A SPECIAL WEEK AWAY....

Good morning everyone!

Apologies for the lack of blog posts over the last month....the summer has been running away with itself, and as those of you who kindly follow me on Instagram will know, it has been a busy time!  Thank you so much to so many of you who have still taken the trouble to visit the blog over the last month.  I am back now and have much to share with you over the coming weeks.

Our holiday to the beautiful Greek island of Corfu seems a long time ago now, but I am keen to try and keep that holiday feeling going for as long as possible!  We have been taking meals outside here at home as often as we can, and in between work, have been enjoying the fun socialising and relaxing that the summer brings.....also madly trying to catch up with our garden, which inevitably took a step backwards while we have been away!

But oh, how I wish I was back on that gorgeous island!  Having visited last September with all our children and their friends, 'Mr. Sophia Home' and I decided to return on our own for a quiet relaxing week last month to the lovely unspoilt North East corner of the island.  We stayed once again at the beautiful Rou Estate, up in the mountains just a fifteen minute drive from this beautiful area of coastline.  

Two of our favourite days were spent just pottering around the crystal clear waters on our small motor boat....stopping to swim in deserted coves and deciding which taverna to moor up to for a leisurely lunch....it was tough, as you can imagine!

Our favourite Taverna Agni found us visiting most frequently....their warm relaxed welcome, beautiful beachfront setting and superb seafood were just wonderful!

An afternoon snooze on the boat followed by a swim were definitely called for, to work off all that delicious food.

Then it was back to the harbour, and the short drive by car up the mountain, through stunning olive groves, to our beautiful little villa on the Rou Estate.

This magical place is a unique heritage site, with breathtaking 270 degree views overlooking Albania.  This former abandoned 200 year old village was rescued by English architect Dominic Skinner and his dutch wife Claire in 2005.  The hamlet has been meticulously restored, to provide 16 beautiful houses set within award winning, tranquil terraced gardens.  

Our own stunning two bedroom house, like all the others, had been sympathetically and beautifully restored, retaining the original Corfiot architecture along with a stylish, homely interior.

Inspite there being sixteen villas, a small restaurant and a spa, the Rou Estate remains a tranquil sanctuary...

Beautiful terraced gardens filled with herbs and an abundance of Agapanthus at this time of year...

With always a quiet corner to stop and sit and read, or just take in the heady scent of herbs and the calm, magical atmosphere, and the beauty of the wonderful old stone buildings.

The original village well....

A couple of sweet, shy 'Rou residents'...

Beautifully clipped scented Rosemary hedges...

Those special touches around every corner.... lanterns were lit each evening, to guide us down the winding old stone paths.

Here is the entrance to the wonderful little Spa, housed in the original sheep shed!  The wonderful therapist 'Vanda' gave the most wonderful massages and heavenly facial.  All of the products used, she had made herself from natural ingredients such as herbs, and local yoghurt and honey.  An absolute treat, and probably good enough to eat!

Some of the larger villas have their own private pools, but on this occasion, we enjoyed the fabulous infinity pool available to all guests, although we seemed to have this to ourselves most days!

It certainly was a pool with a view!

Breathtaking views over to Albania...

This post is a little 'picture heavy' I'm afraid, but as you can imagine, my camera was out constantly with so much beauty around every corner!

If you ever have the chance to visit this very special, magical place, I urge you to.

Rou Estate...... xxx

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Wishing you a very happy week ahead!

I look forward to more frequent posts now over the rest of the summer...more inspiring places to visit, more interiors inspiration, gardens, recipes and more.  If you have anything in particular you would like me to feature on the blog, or would like to ask me anything, do please let me know in the comments section below, or email me via my website: www.sophiawadsworthinteriors.co.uk  I would love to hear from you.

Thank you so much for reading!

Sophia xx

A VERY SPECIAL FIND….

Six kilometers inland, high in the hills above the beautiful small coastal bay of Agni, in the North East of the Greek island of Corfu you will find somewhere very special indeed.  The magical drive up, along a dirt track through endless olive groves,  leads to the hidden gem that is 'Rou Estate'.  It was here that we as a family, plus the children's friends had the great privilege to stay last week, for a wonderful week's holiday all together.

Once a hilltop village, it was abandoned by farmers in the 60's and left for ruin.  In 2005 the entire village was bought and rescued by British Architect Dominic Skinner, who set about meticulously restoring the buildings….creating a boutique retreat of fourteen stunning holiday houses, surrounded by immaculate terraced gardens.  

With a spectacular infinity pool built into the rock face, maid service, a gym and holistic centre…it also offers all the comforts of an understated five star hotel.

With our party of eight,  we stayed in one of Rou's larger four bedroom villas 'Strelitzia'

With its floor to ceiling windows, and pale olive green shutters….

Open plan layout and spectacular vaulted ceilings….it was a holiday rental like no other.  I could have very happily moved right in!

A fabulous large kitchen and eating area looked down upon this beautiful sitting room, with other quieter areas off it, to read, watch tv or listen to music.  Great attention had been given to the interiors, with beautiful art work and carefully placed objects of interest throughout.  Every comfort and detail, both practical and aesthetic had been thought of.

The perfect home away from home….

With a view like this, across the glistening water over to Albania, to wake up to each morning, it was hard to leave... 

It is Rou's beautiful terraced gardens that it is also famous for…having attracted much media attention over the years.  Sadly taken on a slightly overcast day, and much of the flowering season over for now, my pictures don't quite do justice to what is the most immaculate and striking planting.

With plantings of lavender, agapanthus, wisteria and herbs….the blue, white and violet tones work beautifully with the mellow grey stone work of the houses, and soft grey/green of the shutters.

Evidence of the former village, in the form of original archways and an old well were reminders of what this special place once was….

What was originally the village's stone built sheep pens, is now the estate office, spa and gym…

My daughter and husband and I took time out from the rest of our party one morning to take in the magnificent landscaping, and heady herbal scent of these beautiful gardens.

Thoughtful seating areas around the gardens were tranquil places to take in the beautiful surroundings…

With candle lit lanterns and carefully placed flood lighting….you can imagine how stunning the gardens were at night.

When we could drag ourselves away from this beautiful oasis up in the hills, days were enjoyed down by the water….

Having fun in boats, hired from nearby Kassiopi…

Swimming in the warm Ionian sea, with its crystal clear waters...

…and stopping off at deserted coves for a picnic.

Not forgetting the delicious Greek food in the fun and friendly tavernas…all so fresh, with locally grown organic vegetables, tempting meze and wonderful fresh fish caught from local fishermen the night before.  

'Agni Taverna' in Agni bay...

'Taverna To Fagopotion' in Agios Stefanos...

Above were two of our favourites, and highly recommended if you are ever in either of these neighbouring coves.

Have you ever had the opportunity to visit this beautiful island, and in particular, the beautiful north/east?  If not, and you get the chance, you are in for a very special treat….

Rou Estate bookings via www.simpsontravel.com

Wishing you all a happy Wednesday evening!

Sophia xx