Reviews

Some useful information for your holiday – Cyprus is my second home, were my heart lives, the birthplace of Aphrodite - the goddess of love, in fact the Island of love. Cyprus offers a world of exceptional experiences, with amazing sandy beaches with warm pure crystal blue waters, to venturing inland into the pine clad mountains you will find yourself on winding roads taking you through dense forest, heading towards the magnificent mountain peaks. Tucked neatly into the landscape, are old stone villages were the locals invite you to stop and sample the local wines which flow freely so you have to make sure the driver is on water only, or pop into the little village restaurants bars and coffee shops which is offering beautiful local cuisine . “Why you ask”… is Cyprus so perfect because it offers something for everyone, if you love history you will not be disappointed you will be in paradise and wonder how such a small island can offers so much, you won't have to travel to far to see some of the ancient ruins that speak of the island's rich and complicated historical heritage of thousands of years. From hidden Venetian bridges and ancient tombs, castles and monasteries and Abbeys, Cyprus offer something different for all taste. Cyprus is an amazing place for walking or cycling holidays, and it remains largely un-spoilt. It is situated in the wide Chrysohou bay along the northwest coastal stretch. Diving, parasailing and other water-sports along with pony trekking help to make this area popular with outdoor types offers a lovely beach but is is a fantastic place for all the family. Few Key Facts – Cyprus -

• Capital Nicosia/Lefkosa
• (South) Population780,133 (approx.)
• (North) Population 286,257 (approx)
• Language Greek / English (south)
• Language Cypriot /Turkish / English
• Currency Euro (south)
• Currency Turkish Lira /GBP (north)
• Religion Greek Orthodox/Christian/Roman Catholic/ Islam/Judaism (south)
• Religion Islam/Christians/Anglican/Roman Catholic/Maronites/Armenians
• Dialling Code00 357 South
• Dialling codes 0099 North
• Time Difference+2 GMT

