G U I D E T O

INSIDER GUIDE TO CYPRUS

Cyprus

Picture the charming Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Are you soaking up the sunshine on one of the beautiful golden beaches? Discovering impressive ancient ruins? Maybe you’re exploring the outstanding natural beauty of the Troodos Mountains?

Wherever your mind wanders to when you picture Cyprus, welcome to our mini destination guide to this stunning sun-drenched island. With friendly locals, a diverse range of tourist activities, and a rich history and culture, ‘Aphrodite’s Island’ is the perfect destination for the traveller who’s looking for that something extra from their beach holiday.

Cyprus

Average Monthly Temperature: Paphos, CyprusJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

13° 15°13° 14° 17° 20° 23° 25° 26° 24° 22° 18°

Interesting facts...

The whole of Paphos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Legend has it that the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite,

was born in Cyprus.

Cyprus is one of the oldest wine producing countries in

the world.

Several British military bases still exist on the island as the

country was once governed by the British.

Cyprus is one of just two nations, and the first in the

world, to include its map on its flag. The other is Kosovo.

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean, after

Sardinia and Sicily.

Nature

With a glorious coastline, majestic mountains, fragrant forests and dramatic clifftops, the scenery of Cyprus is nothing short of spectacular. From the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean to the breathtaking landscapes of the stunning Troodos Mountains, nature lovers will be in their element here. Take a stroll along one of the beautiful walking trails, which have been created to highlight the gorgeous vistas and enchanting Mediterranean character of the island. Discover the many species of beautiful birds and flowers on the wildlife trail along the wonderful Akamas Peninsula or head deep into the forests to catch a sighting of Cyprus’ national animal, the mouflon. Loggerhead turtles also breed on the island's sandy beaches in the summer months, while Mediterranean monk seals and dolphins have also been seen swimming in the

warm waters off the coast.

Sun and Sea

From secluded bays and rocky coves to lively resorts and sandy shorelines, Cyprus is home to a whole host of beautiful beaches, each one unique. With no fewer than 57 Blue Flag beaches, Cyprus is the perfect holiday destination if you want to do nothing more than sunbathe on spotless sands and dip your toes into crystal-clear waters. The popular resorts of the east coast are famous for their fine white sandy beaches and glittering turquoise waters, or if you prefer something a little different, you’ll also find plenty of remote and unspoilt spots in the northwest of the island. So, whether you prefer to soak up the sun on warm sands with a drink in hand, catch a wave on your surfboard, or discover a whole new underwater world beneath the foam, Cyprus is the ideal holiday destination for all the very best of sun and sea.

Exploring the island

Food and Drink

Drawing inspiration from both Greece and Turkey, along with influences from the Middle East, Cypriot cuisine is an intrinsic part of the nation’s culture. From hearty meat dishes to speciality cheeses, you’ll find plenty to tantalise your taste buds here! Perhaps the island’s most famous dishes are the handmade cheese, halloumi, and the mouthwatering meze, with its tasty little dishes of delectable dips, clay-cooked meats and freshly-caught fish. If you’re visiting during a festival or holiday, expect an amazing array of extra treats and special dishes to mark the occasion. A glorious gastronomic adventure awaits on this enchanting island!

Sports

With its gorgeous climate, plentiful sunshine and beautiful Mediterranean surroundings, Cyprus is the perfect place to get sporty! Offering immaculate golf courses, stunning hiking trails, superb cycling tracks and incredible dive sites, Cyprus offers plenty of ways to keep sports enthusiasts entertained. Golf lovers will find a variety of pristine courses in stunning locations throughout the island, including the Eléa Estate Golf Club, which was designed by the famous golfer, Nick Faldo, whilst adrenaline junkies can try their hand at paragliding, climbing and kayaking. Plus, for a few months of the year, you can even ski on the snow-covered slopes of Mount Olympus in the Troodos Mountains!

