Archontiko Angelou

A slice of pastoral paradise at this graceful country house, a short stroll from Leros' loveliest beach

It's rare in Greece to find a grand old building offering such elegant B&B. Follow the driveway through a leafy estate to this gorgeous 1895 country house, once the holiday home of Marianna’s great grandmother. At the front, red, pink and white geraniums burst with colour; a stunning jacaranda shades the breakfast table. Look hot and a glass of freshly-squeezed lemon juice will arrive on a tray. Pillared stone steps lead up to tables and chairs on a small terrace. Inside, spoiling, homely bedrooms come on two floors: those above get the light, those below stay deliciously cool.

You’re 250 metres from the loveliest beach on Leros (itself one of the jewels of the Dodecanese), yet fields surround you and mountains rise behind. Goat-bells and cockerels interrupt the afternoon cicadas. Hire a car or moped to discover tiny churches paddling in the sea, castles on top of mountains, undiscovered fishing villages that bask in the sun and sandy beaches where you can throw you towel under an olive tree.

Highs

• The house: a graceful echo of a grand past
• The position: hidden away in sublime countryside, yet minutes from the sea
• The owner: Marianna is just delightful
• The island: Leros is a dreamy secret
• The diving: there are 2 diving schools close by, and WW2 underwater wrecks to explore

Lows

• Food on the island tends to be simple
• No pool, but the beach is at the end of the lane
• No children under 10 are allowed - a plus for some