Tucked away in a secluded part of Megalochori, Villa Io provides total privacy and an ideal hide-away. Ref: 36235 Built into the volcanic rock the Villa once served as the village school to the local children. The outdoor area is very private and the cobbled courtyard, complemented by a glistening pool, provides the perfect outdoor space for lazing around on hot summer days. The villa is 16 km from Santorini airport airport. 10 km from Athinios port. The layout of the house takes the form of the old traditional Santorini houses. The farm-style kitchen is large and well equipped with a dinning area. Double wooden doors open up into a single room and a staircase leads you up to a delightful den, which can accomodate two people. Through an arched passageway you will find the living room with doors leading out to the courtyard and pool. Double doors lead from the lounge to a comfortable double bedroom. The open-space bathroom has a Jacuzzi and shower with a separate restroom. This traditional Villa ensures tranquility, privacy and a taste of village life. Villa Io is ideal for families wanting to experience the true island life-style of days gone by without compromising on comfort About SantoriniThe formation of Santorini is due to various geological occurences, many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes so violent as to change the shape of the island several times. Dorians, Venetians and Turks occupied Santorini, but its most influencial early inhabitants were the Minoans. They came from Crete some time between 2000 and 1600 BC, and the settlement of Akrotiri dates from the height of their great civilization. The island then was circular and was called Kalisti of Stroggylis (the Round One). Around 1650 BC a chain of earthquakes and eruptions culminated in one of the largest explosions in the history of the planet. Thirty cubic kilometers of magma spewed forth and a column of ash 36 kilometers high jetted into the atmosphere. So much magma was ejected that the magma chambers of the volcano gave way and the centre of the island collapsed, leaving a caldera with high cliffs-one of the world’s most dramatic geological sights. After the Big One, Santorini once again settled down for a time and was recolonised. In 236 BC volcanic activity resumed and separated Thirasia from the main land. The last major earthquake on the island, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale savaged the island in 1956. Should you walk around the villages, you will find many abandoned mansions from this period. Santorini enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. In July and August the mercury can soar to 40 Celsius (over 100 Fahrenheit). July and August are also the months of the meltemi, a northerly wind that sweeps the Aegean. The wind reduces humidity and offers welcome relief from the heat. November is when the rains start in most areas. Due to its volcanic nature, local goods are produced in small quantities but are of excellent quality. Santorini produces some of the best wines from all over the world such as ’nichtere’ , ’brusko’, ’malavazias’ and ’Visanto’. A special hybrid of small tasty tomatoes are grown and exported to produce the famous ’belte’ (tomato paste). Furthermore Santorini exports pumice stone, used worldwide. Megalochorimegalochori (9.5 km from Fira) is a rock village dug into the bed of a torrent in the interior of the island that is know to have existed since at least the middle of the 17th century. A small place (the name means "Big Village") but with a lively community, old mansions, restored canavas and numerous churches. A picturesque settlement definitely worth a visit!