Cyprus On The Beach ... for your on-the-beach villa





Locally The village of Latchi is a maximium of ten minutes' walk away along the beach, and has a picturesque harbour with numerous water-side tavernas specialising in fish and local produce. The village offers a number of typical Cyprus bars, as well as a variety of shops and a well-stocked supermarket, where postcards and stamps may be purchased, and facilities are available 24 hours a day for the promised calls home. Only a short drive or a pleasant walk from your villa is the picturesque small town of Polis Chrysochous, where once an ancient city kingdom stood. Now an attractive, popular resort, Polis has kept its original character, and the local tavernas in the pedestrian zone and around the pretty central square offer a large variety of food to suit all tastes and pockets. If you feel like a bit of indulgence, try a cream tea at the magnificent Anassa Hotel just five minutes drive from Latchi. An enchanting blend of five-star luxury, classical architecture and complete privacy, the hotel looks out across one of the finest beaches in Cyprus to the Akamas peninsula and the famous Baths of Aphrodite. True to its name, which means "queen" in classical Greek, the Anassa is majestic. As well as access to some of the most beautiful countryside in the Mediterranean, the hotel boasts four outstanding restaurants as well as the excellent Thalassa Spa specializing in the very latest health and beauty treatments. All of the restaurants and the spa are open to guests and non-guests alike, and a visit is well worth while when you're feeling you deserve a treat. For keen walkers the nearby Akamas National Park offers walks, sea views and bracing air. The park is ideal for nature lovers to explore its fantastic landscape and to discover the endless variety of flowers and birds. You can either set off on your own and find your way along the beaches and hills or you can use a map (available from a number of information posts in the park) with different nature trails, ideal for walking, jogging and biking. Akamas is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world's heritage. Pafos Pafos, a small charming harbour town, on the west of the island, which has been, during certain times in antiquity, the capital of Cyprus, has a history which goes back literally thousands of years, and has always attracted visitors from the rest of the island and abroad. From the modern town centre to the picturesque harbour and stretching across the coastline, lie innumerable ancient sites which not surprisingly have now been included in UNESCO's list of World Cultural Heritage sites. After all, this is the birthplace and centre of worship of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty and the whole area retains some of this magic. Bordered by a lovely coastline, the Pafos area has charming villages in its mountains, here life has gone unchanged over the years, where the customs and traditions of the country have been kept alive because that is how it has always been. And in the heartland, are famous monasteries such as Ayios Neophytos and Chrysoroyiatissa with modern day pilgrims. Cyprus Tucked away in the easternmost corner of the Mediterranean Sea lies Cyprus, an island republic of spectacular beauty with sandy beaches enclosed by rugged cliffs, cool cedar forests, scented orange groves and gentle meadows blanketed in wildflowers. With a nine-thousand-year cultural legacy, Cyprus is an historic island, the third largest in the Mediterranean, where modern travellers retrace the footsteps of figures as diverse as St. Paul, Alexander the Great and Leonardo da Vinci. And also a romantic island, once Anthony’s gift to Cleopatra and where, according to mythology, the goddess Aphrodite first emerged from the sea. In Cyprus, one can share a meze with friendly locals in a charming stone village; witness artisan crafts made according to ancient traditions; and windsurf, sail, snorkel and even snow-ski in the most cosmopolitan resorts. There are truly worlds to discover in this eminently accessible island, where the service is extraordinary and the people (often English-speaking!) are as warm as the Mediterranean sun. The whims of history have endowed Cyprus with an incomparably rich heritage, making it a world-renowned destination for anyone interested in art, history, and culture. Stone Age ruins, Greek temples, Roman theatres, Venetian structures and Byzantine churches cover the island. Golden icons, colorful frescoes and archaic statuary are among the artifacts that will captivate you, taking you back over the centuries. Modern cultural interests abound as well. The museums of Cyprus feature the expressive works of late 20th century artists, while theatres present contemporary drama and elegant concerts, often under the stars. Gourmets appreciate another legacy of Cyprus’ many-layered history. The Greek, Venetian, British, and Near-East cultures have all lent their hand in creating a cuisine unlike any other. Almost every port and mountain village has a specialty, whether it be a variety of the renowned Cypriot wine, a special goat cheese, or a uniquely prepared lamb dish, new sensations await even the most urbane palate. Inveterate shoppers, too, have much to celebrate. Stroll through the glittering jewelry stores, handicraft centers and local boutiques. Delicately woven Cypriot lace, hand-turned pottery, and regional paintings and sculptures are among the souvenirs and gifts travellers most often bring home. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are the Troodos Mountains, a rugged region that hikers, campers, and nature-watchers call paradise. In Spring, the range is a dazzling carpet of wildflowers, as is all of Cyprus, home to myriad blossoming plants (there are over one hundred species found solely on the island). In Spring, Summer and Autumn, there are walking trails and panoramic vistas for all to enjoy. And in Winter, amazing though it might seem, skiers hit powder in the mountains of Cyprus. When the thoughts of some turn to bed, night-owls begin to plan their evenings. Cyprus is famed for hospitality that knows no hours: tavernas, nightclubs, bars, and discos that draw international crowds can be found in every major town. For those who love a good party but don’t want to stay up all night, there are wine festivals, carnival revelry, village fairs and many other island celebrations. Families enjoy the wide variety of activities the island holds for both adults and children, while couples find themselves happily alone on empty beaches or wandering through quiet villages. Singles and youthful travelers come for fast-paced fun and conviviality. It’s easy to see why Cyprus has become a magnet in itself as well as a natural stopping-off point on trips to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and Greece: rich in history yet replete with modern amenities, relaxing and effortless yet full of surprises, Cyprus is irresistible to everyone ... and has been for 9,000 years.
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