Thalassa Garden Corfu OLD KAFENEION APARTMENT

The Old Kafeneion Apartment—located in Psaras, Messonghi in mid-southeast Corfu—is a ground-floor apartment with serene views of the garden and sea. It has private access to the beach, a balcony that faces the garden and sea, a shaded personal outdoor sitting area, a double-size bed in a separate bedroom, a single sofa bed, a full kitchen with all the basic amenities, and also a shower with toilet. The Old Kafeneion Apartment is part of a family-run seafront property of rental apartments and studios, all of which are set within a vast garden that leads to a privately accessed pebbly beach with crystal clear waters. Guests thus have unparalleled private access to the crystalline sea for bathing and other water activities just a few steps from their rooms. The entire property was originally a point of sea transportation during the mid-1950s and 1960s, used by locals to catch or disembark from boats that would take them to and from points around the island. A seafront kafeneion (coffee house) was also located at this site at that time. The unique Old Kafeneion Apartment is so named because it is the original space of the old kafeneion (coffee house) that was famed throughout the mid-1940s to 1970s amongst locals, who would patronize it to play cards, eat, drink and socialize. The apartment retains the traditional thick stones walls of the original structure, which creates a cave-like atmosphere that is cool in the summer and warm in the colder months. Thus, special attention has been given to the apartment to honor the spirit of the kafeneion from that era. Guests can enjoy their stay amidst rare vintage prints of Corfu, antiques from the family’s private collection, and other artifacts that hark back to a different time and way of life. This exclusive space is also filled with handmade items created from recycled and locally sourced natural material, such as driftwood and unique rocks. This ground-floor apartment has two personal outdoor spaces. The French doors of the bedroom open into a balcony that has a retractable sunshade; fragrant flowering plants bordering the balcony provide additional privacy and serenity. And outside the apartment door, there is a sheltered porch leading to a personal sitting area under a graceful mimosa tree where you can sip a drink in the shade like in the old days of the kafeneion. All these outdoor spaces have calming views of the luxuriant garden and changing sea, including of a fig tree in front of the balcony. The Old Kafeneion Apartment is air-conditioned, and has a spacious fully equipped and well-organised kitchen (with a bottle of olive oil from the family’s grove), and a bathroom with shower and toilet. In addition to the double-size bed, there is also a single sofa bed. There is free Wifi and parking space. Located at a privileged point in the bay of Psaras and Messonghi, the entire 2500 square meters property consists mostly of a lush garden with many palm, citrus, lentisk, apricot, fig and pomegranate trees, an ancient mulberry tree, and lavender, rose, aloe vera, mint, oregano, and angelica plants. It is ideal for those who want a quiet and private place to relax, but at the same be near some fish restaurants and local tavernas. You can spend your time enjoying the sun next to the sea on a sunbed, or hide under the shade of a tree, or just fish directly from the garden. Alternatively, you can use freely our pedalo and canoe to explore the picturesque nearby beaches. Next to Thalassa Garden is a small traditional seaside fish taverna, a restaurant specialising in traditional Greek kitchen (30 m) and a grill house (50 m). The supermarkets, tourist shops, bakeries, cafes and an organised beach with sea sports facilities are just an easy 1 km-walk away in Messonghi. 1 km to the south is the secret beach of Kodrakas, which is hidden under a forest of myrtles and lentisks. 4 km away is the spellbinding medieval mountain village of Chlomos, with its breathtaking views of the east and west of the island. Thalassa Garden is 22 km away from Corfu Town and the airport; we can arrange the transfer. Corfu Town is also reachable by public transportation from Messonghi. However, a car may be needed if you want to explore the rest of Corfu. We would be happy to provide tips with insider information about places off the beaten path. This includes local beaches, little-known and unknown walking paths for nature lovers, bird watchers and hikers, and recommendations for alternative experiences of the history and culture of Corfu. Finally, we can also connect you to local guides who can take you to unmapped trails to get a different experience of the nature, culture and history of the area. My parents, or I, will be available or in everyday contact with the guests. A quiet neighborhood, originally a small fishing village, right outside of the busy tourist center of Messonghi. The place is really quiet and relaxed, but at the same time you are just a few steps away from some of the best fish taverns, and Greek restaurants on the island. In the summer buses run frequently from Messonghi to Corfu town (around 45 minutes), and from there all around the island. The taxi fare from or to Corfu town, and the airport, costs around 40 euro. Guests should keep in mind that Corfu has very dramatic weather changes between the cold and the warm months. What might be a pleasant walk in the summer or spring is much more challenging in the colder months. Most local shops and tavernas open around May and close on November. That means that most restaurants will be closed during the winter months; however, winter guests will be able to try out more genuine eateries in the nearby villages that cater mostly to the local residents. Also, the colder months are perfect for those who want to avoid the summer crowds.