Situated between Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. Cyprus is divided into two, the Northern part is Turkish and the Southern part is Greek. Cyprus is reaping the benefits of EU membership and is set to adopt the Euro as its currency in 2008. The stable housing market, combined with an inexpensive high standard of living, means that Cyprus already has a well developed tourist industry that is continuing to grow.

1. Great weather – The weather in Cyprus is typically Mediterranean, with warm summers that last from May to October, and short mild winters. Cyprus is warm and dry for most of the year.

2. Easy to get to – The major airlines fly to Cyprus, and it is approximately 4 hours away from the UK, depending on which airport you fly from. The majority of Cypriots speak English and are very welcoming.

3. Low Property Prices – Property for sale in Cyprus is good value for money. Wherever you choose to purchase in Cyprus, there are excellent facilities and natural features such as outstanding views, and fantastic weather which add to the benefits of owning property in Cyprus. From property in Larnaca to Limassol and Protaras to Paphos, property in Cyprus is available to suit everyone. Whether you are considering investing abroad, or looking to buy property to rent out, choosing a property for sale in Cyprus can help you achieve the maximum return on investment.

4. Easy to purchase property – Since Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, it has become easier to for non-Cypriots to purchase properties on the island. The leading Cypriot banks can now offer mortgages to non-Cypriots and property bought by non-Cypriots can also be rented out.

5. Plenty to do – If you thought that Cyprus was all about beaches and the nightlife of Ayia Napa, you will be pleasantly surprised to know that there really is something for everyone. Cyprus offers a whole range of activities, from water sports such as windsurfing, scuba diving and paragliding, to nature trails, skiing on Mount Olympus and fishing. There are also many villages to visit, which have their own local traditions and delicacies.

6. Golf – Despite being fairly new to Cyprus, excellent golf facilities and the fantastic weather are attracting many visitors to the island. There are 3 championship golf courses, Aphrodite Hills, Tsada and Secret Valley near Paphos, and more golf courses are planned. Cyprus is a popular destination for golfing holidays and beginning to rival Portugal and Spain.

7. History – Cyprus has almost 10,000 years of history and is the island is home to many important archaeological sites and finds, including tombs, castles, and forts. Cyprus offers a wealth of places to visit and explore, from the Tombs of the Kings in Tamassos, to the Archaeological Museum in Larnaca.

8. Stability – Since 2004, Cyprus has been a member of the EU, and has close cultural, political and economic ties with other member countries. Despite the ongoing dispute between the Turkish Northern half of the island, and the Greek South, EU Membership has brought about improved stability and increased future investment. Now is an excellent time to invest in property for sale in Cyprus.

9. Different sorts of property – Typical property for sale in Cyprus includes apartments, villas and townhouses. Apartments are often found in towns such as Larnaca, Protoras and Paphos. Villas are larger than apartments, and some even have their own private swimming pool. Townhouses are also larger than apartments and as their name suggests found in towns.

10. Food and drink – Food in Cyprus is typically mainly Greek, but there any many dishes influenced by Italian, African and Asian cuisine. Wine has been made in Cyprus since at least 1000BC, and Cyprus’s Commandaria wine is the oldest continually produced wine in the world. Some experts believe that the cultivation of grapes for wine began in Cyprus over 4,000 years ago. Over the last few years, modern production methods have drastically improved the quality of Cypriot wine, and today it is exported all over the world.

More and more visitors are choosing to invest in property in Cyprus and making Cyprus their home, even if it is just for part of the year thanks to warm summers and mild winters. Excellent facilities and a wide range of activities ranging from playing golf to learning about the history of civilisation through archeology are just some of the many reasons to consider property for sale in Cyprus.

Notwithstanding the fact that Cyprus has a constant sunshine, the summer holidays is more of a festive occasion than anything else. The beach and bathing apart, the August period is more of a free spirit behavior. You can move around with shorts, feel relaxed in your behavior and in general, there is a feeling of a festive occasion and psychology, to invite friends for light (is there such a thing in Cyprus?) dinner/lunch and have all sorts of conversation (Cypriot men usually discussing sexual jokes and football and women about fashion and gossip who wore what). In small societies, holidays could be boring at times and what you need is good company (i.e. people with the same attitude and with similar interests). We are not a country of book readers, nor a sporting country, but we are inclined towards food and drink and conversation, as a source of entertainment.

So, how can we make use of our holiday home and make our investment pay in terms of entertainment and events?

