We’ve just returned from this beguiling island, birthplace of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty, blessed with all year round sunny climes and a top Mediterranean hotspot for tourists.

Over the centuries many have fought over this beautiful island, eager to take a bite of this golden apple perfectly positioned at a crosspoint of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa.   

For holidaymakers Cyprus offers an abundance of 5 star hotels with sandy blue flag beaches, the Troodos Mountain, fascinating historical sites, fabulous food of the Gods, water sports and diving, riding, golf, nature trails and a lively nightlife; all of which the hospitable and friendly Cypriots are proud to share with their International visitors. Moreover – it’s only four and a half hours flying time from the UK; the ideal short-haul holiday for Flashpackers.

Best time to go if you’re not manacled to the school holidays is May, September, October and November. Temperate climes, warm sea and less crowds.

Sight-seeing, restaurants, nightlife and sports activities around Cyprus.   

Culture

• Limassol Castle – where Richard the Lionheart allegedly married Queen Berengaria
• Larnaca – The magnificent 9th Century Saint Lazarus Church
• Aphrodite’s Baths near Polis. According to legend, Aphrodite used to bathe in this pond and  It is here that she met her beloved Adonis for the first time.
• Petra tou Romiou – The Rock where Aphrodite was born. Legend has it that when there is a full moon if a woman swims round the rock anti-clockwise three times, she will remain eternally young.
• Ancient Mosaics at Kate Paphos – Exquisite Roman masterpieces depicting myths and legends of the Gods. 
• The ancient stadium, Kourion –  a city kingdom which reached its height at the start of the first millennium, before declining in the wake of an earthquake in 365 AD. Here, Male athletes used to compete naked in the ‘Olympic’. 
• The Odeon Amphitheatre, Kato Paphos, for authentic Greco-Roman theatre.
• The Troodos Mountains – Skiing, nature trails and a taste of Greek village life.
• Omodhos –  Mandria Winery – Friendly family run establishment that offers wine tastings on wine route  4. 

Tavernas around Cyprus – Flashpackers favourites

• Limassol – Forsos (Moutagiaka Village) – May the force be with you when tucking into the mammoth Mezze. Agiou eleftheriou, Moutagiaka, 4527, Limassol, Tel:25 329490
• Larnaca – Zephyros Psarolimano (Fish Port) – An excellent fish Mezze that will blow you away. 37 Piale Pasha Tel: 24 657 198.
• Militzis  – A lively taverna with exceptionally good traditional Greek tucker 42, Piale Passia str.  Tel:24655867
• Pissouri –Limanaki – Play it again Sam – regulars love the dynamic owner’s  Superb Fusion cuisine. Limanaki Restaurant Pissouri Jetty Pissouri, Cyprus Tel    : 25 221288Mob : 99 34827
• Omodhos – Makrinari Tavern (Trodoos Mountains) – Terrific traditional dishes and Mezze – 4760 Omodos Phone number: 25422151
• Latchi –Yangos & Peter’s – The oldest restaurant in Latchi serving fresh seafood alfresco in the pretty harbour – Tel +357 26 321 411   

Limassol – Nightlife    

•  Breeze – Sophisticated fashionable night club Alfresco
•  Dolce – Cosmopolitan, luxurious and stylish just 100 metres from the beach.

Top Golf Courses in Cyprus

• Eléa Estate – Sir Nick Faldo designed, world class golf course near Paphos.
• Aphrodite Hills Golf Course – award-winning integrated golf, leisure and real estate development.

Diving in Cyprus

Experienced Scuba and Free Diver John Despoti is quoted as saying, “You can scuba dive in Cyprus all year round since the water temperature is 64 deg.F in the winter months and reaching a balmy 81 deg.F in peak summer. Underwater visibility is legendary around Cyprus due to the high water salinity of the eastern Mediterranean. This high salinity lowers the amount of micro organisms in the water thus making it even clearer than tropical seas.”

He particularly enjoys diving in Limassol. He explains  ‘There are more underwater wrecks to explore and dive around the Limassol area than anywhere else in Cyprus. Larnaca may boast the massive Zenobia, but Limassol has a much greater variety of wrecks at different depths to suit the personal limits of each diver. Furthermore, the Akrotiri marine reserve is a haven for sea life and richly abundant with curious fish which will literally bump onto the glass lens of your diving mask. Personally I have never seen so many fish in Cyprus than at the Akrotiri marine reserve.”

John also extols the virtues of diving off peak season because there are more fish to see and its quieter. From March to May the sea temperature is cooler which increases the nutrients in the water. This leads to more fish being attracted to the shallow coastal waters from deeper depths to feed. From September to the end of November most people have to return to work and school, so the beaches are quieter. This has a great effect on sea life allowing the shyer species to venture out from their holes and caves. Because the sea temperature is very warm at this time of year it is also the breeding season for octopus and turtles which appear like magic in shallow waters literally overnight.

For more information visit the Cyprus Tourist Orginisation