TheVilla Collection OUR PASSION • YOUR MEMORIES GREECE & CYPRUS 2019 CELEBRATING50 YEARS OF VILLA HOLIDAYS OUR PASSION • YOUR MEMORIES 2 GIC THE VILLA COLLECTION Elounda Beach Hotel and Villas, Crete Albania Greek Mainland Corfu AEGEAN SEA ● Sivota Paxos Skiathos Alonissos AntiPaxos I Skopelos Turkey O Lefkas Meganissi N I Ithaca A N Kefalonia ● Athens Samos Peloponnese S E A ● Stoupa A S E Crete E A N M E D I T E R R A N Cyprus Contents 100% Financial Protection GIC The Villa Collection is a fully bonded A welcome from our Managing Director 4 Corfu 56 tour operator. Our air travel inclusive holidays are ATOL protected by the Civil Why choose GIC The Villa Collection? 6 Paxos 80 Aviation Authority. Accommodation and land Our villa collections 8 Antipaxos 116 arrangements are protected by ABTA. Luxury yachting 10 Lefkas 120 Customer service GIC hotel villas 11 Meganissi 138 We set high standards for ourselves and our Weddings in Greece and Cyprus 11 Ithaca 148 team; we hope that you will find our service Our destinations 12 Kefalonia 160 levels to be friendly and efficient, with a Samos 14 Peloponnese 192 personal, caring touch. Skopelos 18 Crete 198 Alonissos 32 Cyprus 212 Skiathos 46 ABTA No.V6218 VILLA ESCAPES 3 WELCOME TO GIC’S VILLA COLLECTION My team and I are delighted to welcome you to our Golden anniversary edition What creates a true specialist? It certainly isn’t just the I joined the Greek Islands Club (GIC) in 1994 as a local name. Names and companies are bought and sold on representative and I’ve been here ever since. I started a regular basis and with new management come new from the bottom, which is the best way to understand a members of staff that neither know the history or company and how it works. I am passionate about heritage of the operator. In the last 50 years the travel Greece and throughout the season I dash out to our industry has seen enormous change. Many of the old various resorts for a few days every two or three weeks, and respected specialists have disappeared, others are to make sure that all is well and to keep abreast of new still here but in name only as those that created those events and happenings. It’s attention to detail that counts. operators have long since gone. We are all passionate about our company and its It takes many years of service to begin to understand image. The fact that after 50 years we are still here and the ethos of a company, to get to know its partners still independent shows that the pride in what we do abroad and how the company interacts with them. It has not dimmed. It’s still very exciting to discover a isn’t just a matter of arriving in Greece or Cyprus and fabulous new villa or hidden beach or quaint resort, and signing up properties that look the part - there are to introduce our guests to these finds. plenty of those. So, welcome to our world and to our passion for our The relationship of a specialist with its overseas destinations.. Within these pages you will find a villa suppliers goes much deeper than that. GIC The Villa which you can make your very own for those all too Collection has worked with many of its owners for the brief weeks away from home. last 25 years and more. Over that period, owners and local agents become our friends and our many repeat clients enjoy meeting them time and again. Our owners come to understand what our guests expect and strive to raise standards and to meet changing tastes. Chris Wright Managing Director [email protected] 4 GIC THE VILLA COLLECTION Beach bar in Paleokastritsa, Corfu – Close to Paleokastritsa Beach House, Page 74 VILLA ESCAPES 5 Loggos waterfront, Paxos 6 GIC THE VILLA COLLECTION OUR PASSION • YOUR MEMORIES In 2019 we are proud to be celebrating our Golden Anniversary. Much has changed since we organised our first villa holiday to Greece, but our aim remains the same – to offer an escape from the routine, supported by our knowledgeable reservation and resort teams. We understand that it is the little things that can transform your holiday into a lifetime of memory. Discover for yourself the subtle differences that make GIC The Villa Collection one of the UK’s leading villa specialists, and why so many of our guests choose to travel with us year-on-year. 5 REASONS TO BOOK WITH US Personal service Trust Unrivalled knowledge Our guest feedback always notes the We take full responsibility for all aspects of our With 50 years of experience comes a depth of professionalism and friendliness of our overseas holidays and offer 100% financial protection. knowledge that goes far beyond the surface of our representatives, many of whom live and work in destinations. Greece and Cyprus are in our blood: we Greece and Cyprus year-round. Whether you meet There are no hidden extras. All our holidays include: love these countries, their scenery, culture, heritage Effi on Paxos, Julia