Choose Your Ionian Holiday Home...
We act as booking agents for all the properties you will see on our website. We update our villa availability regularly but please email or call us for the most up to date availability
Welcome to Ionian Villas
The Watrous family have arranged holidays to the Ionian islands for 55 years. Alex and Catherine Watrous are now the 3rd family generation to help you make the right choice of Ionian escape. You have come to the right place if you are looking for...
A varied choice of villas, apartments, houses and cottages on the islands of Paxos, AntiPaxos, Corfu, Ithaca, Kefalonia (Cephalonia), Lefkas, Meganissi, Zakynthos (Zante) and the Ionian mainland.
- A more flexible and personal service then a package holiday.
- Villas with a private swimming pool.
- Someone who knows each island and property intimately.
- Links to find the most appropriate flights, island transfers and car hire.
- Flexible holiday dates and durations.
- A collection of ‘A Touch of Luxury’ properties with concierge services available.
- The security of an Ionian Villas manager on each island for help with anything at anytime.
The properties on our website have not only been chosen for their location, aspects of privacy and standard of comfort but also for each owner's reliability.
We look forward to helping you choose your villa escape.
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Paxos
Paxos
Paxos is carpeted by olive groves hiding small hamlets. Sheltered coves on the east coast; west coast cliffs framed by cypress trees. On an island 7 by 3 miles you are never far from one of the 3 sleepy ports. A relaxed escape from the crowds.
Explore PaxosKefalonia
Kefalonia
The largest of the Ionian islands and perhaps the most diverse – in the south, sandy beaches and more organised family entertainment – in the north, similar to a Tuscan landscape of olive grove hillsides, Venetian architecture, hidden coves.
Explore KefaloniaLefkas
Lefkas
Lefkas has hidden, hilltop villages with a traditional life from yesteryear, some of Greece’s most beautiful sandy beaches on a dramatic west coast and an east coast popularity with sailing, boating and windsurfing.
Explore LefkasIthaca
Ithaca
Ithaca has a soft, natural landscape of peaceful valleys forested by pine and olive. Not many holiday homes on Ithaca so a relaxed escape from the crowds. The ports of Vathy, Kioni and Frikes will appeal to those looking for a simple lifestyle.
Explore IthacaCorfu
Corfu
Large enough to cater for most tastes, Corfu has sleepy villages hidden by olive groves; pretty seaside villages with laid-back attitudes; fine dining and elegant Venetian architecture in town; many beaches of sand and pebble; good water sports.
Explore CorfuAntiPaxos
AntiPaxos
Here there exists a rare feeling of absolute peace and quiet. This tiny island, with a population of around 30, has beautiful sandy beaches and a wilderness of small olive trees and vineyards. An unusual and uncomplicated escape for couples.
Explore AntiPaxosZakynthos
Zakynthos
Zakynthos' north-east coastline is best explored with a hired boat. Pack a picnic and find a deserted cove or moor up at one of several beach tavernas for freshly caught fish and a glass of chilled wine.
Ionian Mainland
Ionian Mainland
The sheltered port of Syvota, on the Ionian coastline of the Greek mainland, has a good choice of waterfront tavernas, bars and shops with nearby sandy beaches.
Explore Ionian MainlandMeganissi
Meganissi
The tiny island of Meganissi lies 4 miles off the south east coast of Lefkas. Visitors come here to share a simple lifestyle, explore a beautiful coastline of sheltered coves by boat and to forget the bustle of life back home.
A Touch of Luxury
We select our Ionian properties for their views; their degree of privacy; their comfort and their “soul”.
We have also included some villas, which offer a more indulging experience and which will appeal to those looking for enhanced comfort.
Useful Articles...
Eliot Villa
In 1962 Eliot Watrous happened upon the little island of Paxos. He returned two years later and bought a small plot of land, just outside the capital village of Gaios, and a local team of builders constructed a small, simple house above the sea – based upon a design drawn on the back of a cigarette packet. In 1965, Eliot and his wife and four sons, spent the months of July and August in their half finished Paxos home. In those days the island’s electricity was produced (sporadically) by a diesel-fuelled generator, the ferry journey from Corfu took up to five hours, provisions were limited and it was just two years before a military dictatorship overthrew the Greek government. Over the next few years the Watrous family spent long summers in both work (on the house) and play (deserted beaches and more donkeys than cars). The house was known as Eliot Villa. It was sold to one of Greece’s most famous folk singers, who converted and modernised the property to make it one of the most comfortable retreats on the stretch of coastline just outside Gaios. Eliot Villa can now be booked through Ionian Villas. It has 4 bedrooms, a pool, privacy and is just 100 metres from a small beach.
Read moreWhat’s all this about cracking red eggs for Greek Easter?
Over 90% of Greeks identify with the Greek Orthodox Christian faith. Their church has played a strong part in their history and religious traditions are important to them. One of the most celebrated events of the calendar is the Orthodox Easter and this year their Easter falls on 16th April. Festivities begin about a month before Lent with Carnival Season (“Apokries”): celebrations of street parties, parades and masquarades – originally pagan rituals worshipping Dionysos, the God of wine, agriculture, fertility, dance and fun.
Read moreIonian Escapes May Half Term 2023
Have you thought about switching your July and August Summer holiday for a Spring holiday? We like to visit the Ionian every May with our family and here’s why we think it is the perfect time to visit…. If this appeals to you, we still have some fantastic properties available this May half term
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