“Hello and welcome. We are up here in a hill top village with breathtaking views across to the White Mountains. In between, you see only olive groves and the church in the next village. The sounds are of sheep and cicadas, sometimes a passing car. If you want to explore the real Crete, in our secret corner of Apokoronas, do talk to us about coming to stay and what you can expect to enjoy. Though not on the tourist route, we are close to Chania and Rethymno, several interesting villages and some beautiful beaches. Our accommodations are also pretty wonderful, too”
Is Villa Lefka Ori for you?
A romantic getaway
A relaxing retreat
A welcoming women’s space
A secluded romantic getaway
For couples to honeymoon, celebrate special occasions or renew their vows – here you can have your own very private floor at the top of the house, your own roof top terrace to view the mountains by day and the stars by night and enjoy the seclusion of the pool all day by yourselves.
We can be invisible, yet we’re also on hand to help make your visit special
Retreat, Relax, Renew, Create
For those who help others, like healers, therapists, or coaches – enjoy your own exclusive personal retreat in complete privacy and quiet, relax and replenish yourself, and enjoy the simple life in the cretan hills.
For those who love to create, like writers and artists – be inspired by the sights and sounds of nature in this peaceful corner of authentic Crete
A friendly place for women travellers
For women who are traveling solo, perhaps for the first time, we can offer you a welcoming space with as much privacy or company as you’d like.
We can suggest day trips, arrange a guide, take you to our local cafe, nearby yoga, or Sunday market. Our local tavernas are very friendly, but if you want to stay here with a drink by the pool and join us for dinner, you’re welcome
Our accommodations
Top floor suite
with private entrance, large bedroom,
ensuite bathroom, kitchette,
sunroom and huge terrace
OR
Double bedroom, middle floor,
with private bathroom and private balcony
For more information on the rooms, select “Our Villa”
Other questions?
Villa Lefka Ori hosts are Carole Brown and Linda Gehre
“We are looking forward to welcoming guests from all around the world who would love to find the real Crete and relax in her beauty”
Carole is from London, and has lived in southern and northern England, and on the east and west coasts of the USA. Linda is from California, though she spent her early years in Switzerland. She speaks some French as well as American English (Carole speaks real English ☺️) and loves art and painting. Gardening, photography and cooking are Carole’s hobbies.
“Our women friends in Crete include sound healers, yoga teachers, art therapists, painters and ceramic artists and we would be happy to put together a custom made program for your stay, if this appeals to you.
Or if you are a retreat leader and want to stay at the villa and use it to host your group, we can arrange extra guest accommodation in the village only steps away from Villa Lefka Ori.“
How to book and pricing
How do you book? And what is the price?
We accept bookings once we have spoken to the guests and checked its a good match because this location is not for everyone and we also like a peaceful environment. We reside on the lower floor and can be invisible if people want utmost privacy in the suite (we even offer exclusive use of the pool), and we can be around to help with advice on things to do and chat with sole women travellers who would like company. We are not a regular B&B with a booking form, though our standards are as high as any we know. For rates the top floor master suite varies from 90 to 140 euros per night depending on season; middle floor double bedroom with private bathroom is 70-105 euros nightly. Its best to send us a message or email with your questions and dates you have in mind, and we can reply with our availability and prices.
Do you book separate rooms? Or do you book the entire place?
You can book either the top floor master suite or the middle floor double bedroom (or both if you are friends). If you book the top floor for a honeymoon or quiet retreat, you can request us not to book any other room, so you have exclusive use of the property and pool. Rates depend on time of year and single or double occupancy.
Other common questions
Do I need a car?
Yes. There are no buses here. Our location is very good for getting to other places because you can get onto the main routes very easily. There are no narrow village streets to manouvre before you get started, as in many villages near us. Its a clear run to either Georgioupoli or Vamos and beyond to get onto the National road that takes you to Rethymno or Chania.
What months of the year are not too hot?
Late September is cooler and the pool is still warm, early October too. May is also a favourite time for all the flowers and the weather is nice, but the pool might be a little cool for some, yet wonderfully refreshing. Early June is another popular time and usually not too hot.
What size is the pool?
5 metres by 11 metres, with a view of the highest mountain peaks in the Lefka Ori- bliss!
Also totally secluded, say no more ☺️
A typical day at the Villa
06:00 a quick peak at the mountains turning pink in the dawn light
07:30 early swim in the pool or yoga on the terrace
08:00 breakfast of greek yoghurt, honey and seasonal fruits
09:00 checking plans for the day
10:00 stop at Litsarda cafe for best coffee in the area on the way out to a beach (Georgioupoli, Kalyves, Kera, or Almyrida) or historical place of interest
13:00 lazy lunch
15:00 more sightseeing or lazing at the beach
18:00 return to villa to shower
19.00 dinner at one of the many tavernas within 15 minutes of the villa
Historical places to visit
RETHYMNO
The old town of Rethymno is a smaller version of Chania, with pretty streets and some very special shops. The street along the beach is lined with tavernas, bars and cafes, and the minaret at the harbour is a historical Ottoman-era mosque.
Rethymno Fortress towers above the town https://www.greeka.com/crete/rethymno/sightseeing/rethymno-fortezza/
40 minutes from Villa
in the Rethymno area
Minoan necropolis of Armeni – http://www.minoancrete.com/armeni.htm
One hour from Villa
Arkadi monastery https://arkadimonastery.gr/home.html
One hour from Villa
Eleutherna Archaeological Museum and ancient site https://mae.uoc.gr/el/
One hour from Villa
Combine your trip to Arkadi and Eleutherna with Magarites pottery village.
CHANIA
The port area of Chania is delightful with its pretty harbour, minaret looking lighthouse, plentiful bars, tavernas and shops, pretty streets and flowers everywhere!
A. must visit is The Archaeological Museum of Chania which won TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award again for 2024
https://amch.gr/
45 minutes from the Villa
Archaeological Site of Aptera
https://www.visitgreece.gr/experiences/culture/archaeological-sites-and-monuments/archaeological-site-of-aptera
30 minutes from the Villa
near VillaLefka Ori
within a 15 minute drive
* The traditional old olive oil mill in Vafes
* St George Monastery near Vamos
https://www.villamaquis.com/en/explore-vamos/saint-george-monastery-vamos
* Folklore museum in Gavalachori
within a 25 minute drive
* The Byzantine church of Agios Nikolaos in Kalyves
* The Panagia Serviotisa Church in Stylos
Favourite beaches
Our favourite is Kalavaki, a pretty, sandy cove on the north side of Georgioupoli, less than 15 minutes from our Villa. The unique feature of this beach is the cool water that comes from the river into the sea and which is wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer day. Remarkably the cool water stays on top and floats above the warm sea. It is quite a unique experience!
To read about other favourite beaches, click on “Our Area” below