A Rou Estate Villa Rental Holiday, The Rou Estate, Corfu, Greece

PROPERTY INFORMATION

It is not unusual to meet people who have realized a dream – that of owning a house on a Greek Island, but to have extended their dream to that of owning a whole village in Corfu, we think is unique! Claire, a holistic therapist, and Dominic Skinner, an architect, are behind this remarkable project in which their talents and interests have been combined to great effect. The Rou Estate is a two-hundred year old stone village set high up on a sheltered hillside in north-east Corfu; about twenty minutes drive from the sea, with stunning views over the Corfu Channel and the Albanian coast. CV Travel hopes that it will provide a wonderful refuge for our times – a place where guests may relax and lose the stress that modern life so often incurs. The entire estate has been designed to recreate the calm, timeless atmosphere of an old village, but it is not a museum nor is it in a time-warp, and the skilful and unobtrusive use of such modern amenities has played a great part in its conception. Ten of the original houses have been beautifully restored after many years of neglect, together with their central feature, the village square, lined with plumbago and agapanthus and numerous paths and connecting steps. Ancient wells and herb gardens have been revived. Master craftsmen have been recruited to re-work old stones and roof tiles, showing that the old skills are far from forgotten. Each of the houses covers approximately 100-200 sq.m. over two floors, with their own outside terraces and plunge pools. Some of the kitchens feature original bread ovens but are otherwise stylish and modern; there are sitting rooms and 2-4 bedrooms in each house all decorated with their owner’s individual style. The comfortably settled atmosphere has been retained, but modern technology has contributed a great deal to the luxurious interiors including under floor cooling in summer. Open fires provide a focal point, and the decoration and furnishing is elegant and sophisticated. The large swimming pool (9m x 26m) for the use of all guests, must be one of the most imaginative and beautiful pools in Greece, overlooking a view to take the breath away. Beneath it lie a sauna, steam facilities and hydrotherapy tubs resembling huge olive oil jars! ‘The Granary’ holds three treatment rooms with an outdoor area where guests may relax after a treatment and breathe in the fresh mountain air. Therapists can be booked in advance for either one of the treatment rooms or within the privacy of your own house, and offer a selection of treatments including massage, reflexology and yoga. The ‘Garden Room’ with its large picture windows enables guests to enjoy activities while admiring all-round views and is a perfect location for special interest holiday groups, for discussions, lessons and lectures. A separate gym, equipped with cross trainers, power plates and exercise bikes completes the range of facilities. The beautiful gardens, complete with original features and sitting areas, have been designed by Jennifer Gay, a member of the Mediterranean Garden Society, and include a wild flower reserve, in which she hopes to plant samples of many of the wild flowers found at this altitude. On the practical side, bread will be available daily, food deliveries can be ordered by phone, while catering can be arranged on request through CV Travel. The Rou Estate is like nothing else in Corfu. The entire village is invisible from below, secluded yet not inaccessible, and has the reassuring neighbourliness of a tiny village; all the inhabitants are there for the same reason – to escape for a while to a less demanding world.

ACCOMMODATION

Estate House

Acanthus	Sleeps up 4



Campanula	Sleeps up 6



Centaurea	Sleeps up 6



Cyclamen	Sleeps up 8



Hestia	Sleeps up 4



Laurus	Sleeps up 4



Lilium	Sleeps up 4



Muscari	Sleeps up 6



Thyme	Sleeps up 6



Trifylli	Sleeps up 4

FACILITIES

Beauty Treatments
	Eyebrow shape and tint, Eyelash tint, Pedicures, Manicures, Facials on request (all by appointment only, additional charge, payable locally).

Massage & Therapy Treatments
	Holistic massage, Thai Yoga Massage, Ayurvedic massage, Aromatherapy massage, Reflexology, Indian Head massage (all by appointment only, additional charge, payable locally)

Personal Fitness
	by appointment, additional charge, payable locally

The Granary Treatment Rooms
	3 treatment rooms within a self contained building offering a selection of relaxing treatments(by appointment only – additional charge, payable locally) • Private relaxation terraces adjoined to The Granary Treatment Building

The Rou Estate Facilities
	Large communal pool 26m x 9m

The Rou Estate Facilities
	• Large communal gardens designed by Jennifer Gay, Designer and Member of The Mediterranean Garden Society • Numerous sitting areas found within the gardens, some sunny and some shaded • Gardens will form The Rou Estate Greek wild flower reserve. The gardens will be stocked with many of the Greek wild flowers found at this altitude

The Rou Estate Facilities
	The Garden Room (conference and activity room – additional charge) is bookable for dinner parties, drinks parties, cookery classes, yoga classes and lectures etc

The Rou Estate Facilities
	Gym, air-conditioned with external private shaded exercise terrace

The Rou Estate Facts
	2 car parks leading, via landscaped walk ways to central square

The Rou Estate Spa Facilities Underneath The Pool
	Steam Shower, Sauna, Meditation Room, Changing Rooms • Hot and Cold tubs (Olive Jars) with amazing views • Terraces and planting within the layout of the pool area at different levels to create privacy

Yoga
	by appointment only, additional charge, payable locally