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- Simply Simpson
- Romantic open-plan cottage
- Private pool and garden
- 5min drive to Vathy
- 15min walk to Dexa Beach
Arethusa cottage sits on the side of a wooded valley, just a 15-minute stroll from beautiful Dexa Beach, famed for its Blue Flag status and, according to legend, for welcoming Odysseus back to the island following the Trojan War. This idyllic spot is a perfect venue to recline in the shade of an olive tree with a book, bathe or snorkel in Ithaca’s celebrated waters and enjoy a cooling drink at the simple beach bar as you marvel at the view. For a slightly more dynamic take on island life, Ithaca’s charming capital Vathy is a five-minute drive from the cottage. Here you’ll find a good selection of shops and a wealth of excellent tavernas, bars and cafés lining the pretty harbour.
Arethusa cottage is just for two and the open-plan living area with mezzanine bedroom above is perfect for a romantic escape. Though modest in scale, the cottage enjoys a charming setting and the pretty garden, private pool and terrace ensure that island living is just as relaxing as you could wish it to be. There are some self-guided walks nearby and a stroll up to the ancient village of Paleochora is a must; Ithaca’s capital in the Middle Ages, it enjoys fabulous views south across the island and some of the old frescoes are still visible in the ruins of the church. Guided walks can also be arranged, along with self-drive boat hire, kayaking and scuba diving, on request.
Perfectly private and separate from neighbouring Amalthia Cottage, the two properties also work well for two couples travelling together, seeking independent living.
In Greece, a tourist tax may apply at your accommodation which will be payable locally, in cash, during the course of your holiday. Please use the link to view details specific to your accommodation. View tourist tax rates here.
Accommodation
- 1-bedroom cottage (sleeps 2)
Layout
- Open plan living/dining/kitchen area with TV/DVD player (English-speaking news channels)
- Kitchen includes oven, hob, fridge, dishwasher
- Shower room
- Stairs to mezzanine level with double bed (150cm x 200cm)
General
- Air conditioning
- Complimentary WiFi
- Iron, ironing board, hairdryer
- Washing machine
- Simpson Travel pool towels
- Safe
- Built-in barbecue
- Swimming pool 5m x 2.5m (depth 0.9m – 1.5m)
- Separate private parking
- Guided walks, massage treatments, self-drive boat hire, kayaking, SCUBA diving (payable locally)
WiFi
- All properties with WiFi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails. We aim to offer an uninterrupted service but sometimes, due to factors beyond our control, reliability can be affected.
National tourist licence (EOT): 0457K91000460201
Transfers
- Kefalonia airport to Sami port by private taxi or minibus 50min
- Waiting time at Sami port is usually short at the port café
- Sami port to Ithaca (Pisaetos) by sea taxi or ferry and depending on the mode of transport the journey will take 40-50 minutes
Location
- Shop/bakery 5min drive
- Vathy 5min drive
- Dexa beach 15min walk/5min drive
- Frikes 30min drive
- Port of Pisaetos 15min drive
Car hire
Car options
Based on the number of people travelling, the following hire car(s) are included in the package price of your holiday:
- 2 guests – 1 Group B, Nissan Micra or similar*
* All our cars include full comprehensive insurance with no excess charge. Please note that damage to the undercarriage, wing mirrors, windscreen and tyres is not covered by insurance.
Car specification
Group B – 1.1 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
The following cars are available as alternatives on request (supplements apply). Please call our travel specialists for details.
Group C – Citroen C3 or similar, 1.2 litre engine, 1 large and 1 medium suitcase*
Group D – Automatic Nissan Micra or similar, 1.1 litre engine, 1 large suitcase*
Group E – Daihatsu Terios 4x4 Hard Top or similar, 1.4 litre engine, 2 large and 2 medium suitcases*
* Suitcase sizes are based on a large suitcase being approximately 75cm x 41cm x 31cm, a medium suitcase of approximately 65cm x 46cm x 29cm and a small suitcase of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
We very much enjoyed our stay at Arethusa. The hosts/concierge were very knowledgeable and friendly. The cottage was in a beautiful countryside location, with everything you could want for a relaxing stay. The island of Ithaca was beyond our expectations, friendly people, very safe, and very beautiful. So much so we booked our return visit before we left!
Our whole experience was excellent and highly recommendable. Everything you normally sweat over like transfers, hire cars and all accommodation and services, was all impeccably organised by our rep Judith Levi. Even when we had an 'event' with the hire car in the evening, she organised the pick up and fix and we were only briefly without transport. This is definitely the way to travel and we will certainly be back. Many thanks Judith (and Nicholas who plays his part unpaid!)
First time with Simpson Travel. Most impressed with quality of service, accommodation and local concierge. Would definitely recommend to others and look forward to our next Greek escape with Simpson.
Impeccable!