All over Cyprus, there is a great range of restaurants offering delicious, traditional dishes. With influences from around the world Greece, Turkey and the Middle East but where ever you eat it is a wholesome treat to enrich your holiday experience and adding to your memories. Meze: One of the best ways to sample Cypriot food is to try the meze, a selection of tasters to share with family or friends, from a range of local dishes including dips, vegetables, fish and meat and the nice thing is you will find that a whole range of restaurants offer something different every time. Halloumi: A local cheese, Made from goats milk and/or sheep's milk, it has a rubbery texture, a salty taste and is delicious grilled, in a salad. Kebabs: Find out what the UK's favourite after-the-pub snack tastes like at its finest; a speciality of the north of the island but these are so different to how we know a Kebab pieces of meat and vegetable’s  grilled on a BBQ. Loukoumi aka Cyprus Delight: Similar to Turkish Delight, Cyprus is also renowned for this fragrant, sugary sweet and always the ideal present to bring home. Wine: Usually held in September, the annual wine festival is an ideal time to sample the surprising range and quality of local wines available in Cyprus but there are some wine experiences day tours these are a favourite amongst the adults. Weather and climate information The Mediterranean has plenty of sunshine throughout the year and Cyprus is no exception: with nine months of summer and three of spring, it is idyllic holiday weather all year round. These are only for a guide only - average temperatures   Kyrenia Is a wonderful Historical Harbour town which has grown over the years; it offers something for everyone, shops, bars and restaurants offering a full range of cuisines from around the world. large pedestrian area around the castle with amazing views. The strangest thing is there is no positive information about the founders of this amazing town It is said it was established by the achaens coming from the Peloponnese around the 10^th century BC, while others claim it was founded by the phoenians around the 9^th century BC, But it was for many centuries one of the 10 known kingdoms of Cyprus and is a beautiful to visit and take a boat trip from the harbour. Famagusta Is one of my most fascinating places and love spending time there with in the walled city, which has an array of shops, bars and restaurants, The town of Famagusta was originally a small quaint fishing village and commercial port, and possesses the deepest harbour in Cyprus . The name in Greek Ammokhostos, and in Turkish Gazimagusa but the Famagusta is a Frankish corruption of its Greek name, which means "buried in the sand," A must visit is to the Petek Pastahanesi for cake and coffee or home-made ice cream perfect day out. Paphos as we have come to know is actually the new Paphos, the old Paphos village was founded in the fourth century BC and became the capital of the western side of Cyprus back when Salamis, another Town began to decline and foe eight centuries the old Paphos began to thrive however it was destroyed by a massive earthquake in the twelfth century BC. So need to relocate and this is where relocation occurred. Today it is a main tourist area, Kato Paphos; with a seafront of palms and a busy Harbour with a strong British influence full English breakfasts and UK-style pubs. But if you go of the main area the buildings of the back streets return you to the cultural past and the old town is a much quieter area with some good hotels and old colonial architecture. Nearby is Paphos Archaeological site, one of the south's richest historical heritage spots if like me you will visit again and again perfect for all the family of all ages. Protaras was once known for its windmills, were hundreds of windmills once stood 50+ years ago and is now where Protaras town stands today when you look around you will still see windmills and they add culture to the beautiful areas of Protaras. The first hotels and tourist apartments first began around 1977 and have continued to grow over the years making the wonderful horse shoe shaped town that is situated between Paralimni and Ayia Napa and only 45 minutes from Larnaca airport, perfect holiday destination, home to some of the most wonderful beaches a popular family fun resort. It offers safe beaches and a good selection of shops, restaurants which are set around the main promenade, boulevard. The tourist area of Protaras is one of the nicest areas and the locals are proud to have, it is the resort of the most famous beach Fig tree bay home to fig trees and also 100 meters from the beach stands the small island. Larnaca is a town that works hard to hang on to its authentic roots, with old crafts still used and traditional houses holding fast among the unassailable growth of more modern developments. The liveliest area is around the main seafront promenade where restaurants and family-owned businesses, but the atmosphere is calm and it has a genuine community feel. Magnificent Neolithic sites are nearby and some fascinating natural formations can be seen along the coast. So, whether you are in need of a touch of R&R on a secluded beach followed by a peaceful evening meal overlooking a stunning view, or you want to fill your day with action and then dance the night away in one of the numerous clubs or discos, Cyprus can oblige. For sports lovers, sightseers, and pleasure seekers, a holiday in Cyprus you will find is hard to beat Limassol is one of my favourite history spots of Cyprus, graves that were found date back to 2.000 BC and others date way back to the 8^th & 4^th century BC. So shows of a small existence of a small colonization that managed to survive grow and flourish to what it is today a vibrant busy cosmopolitan resort with an amazing beach a large pedestrian area around the castle, and a wide range of places to eat or drink that is covering all tastes. The new promenade and marina really adds to its appeal while all the historic sites and the mountains are within easy reach. Ayia Napa has some perfect beaches that was a former fishing village and now has become one of the top party places in Europe but locals have tamed it down. With its array of bars and clubs, it attracts the young and lively as they say like Odysseus to the Sirens. Central Square, with pedestrian streets surrounding it has it all. But, in spite of its reputation of being a giant disco, there is still so much to see and do also to satisfy history lovers in its monastery, museum and ancient tombs. Polis is a firm favourite for so many and among the Cypriots themselves as this small town offers some good hotels and resorts and shops and some amazing restaurants. It's a great place for all the family. According to tradition Athenia Akamas son of Theseus, disembarked near Polis after the Trojan War and gave his name to cape of Akamas and the city of Akamantis, a legendary City that has never been found. In times gone by Polis was known as Marion and once was a city founded by Mycenaean when they came to Cyprus and they settled in Cyprus between 1400BC and 1100 BC giving it the Greek presence. Many years later, in the middle ages when reference was made to Polis Chrysochou so nowadays Polis is the administrative centre. JUST A SMALL SELECTION OF HOTELS AND RESORTS I have visited and stayed at over the years so if you need any information on any hotel or resort in Cyprus please do contact me any time I will always be here to help Email : debbie@designertravel.co.uk Tele : 01323 844630 Mobile : 07913 304716

Acapulco Beach HotelAda HotelAlkan Holiday VillageAlmond Holiday Village Almyra Hotel Altinkaya Hotel Amathus Beach Hotel Annabelle Hotel Aphrodite Hills Arkin Palm Beach Hotel Athena Beach Villas & Apartments Bella View Hotel Bellapais Monastery Village Capo Bay Hotel Cratos Premium Hotel Colony Hotel Club Simena Resort   Denizkizi Hotel Dome Hotel Elysium Hotel Grand Resort Grecian Park Hotel Hideaway Club Resort High Life Hotel Jasmine Court Hotel Kaya Artemis Resort Hotel

Le Meridien Limassol Hotel &SpaLapida HotelLife HotelMalpas Hotel Merit Crystal Cove Hotel Merit Park Hotel Mountain View Hotel Noah’s Ark Deluxe Hotel Onar Hotel Oscar Resort Hotel Pia Bella Hotel Pafiana Heights Resort Riverside Garden Holiday Village Rocks Hotel Royal Apollonia Beach Salamis Bay Conti Hotel & Resort Sammy’s Hotel Savoy Ottoman Palace Hotel Sempati Hotel Ship Hotel St Raphael Resort Thalassa Boutique Hotel & Spa Top Set Hotel Venus Beach Villa Club Holiday Village Vouni Palace Hotel

For more information on any hotel or resort in Cyprus please do contact me any time I will always be here to help Email : debbie@designertravel.co.uk   Tele : 01323 844630 Mobile : 07913304716