Agnantio Studios
Living up to its name, the stone guesthouse is built on a 1000-meter mountain with breathtaking views of the valleys below.
Facing the picturesque village of Lagadia just 300 meters away, this is simply the perfect place to explore the mountains of Arkadia and all the many nature-led activities on offer. To begin with, the Agnantio has one studio for 2-3 people, complete with a fireplace, living area, dining room, kitchenette, and bedroom with a double bed. Best of all, there's a gorgeous terrace that boasts a panoramic view of the nature all around you.
If you're a group of friends or a family, aim for one of the two larger suites which also feature a fireplace, living-dining areas, kitchenette, and a lovely outdoor terrace. Each suite can accommodate as many as five people. All three studios have coffeemakers, hair dryers, iron/ironing board and a TV-DVD entertainment system.
A taste of the mountain
The Routsis family, which owns this place, has a charming café restaurant called Aroma that's on the way to the village square. This is where the hosts serve a delicious local breakfast, as well as a variety of local desserts made by small producers in the area. Noteworthy two are the homemade spinach pie and cheese pie.
You can also have a great lunch or dinner at the Aroma. Try the local meatballs (keftedakia) with a Greek salad for a light meal, or get adventurous with the preserved 'pasto' pork delicacy, served alone or in a sumptuous country omelet. As a visitor at the guesthouse, you can be certain that you'll be well taken care of here.
Also noteworthy in the village square is the Platanos Lounge Bar in the village central square, perfect for a lazy coffee, mountain tea or cocktails in the evening, or to discover some of the local Peloponnesian wines. This establishment also belongs to the family and represents a young, modern side of today's Greek village life.
A world of nature walks and outdoor activities
Once you're comfortably settled at the studios and walked around the little village of Lagadia, you can start exploring the nature and beauty all around you, whether by foot or by car. A visit to the church of Panagia Gounari (Our Lady of Gounari) will unveil one of the greatest mountain sunsets you've seen.
At the edge of the village lie some fascinating abandoned windmills on Imbraina Hill where you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the nature around you. Only 3 kilometers or a leisurely walk away lies the church of Agia Paraskevi (Saint Friday) and the freshwater Lousios springs, offering a refreshing hiking break during the warmer months.
Overall, there are many mountain hiking paths that make their way among the villages and churches, with several attractions within walking distance. One interesting activity is to go visit the traditional watermill in the Boufi community that belongs to friends of the hosts. The watermill is regularly used to wash rugs and even clothes within its gushing waters, something the locals have been doing for many decades.
Keep in mind that the cozy Agnantio is a great winter destination as well, offering a hibernal retreat with modest amounts of snow, particularly during the month of February. Hearty winter food and proximity to the Mainalo ski resort (about an hour away by car) make it a popular choice for those who like skiing trips.
Lastly, if you have a car and have time on your hands, you might want to go to Ancient Olympia, which is a little over an hour away. The drive through nature is interesting and the countryside will unveil its beauty to you as you travel.
