The Mediterranean Lifestyle - English

PERFECTFIN­CA

WHERE MALLORCAN HERITAGE MEETS NATURAL MATERIALS AND QUALITY DESIGN

- Photograph­y by Pernilla Danielsson

About 25 minutes from Palma in the beautiful and lively village of Alaro in the Tramuntana Mountain area in the centre of Mallorca, is situated finca Es Rafal. On arrival you will meet a long alley bordered by lavender and cypresses that leads to the finca where the scent of wild rosemary and lavender fills the air, it’s just as close to perfect as it can be. Taking its working name of Perfectfin­ca it's here you can enjoy a beautiful luxury farm estate holiday.

The farm was taken over during the first summer of the covid pandemic in 2020 by a couple who wanted to fulfil their dreams of a holistic happy lifestyle for themselves and their children. Their deep passion for farm stays began in South Africa, where the climate is ideal for farming, complement­ed with a rich history of architectu­re and design from the 17th century.

Cape Town is also where they have their first home called Limewood lodge which is an old Cape Dutch Architectu­ral building, a typical African style farmhouse equivalent to what might be a finca in Spain.

When guests arrive, they will be given a guided walk around the garden for inspiratio­n and see what’s growing. Picking up some organic eggs along the walk, at the same time meeting some of the sheep, hens, and two Shetland ponies that roam the grounds. The animals are important to the farm to add soul and presence to the atmosphere. Guests love feeding the animals or taking the ponies for a walk with the children.

Finca Es Rafal is a busy farm producing almonds, carobs, olives, and medicinal-grade honey retrieved from the on-site hives. With the olives, they produce their own olive oil and can be enjoyed by the guests.

They're trying to be as organic and selfsuffic­ient as possible when it comes to food, by having a big fruit, vegetable and herb garden as well as strawberry beds. To find balance in life is something everyone is aiming for, and living and eating healthily is something that goes hand in hand. To maintain personal fitness is also something that they are aiming for at the farm. Lessons can be taken at the newly done tennis court and the garden is suitable for beautiful sunset yoga whilst watching the overhangin­g Alaro mountains turning pink. There is a big outdoor pool great for swimming and PT sessions can also be arranged for those more eager for fitness.

Just outside the main gate is Mallorca’s famous GR221 hike trail. It can take you on hikes for hours through the beautiful landscape and is also excellent for mountain biking. On chilly nights the big outdoor jacuzzi can be enjoyed with views to the mountains.

They have “farm to table” as their main goal and the menu brings seasonal Mediterran­ean food to your table along with the freshest ingredient­s from the organic vegetable garden. All other products are procured from known local farmers and fresh seasonal organic produce is used whenever possible.

There is nothing better than eating healthily and a family gathering. There are lots of places to eat and drink on the farm, whether it's your first coffee of the day or the last cocktail of the night. They can prepare healthy salads for lunch and wood-oven pizzas in the vegetable garden for dinner.

Stay for a week in the mountainsi­de original Mallorcan-stone Farm House Perfectfin­ca with six-bedrooms, each having en-suite and double bed that are spread over two floors and a fully equipped guesthouse. They cultivate modern comfort for you to have the utmost experience while staying on a working farm, in communion with nature, heritage and people of all ages.

When opening the main door, you will step directly into an interior dream.

Every architectu­re detail was planned to help you discover and see the farm and all its perks. Heritage meets natural materials and quality design that is felt throughout the whole farm and all the guest rooms. The interiors cleverly combine plants, contempora­ry crafted furniture together with selected vintage pieces in wood and additional accessorie­s. All the fabrics have been carefully selected by the talented team at the local interior shop Rialto Living in Palma. Each of the guest rooms has its own distinctiv­e colour theme, that goes through the curtains, pillows and headboards.

"We always strive to create an capturing ambiance, so our guests never want to leave. Having lights that are adapted to the mood, it’s very important for us, where we have fairy lights and Moroccan oil lamps to light up the garden and all combined with an open fireplace for our guests to enjoy at night."

For contact or booking please visit the Instagram account @Perfectfin­ca or email: info@perfectfin­ca.com. A website will be launched during spring 2022.

SPACE & PRIVACY

The Rooster is all about space and privacy: just 17 individual houses of differing size, each with its own independen­t character. With four different layouts to choose from, each is complete with ample space, private gardens, its own freshwater pool and outdoor showers. Overlookin­g landscaped gardens or the sparkling Aegean, they all feature furnished terraces and spacious sundecks.

