Demetrios

Demetrios'

Demetrios' House

C category - Sleeps 2/4

Here stand two restored adjoining houses each with its own terrace to appreciate the mountain views. The large private swimming pool shared between the two properties is reached by a short 10 metre walk from the front doors round the properties perimeter. Demetrios' is on the uppermost part of a Cretan stone-built olive press and flour mill and has been beautifully renovated by the owner and provides one of the only houses in Malaxa for visitors to stay. The house has a spacious sitting-out area from which to enjoy the magnificent view of the White Mountains and is just walking distance from a choice of tavernas. The house shares a spectacular swimming pool, designed on a nautical theme, which provides stunning views of the White Mountains from both in and beside the pool. It offers a secluded retreat with a garden below. Visitors may choose to indulge in in-home meals prepared for them by Katerina at reasonable prices. Downstairs there is a beamed-ceiling living room with kitchen facilities and a bathroom with shower. There is a large roof terrace with table & chairs from which to enjoy the view. Upstairs there is a double bed built on a platform and a twin bedroom.

•  Mountain bikes, acoustic guitars and paintbrushes are all available upon request.
• Clients are reminded that they should take all proper precautions in the pool area at all times.

The owner of Demitrios House, and the neighbouring Stavros House, is involved in a number of  environmental projects including the promotion of  local organic food, the protection of the Cretan environment and endangered species. He is very happy to discuss these projects with interested visitors and hosts a Friday evening free ranging discussion over dinner in which conversation moves from organic food production to environmental  initiatives to wider philosophical and geo-political issues helped along by locally produced village wine.  Cretan Culture and Cooking Evening   Pure Crete house owners Demetris and Katerina in Malaxa host a discussion of the Cretan diet, environment and local history including dinner made with fresh local organic produce. Held at the village Malaxiana centre, a painstakingly renovated building with breathtaking mountain views.   7 p.m. Demetris will introduce the discussion around village life and culture including music, celebrations, customs, religion and work. The conversation will move through flora and fauna to the health benefits of the traditional cretan diet in time to enjoy Katerina (Demetris' wife)'s full Cretan dinner (vegetarian or meat). The dinner is a feast of local organic products including salad, fruit and the main course washed down with a plentiful supply of village wine to lubricate and stimulate the conversation   25 euros per person

The Observer June 8th 2008:

"We pass another memorable night at Malaxa, a mountain village where Demitris Vamvounakis has revived his local community by creating a cooperative to produce organic food. Demitris has rebuilt one of the village's stone houses and into this beautifully crafted contemporary home he has incorporated two adjoining reception rooms in which he holds evenings of Cretan culture. About 14 of us drink fine local wine, and eat superb organic traditional food, prepared by Demitris's wife, Katerina.

"The evening starts gently with our knowledgeable, charming and amusing hosts talking about food, language, flora and fauna, and festivals. But as the raki kicks in, we all gain the confidence to broach heavier issues such as arranged marriages (still prevalent), dowries, macho gun culture and politics. The kids listen open-mouthed to tales of men firing endless rounds of ammunition into the air at daughters' weddings as a sign of prosperity and pride."

Catherine Mack