Villa Cavo Nano, Mykonos
Firstly, you're in Kanalia, one of the most fashionable postcodes on Mykonos - just a shuttle away from the action in Hora (the main town).

Seclusion is the word. With a scattering of über villas above (no hotels here), four-bedroomed Cavo Nano has a private drive and a small track leading to the rocky shore. The architect Glanzis (who lives next door), has capitalised on the Greek light by fitting out Cavo Nano with wraparound terraces and wooden decks. Cool marble and stone-clad seating areas overlook the lap pool.

The uncluttered blue, white and grey interior is a style favoured on Mykonos.

The wow factor: Its magical position, arguably the best on Mykonos.
Best extras: Air-conditioning (a rare commodity on the islands).
Insider advice: Mykonos is hell in August. The chic set arrives in September.
The cost: Villa rental per day, based on 12 sharing: low season, 765 euros (approx £535); high 1,220 euros (£859). Includes local transfers.
Where to book: Mykonos Accommodation Centre (mykonos-accommodation.com, 00 30 2 2890 23160). Excel Airways (08709 989898, excelairways.com) operates direct charters to Mykonos from Gatwick and Manchester from £159 return.

Villa Evangelini, Syros
The rich and famous Greek shipping fraternity annually sheds shoes and socks in Syros' Posedonia, to remind themselves of when the likes of Onassis still made ripples in nautical circles.

Originally called Dellagrazia, this precinct of stately homes tucked away in the south-west corner of Syros was created as a rural retreat 10km from the bustle of the main town, Ermoupolis.

Up to 17 can rattle around in this graceful pale pink neoclassical gem next to a bright blue church. The four bedrooms (one four-poster) are furnished with antiques, have a balcony, TV, phone and private bathroom. Downstairs boasts every comfort, including conservatory, large living/dining room and kitchen with mod cons. Beyond its fishpond is a "guest village" with four more bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The wow factor: Evangelini's lovingly tended grounds (about 3,000 sq m) with palm, pine and fruit trees. Many shaded terraces (with BBQ) include a stunning vine-covered pergola.
Best extras: Roman steps lead to a 12m pool fed by private well with oodles of patio loungers. If that's not enough, the island's best coves - Angathopes and Komito - are only 10 minutes' walk away.
Insider advice: Syros gets blustery meltemi winds during July/August.
The cost: One week, based on 10 sharing including scheduled flights: low season, £819 per person; high £967.
Where to book: Filoxenia (01422 375999, escape-packages.com).

Villa Romaiko, Crete
The tiny village of Livathia is 72km from Chania in remote western Crete, and a far cry from the concrete resorts we all know and probably don't love. Villa Romaiko is designed for those who prefer sunsets to Zorba dancing. It is wedged between two of Crete's coral-fringed bays: Elafonissi and Falassarna.

A Versace meets Nero open-plan living room with turquoise beams has soft white sofas and three picture windows to take in the sea views. It leads to a designer kitchen where the housekeeper, Toula, rustles up Cretan specialities for guests who can't make it into Kefalia.

Dinner is undoubtedly the main event - spread out in Romaiko's covered BBQ area and 23m-long poolside terrace, followed by a little stargazing from the lookout platform. A raised passage leads to three bedrooms; two twins with marble shower rooms overlook a cloistered garden. But you will fight over the master bedroom with patio facing the rugged shoreline.

The wow factor: The L-shaped swimming pool hugs the villa, surrounded by Minoan columns, marble steps and ochre-coloured walls.
Best extras: The master bedroom's en suite bathroom has a hydro-massage bath, plus an open-air shower room.
Insider advice: Nightlife is off the agenda. Stock up on local hooch.
The cost: One week, based on six sharing and including flights: low season £845pp, high £1,1420.
Where to book: Freelance Holidays (01789 297705, freelance-holidays.co.uk)

Candili Estate, Evia
This sprawling Greek chateau has been owned by the Noel-Baker family since 1832. Candili is located near Prokopi village in Evia, Greece's second largest island, about a two-hour drive from Athens. Perfect for extended family reunions around the swimming pool, there is a choice of three properties that can accommodate up to 40 people. The Granary, totalling six units; the Konaki manor house which sleeps 12; and a small romantic cottage with no electricity but a spring-fed plunge pool.

