Category: Uncategorized

As the island of Lefkada quietens down after the vacation high-season it’s less crowded along the pretty quayside in Nidri town. Seats are easy to find in the array of cafés; waiters look a little less rushed in the restaurants and tavernas and life generally takes on an even more relaxed demeanour – if that were possible!

 

 

As you enjoy a relaxed vacation stroll along Nidri quayside there’s time to take in the beautiful flowers, stopping for a great photograph. Or stop and admire the statue of the town’s most famous visitor, Aristotle Onassis.  For more information on Onassis and his connections to the area see his Wikipedia entry –   Aristotle Onassis .  Or simply take your time choosing a café for your morning Frappé amidst the warm late-summer sunshine or after your dinner indulge yourself with an evening Metaxa in the slightly cooler September evenings.

For those who don’t need to take their vacation during the July or August peak, September on Lefkada really is a wonderful time to enjoy the town, Lefkada island and of course the luxury of Villa Gabriella.  Not to mention you can benefit from our much lower prices whilst still enjoying perfect weather and whilst avoiding the crowds.  What’s not to like?

Villa Gabriella. Ionian Luxury. Immerse yourself.

One of the pleasures of a holiday should be an environment that is restful and energising. Surrounded by the forest and with unrivalled views of the Ionian Villa Gabriella Lefkada delivers both these elements.

Much of the restfulness comes from the gardens at the Villa that have evolved beautifully since first planting in spring 2014. Our lemon tree is thriving, the new olive tree has taken well and the garden is full of colour.

In 2014 we planted lots of annuals, whilst for 2015 we increased the number of perennials. With a little help from the local bees we expect to progressively reduce the need to plant annuals as the garden matures.

The clean air, rich with oxygen from the surrounding forest creates the healthy energy during your holiday. Away from the city and the urban pollution this clean air plays a huge part in sending you home from your holiday ready to do battle with daily life.

 

 

The combination of these elements at Villa Gabriella Lefkada has been a source of holiday joy for all our guests this year some of whom we expect to welcome back in 2016.

 

 

And as we draw to the close of this summer season the garden remains a blaze of colour amidst the deep green serenity of the forest. And whilst it will hibernate gently through the Ionian winter it will be back in all its glory to welcome our guests in 2016.

 

 

Villa Gabriella.  Ionian Luxury.  Immerse yourself.

 

Many Greek islands offer a great opportunity to explore history from the ancient Greeks to the 20th Century.  If you’re interested in history then you shouldn’t miss the striking castle of Santa Maura.  Located in a commanding position overlooking the Drepanos Channel between the island of Lefkas and the Greek mainland the castle is a “must do” site during your stay at Villa Gabriella.

Originally built in 1300, the castle has suffered during history – earthquakes, fire and of course invasions have all taken their toll.  But thanks to major renovations what remains now is a remarkably well preserved piece of Greek islands’ history.

Almost 200 years after the initial construction, during the Ottoman Turk period of rule, an aqueduct and bridge across the lagoon were built.   As a result of several earthquakes in the interim remains of the bridge can now be seen at the bottom of the lagoon.

After the Turks came the Venetians.  They built a new town on the other side of the lagoon and, in so doing, founded the modern capital of the island of Lefkada.  The Venetians reinforced the castle walls and built churches, schools, a barracks and governmental offices.  Much of the Venetian development was destroyed in 1888 when a  munitions explosion was followed by a devastating fire.

During World War Two, like a number of Greek islands,  Lefkada was subject to Italian bombing raids.  These caused further extensive damage to the castle.  After the war it was partially renovated to appear much as it does today.  It’s now used as a venue for cultural events and a it’s also a perfect place for visitors to investigate the history of the area.

Alternatively take time to look out from the castle walls across the lagoons.  They are one of the finest wetland habitats in the Greek islands and the permanent habitat of seagulls and herons as well as a migratory stopover for a wide variety of bird species including swans and pelicans.

If you’d like to read more about the castle of Santa Maura you can find an excellent article at: http://www.lefkada-greece.com/the-venetian-castle-of-agia-mavra/

Villa Gabriella.  Ionian Luxury.  Immerse yourself.

One of the real pleasures of a vacation in the Greek islands is eating “al fresco”. Particularly if you come from a cooler climate there is something really very special about eating outdoors.

At Villa Gabriella Lefkada the dining terrace is fully shaded (perfect for breakfast and lunch) and enjoys the very best of the views.  Sitting and eating whilst gazing across the Ionian and the islands of Skorpios, Sparti, Madouri and Meganisi can only improve the taste of the food and the wine even further!

