We decided we were not going to hire a car for our stay at Villa Jasmine. Diana had provided us with advice regarding taxis and we understood that the taxis at the rank outside the airport were always plentiful. You can therefore imagine our dismay when we reached the airport exit and saw a sign on the door that said "Taxi Strike. Sorry".

Our bewilderment was short-lived, however. Diana had enlisted the help of her brother and they were waiting for us. Between them they transported our family and all our suitcases to the villa. We felt like we had won the lottery. There can’t be many villa owners who would go to such trouble, but there again, The Olive Tree Villas are no ordinary villas and Diana’s attention to detail is way above anything we have experienced anywhere else.

Diana has told us that we are the first people to have stayed at the villas who have not hired a car for the whole fortnight of our holiday. We found little reason to hire a car. A well stocked supermarket, bakery and butchers are all within easy walking distance of the villas as is the sea. There are also 4 tavernas all reachable with a relatively short walk. The local tavernas are quite basic, but are good value for money.

Despite the strike, taxis were available to destinations on the island apart from the airport. We ventured out in taxis on a number of occasions, but as the taxi fares were reasonable, we were still able to get about for a fraction of the cost of hiring a car.

We had many a poolside chat with Diana who takes the time to speak to all guests who are there when she visits. I say “chat”, but in all honesty it was more of a non-stop laughing session.

The taxi strike came to an end just at the end of our holiday. We were therefore able to catch a taxi to the airport. Diana arranged this taxi for us and even came to say goodbye. Our departure seemed to be one long kissing session. I think everyone got a kiss, even the taxi driver.

We have a rule that we never go back to the same place twice, but I can see a very definite possibility that this particular rule may be broken.

So if you are looking for a holiday with immaculate accommodation, an excellent daily maid service, a good sized pool, beautiful gardens, great location and a hostess with the mostest, The Olive Tree Villas is the place for you.

Just returned from a fantastic week at Villa Jasmine with our 2 children (10 and 13). Villa was lovely - very clean, well equipped and great location with the sea, 2 good tavernas and supermarket and bakery all close by. Diana provided an amazing service and was a joy to meet. The gardens and pool were well maintained and daily maid service provided the luxury of staying in a hotel - without any of the restrictions. Enjoyed meals at both the local tavernas as well as fresh bread and cakes from the bakery. Boys had a great time spotting lizards and other wildlife and spending hours in the pool. We found location perfect - away from the crowds and the 'english' bars but close enough to villages and towns to provide variety. I am sure we will be making a return visit in the future as it will be hard to beat!

I am not going to go inot detail about the beautiful Island as I think it is nice to find this out upon arrival (although it was amazing!) What made our holiday perfect was the warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere that Diana created. Nothing was too much trouble for Diana, from arranging days out to searching the island for specific brand of baby milk! Diana even helped me arrange a wonderful birthday cake for my daughters 1st birthday, making her day really special. Diana took the time to get to know each of the 7 children in our group.

For a great day out try the water park in Tsilivi, this is an inexpensive day out. The kids will love it and it is really clean and safe.

For a great meal try the Olive tree or King Prawn in Tsilivi.

We had high hopes for this holiday from the info and photos on the website, we have stayed all over Greece and in very varied accommodation but WOW, it was so much better than we had imagined. We were greeted by the owner Diana, with whom we had been in email communication from booking regarding arrival, car hire recommendations and other details and whom we almost felt we knew already. Our Villa Jasmine was so comfortable and luxurious we settled in and popped open the cool wine awaiting us in the 'fridge, bliss! The pool looked so inviting, that came next, heaven. We were to find, over the next two weeks that the Villa is perfectly situated for exploring all over Zakynthos and as we are keen walkers we set to and covered about 800km in our little red jeep and walked about 70 miles in total.The island is incredibly beautiful, we saw some amazing sights and the icing on the cake each day was coming back hot and dusty from our fantastic walks to the luxury and friendship afforded by our Villa and the occupants of the other three Villas. It would be very possible to have an amazing winter holiday walking on the island and staying here, in addition to the delicious air conditioning the Villas are fully equipped with central heating. Olive Tree Villas are perfect for any age group, Diana takes wonderful care of all her guests and we are truly impressed. We came home only yesterday (19/09/10) and as I expect you can tell, we really want to go back! Thank you Diana, Lakis and Olympia.

