activities
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Luxury retreat
Lefkada
Greece
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You may never want to move from your hammock or pool chair other than for a lazy swim or to visit the local taverna. Fine. But if you do feel like sightseeing or a change of lazing location, Lefkada offers stunning coastal and mountain scenery; the fascinating town of Lefkada; beautiful villages; fabulous fresh produce to shop for; excellent and friendly tavernas; cool bars; and of course, world-class beaches.
In spring, early summer and throughout the autumn and winter the ground is covered in wild flowers and there is glorious walking. Three hours away by car is the spectacular Zagoria region of dramatic gorges, and the mountain top monasteries of Meteora. Ski-ing is possible in winter. Delphi can be visited in a day, or as part of an overland trip to or from Athens. Hire a little boat. Island hop. Bring your laptop and have a working holiday. Or just flop....a stay in Lefkada has many possibilities.
Hang Out At The Beach
From The Gecko there is excellent access to the superb West coast beaches. Every taste is catered for. The two beaches of Tsoukalades are simple, charming and picturesque but have no facilities: you must take an umbrella and a picnic. A few minutes South, the seemingly endless Pefkoulia has a bar, taverna, beach chairs and umbrellas but also offers solitude a short walk away. Pretty Agios Nikitas has a popular sheltered “village” beach with decent snorkelling and great access to all the tavernas but hop in the taxi boat or scramble over the rocks and you find beautiful long stretches of sandy beach either side of the cove. Drive a few minutes longer to Kathisma, a stunning, endless stretch of clean sand stretching for several miles - there you’ll find several tavernas and Libre, one of the coolest beach bars you could hope to find. Yet further? Kalamitsi, Plata Gialos, Porto Katsiki, all different, all beautiful, never crowded.
Popular with locals are the beaches close to Lefkas Town - Agios Ioannis and Milos. A Ioannis has a range of good tavernas and bars, while Milos is graced with a string of stone windmills and is popular for windsurfing.
On the East side of the island the beaches are quite different. It is more sheltered and perhaps more family orientated. Sunsail have a big presence for both dinghy and flotilla sailing. Dotted along the coast are numerous small pebble beaches and charming harbours, starting at Lygia in the North, through Perigialli (try to have lunch at the Skorpios Hotel - the food and service are excellent and the view sublime) to the package-tour strip of Nidri; on to Vliho (left to Geni with good waterside tavernas) then to Poros, Sivota (very yachtie) and finally Vasiliki, host to the world windsurf championships.
Cruise the Bars and Cafes
It's not a pre-requisite to drink alcohol; this is a real cafe society where lounging around with an espresso or frappe is absolutely cool. The bars are many and varied, from old boy cafeneions to some of the sexiest bars you could hope to find - temples of modern design and music, full of beautiful people. Check out Karma Bar, Pluto or People Club Restaurant in Lefkada Town and Barbarossa Summer Cafe or the Captain's Bar in Agios Nikitas. For internet browsing with great people watching try Cafezinho opposite the yacht harbour and next door to Molos Taverna. Wherever you are, the service is inevitably both elegant and friendly, with the arrival of a snack to accompany your drink the norm.
Eat Out
There are dozens of tavernas. Most are perfectly decent, serving simple, fresh, ingredient-led cooking in often idyllic locations. You are bound to end up with your own list of favourites. As a starting point these are ours:
In Tsoukalades, at the turning to The Gecko, “The Rose” is very good and lively, and a meeting point for the community. Open all year.
In Agios Nikitas, chic Sappho in a stunning location right on the beach. Now open all year (in winter, Friday Saturday and Sunday). Always has a huge range of fresh fish in the fridge and delicious “kitchen food” on display in the kitchen. Go inside and have a look.
In Lefkada town, “Margherita”, the very large taverna facing the sea just to the left of the humpy bridge as you arrive in Lefkada town. Open all year, very welcoming. “El Molo” facing the yacht harbour has excellent food and friendly service and is popular throughout the year with locals. Left off the street from Karma Bar, on the way to the main square, “Seven Islands” is a totally traditional “kitchen food” tavern. Visiting the kitchen to have a look in the pots is obligatory and the only way to get fed!
At Ligia, “Xouras” the harbourside taverna immediately to the left of the parking area as you head south is a great local favourite, full at weekends with families having parties - very good food and lots of fun.
At Perigialli, "Skorpios" Hotel has a very good kitchen presided over by Kiria with fierce pride. Try the chargrilled prawn skewer. Quietly elegant service, gorgeous views.
In Nidri, "Nik the Greek", facing the Meganissi ferry station, is the original Nidri taverna, reputedly favourite of Jackie Onassis. Cheerfully scruffy, very popular. Good fish and kitchen food. Open all year.
At Sivota, locals and ex-pat yachties alike all love "Ionio", whilst "Delfinia" was 'HQ' of Sunsail and has also had good reports from Gecko guests.
Explore Lefkada Town
The old town is extensive and fascinating, with endless small streets and alleyways to explore. The architecture is unique, a mix of Venetian and the half-panelled style adopted after the earthquake of '53, with numerous beautiful churches, three fortresses and the windmills of Milos to visit. The main square is very elegant, the place to sit outside a cafe and watch the world go by. Or join in the evening 'volta' along the pedestrianised main street or the harbourside.
On a practical level, Lefkada town is where one finds buses, banks, the post office, and shops of all kinds. There are many cool bars, an internet cafe and endless tavernas and restaurants - all of which stay open year round. See our map of Lefkada Town.
Tour the Mountain Villages
Take time to meander through the mountains and around the coast. The scenery is beautiful and spectacular and the villages charming, picturesque, friendly and welcoming. Several sell the excellent local honey, and traditional handmade lace and rugs.
Walk
The island is criss-crossed with paths and tracks. Walking, whether in the cooler months when wildflowers are abundant or in summer when the smells of pine and wild thyme fill the air, is a delightful way to pass a day.
Cook
The Gecko has a kitchen equipped to please the most demanding amateur chef, whilst outside is a BBQ with food preparation station. Lefkada town has many well stocked supermarkets, but also excellent butchers, bakers, fishmongers and greengrocers. The quality of the produce is first class and hard to resist, so cooking is a real pleasure.
Read, Listen, Play
We have an extensive library of books, CDs, DVDs, indoor games and outdoor toys, (including adult-size spacehoppers...) There are also yoga mats, beach umbrellas, picnic baskets, cool boxes.
Charter A Yacht
A 45ft sailing yacht is available at very reasonable cost for day cruises around Lefkada, Meganissi, and the satellite islands. She is crewed and guests can take part in sailing her as much or as little as they wish - or simply stretch out on deck and enjoy the sun and the gorgeous scenery. There are ample opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and to relax on deserted beaches. Lunch and drinks are provided.
Rent A Boat
From the quay in Nidri you can rent an outboard to chug up and down the coast and around the off-shore islands, find a deserted beach or cross to Meganissi.
Island Hop
Lefkada is connected by ferry from Nidri to Meganissi (you can take your car; a day trip is possible) and to Kefalonia and Ithaca from Nidri and Vassiliki.
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Work From The Gecko
We have a dedicated workstation in the main house and a writing table on the gallery floor. If you can work from wherever, or you’ve got some work to do that needs privacy, peace and quiet, why not think of working from The Gecko? Whether as a dedicated working trip or an extension to a holiday it is a delightful and productive working environment. A Broadband connection, free to guests, is available. Guests may use our fixed computer at the workstation, or bring a laptop and take advantage of wi-fi to work wherever ... on the terrace, under the pergola, in bed ...
