Villa Ostria, ideal for FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

Villas Horizon have been built on over an acre of land with the utmost care and respect for local nature and landscape keeping in mind the expectations of today’s holidaymaker. The owners have managed to combine the natural landscape with modern building keeping high levels of luxury and comfort whilst maintaining the area's flora. Away from the crowds but within 5 minutes of local amenities, the villas are set in a beautiful olive grove and are surrounded by splendid Mediterranean herbs and flowers blossoming at different times throughout the season keeping the property colorful at all times. All four villas have been furnished to very high standards and offer all the mod cons you would need to enjoy your holiday. Each villa has its own swimming pool (10mX5m) with jacuzzi where one can cool off or lounge on a sunbed on the surrounding paved terrace which leads to gardens where you can gently swing in the hammock under the trees reading a book or just relaxing and enjoying the views.

Villas Horizon are located just off the road leading south down the east coast of Lefkas island within walking distance of tavernas, cafes, shops and bakeries in Kariotes. About 1200m away is a selection of some of the best fish tavernas on the island in Ligia plus a collection of cafes and bars to while away the time. A short 5 min drive into the hills is Katouna, a traditional sleepy village where time has almost stood still there is a fabulous little taverna and cafe on the square where the locals come out to every evening to complete their embroidery or just chat and catch up on the local 'happenings'! More detailed information on local attractions and facilities below.
Lefkas Town, 5 mins drive, is the main commercial center and has the best shopping facilities on the island. There is a quayside road south of the causeway entrance with a busy marina. The High Street runs through the center of town and is also known as the ‘Pazari’, this is the main street for shopping and cafes. A mid-morning coffee in the square is ideal for a break and a perfect opportunity to see the Lefkadians in ‘action’! The architecture has been mainly influenced by the Venetians and the post Byzantine traditions but also by the Turkish and the English. The houses in the main part of the town are two story buildings, very closely packed, without yards or gardens and with narrow alleyways running between them. It is lovely to walk around the back streets of the town where you are also more likely to see the typical Lefkadian houses wrapped in brightly painted corrugated iron - a form of protection against earthquakes introduced by the English during their rule of the island.

Ligia, 2 mins drive, is a pretty little coastal village on the east coast with an abundance of great fish tavernas located on the beachfront and on the picturesque harbor. There are a few cafes and bars in the village some of them right on the beach. At least 5 mini markets and bakeries can be found on the main road through the village and there is motorboat hire on the main beach.