We've just returned from our second holiday at Villa Jasmine, and have enjoyed the whole experience every bit as much as two years ago. The arrangement/layout works very well - four beautiful villas generously spaced around a proper pool and well tended landscaped gardens. The accomodation itself is very well maintained, and of a high standard. It can be 40C outside yet the villa remains cool during the day even with doors open and air con off. The washing machine and small dishwasher all functioned well and were reagularly useful. There is maid service every day, and very thorough (and friendly!) it is too. In terms of booking and arrangements with the owner, Diana is very friendly, helpful, and more than obliging, so paying the deposit with confidence is absolutely assured.
Within walking distance there are a few choices of restaurants, and others have reviewed them - for us, we preferred typically taking the short drive in the evening to Psarou to the little taverna overlooking the small beach, or heading up the hill past Psarou where there are a couple of tavernas with stunning views out over the central valley and across to Allykes...or would head into Diana's husbands' restaurant 'The Olive Tree' in Tslivi where I have to commend the food and atmosphere as truly excellent, quite incongruous with the surrounding kiss me quick stuff in the town. We pretty much every day, headed down to Gerakas beach on the Vasilkos peninsula - a good 45 minute drive, but in my opinion one of the best beaches in the world, esp if you have kids - the water is flat and waist high clear aqua some 100m out. If going in August get there early for a good spot - or invest in a good umbrella early and set up yourself on the left of the beach and avoid paying the 8 euro for beds and umbrella. Back to the villa by the pool in the afternoon via a number of good inexpensive tavernas on the return route.
Also worth going out with Spiros on his Lavente speedboat for a beautiful (and sometimes hilarious) run around either the north or the south (our favourite) of the island. The drive up to the blue caves is also a good expedition (watch the roads..) past Alykes, and up the hill climb - as you approach the coast and are descending, there is a brilliant restaurant overlooking a beautiful bay well worth visiting - and on to Agious Nikolas where you can get a small boat for a cheap trip to the blue caves (35 euros three adults, one chiled).
Thoroughly recommended.

The villas certainly lived up to their photographs they are a real home from home. Everything you need to make your holiday perfect. Diana is so welcoming with nothing being too much trouble for her. The villas are spotlessly clean with personal touches added before your arrival to make you feel welcome such as eggs, local olive oil etc. A definate must is a visit to their taverna in Tsilivi, also called the Olive Tree, to sample excellent Greek food. A perfect setting to enjoy a peaceful relaxing holiday. Can't wait for my next visit!!

This was my first exprience booking a holiday from internet and i must admit i was scared of what i'd find. The photo's of the villa were amazing but i thought there had to be something unreal on our arrival. Instead it was Amazing.. no fantastic...the photo's don't give justice to the villa's, it was incredible!!! The holiday was just perfect, our host's Diana and Lakis now feel like a part of the family! You will find everything you need in the villa's and if you need help for places to visit and speciale trips to make, Diana is definately a perfect tour operatore!!! The maid service was unbelievable....Olimpia would clean everyday even if the villa was still shining from the day before. The pool area was great fun, my 4 year old son still talks about it. The villa's olive tree are amazing, i'd rather not have to admit that, only because i'd like to think that we could have them to ourselves every year!!! Lakis your food at the Taverna Olive tree was incredible, you are a speciale friend for life. Diana, hostess with the mostess, you are a speciale, speciale person. Thank you both for a fantastic fantastic holiday!!!!

From the time we first made contact, I knew this was going to be a wonderful home from home. However, our expectations were fantastically exceeded.

Diana and her team welcomed us so warmly, with gifts of home-produced Olive Oil, fresh eggs, a cool bottle of wine and everything else you could want to start a relaxing holiday on this fantastic island.

The villas are set in wonderfully landscaped gardens, with a pool that suits adults and children alike and with ample sunbeds for all. Diana works tirelessly to ensure that all her guests enjoy their stay, with the villas being impeccably furnished and cleaned daily (including fresh sheets and towels), with added extras including dishwasher, washing machine, CD player, flat-screen TV with sky and separate airconditioning units for each room, which was a fantastic bonus for us in the August temperatures.

With close proximity to several local tavernas, where we enjoyed some delicious meals, a fantastic bakery, friendly butcher and well-stocked supermarket, as well being 300 yards from the sea, and 10 minutes drive from busier resorts with good watersports facilities, we really did feel that we were in the ideal location for a wonderfully relaxing family holiday.

Diana and Lakis also run the oldest taverna is Tsilivi, where we enjoyed the best food we tasted on the island, and they even offered home delivery service!

We feel that we have found our retirement home (if Diana ever wants to sell!!). Your only problem may be getting a booking, because we plan on coming back on a regular basis...