Archives 2023

As Autumn kicks in, and those long summer days are fading away, we would like to flashback over the summer season highlights here at MV properties.

We had yet another busy, hot and vibrant season on Ithaki. We loved welcoming all of our clients either at our Stavros or Vathi office. Many people coming for holiday are captured by the beauty, the uniqueness and authenticity of Ithaca and so they find themselves, at our door, interested in finding their perfect home.

As a result, our days were filled with many property viewings, helping our clients find exactly what they were looking for. We pride ourselves in taking the time to prioritise property viewings knowing that for each client comes their own personal aspirations of which we like to meet. 

Rental Properties

Whilst we had many property viewings, our rentals also comprise most of what we do in the summer; managing the many visitors arriving and departing Ithaca, at all our various rental establishments.

One of our rental villas in Stavros, upgraded their property adding a swimming pool to its facilities, and how the guests enjoyed this feature along with the privacy that it had to offer. Amongst all the different rental properties in the North and the South part of the island, we loved welcoming and meeting visitors from all over the world, who came to our small island, to enjoy the magic that Ithaca has to offer. 

Event Management

At MV properties, we also offer a service of event organising and planning.

This summer, we had the honour of assisting at a wedding for 200 people on Lazaretto island and the reception at Filiatro beach. Normally we would organise the entire event ourselves, from the catering, to the decor, the DJ, to every small detail involved in making a wedding ceremony and reception come to life exactly as desired. In this specific wedding this summer, the client had a passion for event organising, herself, and so she only needed our services as assisting on the wedding day, of which we were happy to undertake. It brings us such joy to see people choose the beautiful Ithaca as their wedding destination to begin their marriage on our beautiful island.

We are currently working on all the planning and organising for several weddings that are scheduled for next summer already, and we will keep you posted with those events, as they unfold. 

Secondly, we had the privilege of organising an intimate 50th birthday party at Filiatro beach.

Taking place in the middle of October, it was the end of the season, and the beach was private, peaceful and serene. It was the perfect setting to host this event of a close group of friends, about 40 people in total. We organised everything, including the Catering company from Kefalonia, to cater an incredible menu of simple Greek flavours at a very high standard.

We had our team at MV properties to set up the lights, and take care of all the decor, flow of events and management of everyone involved. There was a fantastic DJ who mixed a great variety of music, keeping the whole party going, and creating a wonderful atmosphere. The guests could enjoy the perfect sun setting, with an array of colours scattered throughout the sky.

The event was truly a great success especially due to the weather playing its role. After a mild storm the day before, we had luck on our side, with the most calm and tranquil backdrop. 

As this season drew to a close, we look forward to the end of Autumn and start of Winter and all that they have to offer. The shops have begun to close down, we are all taking a breath from the non-stop summer. We are starting to chop wood, to prepare for our heating for the winter months that will roll around.

As we enter the middle of November, the Olive picking season will take place; an important time of year, where the olives are raked and harvested and pressed in order to supply oil for us and our families for the next year ahead.

At MV properties, we had the privilege of organizing this intimate 50th birthday party at Filiatro beach.

Welcome Summer, where the days are long, the roads are busy, the beaches are full, and the love and laughter is heard at every taverna. We love this time of the year, as we welcome many returning clients, family and friends to Ithaca. 

We would love to take the time to showcase what Ithaca, the gem of the Ionian, has to offer. Take a look at what summer island life is like.

The Beaches

The very reason that attracts all the visitors. With the crystal blue water glistening in the sun, hearing the water rush over the white pebbles, and the warm sunshine pouring down upon us.

Boating

Boating plays a major role when you come to visit our special island. There is only one way on and off this island and that is via boat. We truly believe this is what makes Ithaca so unique, it takes a little more effort than just one click to book a flight.

