mount Pelion is a walker's paradise with a huge network of cobbled paths leading to picturesque mountain villages and deep into the Pelion forest - home of the centaurs of mythology and not-so-mythical wild boar, martens, tortoises and eagles. Pony trekking on the mountain is available a short distance away (we don't do this ourselves - we just know a man who does!).
Booking notes
For booking please phone or email. Deposit of 25% on booking, the balance on arrival please.
Guest comments
'Ano Gatzea is a truly unique place and your hospitality and good humour made our two weeks a real pleasure.' Phil and Maria (UK).
'When the taxi driver turns left to drive into the railway tunnel we couldn't believe there would be such a wonderful spot behind. As in a dream, we also - like the others - enjoyed the views, the surrounding, the walks, the neighbour on the mule, the excellent food in the tavern, swimming in the sea, the smiling man at the supermarket, the friendly woman selling bread and sweets, the stories of Richard and Charlotte, the wine, the comfortable bed and refreshing shower.' Henk and Quirine (Holland)
'You went out of your way to make me feel welcome
and your warmth and kindness were just outstanding. I can truly say this was one of the most peaceful, relaxing and
rejuvenating vacations I have ever had.' Debjani, USA.
Owner profile
Charlotte, Richard and a few olives
About the owner
Charlotte is a forester by profession and is a Chartered Environmentalist, and Richard works at the University of Thessaly.
We met at Oxford, where Richard was studying Classics and Charlotte was studying as little as she could get away with without actually being thrown out. Our love affair with Greece began then and we have now made it our permanent home.
We run our own small organic olive grove – the first step to becoming Olive Oil Barons. Charlotte makes things from bits of olive wood (absolutely environmentally), and, with very little prompting, Richard will tell you more than you will ever want to know about the history of the region.
For booking and further information
Property Ref GR954
Charlotte Dawson
Tel: (Greece) + 30 242 302 2673
Mob: (Greece) + 30 697 8641 924
Owners Website: Click here
Send an email to owner
This form may only be used for genuine enquiries about renting this property.
Use of this form for other purposes including unsolicited commercial marketing is strictly prohibited.
Your message will be sent by email to the property owner.
Owners Direct also retains an archive copy for the property owner to refer to.
If you do not receive a reply to this email within 2 or 3 days, please try contacting the owner by telephone.
Your email address will be added to our mailing list, for receipt of occasional newsletters and holiday information.
If you do not wish to be added to this mailing list, please uncheck the box above.
Please refer to our privacy policy.
International Dialling Access Codes:
From Europe dial 00 in place of +
From USA dial 011 in place of +
If phoning from outside Europe or USA please consult your telephone directory for international dialling access codes.
This advertiser joined Owners Direct in May 2009,
and has advertised this property with us since May 2009.
Property Ref GR954
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Owners Direct Website.