THE VILLA
Sarakinatika is a small villa, around 200 years old, perched into the hillside 300m above Kalami bay on the north east coast of Corfu in the village of Porta. It is slightly cooler than the coast, with a constant sea breeze up the valley.
Though thoughtfully renovated with new wiring, plumbing, stairs and garden steps, kitchens, bathrooms and pool, it remains simple and unsophisticated. It is very comfortable for five, with room for entertaining.
Our house manager is available if there is a house emergency.
key features
Sleeps five in three bedrooms, plus a garden room with space for two further beds.
two bathrooms with showers and loos
10 m outdoor swimming pool
outdoor undercover kitchen and dining area
five additional outdoor sitting and lounging areas in private garden and terraces
parking for 2 small cars
wifi in the villa and all outdoor areas
good to know
There are steps throughout the villa and the garden. The steps are even but narrow and steep and mostly have handrails. The villa and pool are spread over the equivalent of four stories.
The villa is on a small village road which leads into Porta and on to a couple of hamlets in the hills. It is active in the daytime but falls silent at night.
A good choice of food shops and restaurants are a 10 minute drive away in Sinies and beyond.
Cleaning twice a week: once during the week and again at the end of the week or changeover day. Bedding and towels changed once a week.
Swimming pool cleaning and maintenance three times a week.
No smoking property.
Limited air conditioning but there are ceiling fans in most rooms and thick walls ensure constant temperature.
All windows have optional mosquito nets; none are provided for the beds.
There is one small freezer with plenty of ice trays.
Water is in short supply; we ask that showers are short and infrequent.
There is a washing machine for essential washing and clothes lines for drying (no tumble drier).
Sewage system is restricted to body waste only; bins are provided for paper and towels.
Swimming pool has gates for securing from young children, if necessary.
Swimming pool is only 1.6m at deepest – no diving.
We drink some tap water but most prefer to use purchased water from a nearby filling station.
Animals abound! You will see little and very large crickets (large ones eat fabric so please flip them off), lizards; large green outside and little chitchats inside (harmless and to be left alone), possibly little and medium snakes outside on walls or paving (nearly all harmless, leave alone) and polecats, possibly on the roads at night (stay away) and neighbours’ cats (do not encourage). Birdlife seems to disappear in the summer. We are hoping for a tortoise.
No radio or TV
No clocks
Ceramic artworks and paintings throughout the house are original and soft furnishings all hand made.
DOWNSTAIRS
The front door leads from covered parking directly into the kitchen which flows straight into the dining area and sitting room. This makes for a sociable space where cooking can be separated or shared with others. Open plan stairs lead to the first floor, so all the villa is connected to this open plan ground floor. It is both spacious for ease of movement and intimately small. The three downstairs windows are raised above the road and look over our neighbours’ hedge to the sea.
kitchen
Two ring induction hob
Fridge/freezer
Electric fan oven and grill
Microwave
Dishwasher
Four bins for recycling and rubbish
Kettle
Food mixer
Cutlery and dishes for eight
sitting room
3 seat sofa
2 arm chairs
Large foot stool
Music and games cupboard with selection of board games and record player with bluetooth speaker
Side tables
dining room
Dining table and chairs for up to eight
Sideboard
Under-stairs cupboard with cleaning equipment, spare bulbs and iron and ironing board
UPSTAIRS
All bedrooms have a breath-taking window view of the length of Corfu island, with Paxos tucked in behind the southern tip on clear days, and the sea channel between the Corfu and Albania through to mainland Greece and the mountains of Albania.
All are equipped with modern lighting, charge points, mosquito window nets, fans and storage for clothes and hanging space.
Beds are standard British sizes, with good quality locally manufactured mattresses and fine cotton bedding. In summer months, beds are made up with two pillows per person, fitted sheets and cotton duvet covers only. We provide loose padded cotton quilts to throw over for extra warmth if needed. If cooler, we put lightweight duvets into the covers.
All guests are provided with a fluffy cotton bath sheet and a cotton hamman pool towel.
double bedroom
Kingsize bed
Bedside tables
Bedside lighting controls for whole room, reading and side lights.
Bedside USB charge points.
Chest of drawers
Large hanging cupboard
Chair
Ceiling fan
Air conditioning
single room
Single bed
Bedside table
Bedside lighting control for whole room and side light.
Bedside USB charge point.
Shelved cupboard
Covered hanging rail
Arm chair and writing desk
Ceiling fan
No Air conditioning
twin/double bedroom
Two single beds or converted to super-king size bed
Bedside tables
Bedside lighting controls for whole room, reading and side lights.
Bedside USB charge points.
Chest of drawers
Covered hanging rail
Bench
Chair
Ceiling fan
Air conditioning
bathroom 1
Two basins
Loo
Large walk in power shower
Heated towel rail
bathroom 2
One basin
Loo
Large walk in power shower
Heated towel rail
Clothes washing machine
garden room
Three seater sofa
Two single pull-out day beds
Folding table
Ceiling fan
OUTSIDE
Cut into the hillside, the garden area is spread over three levels of paving and planting, supported by stone walls. The garden has been redesigned and planted for privacy, flowers and survival (hot summers with freezing winters). There is plenty of colour and textural interest in the flower beds and the many large terracotta pots.
On the other side of the house, the land is a terraced with fruit and nut trees of pomegranate, apricot, almond and figs and abundant wild flowers in the spring.
When the weather is warm, it is possible to live outside. We have created both private and sociable spaces, undercover and in the sun: hammocks, sunbeds, hard chairs, cushioned sofas, hanging chairs, soft chairs, coffee tables, dining tables. Wifi is good in these areas and cooking and eating is easy with the well-equipped outdoor kitchen. The views are all spectacular and it is mostly private and quiet.
road level
Parking off road for two cars
upstairs level
Garden with planted slopes dropping down to paved terrace and covered veranda soft seating area
Clothes drying line
pool level
Five seating areas; hanging hammock and chairs under the pergola, soft seating under roof cover, dining table and chairs under roof cover, table and chairs under olive tree and six poolside loungers.
10 m pool, including built-in steps. Infinity view along one side and marble and stone paving around other sides with plenty of space for two large umbrellas and six loungers. The pool can be shut off with gates if necessary.
NB. 25 steps down to house, bathrooms and loos.
top kitchen
Large marble sink with extending tap
Dishwasher
Double induction hob
Kettle
Fridge (no freezer)
Cutlery, plates, cups and cooking equipment.
BBQ