As a result, Ithaca is still so well kept, it is unspoilt and holds true to an authentic Greek island experience. One can also rent a boat to enjoy exploring ithaca to the limit, finding hidden beaches, one can’t get to by foot. This July, here at MV properties, we organised a private boat day out for some clients, wanting to celebrate the renewal of their vows with a private chef to cater an exclusive lunch on the beach.

The Night Life

Island life encompasses the slow, relaxing, hot summer days, but it also draws us in with the vibrancy at night. A long summer day always ends well with a wonderful sundowner to welcome in the evening. The shopping comes to life, as you can enjoy so many handmade local creations. The restaurants are all buzzing with excitement to share what brings so many people together. Food. There is such a range of traditional authentic Greek food, to modern Mediterranean cooking. It is so rewarding to see people enjoy what makes Ithaca so special.

Here at MV Properties, we love to take the time to enjoy summer island life for what it is, and although it is our busiest time of year, we welcome the business along with the beauty and uniqueness of all that Ithaca has to offer.

Here at MV Properties, we are also full steam ahead. We have been busy on several renovation projects that are coming together so nicely and we should have them completed by the start of summer. Watch this space for photos and updates regarding our progress.

We have started off this 2023 year with a bang! Here on Ithaki, we had a very mild winter, and we can not believe that spring has already snuck up on us! We have all begun clearing up our shops and businesses, whether it be painting, fixing, or small renovation jobs, everyone is preparing for the busy summer months that lie ahead. 

Carnival Celebration

Let’s take a look at the last couple months that have led us here to Spring.

The festivities in February were at an all time high! After 2 years of not celebrating, this year everyone pulled out all the stops to celebrate Carnival in a big way. There were several parties, dances, and festivities for the children and adults throughout the month of February.

This was a highlight for the children to take the opportunity to dress up in all sorts of outfits, one party after the next. Not only were the children getting involved, but the adults seemed to be having just as much fun!

The build up of festivities ended with the Carnival weekend parade which took place in Vathi. There must have been almost every person on the island at this parade, and what a fantastic celebration it was. We all came together, young and old, to perform our acts that we had all worked so hard on over the past month.

Celebration of Tsiknopempti

We then arrive at the celebration of Tsiknopempti. This Tradition takes place on a Thursday, which marks the beginning of the last weekend that the Greek Orthodox Church members are allowed to eat meat before the fast for Easter begins.

This is how it gets its name; “Pempti” meaning Thursday and “Tsikna” meaning the smell of burning meat. There are often clouds of smoke seen all around, from everyone cooking their different kinds of meat on the fire, and so this celebration is often nicknamed “Smoke Thursday.”

There was a wonderful atmosphere, especially in Vathi square, with the smell of delicious meat all around, it was a gorgeous, sunny day that people could enjoy being outside together. 

Kathara Deftera

Shortly after the Carnival month of February, we enter into the next traditional celebration of Kathara Deftera. This means “Clean Monday ” and marks the beginning of the 40 day fast before Easter, which was inaugurated in a Sunday evening service the night before. This is a national holiday across Greece.

Traditionally, people will gather and eat Calamari, octopus, prawns, olives, taramosalata, skordalia, Lagana (which is a type of flatbread) and Halva for dessert.

Also on this day, many people will fly kites. The symbol of flying the kites is said to be rooted in the Orthodox Christian belief being linked to one’s spiritual state of mind. After several weeks of partying and feasting during the Carnival month, this day symbolises a period of healthy habits, purity and self care.

Latest Projects

Here at MV properties, we are also full steam ahead. We have been busy on several renovation projects that are coming together so nicely and we should have them completed by the start of summer. Watch this space for photos and updates regarding our progress.

MV Properties and Rentals

We have also been on the go with adding many new properties to our portfolio, doing all the groundwork, so that we have a great variety of properties to show our clients over the busy summer months.

Furthermore, we are receiving a lot of interest for our holiday rentals, as people begin to plan and prepare for their summer holidays in Ithaki. If you haven’t had a chance to book your holiday yet and are still looking for the perfect rental for your summer holiday, click on the link below.