The wow factor: The resident Greek chef, Sofoula, is on hand to prepare break-fast and dinner (early meals specially prepared for children). Celebrity chefs from London will augment her mouthwatering repertoire this summer.
Best extras: Mountain biking, table tennis and a library that should keep everyone amused.
Insider advice: The villa is inland, about 10km from the sea but at least 15 unspoilt beaches fan out along Evia's two coastlines.
The cost: One week's rental based on 20 sharing costs £3,200 half-board in high season.
Where to book: Filoxenia (01422 375999, escape-packages.com).

The French House, Trizonia, Korinthos
This is what we all dream of but never quite achieve - our own Greek island getaway. Sue and Jim run Trizonia as the ultimate stylish escape for groups from two to 14. A two-hour drive from Athens - either northside via ancient Delphi, or southside via a ferry hop from Egio - the island is accessible only via water taxi and is totally traffic free.

The house is a work of art, built in Macedonian-style stone with elegant wooden shutters, surrounded by acres of flagstoned terraces. The mansion house has a distinct French feel inside with master bedroom and four-poster room, bathroom, kitchen/diner, lounge with fireplace and piano. Two two-bed cottages adjoin the courtyard.

The wow factor: Space. Two patios have views across the gulf to the mainland.
Best extras: Jim offers caique trips and low-key watersports such as sailing and windsurfing.
Insider advice: The nearest village is 25 minutes' walk away.
The cost: One week based on 14 sharing: low season £500pp; high £550. Includes flights but not food or transfers, taxis can be arranged.
Where to book: Filoxenia (01422 375999, escape-packages.com).

Karopoliti, northern Peloponnese
This peninsula, jutting out of the Argolid, was a favourite of the ancient Greeks, and is a short hop from the original capital of Nafplion and the theatre of Epidavrous.

Karopoliti is one of the most exclusive estates in Greece, stunningly situated near Galatas, overlooking the island of Poros. The 4,000 square metres of gardens surround the main house, which sleeps six in three beautifully furnished bedrooms plus a children's room and two Jacuzzi bathrooms.

Designed for entertaining en famille, a luxury kitchen (plus laundry) leads out to the sitting/living room and a vast terrace faces on to its cliffside pool.

The wow factor: Steps lead from the pool down to a tiny beach and private jetty, where a boat is moored for fishing jaunts to Poros.
Best extras: The estate has a second beach with tennis courts and small cabana with two bedrooms, kitchen and double shower room.
Insider advice: A car is essential for reaching the sandy beaches.
The cost: One week based on 12 sharing and including flights: low season £576pp; high £764.
Where to book: Filoxenia (01422 375999, escape-packages.com).

Where to book a Greek villa

Villa agencies

Grecofile (01422 310 330).

Greece and Cyprus Travel Centre (0121-355 6955, greece-cyprus.co.uk).

Tour operators with villa holidays

A&K Chapters (0845 0700618, villa-rentals.com).

Amathus Holidays (020-7611 0901, amathusholidays.co.uk).

The Best of Greece (020-7406 1746, bestofgreecetravel.com).

Cachet Travel (020-8847 3847, cachet-travel.co.uk).

Catherine Secker (020-8460 8022).

CV Travel (020-7591 2800, cvtravel.net).

Direct Greece (020-8785 4000, directgreece.co.uk).

Elegant Resorts (01244 897444, elegantresorts.co.uk).

Filoxenia (01422 375999, filoxenia.co.uk or escape-packages.com).

First Choice (0870 7500001, firstchoice.co.uk).

Freelance Holidays (01789 297705, freelance-holidays.co.uk).

Greek Islands Club (020-8232 9780, greekislandsclub.com).

Greek Options (020-7233 5233, greekoptions.co.uk).

Hidden Greece (020-7839 2553, hidden-greece.co.uk).

Islands of Greece (020-8940 5157, islands-of-greece.com).

JMC Greece (0870 555 0440, jmc.com).

Laskarina (01629 822203, laskarina.co.uk).

Manos Holidays (01273 427333, manos.co.uk).

Olympic Holidays (0870 4292020, olympicholidays.co.uk).

Palmer and Parker (01494 815411, palmerparker.com).

Planos Holidays (01373 814200, planos.co.uk).

Pure Crete (020-8760 0879, pure-crete.com).

Simply Greece (020-8541 2203, simplytravel.com).

Simpson Travel (020-8392 5852, simpson-travel.com).

Skopelos Villas (01689 877938, skopelos-villas.co.uk).

Something Special (0870 1652603, somethingspecial.co.uk).

Sovereign (08705 768373, sovereign.com).

Sunvil (020-8568 4499, sunvil.co.uk).

Tapestry (020-8235 7700, tapestryholidays.com).

Travel à la Carte (01635 863 030, travelalacarte.co.uk).