House / home, new for 2010, two independent houses, courtyard, renovated, residential for sale
The property for sale is located on one of the prettiest small lanes in the old village of Alonissos and, like the houses around it, is covered with bougainvillea, honeysuckle and vines. The property is not overlooked and enjoys privacy and stunning panoramic views over the village rooftops to the sea and the islands beyond. It is fully renovated and is one of only a few traditional houses in the village that is totally detached and therefore very private. Originally the 2 school masters houses; they were built on a slightly more spacious scale than normal. The sellers have owned the properties for over 20 years and decided not to join the 2 houses internally - access to each house is possible from the courtyard below or the linked terrace above. This arrangement allows extra privacy which has proved ideal when having guests or teenage family to stay. The property is entered through a wooden gateway, a few steps up from the lane. Immediately you can see the two (almost) identical houses forming a U shape round the large, shady, vine covered courtyard. There is built in seating round the courtyard plus a large table and dining chairs making this an ideal alfresco dining - and living - area. First House (No 24) To the left of the courtyard a door leads into the island style kitchen with handmade blue and white mosaic tiling and traditional wooden cupboards and shelves made by local craftsmen. Adding to the traditional feel is the big bread oven built into one corner and which can still be used if necessary! Entering the front door of this house there is an unusual downstairs shower room on the left. This used to be a living room so is very spacious and has an original island fireplace across one corner. From the traditionally tiled hallway a wooden staircase leads up to the first floor living/bedroom. This bedroom has two single beds and is a particularly bright, airy room having windows on 2 sides plus double doors out to the terrace and ideal for retreat when the sun gets too hot. The terrace has a tiled roof for shade and comfortable built-in benches from which the view across the sea to the island of Evia is stunning. Second House (No 25) To the right of the courtyard, opposite the kitchen, a door leads to a charming shower room and, as it was once a kitchen, complete with a bread oven in one corner. Entering the front door of this house, there is a double bedroom downstairs complete with traditional fireplace. This is a very cool room in the summer as the house - like many others in the village - is partially built into the steep rock behind. It is furnished very simply with chests of drawers and chairs. Outside, in the hallway, there is ample cupboard space built in under the stairs. From the small terracotta tiled hallway, a blue painted staircase leads up to another bright, airy room with 3 windows and double doors out on to the terrace, similar to that in No 24. This room has 2 single beds, bookcases and rattan armchairs. As with No 24, the terrace outside has a tiled roof to keep it cool and under which there are comfortable built-in benches with cushions. There is also a wooden table and chairs which is ideal for breakfast in the sun watching the yachts and the ferries setting off for neighboring island of Skopelos. Mains electricity and water are connected and there are 2 sternas (water tanks) each connected to different water pipe supplies, so there never is a shortage of water. This is a beautiful house full of character and old world charm. As Large houses are very hard to find in the old village it is our opinion that this property will prove to be a good investment. This property offers you a rare opportunity to acquire an authentic and sympathetically restored village home ideal for holidays or permanent living. Price: £250,000 (approx: 285,000 Euro) Further Information: Shops, supermarkets and tavernas in the old village are within a 5 minute walk The nearest beaches are at Megalos Mourtias and Mikro Mourtias. Megalos Mourtias is a favourite among the inhabitants of the Old Village, since they can walk down to it using a signed footpath in about 15-20 minutes. It is also highly accessible by car and/or motorbike - approx 5 minutes. The beach is covered with smooth white pebbles. In the sea you will find silky smooth sand. There is a gentle slope, the water gradually getting deeper. You can find shade under the beach umbrellas or under the olive trees that grow a few meters away from the sea. There are 2 tavernas on the beach and a third on the road just a few metres from the beach. All sell fresh fish and traditionally Greek food. Contrary to its busy âBig brotherâ the beach of Mikros Mourtias is a quiet beach with no facilities. The pebble beach is relatively small; there is a big patch of fine sand in the sea. The beach is encircled with rocky cliffs, creating breathtaking scenery. At the back of the beach are old olive trees where you can find good shade. On its right end there is an old abandoned building that was once used by people living in the Old Village, when they wanted to visit the island of Skopelos. Being so quiet and relatively isolated, the beach is sometimes proffered by nudists. It is also very likely that when visiting you might be the only people there, so it really feels sometimes like it is your own private beach!!! The water at both beaches is crystal clear with a beautiful silky blue colour. In order to get the most out of your visit in any of the beaches in Alonissos, it is a good idea to bring a mask and a snorkel, so that you can enjoy the underwater beauty and colour display. Even those that are not snorkel enthusiasts should be prepared to be dazzled by the beauty of the underwater scenery of Alonissos.