Aspros Potamos

The perfect antidote to 21st-century stress, this tiny collection of 18th-century stone cottages nestles in a rocky canyon a short walk from the lively beach. This really is back to basics: your bed is a firm mattress on a stone platform; lighting is by paraffin lantern; and the only major concessions to modern living are solar-powered hot water, bathroom lighting and a fridge. If it gets too quiet, lively Makriyialos with its bars and tavernas is within walking distance. There are ten cottages, two of which sleep five.

Steeped in nature and history, offering peace, tranquillity, spirituality and simplicity. A place where the earth, stars and river reveal their true unadulterated beauty and magnificence; a place where, without the distractions of the modern world, you can step out of your everyday persona and truly be at one with yourself and with nature, a place to restore the soul and the spirit and to dream. No lights, no mobiles, no traffic, the silence only interrupted by the twittering of the birds, the soft chirruping of cicadas and during the spring, the gentle babbling of the river as it flows down from the mountains past the cottages to the sea - such is the absolute serenity of this area - pure uncomplicated peace. Silence is indeed golden.