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Villa
Cassa
Kathikas - Paphos
(please click on
photos to enlarge)
Villa Cassa is a brand new 6-bedroom villa built
over three levels in the traditional village of
Kathikas. The villa is ideal for the larger
family, having 4 bedrooms in the main house,
plus a separate, self-contained 2 bedroom
apartment on the ground floor, thereby sleeping
up to 12. For smaller parties the main house
only can be rented, with the apartment closed,
making this property affordable for all. The
soft furnishings have all been carefully colour
coordinated and attention to detail has been
paid to the interior decoration with lots of
little extra touches making it feel like a home.
The front door accesses the main living areas of
the villa. The kitchen is well equipped with an
electric oven, fridge freezer, dishwasher and
microwave. There is a large refectory style
dining table with 8 chairs. The comfortable
living area is equipped with Satellite TV
(limited channels), DVD player and Hi-fi. There
is a double bedroom on this level with a
separate shower room.
A staircase leads to the first floor where the
master double bedroom with four-poster bed and
en-suite shower room is located. The private
balcony for this room overlooks the swimming
pool. There are a further two twin bedrooms on
this level each with private balcony and sharing
a full family bathroom complete with Jacuzzi
whirlpool bath with an overhead shower. A
washing machine and sink are located on the
small landing area of this floor.
On the ground floor, there is a fully equipped,
self-contained apartment with its own separate
entrance. The apartment has an open plan
living/dining room with TV and a compact kitchen
equipped with a small fridge, electric oven,
toaster and kettle. There is one twin and one
double bedroom, which shares a shower room, The
villa is fully air conditioned throughout with
units that can be used for both cooling and
heating.
Outside, the large 10m x 5m pool with walk-in
steps is surrounded by a spacious terrace with
sun beds, umbrellas, poolside shower and
barbecue. The swimming pool area is completely
private and enjoys outstanding views of the
surrounding countryside.
The prominent position of this villa means it
enjoys uninterrupted views over fields and
grapevines to the distant Troodos Mountains.
Today, Kathikas is one of the most attractive
villages in the area, well known for its great
many vineyards, grapes being its main product
and their cultivation the main occupation of the
villagers. A selection of local tavernas and a
mini market are within a few minutes walk of the
villa. The popular resort of Coral Bay with its
well-known sandy beach is approximately 15
kilometers away and the traditional town of
Polis and the small seaside resort of Latchi are
only 18 kilometers away.
Kathikas Village
To
the north of the town of Pafos, approximately
22km away, is the historical village of Kathikas
with roots dating back to the antiquity, built
at the top of a hill. As for its name, rumour
has it that the village was a stop-over for
merchants and travellers since it is mid-way
between Pafos and Polis Chrysochous. Here, they
would rest along with their animals at the old
inn which existed at the time. Today Kathikas is
still one of the most attractive villages of the
area, well known for its great many vineyards,
grapes being its main product and their
cultivation the main occupation of the
villagers. Notable is the church of Panayia
Evangelistria (AD 1870). The village forms part
of the Laona project, whose concern is the
general improvement and boosting of the greater
area on the basis of its traditional character
and nature.
Ideally situated between Paphos and Latchi, the
pretty village built of stone is set on top of
the low hills of the Laona plateau. It is said
that when the village was built, the stone
dwellings were constructed on each side of the
river, with Greek Cypriots living on one side
and Turkish Cypriots living on the other. Of
course, nowadays, there is no such divide with
the locals and non-Cypriots alike mixing freely.
Kathikas is 22kms from Paphos and 14kms from
Latchi and has a long history as a resting place
for merchants travelling between the two towns,
and is halfway between the only road that
connects the old and new roads between Paphos
and Polis. The remains of a circular Roman road
can be seen in Kathikas.
Although the historic taverna no longer exists,
it has been replaced by more modern ones, like
the Farm Yard Tavern. Kathikas’ central location
makes it an ideal base from which to explore
such areas as Polis, the Baths of Aphrodite, the
Akamas Peninsula, the turtle hatchery at Lara
Bay, to mention but a few.
With
a population of 349, the village offers
something for everyone. Famous for its
vineyards, the village is surrounded by vines
and is renowned for the quality of its grapes.
Many of the vines have been in the same family
for generations. Two very famous wineries open
their doors to visitors, so you can enjoy the
winemaker’s craft. The village is also home to a
donkey sanctuary and a tourist information
centre.
The
village retains its old world character whilst
encouraging selected new developments. In the
heart of the village there is a well-known
restaurant and three coffee shops. There is no
main church, but a small chapel serves the needs
of the village. The village square has a small
taverna where you can enjoy a cool drink whilst
sitting under the trees.
The
nearest school is in the village of Peyia,
whilst the local police station is in the
village of Stroumbi. The nearest hospital is in
Polis and the villagers have a weekly visit from
a doctor.
For
fishing fans, the nearest reservoirs are Evretou
and Mavrokolympos, whilst the nearest golf
course is at Tsada. As the village of Kathikas
is 600 metres above sea level, it has a good
climate in summer with very little humidity.