Health and Wellness

Home to a wealth of luxury spa resorts and rural retreats, stunning Cyprus offers you plenty of opportunities to relax, unwind and escape the stresses and strains of daily life. With an increasing number of world-class spas on the island, you’ll be able to indulge yourself with rejuvenating massages, holistic therapies and a whole host of pampering treats. For the ultimate in relaxation, take a trip to the Baths of Aphrodite near Paphos, the chosen bathing spot of the Greek goddess of love herself. Legend has it than anyone who bathes in the grotto will be blessed with eternal youth!

Culture and Religion

With a rich history and culture spanning over 10,000 years, Cyprus is a living and breathing classroom! One of the oldest civilisations in the Mediterranean, you’ll find a wealth of mesmerising cultural sights and extraordinary remnants here, as well as plenty of fascinating museums and galleries. Situated at the crossroads of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus’ unique geographic position has played an important role in its tempestuous past and the footprints of the civilisations who left their mark on the island are evident at every turn. With classical Greek temples, Roman theatres, early Christian basilicas, Byzantine churches and monasteries, Venetian fortifications, Muslim mosques, and British colonial-style buildings, you’ll never have to look far to find a piece of Cyprus’ fascinating history and culture.

Try something a little different...Sunset Catamaran Cruise Board a luxury catamaran and soak up the stunning views across the Mediterranean Sea on this laidback evening cruise. Relax on the rigging nets and enjoy the lovely sea breeze, before a delicious meal on board. Take advantage of the fully stocked open bar whilst you enjoy the beautiful sunset and stunning views along the illuminated Limassol coastline. This tour promises to deliver the ultimate in relaxation!

Cyprus Turtle Conservation Project For the chance to see some gorgeous marine turtles in their natural habitat, head to the Alagadi Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Centre in the north of the island. Open from late May until late September, a dedicated team of volunteers will be on hand to greet you and provide all the information that you need to know about these enchanting creatures. You can also take part in the night watch programme and head to the beach in the dark to watch the adult female turtles covering up their nests.

Ski in the Troodos Mountains Surprisingly for an island nestled between Greece, Turkey and Egypt, Cyprus has a busy ski season! From January to mid-March, the villages of the Troodos Mountains briefly transform into winter ski resorts. Both Platres and Kakopetria are handy for the ski slopes on Mount Olympus, whilst Troodos is the closest resort to the skiing area.

Walk in the Footsteps of Aphrodite An absolute must during your time in Cyprus is a trip to the Baths of Aphrodite. Set in the gorgeous surroundings of the Akamas Peninsula in the far west of the island, near Polis Chrysochous, the isolated freshwater pool is, where according to legend, the Greek goddess of love bathed and enjoyed trysts with the god, Adonis. Today, the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside is as much of an attraction as the grotto itself.

Visit Kato Paphos Archaeological Park A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kato Paphos Archaeological Site is one of the most important archaeological locations in all of Cyprus and a top tourist hotspot. This ancient walled city is home to spectacular sites and magnificent monuments, dating from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, whilst most remains date back to the Roman period. The complex includes several important monuments, such as the Asklepieion, the Odeion, the Saranta Kolones, the Limeniotissa ruins of an early Christian basilica and the incredible ‘Tombs of the Kings’.

Taste What tasty morsels can you expect from a visit to Cyprus? From handmade halloumi and mouthwatering meze to succulent souvlaki and deliciously sweet loukoumades, there are plenty of dishes to delight foodies. Here are a few specialties we think you should try…

Commandaria The world’s oldest wine still in production, Commandaria is a delicious amber-coloured sweet dessert wine that’s made in the Commandaria region of Cyprus, in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains. Thought to have therapeutic properties, no visit to Cyprus would be complete without picking up a bottle to take home as a souvenir of this incredible island’s rich history!

Souvlaki Charcoal-grilled meat on a small wooden skewer, this Cypriot favourite is served on top of a warm pitta bread with a pickled salad, hummus and tzatziki. Absolutely delicious and probably the most popular ‘fast food’ on the island!

Meze Cyprus is a true haven for food lovers and what better way to sample all the delectable local dishes that the island has to offer, than with a traditional meze?! A rambling meal of dips, snacks and tasty small dishes, Cyprus’ equivalent to tapas is guaranteed to delight your palate!

