Marike - Five Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 10

Cool, uncluttered interiors, extensive sun-soaked terraces, sheltered outdoor rooms, fragrant gardens and serene sea views.

Marike is an artfully conceived contemporary Cycladic home that fuses minimalist modern aesthetics and traditional architectural know-how to produce a home that is perfectly at one with its habitat and fully in tune with Paros's summer climate of sunshine and Meltemi winds. With beauty, both natural and man-made, all around, you can sit back, relax and lose yourself in the magic.

Inside: accommodation at Marike is laid out over two floors. In terms of design, it offers well-thought-out spaces, consistency, both in terms of style and materials, and a light, uncluttered sense of roominess.

The main entrance leads from a walled courtyard into a hallway, whose twin sets of French windows look out towards the pool and the sea beyond. To the right is the communal heart of the home, a generously proportioned open-concept space incorporating a well-equipped modern kitchen with bespoke wooden cabinetry, a dining table, and, down a step, a commodious living area, furnished with a large white corner sofa and a TV sitting next to a decorative fireplace. Raw cement ceilings add a splash of modernity, smooth grey floor tiles bring warmth, white walls reflect the light, and wide sliding glass doors provide easy access to the terraces and the pool area.

Next to the kitchen is a guest WC and stairs leading up to the first floor, which is entirely given over to the main bedroom, a spacious double with white-washed wood-beamed ceilings, a large en-suite shower room, featuring hand-crafted geometric tiles, and access to a stupendously panoramic sea-view terrace.

Back on the ground floor, accessed from the hallway, are two more luminous bedrooms, a double-twin and a double sharing a shower room. Both have access to the sea-facing terraces and pool area.

The remaining two double bedrooms at Marike are accessed externally, the first from the walled courtyard by the main entrance, the second from a rear garden terrace. The former has its own shaded patio, both have en-suite shower rooms.

Outside: all the rooms at Marike flow out onto wrap-around terraces, and there's plenty of space both for convivial gatherings and solitary pursuits. The extensive main terrace looks out across the gardens to the sea and is accessed from the living area and two of the ground floor bedrooms. Pride of place is given to the lovely swimming pool, which is served by a shaded panoramic pavilion built from stone and wood and furnished with cushioned in-built seating and a couple of easy chairs.

A few steps back from here, nestling by the side of the house, but still offering sea views, is what could be described as an outdoor room. Sheltered by high stone walls and shaded by a wooden roof and sails, this space is a refuge from the sun and summer winds and a most convivial spot in which to spend time cooking - there's an outdoor kitchen area with large barbecue grill, worktops and sink - and dining.

The bedroom accessed from the walled courtyard has its own shady sitting area with views out to sea, and the main room on the top floor has a fantastically panoramic private terrace offering views across the sea to Antiparos.

The terraces are enveloped in a cocoon of aromatic fragrance and bustling bloom. Low-lying shrubs, herbs and grasses proliferate in a colourful display of plenty. Olive trees dot green lawns and sun-baked earth, and exotic palm trees sway to the gentle rhythms of the sea breezes.

At night, the gardens and terraces are illuminated to create a magical, warm atmosphere in which to while away lazy evenings in the company of your loved ones.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

Because of natural changes to the coastline from season to season, the beach below this property may not look as it does in the photos.

The villa is located in close proximity to Paros Airport, and during high season — especially on weekends — the sound of incoming flights can occasionally be heard as they land nearby.
Marike is situated on the southwest coast of Paros looking out over the sea to Antiparos. The nearest village, Aliki, is just three kilometres away, and offers most day-to-day amenities, including mini-markets and tavernas.

For many people, Paros is the most authentic of the Cyclades. One of the larger islands, it has something for everyone, young or old, party-goers or culture-seekers, bourgeois or bohemian. Amongst its many attractions are buzzing little towns, myriad beaches, world-famous windsurfing conditions, gourmet restaurants, sleepy traditional villages with waterfront fish tavernas, religious, cultural and historical sites, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

Thanks to the relatively limited distances involved - the island measures less than 25km from north to south - it is easy to explore in full in a week or two, no matter where you're staying. Its mountainous hinterland, with peaks rising up to around 700m, is dotted with the occasional monastery and crisscrossed by old mule tracks. Down on the coast, meanwhile, there is an array of beautiful sandy beaches and idyllic coves, and a day or two spent on a boat exploring these is heartily recommended.

In terms of towns and villages, sleepy Marpissa, buzzing Parikia (the capital and main port), are just a, 20- and a 25-minute drive from Marike. The first is a white-washed beauty that appears unchanged for centuries. It’s a pleasure to amble round its narrow streets, while a walk up to the monastery of St Anthony on the hill above offers spectacular views of the island. The second is a vibrant little town gathered around a semi-enclosed bay that woos visitors with its sandy beaches, its many bars and tavernas, its archaeological museum, and its impressive Byzantine Church.

In the north of the island is the picturesque village Naousa, whose little harbour, web of narrow streets flanked by shops and tavernas, and Venetian castle make it a pleasure to spend time in. Just across the bay from Naousa is idyllic Kolimpithres beach, renowned for its transparent waters and fascinating rock formations, while for those with an interest in history, a visit to the Mycenaean Acropolis is called for. Sitting atop a rocky scarp high above Kolimpithres, it was built way back in the 13th century BCE and offers not only insights into Paros's long history but also stunning views. It’s quite a walk to get up there, so you may wish to tackle it in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s not so hot.

Paros's most northerly tip, the Monastiri peninsula, is given over to a protected park covering some 80 hectares of rocky, element-sculpted hills, hidden sandy beaches, walking trails, and undisturbed flora and fauna. It’s a great day out for nature lovers and hikers with the added bonus of an end-of-excursion swim in the sea.

Cultural tours are readily available on Paros, so not matter whether you wish to learn about Parikia's old town centre, the ancient marble quarries, or the unique island of Despotiko, you'll be able to delve into the island's history with ease. Children are well catered for too, and a trip to the butterfly nature reserve just north of the airport is good fun.

If all that wasn't enough, Paros's little sister, Antiparos, is just a 10-minute ferry ride across the water from nearby Pounta, making a little island hopping eminently possible.

Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.

The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.