Escape to the Aegean

LOOKING for a secluded bolthole in the Aegean? Kea (also known as Tzia) is part of Greece's Cyclades islands group but less well-known than Mykonos and Santorini. Following the lead of savvy Athenians, the 50-square mile island has recently started to interest foreigners looking to buy holiday homes with a difference.

Inaccessible directly from Athens, the unspoilt location is the current get-away of choice for well-heeled Greeks. With a population of just under 3,000, its relaxed, sleepy way of life, authentic cuisine, and tranquil beaches, are some of the factors luring those looking to set up a base in the Greek Islands.

Unlike the familiar white sugar-cube architecture of neighbouring islands, the island’s capital – Ioulis (Khora, locally) – is a pretty village of Mediterranean-style terracotta-roofed villas built on a hillside. It's a peaceful place too, since cars can't be driven into the centre. With high season from May to October, second-homeowners have a six-month hiatus in which to escape life in the outside world.

There has been a revival in traditional construction methods – unpainted natural stone and raw timber – and sensitive integration with the natural surroundings. With planning permission restricting hilltop development, residential properties are being carved into the landscape lower down, but still having panoramic ocean views.

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