Christine was born in a small village in northwest Switzerland, into a family with four other children. For three generations, her family managed the village post office, which was also located in their old farmhouse. Winters in Switzerland were harsh back then, and even as children, they had to deliver mail by bicycle through the snow.

At the same time, in southern Europe, on the Greek island of Andros, Adonis was born into a farming family. Life was challenging, and while his family had two children, they tragically lost other siblings due to the hardships of rural life. The family owned a large piece of land with a farmhouse and a stable. 

When Adonis was six, they decided to leave their rural life behind and moved to Athens, hoping for a better future. His mother, Eleni, worked as a housekeeper for wealthy families, and his father, Konstantinos, became a gardener for the municipality. Adonis himself started working at a young age, attending late-night classes to finish school. Later, he worked on cargo ships, traveling the world—a job that sparked his lifelong fascination with exploration.

In the spring of 1980, during Easter, Christine decided to escape the city and visit Andros, one of the nearest islands. Back then, Andros was remote, with unpaved roads and many areas still without electricity. It was there, in a small café, that she met Adonis, who was also visiting the island at the time. Their connection was immediate—they fell in love and spent the rest of her trip together.

Adonis’s family farmhouse was in ruins, with its roof collapsed, but their shared adventure had just begun. After their meeting, Adonis left for military service for over two years, while Christine stayed in Athens. Following the devaluation of the Greek drachma, the couple moved to Switzerland, where they lived for several years, returning to Andros as often as possible.

During one of their visits to Andros, while camping on the grounds of the old farmhouse, they had an unexpected inspiration. As they enjoyed their morning coffee, they watched two German hikers admire the water source and breathtaking view in their garden. This sparked the idea to restore the farmhouse and stable to share the beauty of the island with others.

In 1987, Christine and Adonis began renovating the property, marking the birth of Villette Adonis.

What started as a humble project grew over the next 25 years into a beloved retreat. The property has expanded with new houses, providing guests with private, cozy accommodations while maintaining the original charm. The rebranding is complete, with a modern logo and updated digital presence reflecting the brand's blend of tradition, comfort, and sustainability. 

Along the way, their daughter, Aphroditi, was born and has since taken over running Villette Adonis with her partner, Prudhvi.

This is just the beginning of the story, but we’ll leave the rest for you to discover when you visit us at Villette Adonis.