Notes from the host
Villa Fondana
ΕΣΛ-0756Κ91000488601
Fondana is not for everybody.
With spectacular uninterrupted views of many islands as distant as Skyros and Evia, and its own access to a private cove for swimming and snorkelling, Fondana is unique on this peaceful, safe and unspoiled island, offering complete freedom and escape. Alonissos is fortunate in having escaped the ravages of mass-tourism. Fondana has no immediate neighbours, and is set in a terraced olive grove of over one acre which is in turn entirely surrounded by wild forest occasionally visited by one of Alonissos’ goat herders. There is no light pollution, nor any extraneous noise. For this reason stargazing after dinner is a favourite activity - switch out the lights and enjoy an unparalleled view of the heavens.
The house is also ideal (and cheaper) out of high season for keen walkers or nature lovers, being as it is surrounded by protected National Forest.
The house was built by us in 2012 to exacting building standards, but has closely followed the simple and timeless architectural style of a Sporadean house. The high specification kitchen and bathroom equipment were imported, as was the Unopiu terrace furniture. The floors are local Carystos limestone throughout - including in the bathrooms. The "en suite" master bathroom and the large guest bathroom are both "wet rooms" (no plastic shower doors or sticky shower curtains) and, in contrast to many Greek properties, the plumbing follows northern European standards.
The top floor consists of a large open plan hall comprising a kitchen, sitting room and study – the height of the ceiling is some five meters. These spaces open onto three 3-meter wide connected terraces allowing spectacular views over the Aegean to the south and east. This means that the size of the main room can be doubled by opening the double doors on the three sides of the main room creating an inside/outside effect. On the south side the terrace is a covered along 7m of its length veranda to protect against the sun and occasionally the rain (out of high season), irrrespective of the time of day. The veranda table easily accommodates up to 12 people by extending the table.
Giving off from the living room is the master bedroom some 4 * 4 metres and five meters high. The master bedroom has a generous private terrace with its own awning as well as its own “en suite” bathroom/ "wet room".
The kitchen is equipped with a Liebherr refrigerator, Siemens hot plates (gas), a Siemens microwave and a Siemens proper oven. There is a set of high quality Henckels kitchen knives for those who love to cook. There are more than enough glasses, cutlery, plates, mugs, teacups, serving dishes and the like to accommodate a party of 12.
On the West side there is a large barbecue area, with a marble work-surface and a marble sink next to it, suitable for preparing food outdoors; guests can help themselves to olive tree trimmings stored next to the barbecue, the product of our annual pruning of the olive grove. On either side of the barbecue you will find various herbs.
On the floor below there are more terraces with two further bedrooms: one is a master bedroom, the other the same but with a child’s single bed included which can sleep a child up to ten years old. The guest rooms are separated by a small corridor leading to the guest rooms' bathroom. With discussion with the owners, the use of mattresses and this extra bed the second guest bedroom can be expanded into a quasi dormitory. Hence whilst we list the house as being for six people and price it as such, it can accommodate up to 9 if some are children.
All three bedrooms have air-conditioning, but also fans for those who dislike a/c. All three bedrooms have a closet (open style, that is covered by linen to allow airing) and a chest of drawers. All mattresses are new high quality Cocomat mattresses.
There is also a storeroom on the guest level containing the larger games, and a Miele washing machine.
If you have an iPod or Iphone we have a Bowers and Wilkins docking station which fills both the main room and the terraces with music. Naturally there is a satellite internet connection covering the top floor.
There are many games - cards, petanque, badminton, Chess, Go, Monopoly, Scrabble, Jenga, Risk, Diplomacy, Giant Tinker Toys and 60kg of Lego. For readers there are some 500 books - ranging from children's books to light fiction, Spy Novels (John le Carre), classics and some 200 books relating to the classical world.
Fondana is a place to rest, read, eat, play games, listen to music, spend time with friends and family and swim at our private sea cove, giving direct access to the clear waters of the protected National Marine Park, the largest protected marine area in the Mediterranean. This private access is through a windy, shady path with some 400 steps – seven minutes down and some twelve minutes up through wild and beautiful forest. The cove, 3 metres deep, consists of three discreet concrete platforms from which it is possible to jump into the sea or use the swimming steps. There are also deckchairs and a good distribution of sun or shade at most times of day, so both sunlovers and those who prefer shade can relax on the 6 deckchairs provided.
The house is extremely private and a car is essential. We do not recommend the use of bikes as the Isomata road is dirt with some gravel and our access road just dirt. Quad bikes are do-able but we do not find them practical (no shelter from the midday sun, not much use for shopping). The drive to the port and main town - Patitiri - is some 16 minutes. That is where you will arrive and where we suggest you do your "main shop" as there is more choice and prices are lower. The drive to the "Old Village" (above Patitiri) is ten minutes further on - attractive and with beautiful views, gift shops and the like.
In the other direction from Fondana is the fishing/yachting village of Steni Vala - our "base camp" and some eight minutes' drive from Fondana (or 45 minutes in the cool of the evening on foot). Here you will find two charming cafes, a number of tavernas, and general peace. There are also two small supermarkets for basic provisions and an excellent diving centre.
There are a number of attractive beaches within ten minutes' drive. There is also an internationally known homeopathy centre on the island.
We can put you in touch with a car rental firm with which we have dealt for over ten years with reliable service and fair prices. You will be met at the port by the man who will rent you the car; as well as the architect and builder of the house who will guide you to the property.
The house is not equipped for wheelchair access or people with limited movement. Nor is it suitable for infants or small children if unsupervised due to the many steps. Having said that we have had guests from the ages of 6 - 80 who have swum at the cove and navigated the many steps.
We are also more than happy to answer any questions that you may have now or during your stay.