• There are events all over Cyprus ranging from little villages to towns, such as Limassol and Pafos, from “shoushoukkos” festivals (Limassol) to “reci” = wedding meal (Paphos) and sougla parties at Larnaca – all runned by local Municipalities and village authorities. Cultural events are just about everywhere, from Ayia Napa to Paralimni, in all towns and the top event with Aphrodite Opera at Pafos. Yes, the last one costs around €80/each, but then operas of a similar standard in Europe cost 4 times more. A Dutch friend of ours says “I never miss the Pafos opera, since for the same money, I can get an opera and 7 days holidays to go with it”.
• Coming back to using one’s home an outside barbecue is “the” favorite entertainment event by locals and during summer fish is the dinner/lunch the main meal to adopt. Fish in Cyprus has all sorts of “odd” delicacies (not necessarily liked by foreign people due to their appearance) such as squid (cuttlefish), octopus (fish with legs) and red mullet (Barbouni in the local language) with the comment why do you eat these baby fish? But then fish if it is cooked in the house, it tends to have a smell, so most housewives/ locals do not adopt this as a preference, opting to eat in restaurants.
• However, summer holidays is all about having a “free spirit” as we said before, so experiment on new ventures and show off to your friends. If fish is what you want to do, do it outside, but make sure that the charcoal has a low fire and place the grill first and once it is hot, then place the fish on top, otherwise the fish will stick on the grill. If octopus is your preference, boil it for approximately 20 minutes and then on the charcoal otherwise it will be tough.
• For those halloumi lovers, buy the more expensive halloumi which is more hard. Slice and grill the halloumi first and then have a pitta bread (cut ¼ pieces), place the halloumi which is already grilled in the pitta and one slice of tomato. Place the pitta with the halloumi and the tomato again on the grill. A never ending success to impress your friends (Phidias recipie).
• For the wine drinkers, make absolutely sure that the white wine is cold. Beer is not the same if not iced cold. Do not depend on your fridge and place the bottles in the deep freeze of your fridge (same with the beer), but care is needed so that they do not ice. Leave the beer tins for 30 minutes and wine bottles for 15 minutes. Very cold wine tastes better and with our temperature a cool beer is not on. For red wine place the bottle in the normal fridge for approximately 15-20 minutes in order to cool it. Much better taste.
• For the more exclusive and while the barbecue is on, put some walnuts on the grill (cut a small slice so that it is cooked better) and for those who have no problem with their teeth, place on the charcoal sweet corn, salt on top when finished. Fantastic hors d’ euvre.
• For those who do not eat meet, but say chicken and are not sure how to barbecue, cover the chicken pieces with yogurt, place it on the grill and wait until the yogurt is slightly browned. The chicken remains juicy and tasty and the meat is not burned.
• For those who want to remember the traditional aperitif, opt for the brandy sour. Use Cyprus brandy, angostura bitter (5 drops), lemon squash (little) and soda, as well as ice, steer it and at the end place on top a slice of lemon. Unique in Cyprus not found everywhere else in the world. For those with a sweet tooth, before placing the ingredients, wet the glass (long glass) and place the glass lips on a plate with sugar. Most inviting appearance, low cost and a unique drink impressing your friends.
• For salad funs use good quality tomatoes and purslane, thin slices of onions and good quality black olives. Olive oil and salt on top. Most refresing.
• For those who want to fry and have your guests participation in the garden, invest in a very large shallow frying pan and a gas bottle with a top base. The local meat balls (kioftes) is a killer in terms of taste (order the mix from your local butcher). Easy to cook – you cannot go wrong. Place lemon before you eat.
• For fried potatoes the secret is that you fry the potatoes for 10 minutes, take them out to cool and then place them again in the pan. The result is that the potatoes will become crispy without oil. Use olive oil instead of the ordinary frying oils.
• In terms of music, use Theodorakis (Zorba the Greek music) and Xarchakos bouzouki style, but much europianized and soft to the ear.
• In terms of discussing subjects, do without the financial crisis and depressing subject. No mention of medical problems and others which we all have, but keep it after the holidays. Tell each other how young they look for their age. We all need an ego boosting.
• If you have non-locals whom you want to impress on your cooking capabilities and have fun with it, give each guest a skewer with souglakia (cebap) on it and have them each cook his own. Make sure that you have grilled pitta bread (the thin type), have lemon and parsley and tomatoes.
• Invest on a good wine for starters and after the first bottle no one will know the difference if the second is not so good!!

