Salvia - Eight Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16

A splendidly panoramic waterfront villa offering space galore, direct sea access and a carefree, summery vibe.

Surrounded by extensive terraces and flourishing gardens, and looking out across the sea to neighbouring Antiparos, Salvia is imbued with a gentle, serene atmosphere that immediately puts guests at their ease. Space abounds, al fresco life is effortlessly catered for, and lovers of aquatic pleasures can spend their time between the tempting pool and the irresistible sparkling waters of the Aegean.

Inside: accommodation a Salvia is spread over a main house, an independent guesthouse and two externally accessed guest rooms.

The front door of the main house leads into a welcoming open hallway off which the accommodation flows. Straight on is the generously proportioned living area, whose white-washed stone walls, lofty ceilings and sandy flagged flooring provide a blueprint for the rest of the house. A large, well-cushioned corner sofa and coffee table look towards a fireplace and four sets of French doors drink in the sea views and provide seamless access to the terraces.

To the right of the hallway, an opening allows this communal space to flow into the bright, well-equipped kitchen, which features pale sage green cabinetry, a breakfast table, and a door leading out onto the main al fresco dining area.

Back in the living area, a door near the fireplace leads into the first bedroom, a spacious sea-view double-twin with en-suite bathroom with shower and separate tub, a window looking into an internal courtyard, and access to the surrounding terraces.

A corridor running from the hallway leads past the internal courtyard and connects the remaining four bedrooms of the main house, all of which come with en-suite shower rooms and their own terraces:

• a triple children's room
• a double-twin with a day bed
• two doubles

The guesthouse and the two guest rooms are next to each other and accessed externally from the garden terraces below the main house. The former has a double-twin bedroom with en-suite shower room and an open-plan kitchen and living area. The guest rooms are both double-twins with en-suite shower rooms.

Outside: an impressively large expanse of sea-view terrace, bordered by and dotted with a panoply of aromatic shrubbery and flowering Mediterranean plants, wraps around the property. All the rooms in the main house have external access and four of the bedrooms have their own outdoor areas which link up with to the main terraces.

The kitchen opens out onto a long, well-shaded dining area, which is furnished with a large table and plenty of chairs, and equipped with a built-in barbecue, worktops and a sink. Looking out to sea, this is delightful spot in which to spend convivial hours over long lazy lunches and starlit dinners.

Some 20m from here, passing a scattering of well-furnished sea-view sitting areas (everyone can really spread out and find their own spot at Salvia), is the wonderful pool, which, like almost all of the outdoor areas, gazes serenely out to sea. Served by a capacious shaded sitting area with a U of in-built cushioned sofas, the pool area is a real focal point for relaxations, fun and games.

Steps lead down from near the pool to the lower garden terraces, from which one may access the guesthouse and the two guest bedrooms. Outside them is a shady al fresco dining area cocooned in greenery, and yet another sitting area.

Where the terrace end, the grounds continue, sloping gently for some 60m down to the sea. A path meanders through the olive trees to a magical gate, on the other side of which is a little pebbly beach and the irresistible waters of the Aegean.

Last but certainly not least, is the internal courtyard of the main house, which is accessed from the corridor linking the living areas to the bedrooms. Furnished with a built-in L-shaped sofa and a table and chairs, and brimming with greenery, this is a wonderfully secluded spot in which to have breakfast, sip on a mid-morning coffee or take an afternoon snooze.

In high season, and particularly on weekends, flights can be heard coming in to land at nearby Paros airport.

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

A car with high ground clearance is recommended
Salvia is situated on the southwest coast of Paros looking out over the sea to Antiparos. The nearest village, Aliki, is just 2.5km away, and offers most day-to-day amenities, including mini-markets and tavernas.

For many people, Paros is the most authentic of the Cyclades. One of the larger islands, it has something for everyone, young or old, party-goers or culture-seekers, bourgeois or bohemian. Amongst its many attractions are buzzing little towns, myriad beaches, world-famous windsurfing conditions, gourmet restaurants, sleepy traditional villages with waterfront fish tavernas, religious, cultural and historical sites, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

Thanks to the relatively limited distances involved - the island measures less than 25km from north to south - it is easy to explore in full in a week or two, no matter where you're staying. Its mountainous hinterland, with peaks rising up to around 700m, is dotted with the occasional monastery and crisscrossed by old mule tracks. Down on the coast, meanwhile, there is an array of beautiful sandy beaches and idyllic coves, and a day or two spent on a boat exploring these is heartily recommended.

In terms of towns and villages, sleepy Marpissa, buzzing Parikia (the capital and main port), are just a, 20- and a 25-minute drive from Salvia . The first is a white-washed beauty that appears unchanged for centuries. It’s a pleasure to amble round its narrow streets, while a walk up to the monastery of St Anthony on the hill above offers spectacular views of the island. The second is a vibrant little town gathered around a semi-enclosed bay that woos visitors with its sandy beaches, its many bars and tavernas, its archaeological museum, and its impressive Byzantine Church.

In the north of the island is the picturesque village Naousa, whose little harbour, web of narrow streets flanked by shops and tavernas, and Venetian castle make it a pleasure to spend time in. Just across the bay from Naousa is idyllic Kolimpithres beach, renowned for its transparent waters and fascinating rock formations, while for those with an interest in history, a visit to the Mycenaean Acropolis is called for. Sitting atop a rocky scarp high above Kolimpithres, it was built way back in the 13th century BCE and offers not only insights into Paros's long history but also stunning views. It’s quite a walk to get up there, so you may wish to tackle it in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s not so hot.

Paros's most northerly tip, the Monastiri peninsula, is given over to a protected park covering some 80 hectares of rocky, element-sculpted hills, hidden sandy beaches, walking trails, and undisturbed flora and fauna. It’s a great day out for nature lovers and hikers with the added bonus of an end-of-excursion swim in the sea.

Cultural tours are readily available on Paros, so not matter whether you wish to learn about Parikia's old town centre, the ancient marble quarries, or the unique island of Despotiko, you'll be able to delve into the island's history with ease. Children are well catered for too, and a trip to the butterfly nature reserve just north of the airport is good fun.

If all that wasn't enough, Paros's little sister, Antiparos, is just a 10-minute ferry ride across the water from nearby Pounta, making a little island hopping eminently possible.

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.