Beech Resort Oasis on a Mountainside Forest in Pelion, Greece If you love sun, surf, sand, but also want to beech hop and village hop to experience the local life and... read more tastes of Greece, and you also love to breathe in cool mountain air, hike to gorgeous vistas, and come back to a gorgeous, tranquil and impeccably clean place to rest, guess what? You don't have to choose. You can have it all at the fabulous Estates of Theodorides, near Agios Ioannis on a mountainside of Pelion, Greece, overlooking the area's famous beaches. The location is superb, the cleanliness pristine, the facilities lack nothing, and the hosts, Mary and Andreas, are super friendly and hospitable. This couple built these private villas themselves, and their attention to detail in the traditionally built villas and well appointed gardens and decor speak of a personal passion for all that they do. Our only regret is that we have to leave, but we can't wait to return.

Pelion gods see the Pelion Villas of Theodorides Estate and smile benignly and so do the lucky guests who spend time in this lovely oasis! Lured back by the idyllic, Inspiring and welcoming Theodorides... read more Estate we were not surprised to hear that a certain film crew had chosen to film their beautiful heart-warming film "Mama Mia"! We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday swimming in the crystal clear Pelion seas, eating in local restaurants with live music singing well-loved English and Greek songs visiting Picturesque villages and having evening walks along the seaside promenade, A boat trip to the Poseidon's caves was absolutely magical! Above all we appreciated the hospitality of the gracious hosts Andreas and Mary! Until we meet again soon.

As you approach the Theodorides Estate through the luscious forest and listen to the welcome sound of the waterfall gurgling to your left, nothing prepares you for the wondrous sight... read more that envelops you as the black gates open, as if by magic. But magical it is, because you are well and truly in Heaven. Maybe St Peter is missing but he has two amazing representatives, the charming and superbly hospitable owners and creators of this Paradise, Mary & Andreas. Words cannot describe the location , the amazing view down to the Aegean, the cool and comfortable maisonettes, the luscious garden full of hydrangeas, bougainvilleas etc which is on a par with Yves' Marjorelle in Marakesh. Agios Ioannis is a very picturesque town with three sandy beaches, many lovely restaurants and coffee bars and shops. There is a lovely mountain path in the shade that takes you there in 10 minutes from the estate. Don't leave before taking a 4 hour boat trip to the Poseidon Caves and swim inside the cave where Achilles was born and watch the dolphins playing in the waves. If you hire a car there are 24 villages to visit on the Pelion peninsula , each with their particular charm and food speciality. In the late evening you can relax in the pergola and watch the moon rise over the horizon .Maybe spend time with the adorable Mary and Andreas who will regale you with their stories and stimulating conversation and wrap you up in their effortless hospitality. The place has to be seen to be believed so start booking your holiday of a lifetime. Efharisto poli, Mary & Andreas for creating heaven on earth. See you again one day. Pola filakia. Liz & Barbara

With its wooded green hills and rich flora, Pelion is one of Greece's most beautiful and tranquil areas. In this beautiful forested range, there are many easy walking trails for... read more those who want more than just a beach holiday. Located within this slice of heaven is Ayios Yiannis, with a fabulous long beach and many cafes and restaurants. A tranquil haven on a hillside, Theodorides Estate provides the discerning visitor with comfortable, traditionally furnished accommodation. With its tree-filled setting, the estate has stunning views of the hillside and the sea beyond. Each self-contained villa has its own balcony facing the sea. The owners of Theodorides Estate are always hospitable and helpful with extensive knowledge of the area and Greece in general.

We enjoyed our best holiday ever staying with Mary and Andreas at the Theodorides Estate. From the moment you arrive at the beautiful, Theorides Estate you feel utterly at peace with... read more the world. Mary and Andreas always greet you with a welcoming smile and make you feel that you are part of their extended family. They are both so knowledgeable about the region and love to engage with their guests around the pool where you learn so much about Greek history and culture. The friendly and attractive resort of Agios Ioannis has some excellent tavernas and a choice of beaches. We just loved Plaka beach with its white pebbles and amazing swimming and a terrace bar overlooking the beach to get a Mythos beer and Greek salad at lunchtime. The Villa accommodation is first class and breakfast on the balcony overlooking the sea below is one of our treasured memories. We plan to visit again in the near future knowing that we will receive a warm welcome and a guaranteed stress free holiday. Mike & Jacque Simons

The “Garden of Eden” In praise of “Theodorides Estate” by Anne Kounoupa 1. No strident alarm here, To wake you from your slumber, Only the gentle birdsong, To cheer your every waking hour . 2. No unbearable sun here To... read more reduce you to torpor, Only pure mountain scented air , To enliven your Pelion walks 3. No thunderous traffic here To disturb your thoughts, Only the ever present sea, That says, I am here for the duration ! 4. No preoccupied people here Too busy to care, Only friendly owners ready to share, A garden once lost but somehow regained . -------------------- We dreamed of coming to Pelion for many years and when we arrived here we were not disappointed. Theodorides Estates is a truly inspirational place, an oasis in our modern world. Many thanks to Andreas & Mary.

A Pilionesque gem I first discovered Pilion and the charming Theodorides villas 10 years ago and have been a regular visitor ever since. The estate is an hour's drive from Volos,... read more the scenery spectacular all the way, and the directions from Mary and Andreas (in the first instance) were concise and easy to follow. The main gate has a lovely tinkly waterfall beside it, with parking space here as well as inside. The chalets are well maintained and stocked, the upstairs has a kitchenette with all the necessary kit, a balcony with sea views, and a seating and dining area. The room below has shower room and lovely traditional decor and is immaculately clean. There is something particularly delightful about the sound of lapping waves, whispering treetops and, if you're in luck, the little nightingale that sings his heart out. We love this place, and particularly enjoy chatting and putting the world to rights with Mary and Andreas, after a hard day's slog on the beach! We have always been made to feel most welcome and we'll be back for more next year. Reviewer etcookie

This is a very special place! A hidden gem in a lush forest hillside location above a pretty seaside village. The villas are traditional and quite simple set in gorgeous... read more grounds teaming with wildlife and beautiful trees and shrubs. Two lovely swimming pools and very peaceful and tranquil. We chose not to have a hire car, arranging instead a private transfer from Volos airport (90 Euros) and that made things very stress-free. We were happy to enjoy the local beaches and went on a fab boat trip organised in the village. If coming without a car, bear in mind the walk to and from the village is very taxing and unsuitable for the elderly or young children. This is the perfect place for families with older children or adults who are reasonably fit. We ended up quite enjoying the twice daily 10 minute walks to the beach and tavernas. We came back toned up and having had some proper exercise. Mary and Andreas are attentive and warm lovely people. They expect you to respect their very special estate and that’s right and proper. We will definitely return

As you drop down the mountainside from the Pelion Ski Resort, you will begin to see glimpses of wonderful views of Agios Ioannis. On arrival at the Estate you will... read more see that it is beautiful with spectacular views from the pool and the villas. The swimming pool is in a perfect setting with a backdrop of the Ionian Sea. Mary & Andreas, the owners, are perfect hosts and have a wealth of knowledge and information on places of interest to visit, local tavernas, and spectacular walks. We really cannot think of a more ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is very rare to find anybody as kind and thoughtful as our hosts. We are greatly looking forward to our fifth visit this summer.