From the coastal town of Nidri a 15 minute drive through olive groves and vineyards takes you to the hamlet of Vafkeri. A sleepy place, little changed over the years, the village is a taste of Greece from bygone days. A church, one taverna

Local Area Map - Villa Mystiko

and a cluster of houses cling to the side of the hill, under the towering peak “The village is a taste of Greece from bygone days” of Mount Elati, the highest point of the island. Villa Mystiko is a two minute walk from the centre of the village, set on a ridge in the hillside overlooking the coastal plain.

All your provisioning can be done in Nidri, a bustling resort stretched out along the coast road. There are supermarkets, groceries, a butcher, fishmonger and many excellent bakeries, selling bread, cakes, pies and pastries. Nidri is also the starting point for many of the excursions to other islands. Take a wander along the sea front and see which of the boats has an itinerary that takes your fancy.

Beaches “Take a wander along the sea front and see which boat takes your fancy” can be found 30 minutes to the south at Dessima or Mikros Gialos, both are sheltered coves, with pebble beaches, wonderfully clear water and a few water front tavernas where you can take a break from swimming and sunbathing. 40 minutes to the north are the spectacular beaches of the north and west coast. Here you can find miles of sandy beaches, many of which have been awarded blue flags for the quality of the water.

Villa Mystiko is also in an ideal location from which to explore the interior of Lefkas. Carry on into the hills and you will find a very different world, “Olive groves and grape vines, tiny hamlets, shrines and monasteries.” with olive groves and grape vines, tiny hamlets, shrines and monasteries. The hilltop village of Karia is home to many weavers, producing traditional Lefkadan lace and rugs and the village square is a wonderful place to stop for a cool drink under the plane trees. Keep going up the winding roads to the top of Mount Elati and on a clear day you can see Corfu 80 miles to the north and Zakinthos 60 miles to the south.