At
present there are approximately nine ex-pats in
the village. If you’re a bit of an amateur
anthropologist, then Kathikas is an ideal
location in which to observe the traditional
Cypriot way of life and to live it yourself.
* PLEASE BE ADVISED THERE IS A 2 BEDROOMED ANNEX
AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 4
MORE PEOPLE MAKING THE OCCUPANCY UP TO 12.
For the smaller family this can be closed off
and the larger party it can be opened.
Air conditioning for Cooling and Heating is
charged locally at 4.50 euros per unit per day.
Weekly linen and towel change; Weekly Maid
Service.
WELCOME PACK included: Coffee, Sugar,
Tea, Milk, Bread, Juice, Butter, Jams and Wine.
TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS
Troodos
Mountains
 Well maintained trails wind up through the slopes of these
ancient mountains past Byzantine churches and black pine
trees. Surrounding the area, you will be able to enjoy the
sights and smells of nearby cedar and pine forests.
All of
the painted churches of the Troodos are little gems of
craftsmanship set in breathtaking scenery. Panayia tou Araka
- the church of Our Lady of the Pea - is a superb e xample
and one of ten painted churches on the UNESCO world heritage
site list.
The church itself is tiny and is dwarfed by its
snow proof roof and the wooden trellis that surrounds it.
However, when you walk inside, the vibrant colours and the
number of frescoes takes your breath away. In winter Mount
Olympus plays host to hundreds of skiers.
Kourion/Kolossi Castle
 Ancient Kourion and the castle at Kolossi are both in the
Limassol area and can be visited together in a day. They are
just two examples of the wealth of history to be found in
Cyprus. Kourion is one of the most spectacular
archaeological sites on the island.
This ancient city
kingdom has many ancient treasures including the Greco Roman
theatre dating from the second century BC, which has been
fully restored.
Other sites include baths, houses - some
with beautiful mosaics and a stadium. The ruins at Kourion
are to be found in breathtaking scenery overlooking the sea.
As it is one of Cyprus's most popular tourist attractions,
it worth arriving early in high season. Kolossi Castle -
here you will encounter a military site that once stood as a
Crusader fortress of the Knights of St John, dating back to
the 13th century.
Baths of Aphrodite
This is the natural feature carved from limestone. Legend
states that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, used to
take her baths here. This is where you will encounter a
natural pool surrounded by plenty of land to explore.
Tomb of the Kings
These tombs bear a strong resemblance to Egyptian tombs.
Carved out of solid rock with pillars and frescoed walls.
The Tomb of the Kings is a large necropolis situated a
little over a mile north west of Paphos Harbour.
Spread over a
vast area, these impressive underground tombs date back to
the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with
some being decorated with Doric pillars. High officials
rather than Kings were buried here, but the magnificence of
the tombs gave the locality its name.
Larnaca Fort
This small fort served as a prison during British
occupation. It was however, originally built by the
venetians in the 15th century, to protect the harbour. If
you climb the wall you will get an excellent view of the
town. There is also a small museum below the wall.
Limassol Castle
Built on the site of a Byzantine fort in the 14th century,
this was where the marriage between King Richard and Queen
Berengaria took place.
Paphos Harbour and Castle
 The harbour at Paphos attracts visitors all year round, who
take the opportunity to walk along the quay and maybe visit
one of the fish restaurants, tavernas or cafes. The view is
superb with lots of colourful fishing boats bobbing in the
harbour.
The castle is in fact all that remains of a much
earlier castle dating from 1391, which was demolished by the
Venetians. The Ottomans used it as dungeons and the British
as a warehouse for salt! It can be reached via a small
bridge over a moat and is worth a visit for the view from
the top.
Choirokitia
 To go right back to Cyprus's earliest history, you need to
visit the remains of stone age settlements at Choirokitia,
better preserved than most other Neolithic sites in the
eastern Mediterranean.
The settlement dates back to sixth
and seventh centuries BC - although the site was discovered
in 1936, serious excavation did not start until the 1970's.
It is perhaps one of the earliest human settlements on the
island and is a UNESCO world heritage site. He people of Choirokitia lived in beehive shaped one storey houses - more
than sixty such houses can be seen at the site, as well as
the original streets and lanes and a larger chieftain’s
mansion.
The Paphos Mosaics
 A must for all visitors are the colourful and intricate
Roman mosaics to be found in Paphos. They were discovered by
accident in the 1960's - further excavation revealed a
number of Roman houses all with spectacular mosaics,
depicting scenes from ancient mythology.
The mosaics give a
clue to the wealthy and opulent lives of some of the Roman Paphiots. The main sites are the House of Dionysos, the
House of Aion and the House of Theseus. The mosaics can be
found near the lighthouse and fortress of Saranda Kolones
situated in close proximity to Paphos Harbour.
Akamas National Park
Studded with sandy bays, deep gorges and home to over 500
species of plants, 168 types of birds plus a host of other
animals and insects this is a nature lover's paradise.
