Old Wine Store: romantic cottage, great sea views  

Description from the owner

Sitting on the edge of the village of Glossa, the cottage is one of a cluster of three holiday cottages on the same property. The three are within hailing distance of eachother but each is detached and secluded with its own character and private external areas. The cottage has easy access to the village with shops, tavernas and bus-stop, and is a 25-minute walk from the beach. There are also some beautiful quiet beaches and country walks through olive groves and pine forest, with masses of wild flowers especially in spring and autumn.

This romantic cottage for two has been lovingly restored from an old stone-built wine store. The thick... walls give the cottage a beautifully quiet and serene atmosphere, while also keeping it cool in summer and cosy in winter. Terraces outside provide sun or shade all day, so you can sunbathe or relax in the shade of the orange tree.

The cottage consists of a ground floor with kitchen area, sofa, small table and chairs and desk. Wooden steps lead to a sleeping platform with its little window looking out over the wonderful sea views. A door under the platform leads to the bathroom with shower, wc and washbasin.

Situated in the peaceful western edge of the picturesque village of Glossa in the area known as `Yiali`. The cottage is one of a cluster of three holiday cottages on the same property. The three are within hailing distance of each other but each is detached and secluded with its own character and private external areas. The nearest port is Loutraki, just below the village of Glossa. When you arrive in Loutraki, we will arrange for a taxi to bring you to about 100 metres from the cottage where we will meet you. Beyond this there is a small concrete road which is easy to navigate with wheeled suitcases. You can bring a car to about 100 metres from the cottage for unloading shopping and beach equipment and so on. There is ample free parking within 10 minutes walk. The main route through the village is reasonably level, but getting to the property involves a few steps and you will encounter steps and slopes when exploring this hillside village.

The village has shops, tavernas and bus stop all within 10 minutes walk of the cottage. There is a good frequent bus service to all the main beaches on the island. Loutraki is a 25 minute walk. This is the nearest beach, and also provides harbourside cafes and fish tavernas.All bedding and towels - including beach towels - are provided. We arrange linen change and cleaning once a week. You can select from our library of books, DVDs and music collection stored in the office close by.

Equipment includes: Kitchen area: Fridge, cooker, sink, shelves and work surface space, dresser, spot lighting. Sitting room area: Satellite TV with range of film, sports and news channels with integtral DVD/CD player, pull-down single sofa bed, dining table and chairs, storage shelves with information, masks and snorkels and a writing desk under an open staircase. Bedroom: Fan, bed and bedside table, dressing table/ chest of drawers and mirror, wardrobe rail. Bathroom: Shower, wc, wash basin and plenty of shelf space for toiletries.

The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands calls Glossa `a quite beautiful, totally Greek town`. Correct! (Although with a thousand houses it is really a village) But it is out of date in one important detail. Glossa now has excellent water pressure year-round since the drilling of new boreholes. It also has two high quality tavernas - the Agnanti and the Maistrali and a more everyday taverna `To Steki Tou Mastoras`, where great spits of meat rotate over charcoal. There is a great souvlaki bar in the 'Louki' at the centre of the village, a café/pizzeria by the school and a cafeneion by the top church where you can join the locals for a coffee, beer and a game of tavli (backgammon). Kira Leni’s bakers next to the school on the main road also sells dangerously delicious Greek snacks, pastries and preserves to eat in or take away. She also bakes bread - including wholemeal - on the premises.

In Loutraki there are two excellent fish restaurants (they also do other food) the Armirali and Flisvos. In the centre of Loutraki there is a group of cafés where the road reaches the harbour and a splendid souvlaki bar opposite the supermarket. More tavernas are opposite the children’s playground and further along is Petrino’s café, famous for pizza and icecream. Most of the tavernas in Glossa and Loutraki have free wifi.

Part of the great charm of Glossa-Loutraki is that it doesn`t try to be charming or traditional. It just is. It is large enough to have a life of its own and to absorb the visitors in the summer. As almost all of these are Greeks from the mainland, there is nowhere offering an English breakfast or even a foreign newspaper - you must go to Skopelos for that. Local people are welcoming and very happy to exchange a polite `kali mera` in the morning or `kali spera` in the evening as you pass in the street.Read more

Additional Location Information

Glossa is an unspoiled traditional Greek village with narrow streets made for donkeys rather than cars. It is the smaller of two towns in the island, the larger being Skopelos town, which is much more tourist - developed.

Glossa is the ideal location for people who want to explore on foot and we keep picture guides and walking maps in all our properties to help you make the most of the island. Many people love to walk to the little secluded beaches on the north side of the island where the buses don't go, and so they are very quiet, even at the height of summer. Normally you can be sure to find a little bay all to yourself.

The Old Wine Store is right at the end of the village, and so there is no passing traffic and it is very quiet. At night you will probably hear the 'bloop bloop' of the Scops Owl. The only other disturbance may be the neighbour's cockerels welcoming a new day!

In spite of the peaceful location, it is only a ten-minute stroll through this quaint little village to reach shops, restaurants and tavernas, bus top and taxi stand.

