Villa Svega is approved by Greek Tourism Organisation & managed by "etouri vacation rental management".
Nestled in the small hillside hamlet of Gallou and keeping its Venetian charm intact, Villa Svega is a romantic renovation that is a celebration of old and new. The location is a quiet area with full privacy but very close to everything with Rethymno town only minutes drive away.
The villa has been a part of the owner family's property for the past 100 years and it is believed to belong to the second half of the Venetian era. The estate occupies 2,500 sq. m and includes a neoclassical house built in late 19th century, attached to two Venetian vaults and a building which was formerly an oil-mill, adjoining the western vault.
The villa was refinished to its previous condition with using traditional materials to highlight the building's historic charm. Tastefully decorated with a combination of mellowed stone, solid wood fitments, beamed ceilings, and soft natural colours the villa offers a unique atmosphere and the best comforts to our guests. Together with architectural knowledge, we have turned the west vault and the old oil-mill into a rustic, two-storey house of 140 sq. m., that can accommodate 6 guests in its 3 bedrooms. Villa Svega is also a wonderful retreat for a winter vacation as it is fully equipped for the mild winter of Crete with under floor heating (at an extra charge) and a huge stone fireplace.
Indoor layout
Entering the villa there is a spacious open plan area (Venetian vault) consisting of the living room with a large sofa, a fireplace and a 32” satellite HDTV, indoor dining area and the fully equipped kitchen. An old stone passageway takes you to the two story oil-mill house. A hallway leads to the ground floor master bedroom with a double bed and en-suite bathroom with shower. Additionally the main bathroom with bath and shower is also found on the same floor.
Reaching to the first floor through a wooden staircase there are 2 bedrooms both with two single beds. A further flight of stairs brings you to an enormous tiled rooftop terrace with magnificent view - an oak forest to the east, the sea view to the north and then the village lying all around the terrace. The terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee or a glass of wine at sunset.
The villa does not have air conditioning however it has 1.5 meters thick, stone walls which perfectly maintain a cool temperature during summer and this makes it possible to stay in the villa ecologically and healthy without air-conditioning, avoiding unhealthy use of it. Both bedrooms on the first floor are equipped with ceiling fans.
Outdoor area
The beautifully landscaped outdoor area of the villa offers a variety of facilities and spots for relaxation. The south patio, surrounded by its high Turkish walls can be your hideaway for sunbathing as well as the ideal spot for al-fresco dining. More specifically our outdoor facilities include:
- A private, 42 sq. m. swimming pool, 0,65-1,60 m. Deep
- Fully equipped barbecue area with charcoal grill
- Two outdoor dining tables under the patio with views to the pool and the surrounding landscape
- A variety of furnished spots (with sun beds, umbrellas, benches and chairs) for relaxing in the garden and pool area
- There is assigned outdoor parking space.
- The whole outdoor area is totally private and fenced, offering full privacy to our guests.
Also, in recent years, the owners of Villa Svega have undertaken significant measures to reduce their environmental footprint, aligning the property with the demands of a more sustainable era. Noteworthy enhancements and alterations have been introduced, such as the substitution of traditional lawns with gravel to mitigate water evaporation and consumption, the integration of cutting-edge photovoltaic panels ensuring the villa's complete energy independence, and the deliberate cultivation of additional trees and Mediterranean flora. Finally, we kindly ask our guests to minimize the use of sunscreen creams and tanning oils while enjoying our pool facilities and always shower first. This small gesture significantly contributes to maintaining the water quality, as these products contain detergents that necessitate additional chlorination for proper cleaning, both harming the environment.