Akamas Peninsula in the summer is frequented by turtles,
which makes it extremely popular.
Shopping
Lacework and
embroidery, pottery and woodwork, jewellery … the artistic
heritage of Cyprus is a reflection of the islands h istory
and traditions that have endured for centuries. Most of the
raw materials used in crafts, from copper to silk and
cotton, are native to Cyprus. Since 1975 the government has
actively strived to preserve local craftworks by creating
the Cyprus Handicraft Service. They provide goods to the
large Cyprus Handicraft Centre (Lefkosia) and official craft
shops.
Cypriot lacework
is prized for its quality and artistry and it is one if
Cyprus’s most famous exports. The village of Lefkara is very
well known for its embroidery, called Lefkaritika, take a
wander around the streets and you will be invited into the
many of the shops.
Embroidered
lace, worked on off white linen or cotton, makes for highly
decorative tablecloths, curtains, doilies, placemats and
dresser sets. A specialty of Paphos is Pafitika, fabric
embroidered with geometric designs.
Pottery has been
made in Cyprus continuously for thousands of years.
Attractive pots come in all shapes and sizes. Terra cota
pieces with white decorations, copies of museum pieces are
popular gifts, as are copper wares, hand painted gourds and
handmade baskets and jewellery with motifs from antiquity.
The smaller
villages of Cyprus are the best places to pick up
handcrafted Cypriot lace at a good price. Bargaining is
accepted, be polite but firm. Always shop around
and don’t display too much enthusiasm.
Getting Around
One can travel
around Cyprus either by bus, by taxi or private car. There
are no
trains in Cyprus. One of the most inexpensive ways of
travelling is by bus, which costs approximately €1. Buses
are available every half an hour throughout the area. Almost
all villages are connected with the nearest town by buses.
There are
numerous places of interest in remote areas, if you like to explore
then driving in Cyprus is a must. Fairly good surfaced roads
complying with international traffic requirements link the
towns and various villages. Use of a mobile phone is
strictly prohibited. Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a
valid international driving license or their national
driving
 license
provided it is valid for the vehicle class they intend to
drive. Driving is on the left as in the UK. There are many
places that you can hire a car from. Always use a reputable
company.
If you don’t
want to drive yourself, communal service taxis are another
option. They provide connections between all major towns
every half hour. Regular taxis are reasonably priced and are
especially good options for airport transfers.
Nightlife
Cyprus has a lot to offer in terms of nightlife. You will
find traditional entertainment – folk music and dancing – at
numerous tavernas and restaurants in cities and villages.
There are many fish and specialty or themed restaurants and
many places are family friendly.
Eating Out
Everyone knows
that Cyprus is famous for its food; the cuisine is a blend
of flavours gathered from all over the eastern
Mediterranean. Cypriots cook with less oil than their
Mediterranean neighbours. The cuisine is healthy apart from
their love of syrup soaked pastries. All food is cooked
fresh on a daily basis. The quality of fresh produce is
excellent and the local salads are delicious.
One of the most
popular dishes in Cyprus is a Meze. You are served up to 20
different saucer sized dishes, ranging from local cheese
like halloumi and feta, meats like pork, chicken and fish.
Some of the most
popular meals are:
Kleftico – lamb
or goat roasted with vegetables in an outside oven
Shish Kebab –
marinated lamb skewered and grilled over charcoal
 Souvla
– Lamb or goat cooked on a rotisserie
Souvlaki – Pork
grilled on a skewer
Sheftalia –
small rissoles of mince, onions and spices wrapped in a
'skin' of gut rather like small sausages
Mousakka –
slices of aubergine and potato overlaid with mince and white
sauce.
Sports
 There
are some fantastic golf courses in Cyprus and a couple
luxury golf resorts are under development in Paphos.
Pissouri is situated close to two popular courses, Tsada and
Secret Valley.
Hiking is very
popular in the mountains and the climate is cooler on higher
ground. There are beautiful unspoilt views from the
mountains.
Sea sports are
also very popular due to the calm clear waters surrounding
the island. There is jet skiing, water surfing, various boat
excursions, diving and many more. There are trained
instructors ready to assist for all levels of divers. There
is also the wreck of Zenobia which is the fourth largest
wreck dive in the world and this is for experienced divers
only.
From January
until March you can ski in the Troodos Mountains! So Cyprus
really does have something for everyone.
For the family
Everyone agrees
that Cyprus is a fantastic place for children. The long
sunny days and sandy beaches are an irresistible holiday
combination. Be sure to think about alternative plans if
weather is a factor in what you want to do. It can be very
hot in the middle of the day in high season and it does
occasionally rain in the winter months. The good news is
that Cyprus has a variety of attractions for all ages.
Coral Bay
Karting - Go karts for adults and children. There is also a
games centre and a children’s playground.
Aphrodite water
park Paphos - Offers a very high level of safety and hygiene
and has a variety of slides and fun activities there are
also a couple of bowling alleys in Paphos and themed cruises
with indoor shows and meals.
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