Property spotlight: Ikaria

Traditional house with a view in Oxea, Ikaria

The properties that we’re highlighting in today’s spotlight are all located in Ikaria; in Maganitis, Agios Kirikos and Oxea respectively.

Ikaria is a Greek island about 20km south-west of Samos with a population of just under 8½ thousand. The island is named after Ikarus, who famously flew too close to the sun, falling and drowning in the sea… supposedly in this area.

Ikaria was brought to our attention just last week. Jon Snow is currently fronting a television programme entitled How to Live to 100. One of the places he travelled to was Ikaria where, apparently, locals live a whole decade longer than the European average. It’s one of only 5 Blue Zones in the world – regions with higher than usual life expectancy.

The local people that Jon met all seemed to be very healthy and content; they eat well, drink tea, exercise regularly. According to Dan Buettner, one of the Blue Zone researchers, “they have about 20 percent lower rates of cancer, 50 percent lower rates of heart disease and almost no dementia”.

As it’s a relatively small island, it goes without saying that there isn’t much property availability. We’ve found three that we like between €70K and €480K. Much of the real estate on the island is sold by area; that doesn’t refer to it’s location – but rather the square footage or metreage. Therefore, the cheapest of the properties that we’ve selected is 45 m² on one level and the most expensive is 205m² over 3 levels.

Detached house in Maganitis, Ikaria

Detached house in Maganitis, Ikaria

€70,000 – Detached house in Maganitis

45 m² on one level
on a plot of 61m².
150m from the sea

Detached house in Agios Kirikos, Ikaria

Detached house in Agios Kirikos, Ikaria

Detached house in Agios Kirikos, Ikaria

€120,000 – Detached house in Agios Kirikos

252m² on 2 levels
on a plot of 192m²
It consists of 2 independent houses. It is a traditional stone building in good condition and needs renovation.
5 bedrooms
2 bathrooms
200m from the square and the port of Agios Kirikos.

Traditional house with a view in Oxea, Ikaria

Traditional house with a view in Oxea, Ikaria

Traditional house with a view in Oxea, Ikaria

Traditional house with a view in Oxea, Ikaria

Traditional house with a view in Oxea, Ikaria

€480,000 – Traditional house with a view

A beautiful, authentic house with breathtaking views, in the mountains of Oxea.
On an amphitheatrical plot of 4,224m².
3 bedrooms
205m² on 3 levels

5 ways to incorporate Greek design into your home

5 ways to incorporate Greek design into your home

Liven up your home with a fresh Mediterranean makeover. With these simple changes, you can transform your surroundings from drab and cold to warm, exotic and inviting. Greek design and décor has a rich, timeless history and its delightful aesthetic will leave you thinking you’re on a permanent vacation.

Sheer fabrics

The warm and constant sunshine is a staple of Greek life. Mediterranean homes are commonly fitted with large windows and skylights that allow in that radiant warmth. Sheer fabrics are ideal for curtains; with their thin, light texture and uncluttered design. Silk, linen and muslin are especially suitable for this. Look for delicate designs and muted colours. Alternatively, you could try having no curtains, instead using indoor shutters to let in or block out the sun and incorporate sheer fabrics into other soft furnishings.

Columns

Tall, thin columns are a huge part of Greek design and architecture. While you may not need columns to prop up your house, they can still be incorporated into your interior design. Columns are ideal for patios and porches or decorating fireplaces and doorways. These impressive features could be found throughout the Ancient Greek world, as well as the realm of the Gods. To immerse yourself into this ancient Greek theme, you can try the gates of olympus slot and witness the wonders of Ancient Greece first hand and use this as inspiration to spruce up your home.

Olive trees and olive oils

Olives have always been a massive part of Greek culture, economy and cuisine. Beautiful olive trees can be found throughout Greek homes – inside and outdoors. The very sight of an olive tree is enough to evoke a warm, Mediterranean feel. Olive trees are easy to find and simple to grow indoors. Similarly, olive oil is commonly found in Greek food, and it’s often used to preserve staple foods. Fill your kitchen with various high-quality olive oils in sleek glass bottles to enhance your aesthetics and cooking.

Damask

Damask fabrics feature vibrant designs and warm colours. They’re commonly used as bedding since they’re generally considered too heavy to be used as curtains. Although damask originated in Byzantium, it was commonplace in the homes of Ancient Greeks, who loved the style. Damask is created by a unique process of weaving a weft yarn and warp yarn together, often using satin yarn. They’re typically found in two-colour patterns, such as blue and white.

