驚くほど修復された19世紀のストーンヴィラ。 クレタ島を探索するのに絶好のロケーション。

My name is Manolis Deligiannakis.

I was born and raised in Rethymno, Crete. I chose to return home after completing my degree in media&sociology(BA) in London, UK.

Beyond managing my family's property as a holiday rental I also run a small sailing-trip business and I do some part-time work as a digital advertiser and website consultant. I am fond of history, brazilian jiujitsu, weightlifting and mocumentaries.

This property is not a typical Cretan holiday rental. It is an architectural, historical and cultural experience in the ideal location for exploring central and western Crete!

Most holiday-homes on Crete are new buildings standing on secluded plots of land, formerly used as farm-land. At the same time, historic centers of small towns and villages are falling to pieces, as high renovation costs and complicated regulators make their upkeep a challenging task. Unlike most people in the business, Michalis Deligiannakis decided to invest his time and money on a very complicated and costly renovation instead of choosing to build from the ground up. He took advantage of his expertise as an architect, archaeologist and former head of the city planning department in order to conduct a difficult renovation while maneuvering through limiting laws and regulations regarding traditional settlements in Greece. It took him almost 10 years to finish Villa Sofia, but the result of his labor is very rewarding.

Originality:
Villa Sofia preserves the original features of a 19th century abode while merging them delicately with modern & minimalist design. The original features are all still there: High stone ceilings, stone arcs with elaborately hand - chiseled slabs, large metal bars blocking the ground-floor windows and metal rings originally used for hanging items are still all there. While staying at this property guests are placed right in the middle of a rustic village. The property provides the feeling of being integrated in a ancient community, a very authentic and real experience. At the same time, no compromises are made regarding privacy and comfort.

Simplicity:
Villa Sofia is a minimalist architect's project. Everything is kept as simple as possible, from the layout to the technological appliances used and everything in-between.

Sustainability:
This property was built with sustainability in mind. It is naturally ventilated, staying amazingly cool during the hot summer months, mostly due to the insulation offered by the thick stone walls. The under-floor panel heating system on the ground floor insures great fuel efficiency during the colder winter months.