Cyprus in Your Heart

Cyprus in Your Heart

The beautiful island of Cyprus is a fantastic place to visit and one I have fond memories of... We stayed firstly at Nissi Beach Resort near Ayia Napa. We had checked in at the hotel within an hour of landing making this ideal for anyone travelling with children. The travelling with children theme continued at the hotel, it was clear this hotel loved kids and provided two playgrounds, a pool, children’s mealtimes, a children’s club and babysitting! The hotel also offers a good restaurant and the outdoor terrace is a great place for a drink before or after dinner. I would definitely recommend a sea view room at the hotels I stayed in during my stay. At Nissi Beach this means a wonderful view over beautiful gardens, pools and sea. We took a short ride into Ayia Napa to explore the town. The monastery of Ayia Napa is a peaceful, unexpected retreat and then we went on to the harbour -a lovely place to enjoy a drink and just relax in the sun. The next day we said goodbye to Nissi and Ayia Napa as we travelled to Larnaca. At 10,000 years old it's one of the oldest regions of Europe. I enjoyed time walking along the promenade which is an ideal place to sit and people watch. We explored the town before taking another lovely lunch on the waterfront. We then proceeded inland to Tochni - an village offering accommodations to tourists who prefer a rural setting - a great choice for walkers and cyclists keen to discover the inland region. After this we headed for Limassol passing Zygi - a lovely place to visit for lunch with a good selection of local fish tavernas. On arrival we checked in at the Amathus Beach Hotel, a 5* hotel on the coast. It is not hard to see why this hotel has such an outstanding reputation; the decor, rooms, service, setting, cuisine and facilities here are fantastic. The following day we explored the Troodos Mountain region. After a scenic drive of about one hour we arrived at the Tsiakkis Winery, where we were given an informative and interesting talk by the owner, Costas, on the wine making process. Afterwards we were invited to taste the delicious wines - it would have been rude not to! Next was Kakopetria Village where the village name means "bad stone".  According to legend, the village was named after a big stone that came down from the mountain, killing a young couple during their wedding ceremony. Don't let this put you off though - the village is beautiful. Built down a hillside, it is very traditional. It’s a perfect place for rural tourists wishing to explore the real Cyprus with a small hotel and apartments. After lunch we went to Omodhos Village which has a nice square full of cafes and shops. This is a regular stop on tours inland. That evening, we visited the Four Seasons Hotel, ideal for travellers looking for a true 5* experience. Guest rooms here are spacious or why not opt for the Royal Suite - a once in a lifetime experience but certainly superb! We took dinner in the hotel Italian Vivaldi Restaurant (one of five restaurants available to guests). It was a very good meal followed by a short walk back to our hotel and a nightcap on the terrace (in March!) Next morning we visited Limassol. Here we visited the castle and explored the surrounding streets. From here we drove towards Paphos stopping en route at the Petra trou Romiou or Aphrodite’s Rock - birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. We then proceeded to Aphrodite Hill Resort located 20 minutes from Paphos. This is a purpose built 5* resort with hotel, apartments and villas built around a golf course. Following lunch we continued to Paphos and the Alymra Hotel which is a great location just minutes from the harbour and will suit those who like a modern, minimalist hotel. In the evening we ate at local restaurant Ta Mbania, where we were served a fantastic fish meze. After dinner we sampled some of Paphos's nightlife, enjoying cocktails and a range of music in local bars. The following day we walked around Paphos harbour to the Mosaics - well worth a visit. As was our next stop, the Tombs of the Kings; a collection of tombs thought to be an ancient burial site for aristocrats and high officials of Paphos. From here we went to Pano, (old) Paphos and explored the market. There are many restaurants here and it is worth taking the time to explore this area. Cyprus in Your Heart - so very true, I cannot wait to return!

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Caroline Bailey

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