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Archive for the ‘Southern Cyprus’ Category

Omodhos is a beautiful romantic Cypriot mountain village which is located close to some of the Mediterranean’s best beaches. Sitting on the scenic southern slops of the Troodos Mountains, Omodhos is just 20 minutes from the beautiful beach at Kurium Bay and within easy reach of

Omodhos

the beach resorts of Limassol and Paphos. Although temperatures do drop in January and February, Omodhos is a great choice for your winter sun holidays with an average 5 hours of sunshine a day and temperatures which will feel mild compared to those in the UK. The village attracts couples and visitors looking for good quality accommodation at budget prices for their family holidays to Cyprus. Omodhos offers a combination of tradition village life with beach relaxation on the Cyprus coast. The quiet Pissouri Bay is a beautiful clean beach with a variety of water sports on offer and is very popular with families.

The village itself has picturesque narrow streets lined with traditional whitewashed houses, a cobbled village square, cafes, traditional tavernas serving regional cuisine and local wines, old traditional shops selling lace

Omodhos Village

and jewellery and a monastery.

Omodhos is the heart and soul of the Cyprus wine industry, producing high quality local wine. Every August the village hosts a wine festival with exhibitions and events to keep the locals and visitors entertained and also giving people the opportunity to learn about the local wines and culture of Omodhos. If you are lucky enough to visit at this time make sure you see a linos (traditional wine press) and visit the local wineries for tastings, not forgetting to sample the locally produced spirit Zivania.

Walking and hiking are popular pursuits in Omodhos. The village is the oldest of a group of quaint villages in the area, well known for their vineyards and fruit orchards. Wander along the mountain roads which take you from village to village and past some amazing Byzantine churches. Villages like Palaichori and Platanistassa offer charming traditional cafes and amazing landscape of fruit orchards, vineyards and mountain streams. Not only do the Troodos Mountains offer wonderful villages to

Troodos Mountains

explore but they are also home to some very interesting monasteries like Trooditissa and Ayios Ioannis. The Troodos Mountains are designated as a National Forest Park and feature a variety of flora and fauna with oak, maple and pine forests which can be explored by foot or bicycle along the many trails which meander through the mountainside. Watch out for the unusual mouflon (wild sheep) which roam freely in the mountains.

A holiday in Omodhos is not complete without a visit to the coastal town of Paphos. In ancient times Old Paphos was the most important place for worshipping Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love. Named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Paphos is home to the remains of the Roman governor’s palace which houses some amazing mosaic works. Paphos has a great atmosphere both during the day at the beaches and at night when the nightclubs come to life.

Visit Omodhos in the early or late season, especially in the spring when the mountain side is covered with wild flowers and travel deals to Cyprus are plentiful.

Lemesos, also known as Limassol, is a lively Cypriot coast town with lots of old traditional shops and bars along with plenty of tourist-orientated attractions. The older part of Lemesos has a 14th century castle, medieval fort, archaeological museum, many traditional workshops and an exciting market selling jewellery, silverware, leather goods, lace and pottery. Around the old harbour there are some of the town’s best

Lemesos Old Town

restaurants serving both traditional dishes and international cuisine. The Yermasogea area offers a great choice of restaurants and lively nightlife where locals mix with partying tourists. Lemesos offers great value last minute holidays with high standard four and five star accommodation.

Families are attracted to the town for its beautiful sandy beaches including Governor’s Beach, Dassoudi Beach and Armonia Beach. Lemesos offers diving courses for beginners and a variety of water sports. Snorkelling, wind surfing, kite surfing, paragliding, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and the family favourite pedalos are all available from the beaches in Lemesos. The warm clear waters and year round sunshine make perfect conditions for scuba divers with a good choice of dive centres and schools in the resort. There are sites to suit all levels of divers, including the famous Zenobia wreck and Sharks Cove on the Akrotiri Peninsula.

Kolossi Castle

Lemesos is a great base from which to explore the island. Explore the 15th century Kolossi Castle, marvel at the ancient city of Kourion and enjoy a relaxing wine tasting tour in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains. In September Lemesos hosts the annual Wine Festival where the public are treated to wine sampling, folk dancing and live music. There are many excursions to choose from including trips to Paphos, Nicosia and the traditional Cypriot villages of Lefkara and Omodhos. If you take a winter holiday in Lemesos you may get the opportunity to enjoy some skiing on Mount Olympus which is part of the Troodos Mountain range.

Away from the beach there is plenty for families to enjoy on their cheap holidays to Lemesos including water parks, jeep tours, camel rides, golf, go-karting and bowling. Children will love the Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park and Fasouri Watermania with their pools, slides and flumes. Take a boat trip from the harbour and experience the beautiful coastline. There are different types of boat trip to choice from including snorkelling trips, fishing expeditions, catamaran rides and

Zenobia wreck

romantic sunset cruises.