As you have realized notwithstanding that this is a property section, we are also on holidays. A friend of ours who dined with the chairman of a Co (perhaps the wealthiest Co in the world) after a very expensive dinner, the chairman, asked his host for a souglakia dinner and a particular brand of local wine insisting on a date of invitation.

We have a policy, not always kept, if you want to make an impression, ask your friends/ clients home. It does not matter if at the end of the day the cooking is not to standard. They will love it.

Top 5 places to visit when staying in Paphos, Cyprus on your off season holidays. A mixture of history and pure leisure pleasure. Places normally too hot and busy to visit in the summer heat open themselves up at these perfect times of the year. Escape the cold of home and enjoy some Paphos sunshine during spring, autumn and winter holidays in Cyprus.

Paphos, Cyprus – Top 5 Places to Visit

1. Tomb of The Kings

Spread over a vast area, these impressive subterranean burial chambers were built in Paphos from 3rd Century BC to the 3rd Century AD. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars. Put on your walking shoes and climbing pants and don’t be afraid to get yourself a little dirty at this site. Fun to explore and full of some very atmospheric places.

2. Paphos Mosaics

Cyprus history proclaims Aion as the Greek God of eternity. The house of Aion has an amazing five-paneled mosaic which shows the Greek God in the unenviable position of having to judge what appears to be a beauty contest.
‘Unenviable?!’, I hear our modern day Gods proclaim. The difference in this beauty contest is that his choice lies between the ordinary and smug looking Queen Cassiopeia and a number of much prettier, but unhappy looking Nereides water nymphs.I’m sure that all of you will be able to guess who the eventual winner is!!

3. Aphrodites Rock

The most awe inspiring piece of coastline to be seen in Cyprus, when the sun is out, and I defy any couple, regardless of how young or old, to not be bewitched by it’s spell. Of all ancient Greek myths, the story of Aphrodite’s creation will bring water to your eyes, but the story lives on as one of the well known legends surrounding this stunning rock formation.Cronos was begged by his mother Gaia to be released from the embraces of her husband Uranus. In order to assist his mother in her plight, Cronos castrated his father with a sickle and threw his genitals into the sea. The foam gathered around them and the Goddess rose from the sea as a fully grown woman.

4. St George Fishing Harbour

I recommend that you visit this memorable place in Paphos with someone very special to you and a camera. Arrive late afternoon and watch the fishing boats come in with their daily catch. Have a drink or two at the beach side bar but don’t stay too long before securing yourself a spot on the harbour wall. Take along the camera or video and make sure you have plenty of film as this is one of those special places to catch the most romantic of sunsets in Cyprus. Enjoy!

5. Sterna Winery

Located on the outskirts of the village of Kathiskas, 15 mins drive from Paphos. Be entertained by the charismatic Cypriot owner who will treat you to free wine tasting and a tour of this very small winery. Do not miss out on their own peach schnapps – powerful enough to blow your head off and must be thrown back in one go. If you make a purchase of their very fine wines you will probably find that a complimentary bottle of schnapps is thrown in. Not recommended to light the Xmas pud with!

Cyprus (meaning Copper from the Latin name Kuprum) has had its history traced back over 9,000 years. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The Greeks became very interested in Cyprus because of its abundance of copper and other minerals. It has always had Country settlers there from Greeks to Romans, Lebanese and British. The latest course of history was in 1974 when Turkey decided it wanted the North. It is now called the Northern Territory. The inhabitants were given only a few hours to leave their homes so many of the belongings were left where they stood. Even today if you know where to look, you can see a rusty old car with its front door open, just as the owner left.

The beautiful island of Cyprus has a wealth of amazing places to visit and scenery to view. Along with its forests, mountains, coastlines and beaches there are places of historical and archaeological importance.

Further inland there are the Troodos Mountains with vast area of vines and forests. It is an absolute marvel to see. It boasts the highest amount of grapes produced for the size of the land.
The mountains are great to get out of the heat and feel the cool air. The nights have an aroma of pine trees and wild herbs. There are a number of plants that can only grow in Cyprus, so is worth the visit for that alone. The valleys are very fruitful bearing almonds, cherry, apple, pear and plum. They have quaint little villages scattered around, that haven’t changed. To go into the heart of a village and taste the wines and experience their hospitality is amazing.

