Try somewhere new this Winter - Cyprus

When it comes to Winter sun destinations, us Brits have always had our favourites, whether it be a week in the Canaries, a few days on one of the Costa‘s or even a trip to Dubai. But did you know that Cyprus, the much loved Summer destination is actually now a year round destination.. With average temperatures in December hitting the late teens, daily flights from across the UK and plenty of hotels to choose from, we think that Cyprus is very much a 'New' Wintersun destination to enjoy.

When it comes to culture, Cyprus has it in abundance, with the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Ottomans and even the Brits leaving their mark on this Island. In fact in Cyprus, getting around to explore the huge array of sights, is very easy to do as just like us Brits, they drive on the left side of the road, and even better in the Winter months, car hire is very very inexpensive.

So what should be on your list of things to do, well a quick search online will give you a whole host of places to see and things to do, such as ruins in Paphos, the Mountains of Troodos or even beaches of Nissi Bay. But what about something a little different, we love the look of Musan, Opened in 2021, the underwater museum park (officially called MUSAN Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa) is an underwater forest featuring 130 sculptures created by reef artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Very different and iconic, Or take a trip to the Akamas forest for a day of nature trails, taking in the beauty of this stunning land, something that is hard to find elsewhere in the Winter. We would really recommend a visit to the Visit Cyprus website, for some great inspiration on what to do and how to do it.

One of our favourite things about Cyprus has to be the food, being big lovers of fresh food, produced in a sustainable way, Cyprus hits the spot. The ritual of sharing good, fresh local cuisine is an important part of the island’s culture, and is intrinsically linked with every social event, from family gatherings and special occasions to religious festivals… each marked with its own distinct delicacies and recipes. From hearty meat dishes and specialty cheeses to unique desserts of carob and grape, the Cypriot cuisine is an exotic blend of Greek and Middle Eastern cultures, sprinkled with remnants of ancient civilisations such as indigenous Roman root vegetables or old Phoenician delicacies

Another fantastic opportunity to take up in the Winter, has to be the huge range of outdoor pursuits. From walking in the mountains, having a round in one of the many Golf course to cycling the many cycle paths that Cyprus has on offer, there really is a huge abundance of great ways to explore this Island. However if you fancy something a little more aqua themed, then you're in the right place. Blessed with all the elements that make a diver’s paradise, Cyprus attracts visitors from all over the world for its favourable weather conditions, top-ranking wrecks and diverse marine life. With warm waters that range from 16-27 degrees almost all-year-round, the island enjoys one of the longest diving seasons in the Mediterranean, further enhanced by fantastic visibility - thanks to an absence of plankton. A range of wrecks, spectacular underwater caves and tunnels, and interesting paths await exploration - always with the promise of discovering something unique, from the remains of ancient amphora and stone anchors, to the exotic residents of their underwater worlds.

So for beautiful beaches, fantastic food, warm Winter sunshine and the very best in hospitality, there really is a new kid on the block for us here at Designer Travel.. Welcome to the Winter sunshine Island of Cyprus