Loukoumades Sweet tooth? Don’t leave Cyprus without trying this delicious dessert! Made from deep-fried dough balls, which are then soaked in a honey syrup with cinnamon, lovely loukoumades are little bites of heaven!

Halloumi Perhaps the most well-known dish on the Cypriot foodie scene, no trip to the island would be complete without sampling the famous national cheese, halloumi. Eat it for breakfast with some fresh watermelon, try it with some delicious bread and salty olives, or simply enjoy it grilled straight from the barbecue. However you choose to indulge in this savoury treat, it’s a true taste of Cyprus!

TC Recommended: Cyprus

Read more about our Travel Counsellors’ recommendations for a unique experience in Cyprus…

Travel Counsellor Richard visited several Vietnam

destinations on his trip and praises its excellent

value for money:

“We had an early start the next morning as we were

going to Halong Bay for our overnight cruise. We

were keeping our fingers crossed for good weather

as we knew it was the rainy season but as it turned

out, the sun shone brightly so we endured the high

humidity to enjoy a lovely and well-equipped cabin.

The food – wow! We had four endless meals, dish

after dish of delicious food came out.

We then headed to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

This was my favourite part of Vietnam. The streets

were much cleaner than Hanoi, with decent

pavements and it felt much safer crossing the roads!

I recommend visiting the Grand Palace, the prison

and the museum, which has lots of history and is very

popular with tourists.

Overall, Vietnam was excellent value. The service was

great, the people were friendly and curious, there

was really good food, and all our transfer buses were

early apart from one and they called to say they were

delayed. The guides were all very patient, flexible

and knowledgeable, and language was rarely a

problem since almost everyone spoke English.”

TC Recommended: Cyprus Travel Counsellor Christina stayed at La Belle

Vie and aboard Majestic Cruises’ ‘Junk’ ship, and has some sound advice on currency

exchange rates in Vietnam:

We had an absolutely delicious dinner in a local nearby Vietnamese restaurant called ‘Seasons’.

We travelled by coach to Halong Bay (about 4 hours) for a two-day cruise. The ‘Junk’ ship owned by Majestic Cruises was nice and our

cabin spacious enough for one night. We stopped at Sung Sot (Surprise Grotto), a huge cave complex with impressive stalactites and stalagmites accessible along the 500-metre

paved passageway.

Back to the boat and a cooking class before enjoying the serene journey on the top deck

back to Halong Bay Harbour. Halong Bay is beautiful and consequently popular with

tourists but there is enough space to enjoy it. Our guide told us the best times to visit are

September – October and March – April.

Interestingly we were advised to take American Dollars to Vietnam but all change is given in

Vietnamese Dong resulting in an unfavourable exchange rate. We would advise taking

Vietnamese Dong rather than $US to this complex and enchanting country.

Travel Counsellor Lorraine stayed in The Hyatt Regency, Intercontinental Danang and Six

Senses Ninh Van Bay, describing Vietnam as ‘pure bliss’:

“I was staying at the Hyatt Regency and the Intercontinental Danang. Both hotels were

lovely and of great quality, as you would expect from these chains. The people are so friendly and caring and nothing was too much trouble

or effort. Danang is a great beach location. Along with the city vibe you can also do day

trip to Hoi An or Hue from this location as well.

My last stop before home was at the stunning Six Senses Ninh Van Bay and wow this place

was amazing. The location is accessed by speedboat from the mainland where you enter

the beautiful bay and look up to see all the different styles of accommodation. I would

describe it as barefoot luxury/Robinson Crusoe, I loved it here. The whole resort is so cleverly

done, this is where you get away from it all. The only thing you should do here is relax, eating

stunning food, read, swim, be at one with nature and enjoy it. Pure bliss.”

Spending moneyWondering how much spending money you’ll need for your travels? To help you plan your trip, here’s a rough guide to the cost of some of the things you might be buying whilst you’re there!

€50 Three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant

€3.50Domestic

beer

€5Take-awaysouvlaki

€3.50 Cappuccino

€4.50 Admission to the Kato Paphos Archaeological

Park

PARKLANE, A LUXURY COLLECTION

RESORT & SPA, LIMASSOL

Nestled amidst 25 acres of landscaped parkland, the brand-new Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol offers the

ultimate in luxurious relaxation. With three glossy swimming pools, a special all-day facility for

children, a sublime spa area, seven restaurants, four bars, a nightclub and a 300-metre long

stretch of volcanic sand beach, there’s something for all tastes to enjoy here.