The south west end of Cyprus has developed into its own, especially Paphos. It is still as old world as it used to be. A quaint town without the bustle of a holiday resort. It does have an area of hotels but has a 5 to 10 minute walk away from the main town. It is a great location and area for viewing the harbour and beaches. There are two beaches that are very attractive, which lay half way between Limassol and Paphos.These are Evdimou (which has a bar) and Pissouri (which has a hotel complex).

Up on the North Coast lies the little town Polis with Latchi nearby. Latchi is a harbour town and often serves swordfish straight from the sea. It boasts a most beautiful beach. Further along the coast lies the place where Aphrodite used to bathe. Its name is Fontana Amorosa that means a foaming spring.

In the south east lies another little town named Aiya Napa. It is an historical fishing village which combines so much versatility without changing the old world style.

Cyprus is only a short cruise or plane ride to so many other countries such as Egypt, Rhodes and Lebanon. This breaks any holiday up, to have a holiday within a holiday! Cyprus has a very long hot summer and a short mild winter. (Jeans and cardigan weather without coat) In my view Cyprus is one of the most versatile islands which enjoys the beauty of nature, mythology, architecture, with a generous welcome to all.

A tourist guide to Cyprus, Paphos, The Mayfair Hotel, and our apartment within.

http://www.apartment5137.com

When choosing a travel destination, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the vast number of choices. There are so many historical, beautiful, interesting places on this Earth, it is easy to see why many people become frustrated.

Greece, and the Greek islands are by far, one of the top travel destination choices by cultured and choosy travelers. Not only is Greece a wonderland of blue ocean vistas it is also the home of many exciting cultural events.

The Hellenic Festival

This extremely popular festival offers a huge range of performances. Classical music, ballet, opera, both ancient and modern theater, singers, dances and more are featured at this festival that takes all summer to exhaust its supply of entertainment. The festival encompasses the entire city, with many theater performances taking place at the Lykavittos Theater set atop Lykavittos Hill. Neither buses or taxis will take you to the top of this hill, so it is best to leave early to walk the ten or fifteen minutes you will need to get to Lykavittos Theater.

The Epidaurus Festival

This festival takes place annually during the summer months. Held at the ancient (and acoustically perfect) theater of Epidaurus, this festival is held as a part of the larger Hellenic Festival. The Epidaurus Festival is an opportunity to witness plays just as the ancient Greeks did. Adding to the flavor is the fact that the performances are in Greek. Theater goers are provided with programs that translate major languages.

Some tips for enjoying the Epidaurus Festival include dressing warm and bringing a blanket. The theater is outside with most programs starting at 9pm and weather unpredictable, even in the summer months. Best to be prepared. Many of these shows sell out quickly and can only be bought 3 weeks in advance.

The Icarus Festival of Dialogue Between Cultures

Overwhelmingly, Greek cultural events are rooted in the love of music. The Icarus Festival for Dialogue Between Cultures takes place annually on Ikaria, Greece. Traditionally held during the summer, this event hosts performances by artists whose music has been inspired by many cultures. Every year the event is dedicated to a single instrument, 2008 was dedicated to the violin, as it is the favored instrument of the island Ikaria.

The August Moon Festival

Annually, whenever the full moon decides to make its appearance, many sites around Athens are open to the public for free entertainment. The Odeion of Herodes Atticus, the Acropolis, Roman Agora, provide the city with Greek dances, classical music and opera performances. What a spectacular site to behold by the light of the full moon!

Rockwave Athens

The largest rock and roll festival in Greece takes place in July, during the intense heat of summer, and provides the city with some of the hottest international rock bands. This musical event has taken place since 1996 and is still going strong.

Not to be outdone, the Island of Cyprus holds many exciting cultural events as well. As the third biggest island in the Mediterranean sea, this island has direct ties to Greece and many of its festivals are based in the Greek culture.

The Wine Festival in Lemoses attracts thousands of tourists each September to take part of this event. Cyprus, an island known for its extraordinary wine, offers this festival as a means to pay tribute to Dionysus, God of Wine as well as Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty.

The Lemesos Carnival Parade takes place in February, or approximately 50 days before Easter. Highlights of this annual event include the Children’s Carnival Parade, Grand Carnival Parade of groups and chariots, King Carnival and Serenader’s Parade. This carnival is held to celebrate the last week of meat-eating before the Apokria or what is referred to as the fasting before Easter. Costumes are prepared for the entire family for this event, and at the end of the event, more than fifty floats parade through the city.