on Corfu, Julie on Lefkas, Julia 20kg hold luggage PLUS 5kg of hand luggage and people, and we want nothing more than to share on Alonissos, Angela on Cyprus etc. you can relax, per person this passion with you. safe in the knowledge that you will be, unobtrusively, A UK airport representative. Departures are looked after. Our overseas teams project our available from London Gatwick, London We only feature villas that we have handpicked, and holidays to another level. Stansted, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham places that we have enjoyed visiting. An experienced local representative Honesty Car hire and/or transfers Our reservations team have been with us for an A welcome pack full of goodies for your first night average of 10 years each and have visited each of Our brochure has been compiled using the All this is backed up by an experienced villa team our featured destinations. If you have any questions, information obtained through our visits and from our in the UK – on hand to help and advise from the or need advice on the best island or property for experienced overseas team. Our descriptions are initial planning to your return from holiday – and you, they can assist. They will also share their not flowery – they are honest and designed to a 24 hour emergency line. insider tips. highlight the key selling points of each villa, so that you know exactly what to expect. We focus on the Variety: A holiday for all Call 020 8232 9780 comfort, views, facilities and proximity to local or visit gicthevillacollection.com amenities. If it is a simple property but the Whether you are dreaming of a romantic hideaway surroundings are breathtaking or the owner is amongst the olive-clad hills of the Ionian; a spacious extremely hospitable, this will be described. home-from-home, where the whole family can relax, swim and play; or a villa idyllically positioned on a turquoise shoreline, our portfolio has the property for you. VILLA ESCAPES 7 PREMIER FAMILY COLLECTION COLLECTION OUR Villa Aleka, Meganissi COLLECTIONS Each and every GIC villa offers something unique that makes it that extra bit special – whether it be a cottage close to the sea with a boat mooring, a family friendly villa Paparouna, Alonissos with pool or a village home where you can truly immerse yourself in the local Premier Collection Family Collection community. All properties featured in our Offering a higher standard of comfort, quality From toddlers to teenagers, parents and collection and have been handpicked by furnishings, stylish interiors, stunning locations and grandparents we have villas of all sizes for our overseas team and destination breathtaking views. memorable family holidays. specialists. Thalassa Vista, Skopelos Page 22 Villa Bonas, Paxos Page 88 We understand that so much choice can We love it because... We love it because... be somewhat overwhelming which is why, • An elegant villa offering the ideal balance of • Totally private and set amidst 1.5 acres of olive in 2019, we have introduced nine holiday tranquillity and convenience groves, yet only 15 minutes’ walk from Gaios collections. Choose your dream holiday • Homely interior adorned with quality furnishings harbour and some of Paxos’ best beaches from our Premier, Family, Beach, Couples, and intricate touches. Attention to detail is • Swimming pool with panoramic views over the Rural, Local and Groups collections, plus apparent throughout island’s capital to the Ionian beyond our luxury yachting options and hotel villas. • Spacious living and outdoor areas, including its • Three spacious bedrooms and an al fresco dining own private swimming pool area Over the following pages each collection • Exquisite views over the harbour of Skopelos • Table tennis will be introduced alongside a two villa Town • Day trips are available to the neighbouring island of AntiPaxos. The crystal-clear, turquoise waters sample that we feel illustrates the Paparouna, Alonissos Page 36 here have to be seen to be believed concept. Throughout the brochure the We love it because... coloured label will identify further villas • Tastefully combines rustic charm with modern Villa Aleka, Meganissi Page 142 within each collection and our website elegance We love it because... contains the full listing. • Wonderful infinity swimming pool. It is easy to • Spacious living quarters, modern interior, while-away the hours enjoying the view over manicured gardens and blissful seclusion As always our knowledgeable reservations Patitiri harbour and the twinkling Aegean Sea • Three bedrooms (one double and two twin) all team are on hand to help and advise. • The interior design has been finished to a with en suite bathrooms – thus offering privacy for standard expected of a luxurious hotel all members of the family Call 020 8232 9780 or visit • Utter seclusion and privacy.