Villa Galinia

Villa Galinia is situated in the southeast of Lefkada, just 500m from the charming village of Fterno, which has a couple of good tavernas.

A wider selection of tavernas and amenities can be found in Sivota (a 10-minute drive), and Nidri (20mins), a lively harbour town with lots going on, cafés, bars, boat hire and water sports facilities.

In terms of beaches, there's a great choice within a 10-to-20-minute drive, including those at Mikros Gialos, Desimi, Afteli, Ammoussa Bay and Vasiliki, this +latter a mecca for water sports enthusiasts.

Exploring the island of Lefkada, which is 35km long and 15km wide, is relatively easy in a week (if you can pull yourselves away from the views and pool of the villa) and offers a great deal to see and do. The azure, transparent waters of the Ionian Sea are a real attraction and the varied coastline includes a host of golden sandy beaches and the dramatic white cliffs Cape Lefkatas on the southern tip.

The wooded mountains of the interior, some of which rise to over 1,100m, offer excellent walking, some truly beautiful scenery and a scattering of unspoilt villages where the way of life remains profoundly connected to the island's ancient traditions and customs. The island's capital, Lefkada Town is a buzzing centre with plenty of seafront tavernas and bars, a good selection of shops, and a busy marina.

At its northern point Lefkada is connected to mainland Greece by a causeway and, via frequent ferry services from the ports of Nidri and Vasiliki, to several of the other islands of the Ionian archipelago (including nearby Meganissi), making it eminently possible to explore further afield.