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villas

Top Five Villa Vacation Destinations Unveiled by Villas of Distinction®

2018-12-19 by Argophilia Travel News

Amalfi coast

Villas of Distinction®, the world’s premier luxury villa rental company as part of World Travel Holdings, announces 2019’s most sought after villa vacation destinations based on industry insights.

Tags: destinations, luxury stays, luxury travel, luxury villas, villas, Villas of Distinction

A Collection of Alternative “Best Stays” on Crete

2018-07-25 by Phil Butler

Villa Omikron

On Crete, the choice of accommodations is as diverse as anywhere in Europe. One thing that differentiates Greece’s biggest island though is the amazing choice of best stays here for the asking. With alternative touristic delight in mind, here’s a selection of five of the most interesting properties we’ve found so far.

Tags: Agia Pelagia Bay, crete, Crete villas, Dimitris Markakis, Eleni Nakou, Fodele Beach, Fodele Beach & Water Park Holiday Resort, Greek villas, Grotto Homes, Kokkinos Pyrgos, Koutsounari Traditional Cottages, luxury villas, Pantanassa, VanGos Tsourlakis, Venetian Mill, Villa Omikron, villas

Vote for Airbnb’s best hosts led by VanGos Tsourlakis

2014-10-18 by Phil Butler

VanGos

Everybody knows about Airbnb by now. What started as a vacation rental website like 1000 others, has now taken the hospitality world by storm. The world’s leading vacation stay booking destination is now paying tribute to the hosts that make guests’ holidays special. Join me in celebrating my friend VanGos Tsourlakis today, by voting for […]

Tags: AirBnb, awards, crete, Greece, Grotto Homes, Host Awards, Metochi Villas, VanGos Tsourlakis, villas

Grotto Homes: Romance the Cretan Way

2014-04-17 by Phil Butler

VanGos Tsourlakis - Courtesy Jay Thomas photography

On Crete the idea of out-of-the-way places takes on new dimensions. The countryside is as pristine and wild as you can imagine. The effect of this wildness, meeting the cities by the sea, leaves visitors spellbound in a sort of landscape awe. At the civilized heart of rural Crete, a tapestry of villages dot the island like tiny gems. It is in just such a tiny town, literally hidden from view, where you will find the most romantic stay at Grotto Homes.

Tags: crete, Crete stays, Greece, Greece travel, Grotto Homes, Rethymno, villas

IAVRA: Putting Tech With Travel Agents for Value

2013-03-18 by Phil Butler

Today I revisited an exclusive villa rental player IAVRA, which I covered initially back in 2011. Back then my review was mega-positive, and I only have more positives to add today about the International Association of Villa Rental Agents (IAVRA) mode and method for renting us all fantastic getaways. Let’s take a look at how far these travel entrepreneurs have come.

Tags: Paris hotels, Paris villas, travel, travel agencies, travel deals, villa rentals, villas

Maria Papadaki ad banner

Featured Stories

€52M Greek Fisheries Scandal

European Public Prosecutor’s Office Investigates €52M EU Fisheries Fund Scandal in Greece

Heraklion old cold-storage warehouse

Heraklion’s Old Cold-Storage Warehouse Gets Green Light for Hotel Conversion

Special Olympics Kayaking Games AI illustration

Crete to Host European Special Olympics Kayaking Games at Lake Kournas

Heraklion Fishermen Protest

Cretan Fishermen Stage Black-Flag Protest Over Fuel Costs and Regulations

greek bakeries

Greece’s Bakeries Warn of Higher Bread Prices

Why We Embrace AI

At Argophilia, we believe in using every tool at our disposal to bring you the stories that matter. You may notice a certain precision in our data analysis, a specific flair in our visuals, or a rapid turnaround on complex topics. That is no accident—it is the result of our rampant use of artificial intelligence.

We use Gemini to help synthesize data, structure our reporting, and ensure our news remains as sharp as the reality we cover. When it comes to our imagery, we rely on the creative power of Midjourney and NightCafe, unless otherwise noted in our editorial credits.

We are not apologetic for this. In a fast-moving world, these tools allow us to focus on what really counts: investigating the issues, giving a voice to the marginalized, and maintaining the journalistic integrity you expect from us. We see AI not as a replacement for human judgment, but as an engine that amplifies our ability to inform, analyze, and tell the truth about our island and beyond.

We are writers and journalists first—but we are proud to be tech-enabled ones, too.

Lovage, The Kitchen of Venus

Your go-to guide for foraging cretan horta

Stories of Interest

Crete Car Rental Market

Crete Accounts for 18.1% of Greece’s Car Rental Market

2026-10-15 By Kostas Raptis

Crete has Greece’s second-largest short-term car rental market, as tourists increasingly rent vehicles to explore beaches, villages, and mountain routes.

strong tourism season

Strong October Finishes Robust Tourism Season in Crete

2026-10-15 By Arthur Butler

Cretan hotels report 80-90% occupancy in October as the tourism season extends through mid-November, supported by sustained flight connections and winter city demand.

Malevizi road collapse

School Bus Tilts After Road Gives Way in Crete’s Agia Marina

2026-10-15 By Iorgos Pappas

Students were safely evacuated after a school bus tilted on a washed-out road in Malevizi, prompting essential driving safety advice for visitors on Crete’s roads.

Rethymno Flood Warning Systems meeting

Rethymno Boosts Flood Preparedness with New Weather Stations, River Monitors, and Dam Management Plans

2026-10-15 By Iorgos Pappas

Rethymno is expanding weather and river monitoring, clearing waterways and strengthening emergency planning ahead of extreme winter weather.

Historic Former War Museum Collapses

Part of Former Chania War Museum Collapses, No People Found Under Rubble

2026-10-15 By Iorgos Pappas

Emergency teams and EMAK units respond to a major building collapse at Chania’s former War Museum, confirming no individuals were trapped in the rubble.

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