Wonderful house, wonderful village
Review Submitted: August 12, 2009
Date of Stay: July 2009
A truly excellent place for a holiday. The house is spacious and easily accomodated 4 people (2 adults, two teenagers in the 'front room' which, although not set up as a bedroom, worked well). A large dining room / kitchen / sitting room is very useful and has easy access to outside courtyard where one can eat, drink and entertain easily. The house is very clean and tidy and very well equipped (though no microwave) with everything accessable. The two bathroom/shower rooms/toilets are a Godsend. It gets hot in the day if windows ad shutters are left open, but that is something one gets used to. The upper level terrace gets light breezes which are very welcome. The house is really in the middle of the village, two minutes from tavernas, shops, the harbour and (and the wonderfully welcoming 'Vesuvious' restaurant which has access to the sea (via steps) and free Wi Fi. One Greek salad, a Greek coffee, and you are set for the day... Village is terrific. Genuine fishing village not too touristy. About 5 different tavernas, all good, fresh fish in most. Fabulous bakery/cafe at end of alley from front of house. Very friendly proprietor, similarly the little supermarket at the end of the alley in front of the house is very friendly and has all the basics (good fruit). Butcher is 3 mins walk from house. Nearby beaches (Stoupa), easy by car (10 mins) or bus (15 mins plus 10 walk) but far more tourist oriented - though wonderful flat, warm sea and sand beaches (with rocks for snorkeling). The beach in the village itself is a 15 minute hot walk away. Nice, and with cafe, but Stoupa (and Kardamilii) is better. 15 mins inland (with car) there are many traditional Mani villages to see and explore with terrific views - feels miles away from anything, very relaxing. We flew to Athens and hired car (parked in village, easy). Took 4 hours from Athens to Aghios Nikolaos. Mycenae is on the way (10 mins from motorway exit). The Mani has few 'classic Greek' sites, so needed day trips to Epidaurus, Sparta and other places. Driving south to the southern end of Mani is terrific, it gets gradually more and more deserted. All in all, a fabulous place and the village has a really nice feel. Cafes and Tavernas seem to thrive between 9 pm and 1 am, yet are also good for breakfast and lunch ! Lots of the cafes have signs for 'English Breakfast'. Don't let that put you off. Booking this was easy and straightforward and there is local help if you need it.
Owner's Response: The village really has everything within a few minutes walk, yet is in a quiet backstreet. Most people go out to eat but the oven is very sophisticated - better than my own! - and therefore I felt a microwave unnecessary.
It really is important to close the (doubleglazed) windows and shutters against the sun (as per house suggestions) to keep the house cool in the summer but luckily the bedroom has a large ceiling fan for the height of summer and there is a second fan for the twin room downstairs.
We look forward to welcoming you to this under developed part of Greece, very soon!
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