ロマンチックな350歳のカサソフィア

My sister had had a house here for 22 years and I visited her many times. It was only when I saw Casa Sophia, a village cottage in a very bad state of repair, that I decided to live here in Greece. My love of mountains, sea and history made this village and the cottage the perfect mix for me - all 3 loves rolled up into one package. The little country lanes around the village that can lead to spectacular views of the mountains or entice you to discover more – the quaint old villages in the mountains tucked away out of sight, or to wander down to the little village cafe where the views of the sea and coast are breathtaking and which make you want to dip your toe in the water at one of the many beaches nearby. The village is very old, and has its share of Byzantium chapels and history. It has been a labour of love for my partner and I to make it beautiful and to still retain its roots with all the modern conveniences we expect in these times.

Our favourite things about Casa Sophia. Waking up to the view out of the main bedroom window overlooking the terrace with the vine covered pergola, the arches of jasmin and all our flower pots filled with herbs and flowers, and in the distance the sea. Tranquillity. The garden also a labour of love, growing our own summer vegetables and the beautiful orange tree, a centre piece of the garden with it scented blossom in the spring and sweet oranges in the early summer, and being able to when we can, to share what we have grown with our guests and let them be reminded what old fashioned home grown food, like tomatoes with smell of earth, taste like. Because we are here all year round, we can put all our energy into the garden, terrace and house, making it a home from home. It is so easy here to walk out of the gate and wander through the little alleyways of the village and then perhaps take one of the little lanes outside the village and enjoy the wild flowers that are magnificent here in the Spring, a kaleidoscope of colour including rare orchids and brilliant red anemones. Or follow one of the kalderimis (donkey paths) that are everywhere here. Some lead to the sea and some lead to the mountains – such a choice. The seasons here provide so much diversity – from the colourful early springs, ideal walking weather to the long lazy summers where we watch the sunsets and night sky from the terrace with all the candles lit, and to the warm autumns where you can still swim until quite late in the year from one of the many beaches, each with its own character. Within Casa Sophia itself, we love all the things we have collected here in Greece and elsewhere. There is always something to look at with its own story and at night by candle light, illuminating the old stone arch in the kitchen and the high wooden ceiling reminding us of its past.