Arethusa Cottage is an ideal 2-person villa in a peaceful location outside Vathy. A good selection of outside seating either in sun or shade. A very well equipped kitchen in which to prepare breakfast or supper to eat on the terrace. Beautiful backdrop in rural area with just the sound of sheep bells and chickens - and the occasional barking dog! Most importantly our holiday representative was extremely knowledgeable, approachable, generous and always ready to assist. Such a beautiful unspoilt island with fantastic views and lovely bays and villages. An ideal leisurely holiday destination.
Our stay in Ithaca was outstanding from start to finish, with impeccable service from Simpson Travel. Transfers were seamless. The accommodation was perfect for us and in a great location. Our concierge, Judith, was exceptional: friendly, professional and knowledgeable; not intrusive in any way but there if we needed her. We loved it so much we've booked again for next year!
A very restful and much-needed holiday in a pretty home. Thank you to Nick and Judith – such good hosts.
A warm welcome from Judith and Nicholas on our arrival. A lovely villa and location. A perfect base for a wonderful week exploring stunning Ithaca. We will take with us some beautiful memories. Thank you.
Beautiful Ithaca. Second visit to this magnificent island. Just perfect accommodation and location. Perfect hosts, Judith and Nick. Listen to what Judith has to say at the welcome meeting, and you won’t go far wrong.
We so enjoyed staying in this gorgeous little villa. It has everything you need. A beautiful spot, so peaceful, that sometimes it was difficult to tear ourselves away. Judith and Nicholas have been the best of hosts and we cannot thank them enough for all the help they have given us. We have had a wonderful, restful holiday and have fallen in love with this beautiful island. A week is definitely not long enough.
A lovely holiday from start to finish with excellent customer service throughout.
Judith was an excellent concierge. She was always quick to answer queries and sort out problems.
Thanks for a memorable and magical stay. Arethusa is a beautiful retreat and Ithaca is delightful.
We’ve had a lovely two weeks walking the many trails using the map and the ‘Ithaka Trails’ app. Beware, the easy trails are not always easy – everything is up and the terrain needs walking shoes. We’ve had lovely evenings on the terrace enjoying the view and using the barbecue. Arethusa is perfect for two and we loved the outside space in particular, with very friendly and helpful hosts, Judith and Nick – thank you.
The holiday was an all round success, and I was impressed by how I was treated and very happy to have used Simpson Travel.
The whole experience and week of holidaying with Simpson Travel, once again, was wonderful. We would not change a second of our holiday. The support provided by Judith, on Ithaca, was informative, interesting, very friendly and welcoming, excellent 10/10. A great holiday and service from Simpson which will ensure we will travel with them again and recommend them without hesitation.
We had a lovely holiday on the beautiful island of Ithaca. Arrangements were seamless and we were looked after all the way, so nothing to worry about around timings with the various transports involved, especially with flights being unpredictable these days. Judith our rep was friendly, knowledgable and helpful and easily available if we needed her. I’d also like to give a shout out to the UK concierge team who replied very promptly and helpfully to a couple of queries I had and the app is really good too. All the info, reminders and paperwork was timely and efficient. Well done Simpson!
We were delighted with every aspect of our week’s stay in Arethusa cottage. The Simpson organisation was faultless. Judith’s knowledge of Ithaca with suggestions of places to visit, where to eat and the best beaches ensured we made best use of time on Ithaca. Judith and Nicholas were charming and discreet hosts.
We stayed in Ithaca at Arethusa – the villa was perfect, beautiful views, quiet and peaceful, lovely pool, perfect location within walking distance (down an old path) to Vathy and the owners, Judith and Nick, were really helpful. Lots of great walks nearby along old paths. Ithaca is a wonderful holiday destination – small enough to explore in a couple of weeks, lots to see and do, lovely beaches and the most friendly locals we have ever met in Greece.
Just returned from two great weeks in Ithaca. After booking and rebooking from last year, all ably handled by Ed, everything went very smoothly. Would thoroughly recommend Simpson Travel as they do offer a very personal service.
We travelled to Ithaca in early July and with all the information from Simpson our trip was hassle free. The accommodation was excellent – just as per the website. Ithaca itself was very welcoming and all possible Covid precautions for a risk-free visit had been taken by the island. A superb holiday – would definitely recommend.
Our choice of Greek properties is as diverse as the islands themselves, ranging from simple seaside charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal. To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.
* For further clarification on Facilities and Amenities, please view the 'Details' tab for each property or speak to one of our experienced sales consultants.
The fabled land of Homer’s Odyssey and a safe harbour through the ages for Romans, Venetians and Ottomans, Ithaca is historic to the core: a beach holiday destination that comes with an epic story to match its beautiful landscape. The sweeping panorama of Vathy’s bay and a shoreline of eucalyptus-shaded coves give way to undulating hills of pine, olive and cypress groves, whilst timeless rural life plays out in the island’s unspoilt interior, ensuring that Ithaca remains a place to truly relax.
To help you unwind in style, we offer a selection of handpicked luxury villas, giving your Ithaca holiday a welcome touch of comfort.
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