zakynthos (zante) is one of the ionian islands. it is reachable by air (the flight duration is 50 minutes from the athens international airport) and by sea (ferryboats from kyllini, peloponnese – period of travel less than 2 hours). kyllini is located 80 kilometres south of the port of patra, which links the peloponnese to italy.
due to its diverse underwater environment, zakynthos and, especially, the region “keri” are considered paradises for those who love scuba diving, as they offer the chance to explore caverns and tunnels. furthermore, lovers of marine life are attracted to the island to see the beach of laganas gulf, where sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. laganas beach is a protected area and belongs to the national marine park of zakynthos.
zakynthos is the birthplace of many intellectuals, among them dionysios solomos, the greek poet who wrote the “hymn to liberty” that became the national anthem. also, the island has a long musical tradition of serenade love songs sung by men, expressing their feelings under the moonlight.
in ancient times, zakynthos was part of odysseus’s kingdom, while during contemporary history the island incurred many years of venetian, french and british domination until 1864 when it was united with greece. the island’s history interweaves with earthquakes, so the building regulations are stringent.
the island’s patron saint, saint dionysios, is considered a remarkable example of forgiveness as, according to tradition, he saved the murder of his beloved brother. his body remains intact and rests in the church of saint dionysios in the capital of the island.
set into the hillsides of zakynthos and surrounded by olive groves, dreamwood is a contemporary villa designed to sit quietly within its landscape while looking out across the ionian sea. built with locally sourced stone, pale marble and natural timber, the architecture combines clean horizontal lines with materials that reflect the earthy tones and textures of the island itself.
the house extends across two levels, carefully positioned to follow the contours of the terrain and maximise the open sea views from every principal room. floor-to-ceiling glazing runs along the main living spaces, allowing natural light to move through the interiors throughout the day while maintaining a constant visual connection to the coastline below. the interiors are restrained and tactile, with soft limestone tones, timber cabinetry and natural fabrics creating a calm, cohesive atmosphere.
at the centre of the house, the open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting area opens directly onto the main terrace and swimming pool. skylights introduce additional daylight from above, while wide sliding doors allow the living spaces to expand naturally outdoors during the warmer months. the kitchen combines understated contemporary detailing with warm wood finishes and stone surfaces, maintaining the same material continuity found throughout the property.
the five bedrooms are arranged to preserve privacy while remaining connected to the surrounding landscape. large openings frame sea views and hillside vegetation, while the bathrooms incorporate natural stone, textured plaster and timber detailing in keeping with the architectural language of the house. one bedroom opens directly toward olive trees and planted terraces, reinforcing the sense of immersion within the landscape rather than separation from it.
outside, a long linear swimming pool runs parallel to the sea, visually extending toward the horizon. covered dining and lounge areas are integrated beneath deep overhangs and stone structures that provide shade during the hottest hours of the day. lavender, wild herbs and mature olive trees soften the architecture and help the property settle naturally into the hillside. the elevated position allows open views across the coastline, with the changing light over the water becoming part of the rhythm of the house from morning through sunset.
the villa sits on a 5,700 sqm (61,354 sq.ft.) plot and includes approximately 365 sqm (3,928 sq.ft.) of interior living space with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. contemporary infrastructure, central heating, outdoor kitchen areas and generous terraces support comfortable year-round use while preserving the quiet simplicity of the setting. as evening arrives, the stone walls retain the warmth of the day and the terraces become still vantage points above the ionian coastline.
