Gaia

Tucked between silvery olive groves on Zakynthos' northeastern shore, Gaia feels like a secret you're glad to have discovered. Just a 10 minute walk from Ammoudi's sandy beach, this intimate villa has been carefully designed with simple pleasures - swimming, cooking, and sleeping well - in mind.

The resort has an easy, authentic Greek charm, offering a handful of tavernas and beachside cafés where tables overlook the water, and plates are piled high with grilled octopus, prawns, seabream and red mullet caught that morning. Stock up on local honey, bread and olives at the nearby supermarket, or wander along the shore before heading home for one last swim.

Gaia echoes the Moroccan-inspired design of villas Sol and Luna, its terracotta walls and arches wrapping around a generous pool terrace, where there's room enough for everyone to spread out and unwind. The villa is beautifully lit at night, setting the scene for slow dinners outdoors as the sun sets. Here you can share plates of local mezze, fresh seafood, and crisp local Verdea wine as the sky turns from orange to indigo to starry night.

Inside, the airy design blends simple luxury with elegance and warmth: think cool stone floors, smooth wood, and woven textures. The ground floor’s open-plan living area and kitchen, with breakfast bar, open directly to the pool terrace, while the bedroom on this level, with en suite shower room and terrace access, is perfect for an early swim or a quiet moment. Upstairs, the second bedroom also has its own bathroom and a private balcony with views across the landscape.

Beyond the villa gates, don’t miss a boat trip to the famous Blue Caves with their luminous turquoise waters, or visit the iconic Navagio shipwreck nestled beneath dramatic cliffs. Explore charming hilltop villages where bougainvillea tumbles over whitewashed walls, or if you're travelling with children, the island's waterpark is perfect for a day of splashing about and laughter. But most evenings, you'll no doubt find yourself back at Gaia, reluctant to leave your new Zakynthian sanctuary.