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David Crossland
Journalist and photographer based in Berlin
A modern, well appointed villa with private infinity pool in a stunning setting overlooking the Aegean Sea and Cretan mountains. A short drive from the charming town of Agios Nikolaos. Click here for practical information about the villa and its surrounding area including shops, restaurants and sightseeing tips.
Spring 2025: Even higher ratings with a hugely satisfying 9.8 from Booking.com. A major enhancement with a new flagstoned area of terrace for late afternoon sunseekers. Our young olive tree is thriving in the Cretan sun and has produced its first crop. plus fine art and more glowing reviews.
Thanks in no small measure to Kym, our Welsh house manager who says she has a "fetish for cleanliness" and takes pride and pleasure in making sure our guests can enjoy their stay in Villa Poppy to the full, we have just been awarded 9.8 out of 10 by Booking.com. The official term for that is "Exceptional" and we are delighted at this accolade.. We will strive to hit 10 in 2026.
We have upgraded the area next to the parking bay by paving it over with attractive flagstones and adding sunbeds. It's not a bad spot for the morning sun...
... and it allows you to soak up the evening sun longer as you take in the view over beer/wine/raki.
One of our guests presented us with this wonderful gift -- an exquisite watercolour of the facade of Villa Poppy with our olive tree. We have had it framed and it now occupies pride of place in the villa, right by the door in the living room. The view from the terrace would inspire any artist but for Poppy to receive such attention is particularly gratifying. We treasure this artwork. Thank you very much indeed!
And here is the scene that inspired the artist. Kostas, our handsome young olive tree, is coming along well and even produced a crop -- almost enough for a snack to accompany one bottle of Mythos. We plan to plant more trees but will not be getting into the oil business just yet.
Here is the first crop of olives.
Glowing reviews have been rolling in. A common theme is praise for Kym and her team who keep everything spotless and working. But the view helps, of course. And the pool. And the terrace and comfortable rooms. And the proximity to some of the best beaches in Crete and the charming town of Agios Nikolaos, and the wild, romantic mountains and hilltop villages patrolled by cats.
Greek Easter culminates on Sunday April 20 this year and it's spectacular. Agios Nikolaos, just a 10 minute drive from Poppy along the scenic coast road, celebrates the country's most important religious holiday with a procession and the burning of a dummy representing Judas who is placed on a raft and set ablaze on the lake of Agios Nikolaos., accompanied by a firework display.
The lake of Agios Nikolaos illuminated for carnival in early March....
...when the town turned into an open-air disco. Agios Nikolaos knows how to throw a party.
For anyone arriving at Villa Poppy for the first time, we have added this sign to the parking bay so that you can distinguish it from Villa Hibiscus next door. .
Our Current Favourite Restaurants/Bars in Agios
There are obviously loads more and there may well be far better ones, but we like these and keep going back to them (click on the names to take you to TripAdvisor reviews including location):
To Potiraki Greek cuisine on the central square
Ofou to Lo Greek cuisine by the water
La Strada Greek and Italian with terrace above lake
Cafe du Lac bar in the Hotel du Lac fun bar, good music, with view of the lake
Alexandros roof cocktail bar Great music, great cocktails, great staff, great fun
Villa Poppy Weather
Available to rent via Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo
Click below for a virtual tour:
For those of you have stayed in Poppy, thank you and we hope you return.
Sunrise from Villa Poppy
Come Back Soon!
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