A Stay In The Mountains: Vavla Rustic Retreat – Cyprus

Every trip has an experience or two that you’ll never forget: those moments you wish could last forever — when the universe aligns and makes all the bumps in the road worth every single second. You don’t need to concentrate hard to identify them because they immediately surface when you reflect on the journey. On a recent visit to Cyprus, our stay in a quaint village perched on the foothills of the Troodos mountains left us with just this kind of lingering and vivid memory…

I knew our experience at Vavla Rustic Retreat was going to be special from my first email exchange with the owner. Kelley Polis — an Ohioan who’s now lived on the island with her Cypriot husband for over 15 years — is one of those rare souls who can brighten up just about any journey. Her passion for the village of Vavla and all the glorious people who call it home is truly unparalleled. She is, quite possibly, the island’s greatest ambassador. I learned more about the country through her emails (which contained everything from restaurant recommendations to suggested itineraries) than I could have from any guide book. Her genuine love for Cyprus propels her to share every ounce of it with her guests and her enthusiasm before our visit fuelled our excitement. But nothing could’ve prepared us for the magic that awaited us at her family home..

Sprinkled with relics from the past, the retreat oozes character: original bread moulds and baskets, a vintage sewing machine and the water well in the courtyard (built in 1936) are a few highlights. A guided stroll through the property truly felt like a museum tour; everything at Vavla Rustic Retreat has a story behind it…

Nestled in a peaceful village, the Cypriot stone house (originally built in the late 19th century) has the perfect combination of traditional and modern elements. The retreat is divided into five apartments (starting at €55/night), each with its own unique attributes:

Mulberry – It’s all about the beautiful skylight in this apartment!

Pachni – This apartment used to be the stable of the household: the bench in the kitchen was the feeding trough for the animals!

Maeirko – This apartment is the former kitchen where all the yummy cooking took place. I just wanted to sit by the fireplace and read a book (from the nook) with wine in hand…

Kamara – The highlight of this apartment is definitely the large, glass window in the living room which gives guests an incredible view of the courtyard.

Anoï – This is the two-bedroom apartment that we had the pleasure of staying in. It is spacious, has gorgeous views of the mountains and has all the modern amenities we needed for during our rustic escape (all rooms have AC, WiFi, TVs etc.). Oh, and we loved the heavenly scent of lavender that wafted through the air…

We fell in love with the apartment not because of the modern amenities or the breathtaking views, but because we were surrounded by family relics that made us feel like we were visiting a close relative in a well-loved home: a sentiment that is so rare and wonderful. The photos that line the walls, the antique bed we slept on, the delicate china which guests are encouraged to use…

And as we enjoyed the majestic courtyard in the mornings and evenings, I truly felt a radiant energy pulse through me: as if the old stone walls were giving me a big hug…

Our stay at Vavla Rustric Retreat is one that I will never forget. The charm of the village, the kindness of our host, the sheer beauty of the mountains that wrap around the family home — these are just a few of the memories that I’ll hold close to my heart.

I highly recommend going off the beaten track and visiting this gem when you’re in Cyprus. Do yourself a favour and don’t just stick to the coastal cities (Larnaca and Limassol are both a short drive away); there is another side of the island that will make your eyes sparkle like it did mine.

Suggested Activities While You’re At Vavla Rustic Retreat

• Learn how to make halloumi (Cypriot cheese) from the best at Loula’s Farm
• Explore the UNESCO site of Choirokoitia
• Sip your way through the wineries of the region
• Dine with George and Donna Marie in their beautiful home (a 2 min walk from Vavla Rustic Retreat) – this is an experience I promise you will cherish.

Our stay at Vavla Rustic Retreat was complimentary. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.