On a fine summer’s morning as the first yachts ease their way off their moorings in the tiny port of Fiskardo the early risers are ordering their first coffee in one the waterfront cafes. It’s hard to believe that life was completely different 70 years ago. The occupying Italian army, without logistical support, decimated the islanders’ food supplies. Farming communities such as Katsarata, on the hillside above Fiskardo, would have faced starvation had they not managed to hide their wheat harvest in caves and old cisterns in the surrounding woods. Now, in more peaceful times, traditional farming is no longer viable and these same fields provide the perfect setting for houses such as Villa Astra.

Built into the hillside on one level and set in its own walled and landscaped gardens, Villa Astra has been designed so that every room not only enjoys a daytime view stretching from the lighthouse to the south west of Lefkada, to the northern half of Ithaka, but also opens directly onto the front terrace and swimming pool. At nightfall, the house is transformed; the cooler evening air clears away the haze of the daytime heat.

The villa is designed to give the feeling of space with a large open plan living area with a well equipped kitchen. A modern version of a traditional Kefalonian open hearth is the centre piece of the spacious sitting room. All three bedrooms lead out onto a terrace. The master bedroom has an adjoining shower room and two twin bedrooms share the main bathroom.

The village of Manganos, with it’s colourful greengrocer’s shop and taverna, is a five minute drive. Fiskardo and local beaches are only five minutes further. In our opinion, Villa Astra is blessed with one of the best panoramas in northern Kefalonia.