Designed by a local architect and constructed in 1995 to the owners' specifications, Villa Keona enjoys superb views over Karystos Bay towards the Island of Kea.
Two miles from the traditional fishing port of Karystos, this Greek villa is located on the outskirts of a tiny village called Aetos, which has six tavernas and a small supermarket.
Karystos is the Southern capital of the Island of Evia or Euboea, which in itself is still relatively unheard of when talking about Greek Islands, even though it is the second largest after Crete. It is still a thriving fishing port situated on the Bay of Karystos. The area is overshadowed by Mount Ochi, which rises to the height of 1,398 metres.Karystos is a bustling working town with many harbour side bars and tavernas from where visitors can enjoy that pastime known as people watching whilst enjoying small plates of mezes washed down with local wine or beers. Leading down to the harbour is the Boutzi, a fortified building built in the mid 13th century by the Venetians and across the road from this is the town museum. Above the town and the village of Myli is the Castello Rosso built circa 1205AD by the Lombards.
The town has several beaches from where one can enjoy safe bathing.
Along the harbour front there are numerous Kafeneons, the old ouzo bars, these have been modernised and now offer as well as ouzo, selections of small traditional food varieties. Several of these have rails from which they hang and dry out the Octopus.
A popular taverna on this ‘strip’ is Marinos and a few doors down is Fillipas which is getting a good reputation for sea food. One of the outstanding and most popular, mentioned in guide books is cava D’Oro. The taverna situated up an alley off the harbour and behind a travel agency serves traditional food cooked in the pots as well as the various grill choices. The Moutsi family who run it are very friendly and very helpful when dishes need explaining.
Walking away from the harbour past the boat yard and the children's fun fair are more beach bars and tavernas. These are separated from the beach by a narrow pavement and road. A very popular restaurant, the furthest away from the harbour is Mesa Exo. This serves a selection of very different salads as well as the local Greek salad. In the summer it has been known to wait for a table on the pavement overlooking the beach. Very popular with the Athenian weekend visitors. There are numerous other tavernas which deserve mention in their own right but part of the fun of a Greek holiday is to discover them yourself.
Karystos is surrounded by several villages and walks around them can be recommended. The villages of Grabbi, Myli, La la, and Nikasi have all got their own individual attractions. Walks up to the rock face above Myli where the Romans quarried their Cipolini marble, used in buildings throughout the Roman Empire are popular. Several columns of this marble are still to be seen, lying on the ground waiting to be shipped overseas.
Two more very good walks are up Mouint Ochi itself where one can view to Dragon Houses as they are known. It is still not known how or what they were used for some say a temple to Hera and possible built in 8th century BC. The views from the top of Ochi over the chestnut tree forest towards the Cyclades Islands of Andros, Tinos and Mykonos are outstanding.
The other good walk is down the Dimosaris Gorge following the river down to the beach. Several walks can be discussed with our neighbour Roger, who together with his wife Myra meet our guests on arrival.
A place worthy of mention is the Montifoli Estate which runs tours in the summer months around its vineyards.
Harbour View Towards The Bourtzi
The Mount Ochi Dragon House
Superb Views of Karystos
For further details and bookings, please contact us by:
Email: enquiries@eviavilla.co.uk
tel: 07977 480 863 (weekdays, evenings and weekends)
tel/fax/voicemail: +44 (0)1524 823 433
Post: Keith and Fiona McPhee
9 Rushley Mount,Hest Bank
Lancaster, Lancashire
LA2 6EE, UK