Nestled in Larnaca District, this charming house for $130 per night is a fantastic choice for your next break. Elaia is a beautifully restored and extended, traditional house set around a delightful courtyard, just a hundred metres from the centre of the village with its leafy charming square, yet tucked away to offer a secluded peaceful and relaxing environment . The courtyard has the upper and lower patios, quality patio furniture potted colourful flowers, scented jasmines and other Mediterranean plants. All our guests have been highly enthusiastic about Elaia. They said (as per reviews) it is a top class property, idyllic and authentic, a refuge for the soul, very spacious, wonderful traditional house with all modcons, a private haven, gorgeous secluded yard, full of traditional charm and atmosphere, Cyprus' best kept secret! Guests also commented about Elaia that it is charming, colourful and spotless clean throughout and that everything works properly. It has plenty of space inside and in the private courtyard, and it is close to the centre of the village and amenities. It is an ideal location for sightseeing the island by car and it is 'Cyprus' far from the tourists. They very much enjoy breakfast outdoors and sipping wine late into evenings under the stars..(warm weather much of the year!) They also appreciate the personal and friendly welcome by family member and our 'food pack'! We invite you to book with us and come to enjoy all this and more! Elaia is in the Nicosia district, in the village of Lythrodontas, a picturesque village on the eastern edge of Troodos with a backdrop of hills and mountains with pine trees, olive trees and aromatic wild herbs. The village has a lovely central square with traditional cafes just a minute’s walk from Elaia. There is a well stocked supermarket, several restaurants and bakers. There is a doctor, chemist and petrol station. THE HOUSE The house which isis set around the courtyard comprises: A large sitting room – a restored room with original features of high ceiling and stone arch. Comfortable lounge suite and cable TV. A selection of dvds, books and children's toys areavailable. Open fireplace. A fully-fitted and very well equipped modern kitchen and spacious dining area. A utility room with washing machine and ironing facilities and hairdryer. Two spacious air-conditioned bedrooms each with en suite - the Village room is upstairs with balconies and a double bed, the Garden room is also upstairs with balconies and two single beds. Bed linen and towels are provided. The courtyard has an large upper patio, a smaller lower patio and a shaded entrance lobby where children can play safely. The courtyard, a real sun trap, offers absolute privacy and has trees and flowers such as citrus, olive and pomegranate and jasmine, bougainvillea, roses, herbs and other plants. Quality garden furniture for relaxing and dining and a large parasol are on the upper patio. Barbeque equipment is available. The balconies offer another spot to retreat and relax with mountain views. Accommodation is spacious and is ideal for groups of friends as well as families. Children can have lots of fun with supervision as the house is exciting and so different for them. Please note there are balconies and stairs around the property so children need to be supervised. Wi Fi is accessible from all rooms. The bedrooms and kitchen can be heated with 'split units', (which in the summer provide the air conditioning). We do not charge for gas or electricity. Firewood can be provided for the lounge fireplace at 10 euros for a container. LOCAL AMENITIES Numerous paths for walks through pine woods and olive groves, hills and valleys are minutes away from the front door. The European path E4 passes by the village and attracts serious walkers/ramblers. There are also many tracks for cycling outside the village and a new mountain bike trail Vikles has been constructed. The Cyprus Sunshine Cup race, Afxentia stage, takes place in the local area every year in February/March. Elaia is ideal for friends and family holidays, breaks, weekends and an ideal base for exploring the island from Nicosia’s old city to places of interest and historic sites such as Kourion amphitheatre near Limassol, the Paphos castle and mosaics, the pine-clad mountains with their picturesque villages, the beautiful beaches and other parts of the island. There is a summer Swimming pool at Ktima Alexiou, within 5km open June, July and August. Beaches: Larnaca 40mins drive, Governors Beach 50mins, Protaras 60mins. FURTHER DETAILS Welcome grocery pack on arrival. English speaking representative on hand to welcome and answer any questions. Welcome folder with useful information about the house and the area. Maps, guides and leaflets of places to visit are also provided. VILLAGE AMENITIES The leafy village square with its traditional cafes is a wonderful feature of the village which many guests enjoy. The kiosk “periptero”, small shop by the village square sells milk, cans of drink bread and a limited range of food, newspapers and magazines. The main supermarket is 400 metres from the village square. This stocks a large range of food and household goods, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Opening hours are: Every day: 6h00 to 21h00 (subject to change). Fresh bread and local pastries are also available at the supermarket. There's also a cake shop and local bread bakery. There is a vegetable and fruit market on Tuesdays 100m from the village square on the main road. There are several restaurants which also offer takeaway food within walking distance. They serve the popular local dish “souvlaki” – small cubes of grilled meat / kebab, served in pitta bread with salad as well as a variety of other dishes. Between Lythrodontas and Mathiatis village is Aliotiko restaurant with an excellent local chef, Giorgos. His speciality is “meze” – a succession of perhaps 15 small dishes so you need to go hungry... The village of Kapedes is a 15 minute drive north west of Lythrodontas. There's quite a large nice restaurant, the Acropolis, with lovely views towards Nicosia. Nicosia Old Town (inside the old city walls) is an interesting place to visit. Nicosia is about 30 minutes away but contains a number of good restaurants in the old town. Some of these are on and around Onasagorou Street which runs parallel to the well known shopping Ledra Street. Activities in and from the village: Explore the village and meet the friendly local people. Go for countryside walks, many paths around including on the European long-distance path E4 (eg. the Lefkothea nature trail a couple of miles outside the village on the road to Lefkara. Visit the old and new church with its hand-painted murals and icons in the village. Have a drink and watch the world go by in the traditional 'Kaffeneion'(cafe) in the charming village square. Go horse-riding (by arrangement). Make day trips to the beach, nearest Larnaca, 35km, for swimming and watersports. Ayia Napa and Protaras are only an hour's drive away. Visit other places of interest on the island (we have plenty of guides at the house). Many guests have told us that staying at Lythrodontas is ideal for visits to the whole island. In summary, Lythrodontas is a busy and authentic Cypriot village with friendly local people – the charming, leafy village square is a truly unhurried and relaxing place to enjoy sun and shade, chatting and gazing, sip a beer, coffee or have an ice-cream. At the side is the small older church, and close by a corner shop, banks, and good takeaways – very good souvlaki! A well stocked supermarket is only 5 minutes walk from the square.The new church with its extensive hand painted wall and ceiling murals a few minutes walk from the square is worth visiting. We hope you will come and enjoy this beautiful place.