Contact Mick and Brenda on 01732 847797 or 07771 564462 or e-mail michael.willsher@ntlworld.com
Cyprus offers a myriad of sandy beaches, delightful rocky inlets and secluded coves. The west coast is home to a clutch of inviting sands, with something for everyone. Laze the days away in the hot sunshine, bathe in the clear Mediterranean waters especially around Coral Bay and the Akamas Peninsula.
Cyprus is a food lover’s paradise, where tempting Greek dishes are fused with exotic Middle Eastern recipes. Try delicious moussaka, baked with aubergines, potatoes and minced lamb, or hearty kleftiko, slow-roasted lamb with rosemary and Mediterranean vegetables. A traditional Cypriot meze – a tapas-like meal consisting of up to 30 different dishes – is a great way to gain an insight into Cypriot cuisine and includes halloumi cheese, juicy olives and stuffed tomatoes. Ripe and dripping with sweet juices, you’ll also find locally produced fruit, such as peaches, plums and cherries and the omnipresent watermelon, for sale on roadside stalls. If you’re looking for a really romantic setting, the quayside restaurants next to the Venetian fort in Paphos are just the ticket.
History
With so much to see & discover. Try visiting the Tomb of the Kings, situated 2km north-west of Paphos harbour, complete with underground tombs dating back to the 4th century BC. Despite its name, no kings were actually buried here. The burial caves are thought to have been the final resting place of 100 Paphitic aristocrats and the name simply comes from the magnificence of the tombs.
Relax or Party
Whether you want to party the night away or sip a cocktail at sunset, Cyprus caters for all tastes. Potamos Yermasoyias in Limassol offers a wide selection of clubs and discos and competes with Ayia Napa in the island nightlife sweepstakes. Meanwhile, friendly bars, pavement cafés and romantic harbourside tavernas form the backbone of more leisurely Paphos.
Northern Cyprus
For 30 years it remained closed off to travellers but now it’s possible to visit the untouched North of Cyprus. Drive through the Venetian Walls with a view across Nicosia, the last divided city in Europe, and cross the 'green line' to the Northern part of Cyprus. Visit the Gothic monastery of Bellapais and the picturesque port of Kyrenia, guarded by the castle.
Sports
Cyprus caters for virtually every watersport – from parasailing to water-skiing, from windsurfing to sailing. Scuba diving is particularly popular too as beneath the waves lie a host of submerged antiquities. On land, Cypriots are real tennis aficionados and many of the larger resort hotels have their own courts where you can perfect your serve. If, however, you’re looking to practise your swing while you’re away, Cyprus is also home to a good number of golf courses. The newest of these is the recently opened Aphrodite Hills situated 20km from Paphos. This joins the Secret Valley and Tsada courses on the west of the island. Many visitors come to Cyprus expressly for hiking, as there are a number of marked trails up through the southern hills and the Troodos Mountains. Cyprus also boasts a rather exotic attraction – a ski resort! Seven runs exist on the northeast face of snowy Mount Olympus, with the season running from January through to late March.
Festivals
In early September a visit to the Limassol Wine Festival is a must. Food stalls, entertainment and some of Europe's most delicious wines make this one of the most popular festivals of the year.
In September the Ayia Napa Street Festival brings the Monastery Square to life with music, theatre and dancing. Special acts from all over the world come to perform.
In September the Ayia Napa Street Festival brings the Monastery Square to life with music, theatre and dancing. Special acts from all over the world come to perform.