Trachila Mani Wheelhouse

Amazing view overlooking the ocean and a lovely crystal clear bay which was great for snorkeling. Kostas, the host, couldn't have been more welcoming! He had filled the fridge and cupboards with everything we might need, wine, beer, honey, bread, water, orange juice, etc etc. And showed us how everything worked. He had a nice relaxed vibe about him and was on hand locally should we have needed him. The flat was comfortable with direct acccess to the sea via a short set of stairs. The terrace looking over to the village on the other side of the harbour also gave a great people watching opportunities. There was a nice husband and wife run restaurant on the other side of the harbour (the owner wouldn't allow us to pay for the wine as Kostas had insisted on paying for it). Again, it had a nice relaxed vibe to it. Agios Nikolaos , a short drive along the coast was a pretty buzzing sort of place (in a nice way) for a meal out or some drinks. It also hosted a music festival when we were there. Full marks all round!

We knew that our trip to Trachila would be magical... but we never could have expected the level of hospitality and warmth that would come with our stay. To start with the basics, the house is perfect. I can't imagine there is a better perfect location in the whole village. You're literally steps away from the sea (the perfect, crystal clear, warm sea...) and the house itself is immaculate and has everything you could need. Kostas is an incredible host. He left us enough fruit to last the week we were there, with bread and butter, jams and enough water to get us through the next few days before we could/wanted to go to the store. The deck is as magical as the photos make it out to be. The outdoor shower is divine- so divine, that I don't think we showered indoors more than twice. Six days didn't feel like enough, and yet the town moves at such a slow pace/there is NOTHING to do, that it felt like three weeks. Three gorgeous weeks of snorkeling, sleeping on the lounge chairs, drinking delicious coffee from the crazy-but-worth-it Nespresso machine in the mornings and sipping ouzo all afternoon. The restaurant in town has good food, but that's not why you go- you go to see Petros and his wife running this little place all on their own and to socialize with all of your newfound friends (and secretly, very secretly, feed the street cats...). Oh, you will make friends. If you want to. And if you don't, fine. No one will hold it against you. But there was something incredibly special to experience a small get together under the stars with Kostas and his friends, eating souvlaki and drinking ouzo (and wine and more ouzo...) and dancing, and then a few days later, finding ourselves in the sea with one of the partygoers from that evening, saying goodbye and making plans to meet in New York. We will be back. This town is magical and healing and the exact resting spot that we needed.