Santorini, GreeceVilla Skalopati

Villa Skalopati has all one can wish for: stunning, expansive views inside and out; bright, airy rooms and modern amenities seamlessly blended with the carefully preserved details of an authentic Santorini cave house. The feeling here is open as the sky and layered and deep as the caldera. No surrounding buildings impede the light and air around, and the breathtaking views are an endless feast for the eyes in every direction.

The simplicity of the newly renovated villa highlights the restored historical details of the original cave house. New plaster covers the original forms of the curving walls, vaulted ceilings and deep archways that were carved by hand years ago from the caldera cliffs. The interior palette of soothing neutrals gracefully complements the many views of nature’s own palette of brilliant blue and earthy ochre and deep reds. Bright blue wood shutters finish original interior and exterior windows. These charming uniquely Santorini elements combine with traditional Cycladic style furnishings and tastefully selected antiques and art. The result is an atmosphere of warmth, charm and island comfort.

Villa Skalopati features two exterior entrances from a large terrace. Three bedrooms, two baths, and two lounge/living areas provide ample space for a vacationing family to spread out in two “suites”. All of the bedrooms are elegantly outfitted with warm antiques and comfortable furnishings. The full size modern kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need to feel right at home: new traditional style cabinetry, modern appliances and a show-stopping volcano view. The baths are modern and naturally beautiful: graceful hand-formed plaster walls form the generous walk-in showers, petite windows frame glimpses of the glittering bright blue sea and sky-little reminders of the magic of Santorini.

The central combined living and dining room is bright and airy, with a traditional wooden sofa and beautiful carved wood dining table. From here one reaches the first double bedroom, connected to the living room with a wall of traditional shuttered interior windows and doors-a detail that was not to be lost from the renovation of the original home. This bedroom has air conditioning. One of two bathrooms is also accessed from this living room, at the opposite side.

From the living/dining room a deep vaulted archway leads to the second “suite” of rooms: a second fully furnished lounge, with access to two connected bedrooms. One playfully charming bedroom with two built-in single beds is connected to the lounge. Further in, a second large bedroom has a built-in double bed romantically nestled beneath arched niches and a vaulted ceiling.

The two terraces are a marvel unto themselves: the lower level terrace wraps the house in two directions-a special condition in Santorini, offering views of boundless variety: sea, sky, volcanoes and cliff-side villages. From here one can see the earthen colors of eroded cliffs, the whitewashed village houses climbing up the caldera walls punctuated with cascading fuschia bougainvillea flowers, the infinite shimmering sea and sky dotted with the nearby volcanic islands of Thirassia and Nea Kamini.

The views from the upper terrace are truly infinite-a special vantage point for taking in the brilliant, ever-changing colors of sunset, until twilight quietly blankets the village and the twinkling lights of Oia emerge with the stars above. A large Jacuzzi is scheduled to be installed here, available in the spring of 2016. Rejuvenation for the mind, body and soul: sitting at the island’s highest point, soaking in the sights of Oia day or night, living for each moment in the magic of Santorini.

Skalopati is perfect for a Santorini paradise getaway for a family of six guests or for two couples traveling together, who are seeking a unique, private home with an authentic caldera experience in Oia. (Two additional children can also be accommodated with the large sofas.)

Upon completion of a confirmed reservation, guests will receive detailed instructions for accessing the property, parking, transportation options and check-in details, as well as suggestions for local activities, dining, etc.

For most convenient access to other popular destinations on the island, car rental is recommended. For those not wishing to rent a car, there is a bus station and taxi station within short walking distance of the villa. During high season, busses from Oia serve all popular destinations on the island.