Nidri, 12 mins drive, is the primary holiday resort on Lefkas. There are a variety of tavernas, restaurants and cafes here, also a handful of bars and a couple of nightclubs. The majority of shopping and tourist facilities are on the main street. On the seafront, known as the ‘Paralia’, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Pringiponissa islands - amongst which is Scorpios, owned by the Onassis family. Cruises and Ferryboats operate from here to Cephalonia and Ithaca.
Agios Nikitas, 15 mins drive, on the north-west tip of the island, is a pretty little village surrounded by fabulous beaches such as Pefkoulia, Kathisma and Kalamitsi. It has adequate tourist facilities, many tavernas, restaurants and a few shops. The nucleus of the village has been placed under preservation order, thus maintaining the traditional Ionian ambiance.
Syvota Bay, 25 mins drive, is in the south-east at the head of a large bay and has an outstanding natural harbor. Syvota is wonderful for an evening meal with great fish tavernas by the sea.
Vassiliki, 30 mins drive, in the south is a self-contained tourist resort with a full range of facilities. The harbor is lined with restaurants and cafes and the main street has a fair number of shops. Souvenir shopping is usually quite good here, there are lots of shops which specialize in casual wear and sports gear. Vassiliki is of particular interest to windsurf fans. Many sailing companies operate from here and you may hire windsurf boards and catamarans on a daily or hourly basis. Vassiliki has a ferry port operating a service to Cephalonia and Ithaca.
Karya, 15 mins drive, is the principal village in the upland part of the island. It is widely known throughout Greece for its lace and embroidery in the style local to the area known as Karsaniko. There are many shops where you can buy hand woven rugs, cushion covers, embroidered table cloths, sheets etc. and the quality and price of these are by far the best in comparison to the rest of the island. The square with amazing plane trees, which shade you from the burning Mediterranean sun, is an ideal place to stop if you have been to the west coast of the island. Because it is quite high up it is always very cool and it is a particularly nice stop for a cold drink and a bit of souvenir shopping.
Beaches
Agios Giannis – Milos – Gyra - Kastro
(5 mins drive) A length of approximately 12 kms of fine shingle beach beginning as Agios Giannis Beach which is dotted with tavernas and cafes. Further along is Milos Beach with kite surfing facilities, a couple of cafes and a restaurant. On the northern point is Gyra Beach favored by the locals with a small taverna right on the beach, sunbeds and a cafe. The stretch ends with Kastro Beach, completely virgin without any facilities. This stretch of beach is mostly very fine shingle and in some places sand.
Nidri Beach - Pefkakia
(12 mins drive) A long sandy beach dotted with restaurants and hotels on the outskirts of the town. Very good for children as it is very shallow for a relatively long way in and does not shelve almost at all. There are water-sports facilities and lots of little restaurants where you may have lunch and water sports including paragliding, wake boarding, water skiing and fun rides.
Milos Beach – Agios Nikitas
(15 mins drive) To get to it you must go to Agios Nikitas and take a sea taxi operating a taxi service to and from Milos departing from the beach at the end of Agios Nikitas Main Street.
Kalamitsi Beach
(approx. 45 mins drive). One of the most beautiful beaches on Lefkas. Fine shingle dotted with rock formations and a long stretch of pure white shingle beach. There are two small cafés down here and not much with regards to sun beds and beach facilities.
Porto Katsiki Beach
(approx. 1hr drive) Porto Katsiki, the best known beach, is today considered one of the most outstanding in the whole of Europe. This is a beach of exceptional beauty at the most southern tip of the island. A gorgeous shingle beach framed by high limestone cliffs and crystal-clear turquoise water. There are cafes and tavernas at the beach and sunbed facilities on the beach.
Engremni Beach
(approx. 1 hr drive). 296 or so, steps lead down to this stunning beach virginal fine shingle beach. One of the top beaches in the Ionian Sea this is a must for visitors to Lefkas island. As with Porto Katsiki it is a gorgeous beach framed by high limestone cliffs and crystal-clear turquoise water.
Ancient Sites and some ideas for days out further afield
Nikopolis
(approx. 30 km from Lefkas) On the 2nd of September 31 B.C. a sea battle between the fleet of Octavian and Anthony with Cleopatra took place, the victor of which was Octavian. In memory of his victory, Octavian founded Nikopolis (Victory City), on the southeast end of Epirus on the site where his army was camped. Nikopolis grew quickly and soon became a pole of attraction in the Ionian mainly because of its port and its excellent geographical position as a junction between Epirus – Aetolia – Acarnania but also between Greece – Italy and because of the re-foundation of the Aktia Games, which were held every five years. Strabo mentions Nikopolis as one of the largest cities in the area. Octavian ensured that majestic public buildings and works of art decorated his city.
The city’s water supply from the springs of Agios Georgios in Filippiada, 50km away, have been discovered and excavated. The aqueduct ended in the Nymphaeon – identical two story buildings facing the Ionian Sea – which was the main entrance of the city from the sea. Nearby lies the Odeon, to the east of which there are the Byzantine walls still standing. The theater – opposite the Odeon, situated over today’s national road – the Stadium, the Augustus monument, the Bishop’s Palace, the Alkysson’s Basilica, the Doumetios Basilica (with excellent mosaics of 5th century A.D.) are some of the monuments that can be seen today.
In the Museum of Nikopolis, there are a number of findings on display such as statues, sarcophagus, coins etc. Earthquakes, raids, and fires caused the final devastation around 10th-11th century A.D. Nikopolis was one of the cities that the Apostle Paul visited, he also founded its Church.
Necromantic Oracle
(approx. 60Km from Lefkas) Here lies one of the most important ancient oracles – the Necromanteio of Efyra. It is near the ancient Mycenaean colony of Efyra (14th century B.C). It was believed that the Gates to the Underworld were here, the Gates, which led to the Kingdom of Hades (Land of the Dead).
In ancient times people went to this sanctuary in order to communicate with the dead, to receive advice on difficult matters or other information. The main sanctuary is a square building with sides of 22m in length. It consists of a central hall, corridors, reception rooms and rooms for the staff, rooms for preparation, places for storage, where large earthy jars were found full of the visitors’ offerings, the labyrinth and the main sanctuary, where the oracles were given. The Oracle, famous throughout the Greek world from the 5th century B.C., was set on fire and destroyed by the Romans in the year 167 B.C. After that destruction, the yard was inhabited again around the 1st century B.C. In 17th century A.D., on top of the ruins of the Oracle, the Monastery of St John was built, which is preserved today.
Parga
(approx. 65km from Lefkas) A beautiful and picturesque village built around a gorgeous little bay topped with an imposing Venetian Castle. A cluster if colorful waterfront tavernas dotted along the seafront and narrow cobbled lanes fringed with boutique style shops this place is ideal for a day out combined with a visit to the ancient sites of the mainland.

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