The third-largest Ionian island, Zakynthos is steeped in history, mystery, and striking coastal landscapes. Its beauty by the sea is unrivalled – from breezy shores for watersports, to calm bays where you can spot turtles, and the Port of Zakynthos with four ferry routes to various Mediterranean destinations. And just a sixteen-minute drive from here, natural beauty continues inland. This villa feels far from the traditional Greek homes of the island. Wooden terraces and awnings jut out from tall windows and a garden patio, with red roof tiles making the whole scene feel somewhere between a Japanese Machiya and an Italian farmhouse. It has an almost cottage-like appearance, surrounded by the lushest lawns, brightest flowers, and wonderful scents of lemon and orange trees. Your swimming pool looks like a natural pond in this mountain setting, where it’s hard to imagine you’re just a twenty-minute walk from the beach. Inside, the surprises continue with clever architecture creating a lofty living space and high ceilings. In other rooms, wooden beams emphasise striking sloped spaces, with wide doors opening up to patios and seating areas in that fantastic garden. And beneath the eaves, a bathroom with Scandi-style features plays host to a vintage, clawfoot tub – is there any better place to enjoy a glass of local wine? Home truths: *There's no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly spots such as the dining table *Included in your stay, you'll get pool maintenance, daily housekeeping, a concierge service, and a welcome basket *Your furry friends are welcome to join for no extra cost *The entrance is private to your home *You'll need to navigate a few steps as the home is set over two floors *At full capacity, one guest can sleep on the sofa bed upstairs – it's not really a bedroom, more like a second lounge and the bed might be best suited to a child *Private, secure parking is available (and we do recommend bringing a car to get around) *There's an outdoor shower for freshening up