Ever since Anthony gave Cyprus to Cleopatra as the ultimate love token, Cyprus has been stirring passions. It is an island steeped in myth and legend, history and hospitality,

sunshine and romance. There's something about Cyprus that draws its visitors back year after year.    Main holiday areas include Ayia Napia, Protaras, Limassol, Paphos , Kapparis, Paralimni Proteras, Polis, Latchi, Coral Bay, Peyia and Aphrodite Hills.

Byron found its rich history “almost too profuse” and Richard the Lionheart lost his heart here, when he married Queen Berengaria.

     Cyprus is renowned for its numerous Blue Flag beaches. Today, thanks to 300 sunny days a year and a classically spectacular Mediterranean landscape, it more than fulfils the holiday cliché of something for everyone.

Cyprus has it all. Sun, beauty, history, marvellous beaches, clear blue seas. Mark Anthony was into grand gestures and gave Cyprus to Cleopatra as a token of his love. He couldn't have picked a more fitting gift.

      This sun-drenched island is like a glittering treasure trove spilling over with gems. You want sun-soaked beaches? Done! Cyprus is framed by dreamy sand and for scenery the island has everything from the majestic peaks of the Troodos mountains to pine-cloaked slopes cut with cascading, ice-cold streams.

Tempting tavernas and boutiques huddle together. With everything from silvery sands to magnificent mountains and culture Cyprus is the stuff holiday dreams are made of.

      Holidays on Cyprus's west coast bring together sun and fun, culture and history. There are some great beaches. Take Coral Bay. It's made for dream summer holidays, with a sweeping curve of golden sand, lapped by calm, azure blue waters. This friendly resort is into relaxation and what better place to start than on the gorgeous golden beach. With shallow turquoise seas, there are plenty of beach bars on hand to keep you refreshed and a good selection of water sports here, too. Coral Bay, just 10km outside Paphos, boasts a lovely sandy and pebbly crescent-shaped beach, south, and is one of the finest beaches in the area.

 Cyprus' west coast has a great deal going for it. Probably the most popular resort is Paphos, which combines all the trappings of a modern beach hotspot with its fair share of ancient history. With its trademark pelicans, Kato Paphos is one Cyprus' iconic settings, a pretty little harbour lined with charming pavement cafes and bars.

     Or there's lively Limassol, which has the award winning Armonia, Governor's, Ladies Mile and Curium beaches. Limassol is the island's largest resort and home to a majestic Medieval castle, which now houses a fascinating museum.  It is famous for being the place where Richard the Lion Heart was shipwrecked. Take a trip to the castle where he married his sweetheart or wander round the ruins of Amathous.

In Latchi you are cocooned  in peace and quiet. Latchi has loads of character and you'll fall for the quaint charms of this traditional seaside village. Wander along the harbour, crammed full of brightly-painted fishing boats and tuck into Cypriot specialties at a waterfront taverna. Walk down to the peaceful pebble beach and drench yourself in warm sunshine or take the plunge at the local dive centre and explore the crystal-clear seas. Latchi holidays are all about shaking off life's every day stresses.

     The bays around Ayia Napa and Protaras are legendary. Limassol has long sweeps of dark, sandy beaches, while the best of Paphos beaches are on the outskirts of the resort. You can explore archaeological treasures dating back to the Bronze Age, bathe in the same spot as Aphrodite, visit a nesting site for rare turtles at Lara Beach or walk among cooling pines and cedars in the Troödos Mountains.

Home of mythical goddess Aphrodite, the land of love has more faces than Proteus the shape-shifting sea god. Mountain villages have their weather-worn locals with their backgammon boards playing in the street. Yet Cyprus is at the top of the most discerning clubber's guide lists too.

     Nicosia is a sight worth seeing, encircled by strong fortress walls from the 16th century. Limassol sights include Kolossi Medieval Castle, the ancient cities of Amathus and Curium. There are also the Tomb of the Kings in Paphos, the birthplace of Aphrodite and of course the Troodos Mountains. Lace from the village of Lefkara, arty and exquisite jewellery, basket work, pottery, leather goods and silverware are all good buys among local crafts - available in most resorts. Larnaca, Limassol and Nicosia all have city-style shopping too for great value prices on porcelain, perfume, crystal, cameras, spectacles and clothing.

