I enjoyed an amazing two weeks in Greece, staying at "Amelia." The property is a gorgeous complex of townhouse-style villas -- nine in all -- surrounding a beautiful pool. Our unit had thirty-foot ceilings in the living room, with a dramatic staircase rising above us to the three bedroom levels above. It had a full-equipped kitchen and a private patio. Bedrooms were quiet and comfortable and well-furnished. On those rare nights when the breeze did not blow, each room had a powerful air conditioner that kept us very comfortable. Bathrooms were big, with shower-tubs and plenty of hot water. Overall, our villa felt modern, clean and luxurious.
It was about a thirty-second walk down to a private swimming cove below the property, and we swam every morning in clear Aegean water. There were several Mediterranean-style beach resorts, all about a five minute drive away, where you could rent lounges and order drinks. One even had a great play area for our daughter. There are great bars and clubs in town of Skinias as well.
Athens is about thirty minutes away by car or train. The port of Rafina was about fifteen minutes away, and we spent several days touring the Greek Islands -- Amelia is very centrally located, and is a great "jumping off point" for short trips all over Greece and the Mediterranean.
But the best part about Amelia is that it's simply gorgeous. As a professional writer, I was there partly on a working sabbatical. I completed the screenplay for a Disney Channel movie from the balcony of our villa (life was tough!), and I found the location incredibly peaceful and inspiring.
There were several other people staying in some of the villas, and I really enjoyed the community. The design of the property is such that you have a great deal of privacy -- you never feel like you MUST socialize. But there are common areas where you can meet other guests (the pool, gardens, etc.), and we found Amelia attracts a certain type -- cosmopolitan, interesting, and respectful. We really got to know and like some of fellow travelers, and now feel we have friends from all over the world.
Overall, I highly recommend Amelia for people seeking an inspiring escape, slightly off the beaten path, to unwind and enjoy sea views, Aegean waters and Greek resorts. Or those looking for a central place from which to explore Greece in general. It's a truly unique place unlike anywhere else in the world.
