Kathikas in my opinion is arguably the prettiest and friendliest village in the Paphos area. Since settling in Paphos it has pleased me to learn that the local people in this village and many of the smaller villages in the area are now being encouraged, by way of grant, to renovate and retain their traditional homes.
Kathikas village is approximately a 15-20 minute drive northeast of Paphos and the scenery along the way is a delight as you climb into the hills. The village is surrounded by grapevines, of which, many have been handed down through the family generations. Many of the villages work in the wine growing industry supporting the growth of the two local, family owned wineries, namely Sterna and Vasillikon.
The purpose of my trip on this particular day was to visit Kathikas and see for myself one of the villages newly renovated traditional stone houses. What I saw and the story I was told blew me away.
This Kathikas stone villa has been renovated to an extremely high standard without losing any of the old charm and traditional aspects of the original building. The owner has been able to enrich his family property and was justifiably proud to share with me the Kathikas village traditions and a little of his family history.
Traditionally, the old stone houses were built on one level and would have housed not only the family but their livestock as well. The property would have been sectioned off into smaller square rooms for the family and to one side they would house the family donkey and maybe a cow. Today this traditional stone house has been opened up to expose arched doorways and wooden beams.
The ceiling has been finished in bamboo, a tradition that has mainly gone beside the way. The young owner advised me that every village had a different style of finish within their houses and to make sure he retained the traditional of his village he enlisted one of the Kathikas village elders to show him the methods they used to create the bamboo finish. Having picked up the tips and tricks from this older gentleman, he then recruited volunteers from within the local school to help him put it all together. The result is astonishing.
Other than the structural renovation the stone villa has been furnished in keeping with the era. There is a replica high raised iron bed, the traditional Cypriot bread paddle, rustic furniture, and assorted pottery. The owner explains to us that his grandmother produced 11 children in this house which has been passed down through the family to him. In his grandmothers lifetime no houses had water on mains and it was therefore collected in jugs from a well near to the village church. The jugs and the storage areas are visible throughout the villa.
This Kathikas stone villa now offers all the comforts of todays lifestyle. Standing in its own private courtyard, this Paphos holiday villa is complimented by a relaxing pool area, outdoor pergola with BBQ, fine landscaping and even a private well.
I thanked my friend for sharing some history and culture with me and it was easy to see how proud he was of his achievement, and well he should be. By giving the holiday maker the opportunity to also experience and share a little of his background, he is not only preserving the family home but creating an income for his family and ensuring the nature of the village itself does not get spoilt. By encouraging select new developments and renovations the locals themselves can contribute to improving and boosting the area based simply on its traditional character and nature.
The village itself retains a very traditional and friendly atmosphere and is an ideal location for walking, bird watching, wine tasting, meeting the locals or simply total relaxation. A visitor's centre is available for maps and additional information on the surrounding area. The village also boasts small supermarkets, cafes and some very select tavernas and restaurants, enough to provide for residents and visitors alike.
For more information on this particular villa, view: http://www.rent-a-villa-in-paphos.com/Kathikas-stone-villa.html
Loire Valley chateaux are full of amazing tales. At Chateau Chenonceau you can hear 'The future king was twelve and he took a mistress aged 32.' The image of the chateaux of this region may be all towers, topiary, tapestries and faded furniture but for 200 years, these great palaces were host to world-class debauchery and many murders. Chateau Chenonceau has one of the most colourful pasts. Here not only did Henri II take a mistress 20 years his senior when he was 12, but Henri III also used the formal gardens for transvestite parties with his chums, 'the Sweeties'.
In Chateau Blois, Henri III invited a rival to his ornate bed chamber then hid behind a curtain as twenty hired men jumped the wretch.
The chateau guide can show you the exact spot in Chateau Blois where 23 knife stabs were planted in the unfortunate Duke de Guise the head of the Catholic League, by eight men armed with daggers and twelve with swords. You can even watch a black and white 12 minute silent movie re-enacting the murder at Chateau Blois.
Today tourists at Chateau Blois can see the 237 secret cabinets, which opened by stepping on a hidden lever, where Catherine de Medici kept her personal papers, jewels and a collection of poisons. Catherine and her son Henri III instigated the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, which began in Paris and spread throughout France, resulting in the death of some 70,000 Protestants.
In Chinon, aristocratic ladies bunged accidental babies down an 80ft shaft, also the castle toilet. And it was from his balcony at Chateau Amboise that Louis XII hung Protestant dissidents.
Today because of cheap airfares to many exotic locations and perhaps because the curators of these celebrated chateau typically ignore the colourful elements in their history these chateaux are chasing the tourist dollar. Now chateaux across the Loire Valley region are hosting additional attractions: a Tintin exhibition at Cheverny, an international annual garden festival at Chaumont, horse show at Chambord, actors in period costume and son et lumiere shows at many.
Most key chateaux are in the 100-mile stretch from Saumur to Orleans. The region around Blois is a perfect base for visiting Chambord, Cheverney, Blois, Clos Luce, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Chaumont, and our favourite Chateau Chenonceau which attracts over 1 million visitors each year, the most out of all of the Loire Valley chateaux.
It is easy to overdose on chateaux, so or do not try and make any records by doing them all in one or two days. Two in a day is enough and allows plenty of time for relaxing and enjoying wine-tasting at a handful of vineyards sprinkled along the banks of the Loire River.
Both Lynda Burke & Corina Clemence are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lynda Burke has sinced written about articles on various topics from Destinations, Holidays and Property Guide. Lynda Burke owns and operates the site, a site offering villa accommodation in the villages and coastal regions of Paphos,. Lynda Burke's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Corina Clemence has sinced written about articles on various topics from Places to Visit in, Loire Valley and Dating and Romance. Corina Clemence runs Chateau du Guerinet near Blois as a luxury chateau available for exclusive rent for up to 15 people perfect for visiting historic chateaux, vineyards, and simply relaxing with your family and friends.. Corina Clemence's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.