Stone built villa with a windmill and a swimming pool on the island of Kea

Kea was once called the Water Island, Ydroussa, and it is believed that the name is connected to the water nymph that lived in Kea according to mythology. Being such a pretty island the gods got jealous and sent a lion to ravage the land. The nymphs fled and as a consequence the island dried out. The Keans then asked Apollo's son Aristaeus for help and he built a temple to Zeus, who apart from being the highest god, also was the one who sent rain. This pleased him and the nymphs and waters returned, giving Kea a fertile soil with good crops. The island has been inhabited since Neolithic times. In the 13th century, the island was ruled by the Venetians and 300 years later by the Turks. Meanwhile, Kea was often raided by pirates and the locals suffered greatly. It is therefore not surprising that Kea was one of the first Greek islands to enroll in the War of Independence in 1821. Vourkari: The little harbor of Vourkari is a 15 minute drive from the house and a delightful place popular with the yachting crowd. Although there is no beach in Vourkari itself, the lovely sandy beach at Gialiskari is just round the corner. Vourkari has quite a busy nightlife and there are several good fish restaurants and a couple of trendy bars. There is also a mini-market, a couple of arts and crafts shops and some boutiques. Otzias Bay is only a 15 minute drive from the house (there is a local bus service) and the pretty islandcapital Ioulis is a 10 minutes walk . The Bay of Otzia, which is 15 minutes from the villa, has a long sandy beach with a lagoon section that makes it ideal swimming for families with small children. The organized beaches of Spathi and Koundouraki, are ideal for those that like water sports. There is also a scuba diving school with experienced divers that can take you around the island to see some of the ship wrecks. Unlike other Islands, Kea remains a quaint, low profile, rugged island, with few tourists and an abundance of pristine beaches, beautiful blue-green waters and ancient cobblestone marked foot-paths,bird-watching nature reserves, few hotels and mostly privately owned houses. Seasonally or permanently, to relax and enjoy, Kea boasts known names of the Greek and international jet-set in business, law, science, and art, as it appeals to the discerning visitor who seeks tranquility, authenticity and a genuinely Aegean environment.