When most people think of Cyprus, the first thing that springs to mind is glorious weather and great temperatures. However, there is more to this amazing island than good weather and beach holidays. Between December and March the Troodos Mountains in the south of the island

Troodos Mountains

offer fantastic skiing opportunities including the Troodos International Ski Competition in March. The competition is under the auspices of the International Ski Federation and challenges skiers with an International Slalom and Giant Slalom race held on the Dias Slope. The piste on the Dias Slope is maintained with the help of three computerised mobile snow guns.

The Troodos Mountains run through the middle of the island and offer spectacular scenery, quaint mountain villages and some wonderful Byzantine monasteries and churches of which nine are listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Apart from skiing, the mountains offer excellent nature walks (created by the Forestry Department) through the forests where you will discover some rich flora and fauna along with some interesting sites. The Troodos Mountains are divided into six districts: Troodos district around Mount Olympus, Machairas, Pitsillia, Marathassa Valley, Soleas Valley and Krassochoria.

The skiing season in Cyprus usually starts in January and lasts until the end of March. Mount Olympus, which is located in the Troodos Mountains, offers skiing opportunities in January and February. Most of the southern half of Cyprus is occupied by the Troodos Mountains of

Dias Slope

which Mount Olympus, at 6402 feet, is the highest peak. Other peaks in the area stand at 5000 feet and above. From some of the slopes you can look-out over the beautiful Mediterranean Sea and on a clear day see the snow-capped Taurus Mountains of Turkey.

The ski resorts in Cyprus are not huge like other skiing destinations but where else can you ski in the morning and then relax on the beach in the afternoon? The resort itself is split into two interconnecting parts, each served by two lifts, with four T-bar lifts, X trails and 600 foot vertical drop. Beginner slopes are located in Sun Valley, the official centre of the skiing activities.

Interesting places to visit in the Troodos Mountains on your family holidays to Cyprus:

Pitsillia

The beautiful village of Pitsillia is set on the eastern slopes of the mountains amid orchards of almonds and hazelnuts, vineyards and amazing wild flowers.
Agros, where you will find a 19th century Byzantine church which stands where the monastery of Panayia Eleousa Argou once stood. You will also find gardens full of fragrant roses and cool refreshing springs.
Around 10 miles from Agros is Palaichori where you will find the church of the transfiguration of the saviour. Overlooking the village, this 16th century church has an interesting series of murals painted on its inside walls.
18 miles from Limassol in the village of Louvaras is the church of Ayios Mamas which was constructed in 1455. Some of the inside walls have paintings on them signed by Philip Goul.

The Troodos Skiing Centre sits between two high peaks and is an excellent place to stay on your direct holidays to Cyprus.

Date …. Sunday 4th December
Place …. Aphrodite Hills Resort Village Square

Located near Paphos in the southwest of Cyprus, the Aphrodite Hills Resort offers five star facilities and services including an 18-hole

Christmas in Cyprus

championship Golf Course and Golf Academy, Tennis Academy with multi-surface courts, a Greco-Roman retreat spa and an exclusive Beach Club. The resort overlooks the area where it is said Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, emerged from the sea. At the heart of the resort is an enchanting Village Square with restaurants, bars, shops and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. If you are lucky enough to be on your family holidays to Cyprus at the beginning of December you will be able to visit the traditional Christmas Market in the Village Square. The market provides a warm festive atmosphere that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Aphrodite Hills Village Square

Every year the Aphrodite Hills Resort Village Square is transformed into an amazing Christmas Market. Christmas carols resound around the village as children visit Santa in his grotto where they receive a gift. At the market you will find everything you need from gift ideas to Christmas decorations and lots more to make your Christmas a happy fun-filled time.

Youngsters will love the Children’s corner with Santa’s grotto, the nativity manger, face painting and all kinds of arts and crafts.

Wander around the market visiting stalls selling Christmas cakes, gingerbread houses, pastries and cookies, beautiful handmade items, fine art, jewellery, mosaics and not forgetting a great range of children’s toys. Don’t forget to have a tipple or two of

Aphrodite Hills Golf Course

gluhwein (mulled wine) as you explore this exciting market.

The festive season is a great time for late deals to Cyprus which are available throughout the internet.

2nd – 11th September 2011
“Drink Wine, It Gives You Life”

The Limassol (Lemesos) Wine Festival in Cyprus takes place every year for two weeks from late August into September. The festival which

Limassol Wine Festival Entrance

attracts thousands of visitors takes place in the Limassol Municipal Gardens which are located on the east side of the town by the sea. Entrance to the festival is via three entrances. The south entrance has a giant statue of a Cypriot winegrower in traditional costume. The festival kicks off with the traditional pressing (treading) of the grapes which is a spectacle not to be missed on your direct holidays to Cyprus in September.

Cyprus has been producing wine for over 4000 years hence the festival, which dates back to ancient times, is dedicated to Dionysos, the God of Wine and to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Beauty and Love.

Scores of Limassol wineries and vineyards display their locally produced wine which can be sampled free of charge. Theatrical performances, folkloric dances and songs are performed to visitors by local and international artistic groups. And of course there is plenty of sampling of the local cuisine and wines such as Muscats, pine-flavoured Retsinas and the renowned dessert wine Commanderia. Other entertainment includes orchestral performances, magic and comedy shows. Visitors on their bargain holidays to Cyprus will not be disappointed by this friendly atmospheric festival.

Limassol

The Limassol (or Lemesos) Carnival takes place every year at the start of Lent.

Limassol Carnival

The Carnival celebrations in Limassol originate from Greek mythology and the Dionysiac festivals, dating back hundreds of years. During the carnival period Limassol celebrates with 10 days of parties, parades and music. The streets where the festivities take place are magnificently decorated, particularly around the Medieval Castle which was the site of a royal wedding in the Middle Ages between Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria of Navarre.
The arrival of the Carnival King heralds the start of the celebrations (4th February), followed by a children’s parade on the first Sunday (7th February), various music shows and finally the Grand Carnival Parade which takes place on the last Sunday (14th February) of the Carnival season.
Serenaders, traditionally called ‘Cantadori’, travel the streets during the day on floats, playing guitars and mandolins. At night there are fancy-dress parties take place all around the city at night and around the Medieval Castle.
The first week of Carnival is called the Meat Week (Kreatini), as it is the last week for eating meat before Easter. The second week is known as the cheese week (Tyrini) as this is when cheese and other dairy products may be eaten. The Pentecoste, which is the period of 50 days of fasting before Easter, commences with Green Monday right after the end of the Carnival.

Direct holidays to Cyprus are available throughout the internet.

Akamas Hill

Cyprus International 4-Day Challenge

Akamas National Park, Paphos, Cyprus
26 – 29 Nov 2009

The Cyprus International 4-Day Challenge is an adventurous event that offers an excellent mixture of traditional road running and spectacular trail running.

With four races over four days, runners compete for two holiday packages for worth over €2500. The times for each race are added together to determine a winner at the end of the four days.

After the 6km Coral Beach trial run on day one, the 11km Akamas Hill Run in the nature reserve park offers sea views and sweeping vistas. The Akamas half marathon takes place on day three, while the last race of the series, the 10km Paphos City Run, can also be run as a race on its own.

The Akamas National Park is situated at the westernmost point of Cyprus in Paphos, the peninsula is a rugged thumb-shaped strip of land criss-crossed by rocky hiking trails.

visit   http://www.cypruschallenge.com/