Just 10 minutes drive inland from the coast sits a traditional Cypriot Village, nestled on the outskirts hidden behind tall bushes and three symbolic cypress trees lies The Little Cyprus Retreat, home to all things yoga and vegan.
Turning off the road, through the gates you are met by a stone patio leading to the house, the mountains on the horizon and a 10 metre sparkling blue pool overlooked by palm trees. The large patio and palm leaf canopy offers shade for outdoor dining and lounge seating. The pool is surrounded by cushioned sun-loungers inviting you over before you have even unpacked…
Living Space
Inside, a double-height living room with timber beams and beautiful stone walls is open plan to the kitchen and dining area with panoramic doors overlooking the pool, the mountains and the orchard. Glance up you will see the ‘Art Snug’ mezzanine offering a more relaxed lounge area for reading or just hanging out in the swing chair.
To the side, a small extension used for the hosts with its own entrance and bathroom.
The Bedrooms
There are four bedrooms, each offering adult size twin beds (a double bed can be arranged in advance), two on the ground floor and two on the first floor. One of the ground floor bedrooms is en-suite and the other rooms share a ground floor shower room. The upper floor bedrooms are fitted with Velux windows with views over the neighbouring countryside and gardens.
Two towels, a bath robe and vegan toileties will be supplied for your stay.
All bedrooms offer air conditioning or a fan if preferred during the hotter months.
The Studio
Seperate from the main house and down a few steps overlooking the ravine, is the yoga studio. A quiet, away from it all place for total peace and time to reflect. The studio is fully equipped with Manduka EKO yoga mats, bolsters, blocks and blankets to give you all the support you need during your stay. The studio is used each morning and evening, but you are welcome to enter the studio anytime for your own practice, meditation or simply to have some quiet time.
The morning sun gently rises above the opposite hill filling the studio with warm light and shadows of the cypress trees. A perfect place to start each day and as the sun sets in the evening the candles flicker and a stillness fills the air ready for your evening practice.
The space is not only used for classes, each year a family of swallows return and nest. They have been returning for the past two years and we love sharing it with them. In the cooler months Oct – Feb when the rain falls or in spring when the mountain snow has thawed, the base of the ravine returns to a vibrant stream awakening the frogs and toads.
The Grounds and Gardens
The house sits on a ¾ acre plot of land on the side of a small ravine, surrounded by gardens which include palm trees, conifers and local shrubbery to provide shade. Amongst the gardens you will find old and new olive trees with luxury hammocks interspersed between them. Hidden benches are also to be found, perfect for an afternoon out of the sun to finally read that book you started.
The flower beds are full of wild-flowers including Aloe Vera, Acacia Mimosa, Poppies, Geraniums, Irises to name a few. To the rear of the house is an orchard, and depending on the season, we have oranges, grapefruit, pomegranates, pecans and olives.
The garden has naturally developed over the years with little ‘landscaping’ which is how we like it. The trees offer much needed shade in the summer months but there is plenty of space on the patio and the upper lawn for sun lounging. We sometimes hold the yoga class on the patio beneath the stars. On a clear night you can see the milky way and if you are lucky, a shooting star. We grow and use rosemary, mint and other herbs, cut fresh for the dishes and we have been known to cut strips of aloe vera to use the gel as face masks. The garden is often referred to as a birder’s paradise due to the variety of birds which visit all year. They especially love the large conifers and we regularly hear the call of scops owls or the cooing of palm doves.
The swimming pool is 10 x 5 metres and one depth of approx 5 ft, perfect for gentle swimming or floating around, with sunken steps for to easy acccess. From May onwards the temperature can be 22-28C and reaches 32 degrees in the summer months.
Amongst the plants or under the sun loungers you may uncover one of our three cats, Ginger, Molly and Whitey. Occasionally the neighbour’s dog pops in for a visit, stays a while then wanders home again.
Little Cyprus Retreat 