Demetrios

Demetrios' House

C category - Sleeps 2/4

Half way between Chania and Provarma in the foothills of the White Mountains is the small mountain hamlet of Malaxa with its outstanding views of the White Mountains, Greek Orthodox Church and Turkish Tower.

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.

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.

The pool is 0.8m to 1.7m in depth, no child section (Clients are reminded that they should take all proper precautions in the pool area at all times).

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.

Malaxa has two cafenions, one of which stocks very basic food items, and is where the old local men sit outside and the other which has a small seating area outside where you can get an omlette and salad and has a drinks fridge where you can purchase cold drinks and ice cream. There is one taverna in the village called the Panorama and two further tavernas 1km west of the village which also have spectacular views over the length of Souda Bay and to the Akrotiri Peninsula. (Please check opening times of the tavernas with our local team as they can be sporadic). Occasionally at varying days of the week there are local produce sellers.

Upon arrival the owners, Katerina and Demetris, will prepare a complimentary Cretan meal for those guests interested in tasting the local cuisine. (Home cooked meals are also available by order/request from the owners during your stay, with payment made direct to them).

REVIEWS

“Demetrios and Katerina are wonderful and very generous hosts, who made our stay an absolute delight. We felt that we were welcomed like family and we enjoyed their friendship, hospitality and information about Cretan Culture, lifestyle, history and politics above everything else” Ms G - Oxfordshire

THE OBSERVER

A British holiday firm is helping to preserve the culture of the island's mountain villages, from organic food to traditional music. Catherine Mack reports .....

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.....There should be more companies like this, which aim to not only support the local economy but also to preserve Cretan culture. Not in a way that enshrines it, but by simply keeping it alive, contemporising it.

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

Mountain bikes can be hired at £5 per bike per week.

Acoustic guitars and paintbrushes are all available upon request.

Click for: Prices or Location Maps

Call 0845 070 1571 (local rate) or 01444 881402 for further information.
All holiday payments are fully protected by Pure Crete ATOL licence 2757 (for your flight), our Total Payment Protection Policy (for your accommodation) and UK package regulations 1992 (for your consumer rights).

Pure Crete,
Bolney Place,
Cowfold Road,
Haywards Heath,
West Sussex
RH17 5QT

Tel: ++44 (0)1444 881 402

Fax: ++44 (0)1444 880 405