On the ground floor, there is a double bedroom with a small washroom/toilet en suite. Then at a slightly lower level, there are two smaller bedrooms, one with two single beds, the other with one single bed. They open out onto their own shady terrace with an outside shower. They also share an internal bathroom with a shower. At the other end of the house there is a separate guest suite with its own external entrance from the main terrace. This comprises a large bedroom, a small sitting room (which could house another bed) a bathroom with a shower and its own small terrace.

Up an internal staircase there is a the master bedroom which is a large double bedroom with its own huge terrace overlooking the garden with great views over the sea. It has its own bathroom with shower.

The three double bedrooms have air-conditioning. There are fans in the two smaller bedrooms. The airconditioners also provide heating when required during cooler months and there are electric wall heaters. There is hot water in all the bathrooms. There is also a well protected outside shower on the lower terrace.

There are no baths, just showers, and no washing machine as water in the Cyclades is a scarce commodity. But the kitchen does have a dishwasher.

The interior is classic, simple Cycladic style. The walls are whitewashed, the floors are marble and the ceilings are traditional cane. The central focus of the house is the very large living room which leads through a Cycladic arch into a new kitchen. There are marble floors and surfaces throughout. In the kitchen there is a large fridge, electric oven and dishwasher. The living room has couches, easy chairs, a desk, phone and fax and a good selection of books. Double doors lead onto a wide terrace facing the sea. This is one of two terraces. It is very large and has a beautiful view towards the beach and open sea, which is at the end of the garden.

This large terrace has several sitting areas, a beautiful view of the sea, a pergola for shade and a large marble dining table which seats twelve, smaller marble coffee tables, and loungers. Two other small terraces also face the sea.

There is a phone, fax and Backgammon, chess, scrabble, playing cards and French boules or petanque are available. There are also two large bookcases full of good books to meet a range of tastes.

Outside Facilities
The villa is set in a garden that extends right down to a beautiful beach from which it is separated by an earth road. The very large garden is filled with oleander, bougainvillea, fig and apricot trees, a few vines and tall palms as well as wild bushes and shrubs. The oleanders are a mass of colour in summer. In May and June red poppies and over 30 varieties of wild flowers blossom. The tall trees ensure complete privacy and provide shade for two hammocks where one can easily fall asleep.

There is parking for several cars and a petanque court.

The beach and the sea are literally at the bottom of the garden accessible through the garden along a path and it only takes a minute or so to reach the beach from the house.

Under the pergola on one terrace there is a dining area with a large fixed white marble table and stone benches which seat twelve, and an area with loungers. For evening drinks there is a sundowner sitting area with a stone L shaped bench and a low circular marble table for evening drinks as one watches the sun go down over the hills behind the house. Much of the terrace is covered by a cane awning to give protection from the sun.

There are sun loungers, deck chairs and a hammock, and a well protected outside shower on the lower terrace.

The maid comes twice a week and the gardener comes regularly to water the plants.

A large bath towel will be provided for each guest and there will be hand towels in the shower rooms, but please bring your own beach towels. Sheets are provided and will be changed on Saturday/Sunday if guests are staying a second week.

There is no washing machine at the house but there is an excellent laundry on the edge of the main village, only 10 minute's drive from Soros Villa. Guests drop the laundry off in the morning and pick it up in the evening or the next morning. The laundry will also iron if required .

Local Area
The sandy beach at the bottom of the garden has crystal clear water and is perfect for swimming . There are several more beautiful beaches within a short walking distance. The land behind Soros Bay tends to be fairly wild and offers lots of fun walks.

There is only one road around the island, and the house is about 8 kms from the main village, and is set in a beautiful sandy bay with crystal clear water. There are about 35 other villas scattered around the bay, plus two very good tavernas nearby, within a few minutes walk. One is considered to be the best on the island. The other is almost as good and sits right next to the beach. Both serve home cooked dishes and fresh fish and are run by local families who are very friendly. They will also deliver meals.

There are two large bays with sandy beaches with easy access to the sea and several smaller secluded bays around the promontory. There is a stunning walk along the hills to the smaller bays.

There are a few well tended villas on the hills around the bays.

The island has one small whitewashed village eight kilometres away, which is a typical picturesque Cycladic village with one main street leading up from the fishing harbour which is full of traditional fishing boats or caiques. Fishermen go out every weekday morning and on their return sell their catch on the waterfront.

The main street, like most of the village, is completely pedestrianised. The houses which lead off it are all white-washed, and it is lined with cafes and restaurants, souvlaki kiosks and traditional shops. It has several minimarkets which sell everything, a chemist, a bakery, newsagents, a bank, hardware shops and several travel agents. There is a very efficient laundry which returns clothes within the hour.

The small main square next to the church is encircled with cafes under the shade of the trees. The men sit and play cards and back gammon as the day cools. At night it is very busy. There are several bars and discos on the outskirts of the village.

The road to the villa is dotted with pretty bays and beaches and a sprinkling of houses and tavernas. It is a short ferry ride to the bigger island of Paros, which has its own airport, and where the large ferries dock from Athens and the neighbouring islands. There are regular ferries from Paros to Athens, to nearby Mykonos, Santorini and other islands.

From the villa in the other direction from the village a walk (or drive) over the hills brings you to another quiet harbour. The sunset from here is spectacular. There are several tavernas where you can watch the sun disappearing over the horizon.

On the way to the village the big attraction is an enormous cave, which reaches deep into the hillside and has a stairwell constructed so that visitors can see the huge stalactites and stalagmites.

A car is essential and can be hired from a recommended agency in Paros. The car will meet you on arrival at the port or airport of Paros.

Directions
Fly to Athens. Then there is a choice of ferry boat or plane to the island of Paros. From Paros there is a short boat ride across to Antiparos and a short drive from the village to the house on the Bay of Soros.

EasyJet are now flying direct from the UK to Mykonos and Santorini and ferries run regularly to Paros with the crossing from Mykonos only taking about 40 minutes.