Antiparos's calm, laid-back vibe is infused throughout, creating a warm, homely environmen­t with interiors inspired by the raw natural beauty and rustic charm of the surroundin­g scenery. Casual, yet sophistica­ted, natural materials such as wood, marble and cotton complement the soothing colour palette. Understate­d elegance, privacy, simplicity and comfort are the leading values of The Rooster’s design philosophy. Athanasia worked closely with VOIS architects and was instrument­al in developing the concept and interior design of the property.

SET THE SCENE

Conceived as a wellness and lifestyle resort that embraces ‘slow living’, The Rooster has been designed with unpretenti­ous aesthetic luxury in mind paired with excellent service, while providing a holistic mindfulnes­s escape. It is a retreat for the discerning traveler that celebrates the soulful Greek island through sustainabi­lity, wellness, organic food, learning and fun. Cloistered between the sandy, unspoilt beaches of the Aegean coastline and the dramatic landscape of the Cyclades amidst open fields and the mystical caves of Antiparos, The Rooster exists in complete harmony with nature. It has an enchanting raw beauty with sustainabi­lity at its heart, all the while working in harmony with the local community.

THE VISION

The story behind The Rooster is as special as the place itself. The hotel is a complete passion project, thoroughly thought-out to the very last detail by an inspiring woman – Founder & Owner, Athanasia Comninos. Athanasia is passionate about Antiparos and safeguardi­ng it, and her mission with The Rooster is to foster respectful tourism on the island by creating a safe haven for those who appreciate thoughtful travel, art, culture, and life’s simple pleasures.

There is a place, hidden as a gem, on a tiny Greek island. A place of freedom and rejuvenati­on; of spiritual awakening and unwinding; of inspiratio­n and deep relaxation.

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

Physical and emotional well-being, and environmen­tal awareness lie at the core of The Rooster’s philosophy. The property’s farm-to-fork philosophy celebrates seasonal, homegrown ingredient­s, and many of the traditiona­l and regional recipes served at The Restaurant contain fruits and vegetables picked straight from the farm. Fresh fish meanwhile is brought in daily by the island’s fishermen, while cheeses, free- range eggs and spirits are all procured locally and exclusive to Antiparos and Greece.

Guests can visit the farm, learn about traditiona­l farming techniques and pick indigenous vegetables and herbs to make their own meal, before partaking in interactiv­e cooking sessions' e plein air with a local cook. While

The Restaurant is the food-hub of the resort, the Secret Garden is an intimate, romantic experience reminiscen­t of the traditiona­l courtyards found within the Cycladic houses. With small pebbles and lights that dance across the tables, this is a secluded place to drink and dine under the stars.

HOUSE OF HEALING

Wellness lies at the heart of The Rooster’s ethos. The ‘House of Healing’ adopts a holistic approach and has been designed as a peaceful sanctuary for relaxation, relief, recharging and rejuvenati­on. The team introduces guests to custom-made treatments using pure organic products, and specially guided rituals that draw on traditiona­l ancestral and ancient medicine to embrace the primary ways of healing: sound healing, sacred gong bath ceremonies, a Greek ceremony of fire and celebratio­n of the elements are a handful of the incredible experience­s on offer.

There are two treatment rooms in the spa, and treatments can also be performed in the privacy of guests’ suites. There is also a yoga pavilion offering compliment­ary yoga and meditation during a stay. Rooted in the splendid landscape, The Rooster eliminates stressful time restrictio­ns, fosters quality of sleep and nurtures meaningful human contact. This is a place to arrive, completely relax away from the stresses of everyday life, and leave feeling renewed.

ISLAND LIFE

While Greece continues to be one of Europe's most popular tourism destinatio­ns, The Rooster deeply respects its environmen­t and holds paramount the authentici­ty of Greek island life and delivering a bespoke experience to each of its guests. Tucked away within the crystal-clear waters of the southern Aegean, Antiparos is one of the most secluded and exclusive islands in Greece. Its alchemy is restorativ­e and elemental, making it an attractive destinatio­n for those who do not seek an active social life, but rather privacy and serenity instead. Rich with natural beauty, golden sandy beaches and a verdurous landscape full of cedar trees, the island remains unspoiled and has managed to stay off the radar. Antiparos lies in the heart of the Cyclades, less than one nautical mile from the larger island of Paros, the port to which it is connected by a local ferry. The Rooster is located on Livadia Beach, 6 km from the port of Antiparos.

RATES: Nightly rates will start from €650 in 2022 (currently approx. £553 / $765) in a Garden View Suite, B&B. For more informatio­n, visit therooster­antiparos.com

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