Apanemi - Cinq Chambres Villa, Couchages 9

A refined and stylish contemporary villa with mesmerising 180-degree sea views, an inspiring infinity pool and plenty of space inside and out.

With its front-row seat looking out over the deep blue waters of the Aegean, Apanemi is an irresistible prospect for those who love beautiful design, high-end finishes and unerring quality. Whether you're swimming in the glorious pool, waking up to the enchanting views, or dining al fresco with the moonlight glistening on the sea, you'll find life at Apanemi rewarding, restful and revitalising.

Inside: accommodation is spread over several levels.

The front door leads into a hallway, which flows directly into the hub of the house, a splendidly panoramic and airy living area featuring an extra long, well-cushioned wooden sofa. The aesthetics of this space set the tone for the rest of the property, with eye-catching design details at every turn: smooth grey concrete floors are juxtaposed with lofty, honey-coloured wood-beamed ceilings and white walls; a retractable wall of windows brings in the sea views and blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living; a feature wall in local grey and bronze stone roots the property in its context; clever built-in niches, shelves and a protruding fireplace add dimension and depth; cleverly positioned designer light fittings stand ready to transform the space after dark; and colourful artworks enliven the whole atmosphere.

A couple of steps to one side of the living space lead up into a large rectangular kitchen with a picture window looking out to sea, a long concrete island that doubles up as a bar, bespoke wooden cupboards and a large retractable glass door opening out into the al fresco dining area.

On the opposite side of the living area, a staircase leads up and down to the sleeping quarters. Six steps down lead to a corridor, off which are two bedrooms:

• a double-twin with en-suite shower room, sea views and access to the surrounding terraces
• a double with centrally positioned bed, en-suite shower room and terrace access

More stairs lead down from the corridor to the lower ground floor, which is home to the third bedroom, a spacious double with en-suite shower room and windows looking out into a little garden of Indian fig cacti.

The first floor, accessed via the staircase from the living room, is on two levels. On the lower level there is:

• a single bedroom with sea views and a little balcony
• a shower room
• a reading, relaxation and cinema room with sea views, access to a shaded terrace, a voluminous cushioned sofa, a drop-down screen and a projector.

The upper level of the first floor, meanwhile, is given over to the main bedroom, a bright double with large en-suite shower room with double sinks, a pair of picture windows looking out to sea, and access to a private terrace with built-in seating and extraordinary vistas.

Outside: al fresco life at Apanemi takes place on the sea-facing side of the house, which is home to a large terrace that extends for some 30m. Accessed from the living area and, to one side, from the kitchen, this perfectly paved terrace offers both sun-soaked and shaded areas that are furnished for lounging and dining. The occasional olive tree whispers in the gentle sea breeze and the views, which take in vast swathes of the sparkling blue Aegean Sea and the island of Syros, are divine.

The wall of retractable glass windows in the living opens out onto a large cane-shaded sitting area with a pair of quality outdoor sofas and other seating.

Next comes the wonderful infinity pool, whose long edge offers seamless watery views out to sea. On the other side of the pool is a covered area with a bar, a double day bed and access to a pool bathroom with shower.

Last, but certainly not least, where the main terrace is concerned, is the generously proportioned al fresco dining area, a wonderfully shady and secluded spot with plenty of built-in cushioned seating and a large table. Served both by the indoor kitchen, with which it connects seamlessly a plancha grill, there can be few finer places in which to enjoy a Greek feast.

The two bedrooms accessed from the corridor just below the living area both open out into the gardens, which are planted with grasses and low-lying shrubbery. A paving stone path leads to some steps, at the top of which is the pool area.

As mentioned earlier, the relaxation, reading and cinema room on the lower first floor level has its own shady panoramic terrace, while the main bedroom is blessed with a large private terrace, from where the views are at their most magnificent.

Below the main sea-facing terrace the grounds slope down, planted with indigenous flora so as to create an almost seamless union with the surrounding terrain. Just outside the grounds a public path leads down to the sea below.

When the ferry connections timetable is not yet published for your travel dates, we recommend choosing a flight arriving in Athens or Mykonos by midday or, alternatively, adding a night in Athens or Mykonos the day before and/or after your time in Tinos.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

Parts of the route to this property are unpaved and a little rough. We therefore recommend guests hire a 4-wheel drive car or one with high ground clearance.

The number of steps that must be negotiated to get into and/or around this property might make it unsuitable for people with mobility problems.
Apanemi rises on a rocky promontory midway up Tinos's west coast and just a few minutes' walk from a secluded rocky beach.

The surrounding coastline is home to a series of lovely beaches, including those at Agios Petros, Kalivia (both walkable in about 15 minutes), Giannaki, and Agios Romanos (these last two also have tavernas).

The island’s capital, Tinos Town, is just over 30 minutes’ drive away, and it is here that you will find all the amenities you might require, from minimarkets and banks to petrol stations and chemists’. It’s a gentle place, with a weave of pretty streets, a good selection of tavernas, and a bustling port. Arguably the star of the show is the church of Panagía Evangelístria, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Greek Orthodox world. Built in 1830 in florid renaissance style, it houses an icon of the Virgin Mary that is said to have performed numerous miracles.

Measuring just 27km long and 13km wide, Tinos is easy to explore in a week or two. The west coast is a series of little coves, many of which have little sandy beaches , and a day or two exploring these by boat is highly recommended, also because some are difficult to access on foot or by car. Longer stretches of sand can be found at Agios Fokas and Laouti on the south coast below Tinos Town.

The interior of Tinos is mountainous and home to a liberal scattering of pretty whitewashed villages, such as Pyrgos (Panormos), Steni, Dio Choria, Komi, Ysternia, Tripotamos and Skalados. Many of these have their origins in Byzantine and Venetian times and it is no coincidence that they were all built at a safe distance from the sea. The rocky landscape is also home to numerous intricately designed dovecots and cylindrical windmills, both architectural traditions introduced by the Venetians, who ruled the island between the 13th and the early 18th century.

The most northerly quarter of Tinos is largely uninhabited, but there is a curious profusion of churches and chapels. The simple roads that connect them are interesting to explore on foot or bike, and one really has the feeling of being off the beaten track.

The highest point of the island is the mountain of Tsiknias, which stands at 750m, but arguably the most interesting peak is the jagged stone cone of Exomvourgo (641m). It was here that the Venetians built an impregnable fortress that was never vanquished, despite numerous attempts by Ottoman forces. It only fell into Ottoman hands in 1715, when the governor surrendered, an act of treachery that enraged La Serenissima so much that he was sentenced to life imprisonment on his return home.

Lastly, if you wish to indulge in a little island-hopping, frequent ferry services connect Tinos Town to Mykonos. Crossings take just 22-35mins, meaning that it’s perfectly viable to go for a day trip.

Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.

The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.