Ibid - One Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 2

Perched on the side of a hill in the unspoilt countryside of northern Zakynthos, little Ibid is a charmingly styled, panoramic retreat offering peace, a heatable pool, seclusion, a magical atmosphere, and close proximity to a selection of beaches and tavernas. Whether you're planning an unforgettable honeymoon or simply a memorable escape with the one you love, Ibid is hard to beat.

Inside: accommodation at Ibid is all on one floor.

The main entrance takes one into a bright, airy open-concept space, where soft grey polished concrete flooring lays the foundations for the overall feel of the property. Cleverly, this material rises to create a curvaceous moulded frame for the kitchen's wooden cabinetry and, in the shower room, morphs into a surround and shelving for the sink. The same colour is found in the window and door frames, creating a pleasing homogeneity throughout the house.

To one side of the open-concept space is the kitchen, which features a breakfast bar with stools, while to the right is a comfortable sitting area with a sink-in sofa. A wall of sliding glass doors drinks in the fabulous views and allows a seamless flow into the gardens.

The double bedroom, which is accessed from the living area, comes with a stylish shower room, sea views and more sliding glass doors opening out onto a shaded sitting area.

Outside: Ibid's grounds are essentially a natural, subtly managed extension of the surrounding countryside. The open-concept living area and kitchen spill outside to where the evocative remains of a stone-built mill preside over the views. A dining table and a sitting area looking out to sea make this a well-used spot throughout the day.

Delimited by ancient dry-stone walls, the grounds offer up a variety of furnished spots for gazing at the views, sipping on a coffee or reclining in a hammock. This area also hosts a panoramic pool with glorious sea views.

The icing on the cake at Ibid, however, is its roof terrace, from where the views out to sea and over northeast Zakynthos are transformed from the spectacular into the sublime. Equipped with comfy loungers and a shaded dining area, this is an unbeatable location for sunset aperitifs and long romantic dinners under the moon and the stars.

Please note that, due to its location, there is no phone network at Ibid, and the internet network is slower than in many of our properties. While it does allow standard browsing, it is not adequate for online streaming or remote working.
Sitting at around 200m above sea level overlooking the northeast coast and glistening blue sea of Zakynthos, Ibid is well-placed for those who love glorious views, spending time on glorious beaches and exploring picturesque villages and towns. At just over 30km long and 20km wide, Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is easy to get around and many of the island's best spots are in close proximity to Ibid.

A 5-minute drive will take you down to the little harbour village of Agios Nikolaos, which offers most of what you will need on a day-to-day basis, including a beach, crystal clear waters, a minimarket, boat rental and a few tavernas and bars. A couple of other tavernas are within a similar distance at the northern tip of the island.

A few minutes' boat ride up the coast from Agios Nikolaos are the Blue Caves, a series of sea grottoes that are particularly well worth exploring in the morning, when the eastern sun illuminates them with the sapphire colours of the sea. It's also a great spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Numerous lovely sandy beaches line the east coast, including those at Makris Gialos and Xigia (15-20mins) and Alykes (30mins).

Heading west across the island, meanwhile, you will soon come to Zakynthos's most popular, most spectacular and most photographed beach: Navagio. Taking its name from the shipwreck that has lain on its sand since the early 1980s, the sandy bay is surrounded on three sides by spectacular tree-topped white cliffs and is only accessible by boat. This sublime setting and the bay's transparent, electric blue waters attract the crowds in high summer, but it's most certainly a sight to behold, both from above and below.

In terms of villages and towns in the area, the unspoilt twin villages of Volimes (upper and lower) have some interesting buildings, including traditional stone-built houses, a windmill, a couple of churches and a 400-year-old monastery. There are also a few eateries, should you get peckish while exploring.

Slightly further afield, though still just a 50-minute drive down the coast, is the capital of Zakynthos, Chora (or Zakynthos Town). A few fascinating Venetian buildings survive, and its museums and galleries, vibrant summery atmosphere, and host of bars, cafés and tavernas make it an attractive proposition for a day out.

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.