Eating out in Cyprus

Cyprus is a foodlover's paradise where Greek dishes are fused with Middle Eastern influences. Try delicious 'moussaka', with aubergines, potatoes and mince or hearty 'kleftiko', with lamb and Mediterranean vegetables. A traditional Cypriot 'meze', a full meal consisting of some 14 different dishes, includes halloumi cheese, juicy olives and stuffed tomatoes. Desserts include Baklava, layers of pastry, nuts and honey, and Kadeifi, mouth-wateringly sticky pastries.

     You will find locally produced fruit, such as strawberries, apricots, nectarines and peaches that are ripe, flavoursome and dripping with delectable juices. The harbourside restaurants next to the Venetian castle in Paphos are one of the most romantic spots for dining, while restaurants in Limassol serve fresh seafood followed by mouthwatering pastries. Cypriot wines, especially the sweet ones, are so good they are commonly exported

By Night
Ayia Napa in summer needs no introduction and Protaras, too, has enough pubs and bars to be pretty lively in high season. Limassol's tourist area has plenty of music bars and discos while Paphos has thriving nightlife too down Bar Street, with its numerous pubs, themed bars and discos. In general, the length of the resorts means there's always a quieter area for a leisurely evening venue too.

Shopping
Lefkara is famous for delicate handmade lace. There's basketwork and pottery, especially in Geroskipou and Lemba.

Paphos

Paphos is ideal for sightseeing, combining a rocky coastline in some areas, with beach life and boasts a fascinating Old Town of winding alleyways, markets and shops. The town is really divided in two by the quaint fishing harbour and the Old Town, both relaxing and unhurried. Nearby is the harbourside, guarded by a looming Venetian Fort and bordered by open-air, terraced restaurants, cafés and bars.

      Paphos has plenty of ancient historical sites and monuments, such as the Tomb of the Kings and Roman mosaics. There are a number of small sandy bays dotted in and around the town, many offering watersports. The best stretch of sand is at Coral Bay, a short bus ride away. In the evening, the harbour bars and fish restaurants are the perfect place to relax and there are also Bouzouki clubs and bars around the harbour.

Latchi

Lying along the Akamis peninsula in the rural north-west coast of Cyprus, Latchi is a charming fishing village and harbour, four kilometres up the coast from Polis. It has much to offer peace-seeking holidaymakers, with a good choice of tavernas and a pretty pebble-and-sand beach. The village itself has a couple of shops and bars where a tranquil charm prevails.

Coral Bay

Coral Bay is a small town in south-west Cyprus, about a 15 minutes drive or a short bus ride away from Paphos. Apart from its shopping and the beach, the major attraction of Coral Bay is its diving. Maninji Island is regarded as the most scenic dive on the coast, with cliffs, caves, coral and 'swim throughs'. Excellent, wide sandy beaches overlooked by luxury hotels and restaurants surround Coral Bay. If you prefer quieter beaches you can make your way to Cape Lara, which is the nesting site for Green and Loggerhead turtles.

Argaka

Unspoilt and unhurried Argaka village is a typical Cypriot village, peaceful, relaxing and set in picturesque countryside it's the ideal location from which to relax and soak up the friendly Cypriot hospitality. You'll discover a charming church, local houses and small scattering of traditional local tavernas within easy reach. The nearest beaches are just a short drive away, as are the nearby resorts of Latchi and Polis which offer a busier atmosphere

Peyia

Peyia, a delightful hillside village set back from the coast and just a few kilometres from Paphos, offers more simple pleasures - old-fashioned tavernas and little shops that time seems to have passed by.

Polis

On the island's north coast, surrounded by citrus orchards, pine forests and tobacco plantations, Polis is a small tourist centre with a gentle pace and boasts a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. A handful of traditional cafés, appetising tavernas and shops flank the pedestrianised main square. Entertainment in Polis is low-key and tends to centre around dining in a variety of bars on offer.

Protaras

The resort itself spreads over 16 kms of coastline, most of it fringed by stunning bays and little idyllic coves. Watersports and scuba-diving are permanent fixtures, although generally the air is one of unbroken relaxation and tranquillity. You'll find shops, restaurants and tavernas aplenty.

     When you rent a holiday home in Cyprus through ownersabroad.org, you deal directly with the owner, who is your best source of information for local attractions, restaurants, entertainment near your accommodation in Cyprus.　Local knowledge helps to make the most of villa holidays in Cyprus.

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