Pause a while at Orizzonte Blu; take time to absorb the picture-perfect, panoramic spectacle unfolding before you. From the first glimmers of sunshine over Albania’s distant hills through the rich indigo hues of early evening to the soft moonlight glittering on the Ionian Sea, this view is amongst our best in Corfu. Sunsets here are unforgettable.
Tucked away on a verdant hillside just 800m from the sleepy hamlet of Loutses this cosy, homely retreat is perfectly positioned to make the most of those sweeping views directly across the beautiful Corfu Channel – in fact it was these same far-reaching vistas that made the area a key lookout point for pirates back in the day!
Open plan, bright and comfortably furnished, the interior is a soothing mix of soft pastel shades, varnished and painted wood ceilings, wood-effect flooring and colourful ceramics; adding further charm and atmosphere, delightfully quirky touches include light fittings made from driftwood and chunky sailing rope, a floor mat crafted from the same material as the dining chair cushions as well as a full-length mirror framed in attractively distressed, semi-sanded timber.
Large glass doors in the living area and principal bedroom invite the outside inside, whilst at the same time leading the eye to those mesmerising scenes that make relaxing in the sunshine or enjoying a meal such a joy. Crafted from local stone, the poolside terrace and shaded dining area are simply wonderful havens in which to pass lazy summer days overseeing the dramatic, constantly shifting collage of light, shade, colour and eclectic selection of watercraft that parades up and down the Channel.
Fringed by olive groves, rich vegetation and wildflowers the surrounding hamlets and villages form an appealing tapestry of quintessential Greek life. A few hundred metres uphill from the house you will find laid-back Loutses which has a small minimarket, the Taverna Hatzos (300m) - open odd days! in high season only - and an artisan shop ‘Bee Happy’ specialising in local products, particularly honey. In the other direction the village of Neo/New Peritheia (3.5km) has minimarkets and tavernas or coastal Acharavi (10.1km) is home to several large supermarkets and a comprehensive range of amenities.
The lovely sandy beaches of Apraos and Kalamaki are just over 5km away and do pay a visit to the protected heritage site of Palea/Old Peritheia (again only 5km); this captivating ‘ghost village’ of Byzantine origins is also a great starting point for scenic walks in the hillsides, followed perhaps by a leisurely lunch in one of the five traditional tavernas.