Wooden furniture

Greek homes often use natural materials like wood – especially olive wood – for their furniture and décor. Tables, chairs and beds can all be made from wood and are generally quite simple. Although they sometimes feature intricately carved patterns, they’re often straightforward and understated. White furnishings are also typical in Greek homes. Whether you settle on a handmade, distressed or vintage style, wooden furniture is a great way to give your home a Mediterranean feel.

Conclusion

These simple and exciting changes can make a huge difference in your home. Spruce up your daily living and warm up your surroundings with these Greek aesthetics. Let in the sun, raise those columns and have your friends jealous of your home-made Mediterranean paradise.

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Cakes & Bakes: Daktyla

Home-made daktyla | H is for Home

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a small jar of black onion seeds with the plan of using it in and sprinkled on a home-made loaf of onion bread. Little did I know that onion seeds aren’t actually… onion seeds! I tasted a pinch expecting a blast of onion flavour, it had a slight onion/black pepper/earthy taste, not altogether unpleasant though.

Bubbling bread sponge | H is for Home

When I looked it up, black onion seeds are actually nigella seeds; they’re also commonly known as black cumin or kalonji. Love in a Mist, which grows on our allotment, is a very close relation. I wonder whether it’s seeds are also edible.

Mixture of sponge, flour, olive oil and seeds | H is for Home

Anyhow, since my onion loaf idea was scuppered (at least for the time being) I looked into what I could make using my black onion seeds. That’s when I came across daktyla, a Greek/Cypriot/Turkish rustic bread.

Rising daktyla dough | H is for Home

The seeds are mixed with sesame seeds both in and atop a sort of tear-and-share loaf made up of rows of dough. Δάχτυλα, (daktyla in Greek) means ‘fingers’.

Daktyla dough balls | H is for Home Daktyla dough batons

I just happened to have a large bag of black sesame seeds that I bought in a Chinese supermarket, so I already had all the necessary ingredients in stock.

Sprinkling seeds on daktyla dough | H is for Home

There was quite a lot of proofing time involved – an hour for the sponge, 90 minutes for the first proof, another 90 for the second – but it meant that I could get on and do other things in between time.

Details of cooked daktyla | H is for Home

It was delicious with baba ganoush and salad. I imagine it would go down well with hummus, feta and Anari cheeses, olives and cured meats.

Click here to save this daktyla recipe to Pinterest for later!

Home-made daktyla | H is for Home

Daktyla

King Arthur Flour
Course Bread
Cuisine Turkish
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

For the sponge

  • 130 g/4½oz strong white bread flour
  • 70 g/2½oz cornmeal/polenta
  • 7 g/¼oz instant yeast
  • 300 ml/10½ fl oz warm water

For the dough

  • 240 g/8½oz strong white bread flour
  • tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 30 g/1oz toasted sesame seeds + 1tbsp to sprinkle over the loaf
  • 1 tbsp nigella seeds + 1tsp to sprinkle over the loaf

Instructions
 

For the sponge

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the strong white bread flour, cornmeal, yeast and warm water making sure there are no lumps (A Danish dough whisk is perfect for this job). Allow the mixture rest for an hour, or until it's foamy and full of bubbles

For the dough

  • Combine the remaining ingredients into the sponge and knead - by hand, mixer, food processor or bread machine - to form a soft, supple dough, adding a small amount of extra water or flour as needed
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, and cover it with a proof cover or cling film. Allow it to rise for 1½ hours, or until almost doubled in size
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured or greased work surface and divide the dough into 8 pieces. Round each piece into a ball, then shape each into a baton about 10cm/4-in in length
  • Grease or line with parchment, a 46 x 33cm / 18 x 13-in baking sheet
  • Place the ovals of dough side by side (long sides almost touching each other) on the sheet, leaving about 2½cm/1-in between each; they'll fill the pan end to end
  • Cover the baking sheet and allow the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it's expanded enough so that the ovals are touching each other
  • Brush the top of the dough very lightly with water (or spray it gently), and sprinkle with a mixture of toasted sesame seeds and nigella seeds
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 190ºC/375°F/Gas mark for 25-30 minutes, until it's golden brown
  • Allow to cool completely on a wire rack
Daktyla ingredients
Keyword bread

Tuesday Huesday: Santorini

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orange-painted building in Santorini

Two bank holidays in quick succession (with almost unheard of sunny weather both weekends!) have us thinking about having a summer break. We’ve been to Greece before – over a decade ago – spending 2 lovely, relaxing weeks in Skopelos; one of the country’s quieter islands.

Santorini, where this photo is of, is quintessential Greece – the still turquoise sea, the windmills, the whitewashed buildings with blue-domed roofs. That’s why this bright orange-painted building stands out on the cliffs above the sea. You can spot it easily here… and here… and here!

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