Location Type Away from it all, Rural, Village

Rental fees

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• karin kus
  whempstead

  It has been an absolute delight staying at the Old Wine Store -

  Left on 11/20/2012 for a stay in June 2012
  
  

  It has been an absolute delight staying at the Old Wine Store - we are so pleased that we found this on the internet.
  
  Jo and Roger are really helpful and their personal touches and attention to detail - both decorative with lovely quirky decorations and antiques - and practically with everything you could need for a stay - we really appreciated not having to bring towels - beach towels, snorkels and other thoughtful things - binoculars, bird book and more. Thank you!
  
  We loved the town of Glossa and it is really worth walking up to the church and shops above the main street, all the local people were really friendly and helpful too.
  
  Favourite places: Milia beach, Agnondas really a must - Aghios Iannis chapel and beach and also Loutraki, especially the Roman bath ruin which is fascinating. We will definitely be back.
  
  Karin & Paul, Hertfordshire.
  
  Ps Paul did a lot of painting - we will put up on / send to Jo's facebook!
  
  

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic, Rugged

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• Sally
  Essex

  Unspoilt location with relaxed atmosphere - very Greek!

  Left on 11/16/2012 for a stay in July 2011
  
  

  Having already stayed in Skiathos and alonnisos a couple of years ago, we were looking forward to our visit to Skopelos, and were not disappointed. The Old Wine Store is every bit as good as it appeared online, and the views are even more spectacular than we imagined - a perfect choice for us.
  
  Do explore Glossa - it's so easy to miss its hidden treasures. We made our way up the steps opposite the little shrine and kept walking up and right as the mood took us. The walk to aghios Iannis is well worth the effort - we started off reasonably early in the day and then enjoyed a drink at the kiosk and relaxation on the beach before attempting the walk back up, by which time some of the route was shaded. We also hired an open-topped Jimny, booked for us by Roger, which was great fun and, in the heat, the most comfortable way to really explore the island away from the main bus route. The track around amarantos is well worth doing, as well as the tracks around Mount Delphi and between Klima and Kalogheros, and offer spectacular views. The walk up to Sendoukia is manageable and should not be missed.
  
  We can't give any useful tips about the cooking facilities because we don't 'do' cooking on holiday but we have enjoyed all our vaious meals out at a variety of establishments. For F1 fans, the very friendly lady at the aramis cafe in Loutraki is happy to put a race on her big screen and does very reasonably priced snacks. A visit to the bakery in Glossa is a must too! (But only if you work on the basis that calories don't count on holiday!)
  
  We had a wonderful holiday with glorious weather, fabulous scenery and on an island that has not been spoilt by tourism and offers great relaxation - just what the doctor ordered!
  

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  Recommended for: Romantic

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• Phoebe & Tom Cooney
  Paris/Brisbane

  Homely, charming and cosy.

  Left on 11/16/2012 for a stay in December 2009
  
  

  Me and my husband spent a part of our honeymoon here in the winter of 2009. The wood-fired stove kept the place lovely and warm. Quiet and utterly peaceful whilst being only a short walk into the village, shops and cafes. Compact but with everything you need for a self-catering home away from home - and if there's something you need that isn't in the house, the owners Jo and Roger, are only too happy to lend you theirs. Loads of walks, beaches and exploring just at the doorstep - a few fairly steep bits too. Totally perfect and romantic, will certainly be going back.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Romantic, Families, Rugged

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• Katie & Felix
  London

  The perfect combination of seclusion and buzz, being tucked away

  Left on 11/16/2012 for a stay in August 2012
  
  

  The Old Wine Store is absolutely gorgeous! We found it the perfect romantic idyll for our very belated honeymoon. The peace and tranquility were just what we were hoping for and our daily breakfasts on the terrace with the incredible view will be sorely missed! Jo and Roger are the perfect hosts and we didn't want for anything.
  

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Romantic

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• Melissa
  London

  Amazing!

  Left on 11/16/2012 for a stay in July 2012
  
  

  Thank you for creating such a wonderful place, just at the edge of Glossa and near to the 'wild' side of the island. A perfect place for proper walking to beaches (some steep hills here and there!) and getting the bus around the island. We still think about this holiday a lot and hope to come back soon.
  
  Melissa and Edwin, London

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Romantic, Rugged

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• Tanja
  Sremski Karlovci

  A dream house in charming Glossa

  Left on 11/16/2012 for a stay in July 2011
  
  

  There are no words to describe how beautiful Skopelos island and its main city are, but we fell in love with little charming Glossa.
  
  The Old Wine Store is a house from our dreams. It has a perfect view from the terrace, from where you can enjoy a romantic sunset with your soul mate.
  
  You should explore the narrow streets of Glossa, make walks recommended by Jo and Roger, visit as many different beaches as you can, enjoy delicious Greek food (souvlaki and gyros) and try all the cakes in the local bakery (and feel no guilt as you swim / walk a lot!).
  
  Jo and Roger were great and very helpful hosts, they gave us all the necessary information for a pleasant stay.
  
  Ps Forgot about Skiathos, Skopelos is a real gem.
  
  Tanja and Joca, Serbia

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Travelers, Romantic

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  Was this review helpful? Yes