The Festival of Ancient Greek Drama is held during the summer months in Cyprus. The performances are held in three separate theaters throughout Cyprus, each sharing the ancient Greek traditions of tragedy, comedy, treachery, adventure and more with the audience. This festival attracts thousands of people internationally and the venues include: Paphos (Ancient Odeon), Limassol (Kourion Ancient Theater) and in Nicosia (Makarios III Amphitheater).

When it comes to festivals and cultural events, the Greek and Cyprus communities are unmatched throughout the world. These ancient lands are steeped in traditions of beauty, art, culture, wine and drama. There really is no other choice when it comes to choosing this travel destination spot.

Cyprus is a scenic place towards the Southwest of Turkey. Because of its beautiful views, colorful history and rich culture, many people have chosen it as their preferred holiday and retirement location.

The three main regions in Cyprus where you will usually find property for sale are Paphos, Larnaca or Limmasol. These are very beautiful areas with all that you need to lead a peaceful life. The whole of Cyprus is blessed with very pleasant weather. Moreover, the place also offers several means of entertainment.

Larnaca is a major seaport and tourist spot near Cyprus. It is well-connected to the rest of the world which makes it a convenient location to settle in. This region also has a very important place in the history of Cyprus as well. Larnaca is very famous for sports, music, and arts. All these specialties make it an ideal location for investment.

Limmasol is another location where you can find properties for sale. Being the second largest city in Cyprus, it is a place with a great number of tourist attractions. There are a number of museums in this region which holds historical prominence. Limmasol is also famous for its sea, yachts and boats. Many colorful festivals are celebrated in this place and a lot of tourists visit regularly to taste the wines, cognacs, and delicious seafood. There is an annual Wine Festival held in Limmasol where the best wines of the world are served.

Another location in Cyprus where you can consider buying property is in Paphos. The famous Aphrodite’s rock is situated here. This is also a place that offers a moderate blend of old tradition and modern facilities.

Most of the properties that come up for sale at Cyprus are beautiful. Here, you can find exotic villas that face the Mediterranean Sea with all that you will need for a luxurious vacation.

The resort of Ayia Napa often captures the headlines when thoughts turn to Cyprus. There is much more to this island than the lively nightlife of its most famous resort.

Visitors to the island are often pleasantly surprised by what they find here. Though Cyprus has built up something of a reputation as a party island, the reality is that is it also a great holiday location for many different reasons.

Located at the eastern end of the Mediterranean, the island offers some spectacular scenery, including mountains and fine coastal views.

It’s also an island that is steeped in history. Many of the historical sites are preserved, as is a very traditional way of living. Cyprus is about much more than the recent tourism industry.

Despite this, it’s clear that the island benefits from the income provided by visitors. Indeed, these are some of Europe’s most welcoming people.

In common with many other countries in this region, Cyprus is a very family friendly location. Families find plenty to see and do, with hotels being geared up to deal with the needs of a family holiday.

Away from the most vibrant resorts, evenings can be spent in a more tranquil atmosphere. Enjoying a good meal out with a nice glass of local wine can provide the perfect way to end a day spent relaxing on the beach or in the swimming pool.

With bustling markets and plenty of fresh food, this is a great place for those who love quality cuisine.

The island also has a number of exceptional golf courses, as well as many sports and water sports facilities.

There’s much more to Cyprus than the resort of Ayia Napa.

Every year Cyprus plays host to many events all over the island, from small town parties to the larger annual events, each is something special and if you are visiting Cyprus during the time, be sure to try and attend one, for it’s something that you’ll definitely be talking about. Cypriots know how to doll up events and make them interesting, but it’s the people you’ll never forget!

Anthestiria – This beautiful “flower power” festival is celebrated in May when the Cypriots celebrate the beauty of nature and usher in the return of spring. Inspired by the ancient festival that took place in Athens, Anthestiria is celebrated with flower parades, beautifully decorated floats, tourists and pedestrians carrying flowers and of course, the exhibition of thousands of plants and flowers. In Limassol this parade is usually held in the center of Yermasoyia, in Paphos the coastal avenue and in Larnaka the seafront pavilion where people can easily watch the flower parade pass by.

Kataklysmos – Otherwise known as the Flood Festival, this fun event takes place every year in Cyprus in June, 50 days after Orthodox Easter. Water is the main theme of the festival with all coastal cities organizing games, competitions and concerts near the waterfront. Don’t expect to stay dry if you were to attend this festival!

