Argaka

An ideal holiday location for those who appreciate authenticity and seek rest and tranquility in a pleasant and friendly environment, which blends mountains, sea and plain with a wonderful healthy climate, a mild winter, a particularly warm, clear sea and sandy beaches.

Argaka is a very privileged village. It is a small beautiful community of the area of Polis Chrysochous. It lies at the very beginning of Pafos Forest and only meters away from the beach. It enjoys both sea and mountain views, and an excellent climate. People there are open hearted and very friendly.

With a population of 1,000 or so, it has coffee shops and a couple of tavernas serving locally grown food. Argaka has two churches, Ayia Varvara being the oldest. This part of the island is very fertile and has an abundance of fruit trees including figs, grapes, prickly pears, apples, oranges and lemons. Being rural, early morning walks are particularly enjoyable. There are some extensive good beaches in the area. The village has groceries/mini-markets and a small co-op store. For more shops, banks and restaurants Polis is only a short drive away.

In spring it provides a spectacle of breathtaking beauty with colours and shapes long lost in most of the rest of the island; a reminder of the island's original identity

An area of approximately 250 square Km, surrounded by 12 traditional villages, displays a great variety of habitats and is home for 530 different plants (among these are 39 endemic plant species), 168 kinds of birds, 20 kinds of serpents, 12 different mammals and, 16 kinds of butterflies.

One way to explore is to pack a haversack and hike as only in this way will one really appreciate the rich and diverse wildlife. Another enjoyable way to see the region is using a strong mountain bike.

The Cyprus Forestry Department has established some nature trails but there are many unmarked tracks to follow.

The Laona Foundation, a non profit making trust, was set up in 1992 to manage a preservation programme originally instituted by the Friends of the Earth (Cyprus) and financed by the EEC. The project involved the renovation of 26 buildings - homes, churches, tavernas etc. in a number of villages all situated about 10 km south of Polis and 20 km North of Paphos.

The Laona district in which these villages are located varies in landscape from coastal to hill country. It is abundant in flora and fauna and is particularly attractive in the spring where wild flowers may be appreciated between March and May. The area in general offers excellent walks. Villages benefiting from the Laona project include: Kritou Terra , an attractive village just five minutes drive from Droushia set on a hillside amid fruit and nut trees. The village hosts the Cyprus Environmental Studies Centre. Pano Akourdaleia , a tiny village set amongst vineyards in which the Project has established a herb garden at the old school. Excellent walking area with spectacular scenery. Kato Akourdaleia , set on a hillside facing the Troodos Mountains hosts The Folk Arts Museum. Pleasant walks to the restored Miller's House and to a Byzantine chapel set on the edge of a spectacular 'undiscovered' gorge. Miliou , a small village set amongst orchards. Close by, the hotel offers therapeutic sulphur-spring baths. Two traditional weavers work here. Kathikas offers a visitors' centre and several tavernas.

The mild weather, the variety of landscape, vegetation and wildlife and the relatively unspoilt state of the coutryside and villages make it a real delight for the walker and naturalist, all year round.

Polis (6 - 7 minutes drive from the villa)

This countryside little town derives its name from the Greek word for city, and is the shortened version of Polis Chrysohou which translated mean "the City of the Golden Land" thus named for the fertile land surrounding the river Chrysochou. There are no large hotels so travellers can step into a world away from the usual tourist attractions and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this small but attractive village.

Dasoudi -the beach at Polis (nearest to the villa 12 mins drive)

Latchi/Latsi

Polis is served by the picturesque fishing port of Latsi -a pole of attraction all the year round and reputed for its fish taverns, its sea-sport facilities and boat- rides up to Akamas -a must for all visitors. Latchi / Latsi with its coastal paved walk is the picturesque harbour of Polis, known throughout Cyprus for its fresh fish. In the past it served as a small port for shipping carobs. The old stone carob warehouses have been converted into restaurants, fish taverns and places of recreation

Latchi is just 2kms from Polis with a good selection oakourdaleiaf sea-front tavernas offering one of the best choices of fresh fish dishes on the island. The famous 'Baths of Aphrodite' are a 10-minute drive away where the spring in which Aphrodite bathed can be visited. Just a handful of small shops with more choice in Polis or for a more cosmopolitan range try Paphos. Long sand/shingle main beach with other sandy beaches nearby. Water sports available on the beach. Warm hearted, friendly locals will make your stay memorable.

Walking enthusiasts will love the many walks available in the area including the trail of Aphrodite and Adonis (walk in the footsteps of the gods). Explore the baths of Aphrodite where legend has it that Aphrodite bathed with her lover Adonis. They say if you bath in the waters at the baths of Aphrodite you will be blessed with the secret to eternal youth and beauty! (you may also be arrested ...but it might be a price worth paying). Enjoy the unspoiled scenery of the peninsula and the Akamas National Park. A walk along its nature trails accompanied by the panoramic view of the bay of Polis is a unique experience.