Azelia

There's nothing but a turquoise pool, orange sun loungers, and a verdant green lawn between you and the Ionian Sea at this home in south Kefalonia. Found down a quiet, unmade road, the villa is wonderfully remote. The biggest decision for the day tends to be heading along the stone path to the azure ocean or plunging into the pool to cool off.

Views of the water and mountain slopes are visible at seemingly every angle – though, in the evening, things come alive with a pink glow as the sun sets. Fire up the BBQ, pour yourself a glass of wine, and pull up a seat at the glass table to watch the magic.

With its tiled floors, white walls, and wrought-iron furniture, the open-plan living space is great for some downtime, whether you're eating in the kitchen or watching a movie on the grey sofa. For more peace and quiet, the jet bathtub is perfect for blissful soaks, with nothing but the sounds of the waves as your background music.

Home truths:
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace
*Due to the location of this home, we recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your stay
*There’s free covered parking on the driveway
*The swimming pool is not fenced in so small children should be supervised at all times
*The rocky outcrop is a few metres down the hill on foot – and a sandy beach is reachable in five minutes by car
*Housekeeping and the changing of towels take place halfway through your stay