When Karen Creed embarked on a winter sun holiday in Cyprus, she was lured away from the beach by the island’s many other attractions
Mention Cyprus and most will think of the three S’s - sun, sea and sand. They are all there in abundance, and plenty more besides. As the third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus has plenty of room for all types of holidays as I discovered on a recent visit. There are package resorts on the coast, mountain retreats, agro tourism villages, activity holidays, luxury hotels and ancient historical sites for the archaeologically inclined. Like the vast majority of visitors I spent a week in Cyprus, which was just enough time to cover the main hotspots. We started our holiday in the east at the well known resort of Ayia Napa before heading west to Limassol, and onwards to the ancient island capital of Paphos. Driving past the undulating corn fields, expansive glittering sea, ancient olive trees and dusty white villas, all of them vied for first place in the eye candy stakes.
Ayia Napa started out as a fishing village but now it has grown into a thriving resort. Renowned for its action packed nightlife, it really comes into its own after the sun goes down. There is a fantastic range of restaurants, bars and night clubs and the resort boasts some of the best beaches on the island, but you'll have to fight for towel space in summer. This is where the young, the tanned and the beautiful like to hang out all summer long.
Families with young children are also drawn to the nearby Nissi Beach area, what with its shallow clear waters and beach hotels that are well away from the noisy nightlife. Alternatively Protaras is a good family destination with plenty of attractions such as a water park and aquarium. Even in mid November the island can boast temperatures of 30 degrees centigrade, making it a year round destination for sun-seekers.
Being such a beautiful island, it's no wonder that the rich and the famous choose to holiday here, and many even have their own Cyprus holiday villas. Peter Andre has a plush pad while Senator David Norris relishes his holiday home set in the stunning Troodos Mountains. Cyprus is not only postcard pretty, but it is an island rich in culture too. I explored a number of ancient sites, starting with the Kourion. This historic city is not only home to the most famous amphitheatre in all of Cyprus but it is also the main site for paragliding. It is believed to have been destroyed in the fourth century when a series of five strong earthquakes struck, which inevitably brought an end to the magnificent city. The large amphitheatre that stands today sits two thousand spectators and while in the past it was used for gladiator fights, today it is best served to host concerts, operas and other major events. Just three kilometres away from Kourion there is another famous landmark: the sanctuary of Apollo and its stunning Cypro-Corinthian columns. A word of advice: be sure to pile on the sun cream as you go walkabout in this open air museum.
Cyprus food together with their quality of life is the reason why many people on the island are very healthy and live to a ripe old age. The secret of course is in their Mediterranean diet which includes lots of good foods such as olive oil and olives and an abundance of fresh fruits, salads, vegetables and the freshest of fish straight from the sea. Meat lovers won’t miss out either as traditional Cypriot dishes include lamb, pork, chicken and these are served with potatoes, pasta, rice and pulses. Dishes are often very simple and easy to cook and in each of the towns and resorts you can expect to eat well, whatever your taste buds. One thing you should feast on at least one is the meze – a selection of local Cypriot specialties. I was lucky enough to be invited into a local Cypriot’s home, where I was offered the traditional preserved fruit of glyko (which in Greek means sweet). This is usually accompanied by a glass of ice-cold water and a strong Greek coffee.
The fourth most popular tourist spot in Cyprus is Limassol. As the island’s second largest city it is home to several archeological sites and museums, showing the rich history and culture of the island. It’s also well known for the festivals they celebrate, namely the Carnival Festival and the Wine Festival. The latter runs from the 27th of August to the 8th of September and is well worth attending if you wish to avail of copious amounts of free wine. Even if your holiday is not during the wine festival, the local brew is definitely something to be tried and tested. It was written in 1904 that Cyprus produces wheat, barley, cotton, silk, and immense quantities of wine. Things have not changed much, and it still ranks as one of the top producers per capita of wine. There are many village wines produced in the mountains and the grape is distilled into brandy. The skins, stalk and residue are distilled into a spirit called Zivania, otherwise known as eau de vivre. Inspired by the fact that Cyprus is one of the first wine producing countries, the Cyprus Wine Museum was created. Originally the building was an inn, where the wine merchants from the wine villages of Lemesos and Pafos used to meet, and overnight on their way to Lemesos main market. Nowadays at this wine museum, visitors can take a historic tour, find out about the production process before sampling some of the most renowned wines on the island today. There is also a gift store so you can bring home wine as gifts to friends and family or buy some to remember the good life in Cyprus.
Compared to the bustling beaches of the east, I found the western peninsula of Cyprus hosted quieter and secluded coves, ideal for those who want to get away from the crowds. Coral Bay is one of the sandiest beaches in the Paphos area and here you can make the most of the stunning setting, by trying all types of water sports imaginable, and be pampered any time of day or night. Just ten miles east of Paphos and overlooking the site where Aphrodite is said to have emerged from the sea, lies a haven of luxury. Aphrodite Hills is the most talked about resort in Cyprus. The Intercontinental Aphrodite Hills is part of this luxury resort on the hills and is a well known brand among holidaymakers, particularly couples and those on honeymoon.
Of all the towns in Cyprus one of the most popular among tourists is Paphos, and it is easy to see why. Paphos was the ancient capital of Cyprus and while many come to see its archaeological sites, others are here simply for the thriving beach and town life. Paphos has historical treasures in such abundance that the whole town is designated a Unesco World Heritage Site. The most spectacular is the Tombs of the Kings - though this is a necropolis for the old capital's gentry, rather than royalty. Roman Mosaics in the town are considered as the most beautiful in the world and they speak about the stories of people who lived in the area thousands of years ago.
Despite being an avid fan of beach hideaways and thriving cities, my favourite place in Cyprus was far away from the coast and urban centres. Omodos is a small village tucked into the foothills of the Troodos Mountain, best known for its fine wines, lace making, and beautiful monastery. It was here that I felt most content on the island. I don’t know whether it was the refreshing nature, the charming locals, or the clean country air, but I couldn’t help but feel I had landed on the set of a beautiful Cypriot Disney movie.
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