My experience at Villa Abela this past summer was even better than I anticipated. Although I had looked at the accommodations online, the actual being there is quite different than just seeing it—it is the aesthetic and sensual experience of the villa, its secluded location and the Greek people that makes this a memorable vacation spot.

The villa is located on the southern shores of Syros—just a 15 to 20 minute drive from the port town of Ermoupoli. The drive out of town allows one to see the rocky hillsides, covered with native wild plants, goats and sheep grazing, and houses built in the native Greek style. Villa Abela is located in a remote and beautiful location; there are other homes and a taverna nearby, however it is a private haven.

The two-story house rambles across a hillside, surrounded by porches, patios, and verandas—all sorts of wonderful trees and shrubs—with splendid views from everywhere you turn. From palm trees and eucalyptus to gardens with... more