OLYMPIC LAGOON RESORT, PAPHOS

Located on the beachfront in Kato Paphos, the outstanding Olympic Lagoon Resort

Paphos offers an endless array of activities to keep you entertained. Boasting five

themed lagoon-style swimming pools, the exquisite Serenity Spa, a varied daytime

activity programme, a wide choice of excellent dining venues and dedicated

evening entertainment, this is the perfect all-inclusive hotel for all ages.

OLYMPIC LAGOON, AYIA NAPA

Located just outside the lively resort of Ayia Napa, on the east coast of the island, this award-winning hotel is just metres away from the beautiful sands of the Blue Flag awarded

‘Landa Golden Beach’. Spacious and luxurious accommodation, an all-new state-of-the-art indoor entertainment arena, new theme restaurants and

theme bar, and a fitness centre and spa all await at this impressive all-inclusive resort.

CONSTANTINOU BROS ATHENA ROYAL BEACH HOTEL

Located on the beachfront in Kato Paphos, the 4* Constantinou Bros Athena Royal Beach Hotel

features plenty of amenities to keep you busy during your stay. The hotel’s excellent location

puts you within easy walking distance of the picturesque harbour, archaeological sites, shops

and nightlife of Kato Paphos. Onsite, you can enjoy three freshwater swimming pools, beautiful private gardens, a relaxing outdoor whirlpool, the exquisite Elixir Spa and a selection of fine-dining

restaurants.

CONSTANTINOU BROS ASIMINA SUITES HOTEL

Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel is one of Cyprus’ finest all-suite resorts. With its wonderful

location, beautiful sandy beach and plush accommodation, this 5* adults-only resort is sure to impress. Spend your days relaxing by one of

the two freshwater swimming pools, indulging in a massage at the Elixir Spa or enjoying a game

of tennis. There’s also a superb selection of restaurants, and if you fancy exploring the local area, the many attractions of Paphos are a short

taxi ride away.

ELIAS BEACH

A luxurious 4* hotel overlooking a ‘Blue Flag’ sandy beach in the ancient Amathus area, the award-winning Elias Beach Hotel offers two beautiful swimming pools, the luxurious Serenity Health Club and Spa, a

choice of elegant restaurants and bars, and a full range of indoor and outdoor leisure facilities. With stunning panoramic views

over the ocean, this slice of paradise is just a short drive from the cosmopolitan town of

Limassol and all its attractions.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIAEmirates have added Cambodia's capital city, Phnom Penh to its daily services launching from Dubai:

• Boeing 777-300ER aicraft

• Seamlessly connecting with flights from major European cities

• Short stopovers in Yangon enables passengers to move between the two cities, with Emirates the only airline to operate between the two

• Phnom Penh represents a gateway to World Heritage Site Angkor Wat

HANOI, VIETNAMTake advantage of Emirates' new non-stop routes between Dubai and Hanoi:

• Emirates passengers travelling to Hanoi will no longer stop in Yangon before reaching the Vietnamese capital

• Enjoy award-winning in-flight entertainment with more than 2,500 channels and free Wi-Fi available on select Emirates aircraft

• In-flight cuisine options with popular Vietnamese dishes

• Routes connects Hanoi to 39 cities in Europe

• Boeing 777-300ER with 42 seats in Business Class and 386 seats in Economy Class

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Additional Emirates services have launched from Dubai, accessible via flights from a number of European destinations, creating new air links to two growing Indochinese locations, while a direct flight to Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, sends passengers straight into the picturesque world of this ambitious city.

Here, we’ve chosen a few of the things we think you should see, do and eat while you’re in Cyprus. We hope it inspires you to journey to the island time

and time again and taste a little of Cypriot life.

Get in touch to build a bespoke itinerary, tailor-made just for you. We’d also love to see your photos and stories on social media, so please share your

memories using #TCexperience