Portokali Cottage is a quintessentially Greek rural house. It was built into the hillside over a hundred years ago as a traditional home providing a first floor for its owners and a ground floor (a katoi) for the owners’ animals. The building materials were obtained locally - locally quarried stone made the strong and characterful walls whilst Cypress trees were cut by hand from the forested valley below to provide the solid and abundant ceiling beams both downstairs and upstairs. The cottage has been sympathetically and tastefully renovated during the last 20 years; great care has been taken to retain the original features and character. Calm Mediterranean blues and greens alongside the original stone and cypress wood provide an aura of tranquillity. Throughout the house there are pieces of antique furniture which add charm and ensure that this is a home away from home rather than a holiday house.
The cottage is located in a valley on the edge of a small village, Agrilias, on the West coast of Northern Kefalonia about 5kms outside Fiscardo port. Manganos, with a selection of tavernas, coffee shops and grocery stores is a five minute walk away. The nearest beaches are Alaties and Aghia Gerousalem – both are a 5 minute drive away.
The open plan ground floor is partly carved out of the rock foundation so remains comfortably cool in the summer whilst retaining warmth in the cooler months. The wooden ceiling provides a wonderful scent of pine. The ground floor consists of a comfortable sitting area, a dining area and a very well-equipped kitchen.
Upstairs is reached by a bespoke spiral staircase. Here the cypress ceilings are high which gives a light and spacious feel. Two bedrooms and a bathroom are reached via the landing; both bedrooms are light and airy with two windows and high ceilings. The double bedroom looks directly onto the stone pool terrace and towards Dafnoudi valley. The twin bedroom has an exterior door which opens onto a terrace with views towards Lixouri.
Outside
The swimming pool at Portokali Cottage is set on a private stone walled terrace behind the house. The pool terrace overlooks a gentle tree clad valley which stretches towards the sea at Cape Dafnoudi. Superb sunsets can be enjoyed from the pool terrace and the front of the cottage.
The gardens around Portokali Cottage are mature and well established among the stone terraces. On the drive, there are two small orange trees and a particularly bountiful lemon tree. In Greek, the word for orange tree is “Portokali” and it is from this tree that the cottage takes its name. The other mature trees and shrubs are typically Mediterranean and include a walnut tree, a plum tree, olive trees, lavender, bougainvillea, plumbago and oleander bushes.
In front of the main entrance to the cottage is a large shaded terrace with a farmhouse table for al fresco dining.
