Amira

The south wing

• Bedroom 1: double bed (180x200cm), en-suite shower room
• Bedroom 2: double bed (180x200cm), en-suite shower room
• Bedroom 3: double bed (180x200cm), en-suite shower room

The north wing

• Bedroom 4: double bed (180x200cm), sharing a shower room with bedroom 5
• Bedroom 5: double bed (160x200cm), sharing a shower room with bedroom 4
• Bedroom 6: double bed (160x200cm), en-suite shower room
• Bedroom 7: double bed (160x200cm), en-suite shower room, kitchen corner, sitting area, private terrace

Reduced Occupancy

Inside the south wing

• two double bedrooms with en-suite shower rooms and light wells planted with exotic greenery
• a large social space with a sofa and a sleek kitchen corner with a large fridge

Inside the north wing

• two doubles with sea views and terrace access sharing a shower room
• another double with a walk-through wardrobe, an en-suite shower room, sea views, and access to terraces on both sides of the house

• a suite with a double bed, a well-cushioned sofa, a kitchen corner, an en-suite shower room and a wall of sliding glass doors accessing a private sunken terrace with gently sloping steps leading past a shrubbery up to the gardens
• a well-equipped gym room

Outside

Amira rises on the Paros's northeaster peninsula, just a few hundred metres from a couple of divine sandy beaches, including Santa Maria, and a taverna. It is also extremely well located for exploring the north of the island, which has plenty to offer.

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, picturesque Naousa, sleepy Marpissa, and buzzing Parikia (the capital and main port) are just a 10-, 20- and 20-minute drive away respectively. The former boasts a little harbour, a web of narrow streets flanked by shops and tavernas, and the remains of a Venetian castle. The second 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 third, meanwhile, 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.

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 also close by. 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.