The large table comfortably seats eight with plenty of room for all the dishes you could possibly cook up.  One word of warning – you may need to move fast to have a seat facing the view!

In the late evening the heater above the table can take any chill off the air which is especially useful during a vacation in May or October.

There are many good restaurants and tavernas in Nidri and across the island.  But there is something especially relaxing about opening a bottle of the excellent local wine, firing up the barbeque and relaxing with friends and family around the table. Especially when you know that, at the end of the evening, it’s only a few steps to bed!

 

Take the advice of our villa manager, Lilias, to find the fresh fish shop in Nidri.  Or the amazing butcher in Lefkas town. Help yourselves to a handful of fresh herbs from Villa Gabriella’s herb garden. Whip up a Greek salad with some fresh local feta. Visit Lefkas earth winery and stock up with a mixed case for the week. Together that’s a combination for a perfect lunch or dinner.  Perhaps you’ll never even need to eat out on vacation!

 

 

Villa Gabriella Lefkada.  Ionian Luxury.  Immerse yourself.

We’ve just finished editing the aerial video footage we filmed recently with our Phantom DJI drone.  We’re pleased with the short, 90 second, video that demonstrates the beautiful and unique location of Villa Gabriella Lefkada.

We’ve used several different, in-motion, perspectives of the house.  They clearly illustrate the absolute privacy that a holiday at Villa Gabriella Lefkada offers our guests.  The unique tranquility of the location on the cypress forested hillside is obvious as you watch.  There is nothing but trees visible for hundreds of metres in all directions!

The video shows the wonderful views over Nidri and the Ionian sea for which Villa Gabriella is becoming justly famous.  Views that guests remember long after their holiday has ended.  In the picture in this blog post you can see the main view.  This was taken with the drone hovering above the cypress forest behind the house.  Behind this forest is just an olive grove.  Behind the olive grove is just the mountain.  In short, you will never be overlooked at Villa Gabriella!  Visible in the picture, from right to left, are the islands of Meganisi, Skorpios, Skorpidi, Madouri and Sparti.  Just visible in the background is the Greek mainland.   And almost lost in the haze is Kalamos.  Kastos, the last of this group of islands, is completely lost in the haze of a beautiful summer day.

There’s a link to watch the video from this website – https://villa-gabriella.eu/villa/.  Or you can go to our YouTube page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amqbjPHdqIY&feature=youtu.be .  Or try our Vimeo page https://vimeo.com/129578304

We hope that you enjoy watching the video as much as we enjoyed filming it.   And we hope that it will give you the perfect reason to book your luxury holiday at Villa Gabriella Lefkada.  We look forward to welcoming you before too long.

Villa Gabriella Lefkada.  Ionian Luxury.  Immerse yourself.

 

 

Depending on where you’re from you’ll refer to your stay at Villa Gabriella Lefkada as either your holiday or your vacation. Either way it’s a great place to re-charge your batteries in or around the pool, terraces or hot tub. But if you want a bit more from your holiday then you’ll be interested in a couple of options for a day out on the island.

Amongst the many things to see or do is a visit to the charming village of Sivota. At the south of the island, about 20-25 minutes drive from Villa Gabriella this tiny port boasts one of the most sheltered anchorages on the island with a wide bay accessed by a narrow seaway that bends sharply to ensure total shelter from the Ionian outside.

Alongside the yachts on the quay are an array of tavernas and restaurants offering traditional Greek cooking usually including fresh, fresh fish.  In high season it’s a great place to people watch especially in the late afternoon when it’s a hive of activity with yachts berthing in the traditional “bows to” or “stern to” Ionian style.  Done well it’s a pleasure to watch but you’re likely to see how difficult it can be if the quayside is crowded and the crew are less than seasoned!

 

There are also a couple of interesting local shops featuring local crafts.  You take the stroll along the quayside to help work up an appetite, all the while trying to make a choice on which Taverna and which menu appeals most. If you stay into the evening the atmosphere becomes much more lively.  With a quayside full of yachts there’s a real buzz to the place.

A few hours in Sivota with lunch or dinner and the short drive from Villa Gabriella come together to make a very pleasant half day out – if you really must drag yourself away from the luxury, privacy and tranquility of your holiday (or vacation) at Villa Gabriella.

Villa Gabriella.  Ionian Luxury.  Immerse yourself.