Prines, Crete

This home fills you with anticipation for summer. With its verdant landscape, the soothing sound of cicadas, the sea on the horizon, and your own garden with a private pool, this villa awaits you to create everlasting memories.Villa Aphrodite (91 sqm) combines privacy and tranquillity, yet it is just a stone's throw away from Rethymno and the beach.The villa unfolds over a single floor. An open-plan living/dining room and kitchen create a warm, homely ambience, complete with a fireplace. Two bedrooms, one fitted with a double and one with two single beds, while both are fitted with spacious, ceiling-high closets. The living room and one of the bedrooms open up to a terrace offering al fresco dining and a staircase leading to the roof terrace, where you can also sit and marvel at the view.The plot is 400 sqm, with the swimming pool being the focal point of the villa's verdant outdoor area. The garden features a variety of local and exotic flora, with olive groves providing a lush backdrop. There is also a Bbq and parking space for at least two vehicles.Rental PossibilitiesA property offering privacy, tranquillity and proximity to the beach and the city of Rethymno offers great short-rental potential in a very popular destination with an extended high season. Should you wish for a steady rental income, the property is licensed by the Hellenic Tourism Organisation (Eot) and has a returning clientele that has been renting the villa every summer.LocationThe villa is located on the outskirts of Prines, a short drive from the village of Atsipopoulo. This village's history dates back to 1182, when the houses of the original settlement were built really close to one another, thus forming a fortification to guard against pirate raids. Much of this architectural style has been preserved, and many old houses have been kept and renovated, fashioning a traditional settlement emanating a unique ambience where walking in the village feels akin to taking a trip through the island's glorious yet turbulent history.Both Atsipopoulo and Prines offer a wide selection of dining options to cater to all tastes and budgets, while Rethymno, Crete's third largest city, is just a stone's throw away and offers all the amenities one would expect from a modern European city.Additionally, the village of Episkopi is no more than a 15-minute drive away. Episkopi Village, listed as a traditional settlement of the island, retains its authentic charm with well-preserved old houses and numerous churches. The village is characterized by narrow streets that lead to a central square, where locals gather at traditional cafes and taverns to enjoy local food and raki. The beach of Episkopi is part of a long stretch of coastline between the towns of Chania and Rethymno. This sandy coastline begins at Georgioupoli and extends eastward for approximately 9 kilometres.Key Distances Prines village center: 450 m Atsipopoulo: 2 km Gerani Beach: 3 km Rethymno (old town and city centre): 7.5 km Episkopi village and beach: 12.5 km Chania International Airport: 64 km Chania (city centre and port): 54 km