The Wine Festival – Held in September in the Municipal Garden of Limassol, the Wine festival is one to certainly not miss! Free unlimited wine (courtesy of Lemesos Municipality), dancing, competitions and celebrations… what more could you ask for? This festival is a great opportunity for everyone to live and experience the Greek traditional of the Dionysiac celebrations and just be carefree, indulge and have a ball.

The Ancient Greek Drama Festival – Organized every year in the months of July and August, ancient theaters in Cyprus host one of the greatest festivals of ancient Greek drama. Watch family conflict, betrayal, love, adventure and comedy play before your eyes in classical tradition form. Most of these plays are performed in ancient or Modern Greek but there is an English synopsis as well for those who come to Cyprus as visitors.

The International Historic Car Rally – This unique event is a must-see for all especially those who love their old cars. Here you get to see historic cars competing throughout the streets of Larnaka, Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia. All the cars that take part are manufactured before 1982 and believe it or not this event has been taking place for nearly two decades, attracting thousands of visitors from all walks of life each year.

Greece has a long history stretching back thousands of years, and during that history has been invaded many times (including by the Ottoman Turks who occupied the country for 400 years). As a result Greek cuisine has absorbed influences from many sources, and some dishes (Baklava and Moussaka) are shared with and have Turkish names.

Greek cuisine is not just Moussaka. While lamb is a traditional meat, favored for holidays and festivals, poultry, beef, and pork are also in popular. Additionally, with Greece including many islands, and with no part of the Greek mainland more than 90 miles from the sea, fish and seafood are also Greek favorites. Greece’s climate is favorable for growing of both olive and lemon, and these form an important part of Greek cuisine. Vegetables include aubergines and courgettes. Garlic, basil, oregano and thyme are widely used to add flavor to dishes. And finally, and by no means least, is Greece’s famous Feta Cheese.

Some of the most popular Greek dishes include:

- Village Salad (generally known outside of Greece and Cyprus as “Greek Salad”) – a salad of tomato, cucumber, bell peppers and red onion, seasoned with salt, black pepper and oregano, and dressed with olive oil. Feta cheese, capers and olives are sometimes added.

- Dips – often served with Pita (unleavened) bread – including: Hummus (chickpea dip), Melitzanosalata (eggplant dip), Skordalia (garlic sauce dip), Tahini (sesame paste dip), Taramosalata (carp roe dip) and Tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber and garlic dip).

- Dolmades – grapevine leaves stuffed with rice, vegetables and sometimes meat.

- Keftedes – fried meatballs with oregon and mint.

- Kleftiko – lamb marinated in garlic and lemon and then slowly baked on the bone in a pit oven.

- Moussaka – layers of minced meat and sliced eggplant and tomato, topped with white sauce and baked.

- Souvlaki – meat, fish or shrimp grilled on a skewer.

- Stifado – a beef and onion stew with red wine and cinnamon.

- Baklava – a sweet pastry made from layers of phyllo dough, with chopped nuts and sweetened with sugar or honey.

If you’re planning a holiday this year then make sure that you don’t overlook the beauty of Paphos, a spectacular location on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. This is one of Europe’s hidden gems.

Those visiting the island for the first time are often stunned by the beauty of the country. As the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus offers a diverse range of activities, cultural experiences and scenery.

The rise of tourism has seen an increase in the number of modern hotels that dominate the coastal resorts. Despite this pace of development, many inland areas give the impression that they have hardly changed for decades. It’s no surprise to see so many visitors captivated by this mix of luxury resorts and traditional charms.

The resort of Paphos (known locally as Pafos) is located on the island’s south-west coastline. It benefits from the wonderful climate that is to be found all over the island, making it a great place to visit at any time of year.

It also makes a great place to explore the historical sites that are to be found nearby. The island is associated with some of the oldest civilizations to have inhabited our planet, making for some exciting locations to visit. This was once a provincial capital, during the days of the Roman Empire. Today, tourists enjoy looking at the Roman mosaics that have survived for so many centuries.

Ancient arts remain popular here and it’s an intriguing sight to see local people carrying on traditions that have survived for thousands of years. This is particularly evident when you see the way in which food and drink is prepared.

The excellent wine-making tradition in this part of Cyprus can be traced back more than 4,000 years. If you thought that a holiday in Paphos would be all about relaxing on a beach, then it’s clear to see that there can be much more to your trip.

Although the excellent hotels in the region can form an excellent base, you can really make the most of your stay by leaving your hotel complex behind you and by getting out to discover the real Cyprus.