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Villa Galini : Live the life of a Greek shipping magnate!

June 11, 2014 by Denis 7 Comments

 

Villa Galini.

Read our previous posting : “The autonomous polity of Mount Athos”

A stay at the Villa Galini Hotel in the Halkidiki region of northern Greece probably represents one of the very few opportunities you will ever have to live the life of a Greek shipping magnate. And that is because, before being turned into a hotel, Villa Galini was the residence of Yiannis Carras, a Greek shipping tycoon who lived there until his death in 1989.

In 1960, while sailing in the Halkidiki region of northern Greece aboard his yacht Carita, Yiannis Carras had fallen in love with the area and ended up buying a huge tract of land on the Sithonia peninsula, just south of the coastal town of Neos Marmaras. He named his new property Porto Carras.

Villa Galini view of Neos Marmaras

Villa Galini view of Neos Marmaras

 

He also decided to build himself a new home on the high rocky cliff of Mount Meliton, at the center of his immense new property, on a spot offering eye-popping panoramic views of the coastline and the gulf of Toroneos. When it was finished at the end of the 70s, Villa Galini was celebrated in several magazines as one of the most beautiful buildings in Greece.

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Villa Galini

The views are obviously the primary assets of Villa Galini, with windows and balconies spread throughout the three sides of the house protruding from the cliff. But the views are nowhere as phenomenal as outside on the immense terrace of the pool area. The blues of the pool, the sea and the sky seem to blend themselves into a feeling of infinity and bliss.

View of Turtle Island from the pool terrace at Villa Galini

View of Turtle Island from the pool terrace at Villa Galini

There are large living areas both outside around a large central courtyard as well as inside in beautifully decorated rooms along the sea side of the mansion.

Lest you think that Villa Galini is just your average billionaire’s mountaintop mansion, featuring several floors of richly furnished guest rooms with views to die for, think again. It seems that Yiannis Carras had a lot of interesting friends and visitors at Villa Galini. Queen Juliana of Holland, Salvador Dali, the son of Aga Han, Rudolf Nureyev, President Francois Mitterrand of France, Konstantinos Karamanlis, Margot Fonteyn, Joan Baez, Fiona Von Thyssen, the Rockefellers, Prince Albert of Monaco, President Vladimir Putin, Valery Giscard d’Estaing to name a few.

Some simply left an autographed picture and you will see many of them throughout the house. My favorite is a picture of Yiannis Carras with Melina Mercouri.

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Picture of Greek shipping magnate Yiannis Carras and Melina Mercouri at Vila Galini

But others left their imprint in other ways. One of the guest rooms has a Salvador Dali bathroom, and there are a couple of impressive Dali sculptures in the courtyard.

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Salvador Dali sculpture in the central courtyard of Villa Galani

There is a magnificent colorful alcove room on the main floor by Yves Saint Laurent. And the music suite of the main living room features the piano of the famous Greek classical pianist, Gina Bachauer.

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Guest bathroom designed by Salvador Dali at Villa Galini

Villa Galini has been transformed into a hotel which should appeal to all those interested in a totally unique, spectacular and memorable experience. Wedding planners as well as corporate executives in search of a first class locale for meetings, conferences or retreats should give Villa Galini serious consideration. Porto Carras includes three helipads and one the best private marinas in Greece for those who travel in style!

However, should you feel that Villa Galini Hotel is beyond the reach of your wallet, or you simply wish to stay further down the slopes of Mount Meliton, have no fear. Porto Carras is one of the most outstanding resorts in all of Greece. Within the boundaries of Porto Carras lie, in addition to Villa Galini, two five-star hotels, a luxurious casino, two thalassotherapy and spa centers, an olive grove of 45,000 trees and one of the best vineyards in Greece.

But would it not be fun to live the life of a Greek shipping magnate at Villa Galini, if only for a few days?

Stay tuned to BonVoyageurs.com for more Countries of the World as we share our joie de vivre from around the world.  Luxury escapes and city breaks to Quebec City, New York, Washington, Buenos Aires. In Europe, places like Paris France, Nice France, Provence and the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera), Tuscany and Florence in Italy, Rome, Napoli and the Amalfi Coast. In Asia, countries like China, India, Nepal and so much more!

Filed Under: Europe, Greece, Luxury Escapes, Thessaloniki and Halkidiki Tagged With: around the world, Carras, city breaks, Europe, Greece, Halkidiki, Joie de vivre, luxury escapes, Quebec City, Sithonia, Travel, Villa Galini

« The autonomous polity of Mount Athos!
Afghanistan, the graveyard of Empires! »

Comments

  1. Tina says

    June 11, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    I am loving, loving, loving your visit
    to Greece! It’s been three years since I was last there, and never to the region you describe. Oh, how beautifully you’ve composed your melody of experiences!
    I was especially drawn to your page on Mt. Athos, having just returned from
    St. Anthony’s Orthodox Monastery in
    AZ. It was begun by Elder Ephraim
    from Mt. Athos. Fortunately, he still
    resides in AZ, and I had the privilege of
    seeing him.
    I’m totally enjoying your holiday, and vicariously looking forward to yet another brilliantly orchestrated composition.
    Do try my favorite pastry, Galatobooriko!
    TN

    Reply
  2. AnaLuciaSilva says

    June 12, 2014 at 5:40 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
  3. Joe "The Connector" Kennedy says

    July 3, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    Sounds really nice Denis – did you get to stay there?

    Reply
  4. Jose Richard P. Archival says

    July 4, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    I also read the life of Yiannis Carras especially in the 60’s during his ascent to the summit of his shipping business. Although I’m not an avid fan of him, I’m very inspired of his success story of which I can not found in todays youth. I like Porto Carras…Porto Carras Grand Resort which became known ultimately today as the largest and most famous hotels and holiday resorts in the northern part of Greece. If Yannis is alive today, he will marvel this beautiful developments which all started when he bought a large tract of land. But today we will be happy and contented to be a part of his grand dream. Auld Lang Syne.

    Mind you, I will write something about Chalkidiki, Yannis Carras and the Porto Carras Grand Resort in the near future.

    Reply
  5. RoadNet Travel says

    July 4, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    Reblogged this on RoadNet Travel and commented:
    I also read the life of Yiannis Carras especially in the 60′s during his ascent to the summit of his shipping business. Although I’m not an avid fan of him, I’m very inspired of his success story of which I can not found in todays youth. I like Porto Carras…Porto Carras Grand Resort which became known ultimately today as the largest and most famous hotels and holiday resorts in the northern part of Greece. If Yannis is alive today, he will marvel this beautiful developments which all started when he bought a large tract of land. But today we will be happy and contented to be a part of his grand dream. Auld Lang Syne.

    Mind you, I will write something about Chalkidiki, Yannis Carras and the Porto Carras Grand Resort in the near future.

    Reply

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TOP 10 travel experts and influencers on social media and rated as one of the most influential travel bloggers in the world, Denis and Lynn Gagnon have been circling the globe for more than 45 years. Former international business travelers, they know how to travel - with class, comfort, and style. Members of the National Press Club, PTBA , NATJA and SATW. Wish to connect? Email them at [email protected].

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