Lemesos enjoys a very dry climate with temperatures reaching 25C-35C and up to 13 hours of sunshine a day. Evening temperatures are rarely cold in the summer making this the ideal time to dine al fresco and enjoy a glass or two of locally produced wine. Spring and autumn see temperatures around the mid 20′s, making this a perfect time for nature lovers to enjoy walking or cycling in the cooler Troodos Mountains.

Kakopetria is a village sitting between the Kargotis and Garillis Rivers, just over 30 miles from Nicosia. Standing at an altitude of 667 metres it is the highest village in the Solea Valley. The pure mountain air and authentic atmosphere here make Kakopetria the perfect destination for a relaxing holiday. During the winter months Kakopetria makes an ideal base for skiing on Mount Olympus in the Troodos Mountains. The

Kakopetria

whole of the old town is a protected national monument with tiny streets lined with old stone houses and historic churches and buildings. Stroll around and soak up the amazing atmosphere before relaxing over a quiet meal or drink at one of the traditional tavernas that are found in the shady town square.

This authentic romantic mountain village offers traditional shops, a market and some great cafes and bars serving traditional local cuisine and local wines. If you enjoy a glass or two of wine a visit to one of the mountain wineries to sample some of the local vintages is a must on your holidays to Kakopetria.

The area is steeped in history with many ancient monasteries and Byzantine churches, including Kykkos Monastery which is one of the most famous in Cyprus. Historical places to visit include Paphos which is a

Kykkos Monastery

World Heritage Site. Here you will find the Tombs of the Kings, the House of Dionysis, Paphos Castle and the Archaeological Museum.

The thick forests, beautiful valleys and array of flora and fauna attract walkers, hikers, nature lovers and bird watchers. There are many marked trails that will guide you through vineyards and orchards, passing mountain streams and old churches on your way. Pears, apples, plums, apricots, peaches and cherries are grown in the regions orchards. A hike along one of the scenic routes to the Troodos Mountains will give you the chance to explore the amazing monasteries dotted about on the mountain side. Another way to explore the beautiful countryside is by mountain bike. There are many trails that lead riders through different types of terrain, including easier ones for visitors just wanting a leisurely ride and more challenging ones for the more experienced and adventurous. Other ways to explore the countryside include jeep safaris and horse riding excursions.

Troodos Mountains

The south coast beaches near Limassol are ideal for some relaxation, swimming and water sports. There are also excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities along the coast. For golfers there are several golf courses a short drive away from Kakopetria.

The climate here is hot and dry in the summer but not as hot as the holiday resorts along the coast. Temperatures often reach 30C but the cool mountain air makes it more pleasant and less humid than at the coastal resorts. Kakopetria enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year, even April sees 8 hours of sunshine a day, an ideal time to book one of the many holiday deals available to Cyprus.

Spring and autumn are the best times for cheap package holidays to Kakopetria. Spring sees the region burst into life with the mountainside covered in beautiful flowers and the trees in the fruit orchards covered in blossom. Autumn is ideal for walking and hiking in the warm sunny climate that the area enjoys at this time of the year.

Located on the outskirts of the popular resort of Protaras, Pernera attracts families and couples looking for quiet relaxing holidays. Just 30 minutes from Protaras and less than an hour from Larnaca, this lovely beach resort has the most quiet, uncrowded beach in the area, complete with a good choice of beach-front restaurants.

Pernera

 Pernea itself has a good selection of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops but for a more wider choice of restaurants and tavernas you will have to go to Protaras. And for more livlier entertainment you will need to visit the famous resort of Ayia Napa.

Pernera beach itself is one of the nicest sandy beaches on the eastern coast of Cyprus. All of the beaches around Protaras have fine sandy beaches with calm clear blue waters which make them an excellent choice for families with young children. The Protaras offers an abundance of watersports including diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, paragliding, water-skiing, jet-skiing, speed boats and banana boat rides. Pernera has its own dive centre which offers everything from dives for beginners and fish feeding dives to dives to the Zenobia wreck which is one of the world’s top diving wrecks. Whilst diving here you will encounter reefs, caves and no end of fascinating marine life including parrot fish, rays, sea bass, groupers and eels.

Fig Tree Bay

The area around Perera is great for walks to explore the surrounding sights. Walking to the west of Pernera you will reach Fig Tree Bay beach, Flamingo beach and the resort of Kepparis. To the north there are small secluded coves just waiting to be discovered. The whole family will enjoy exploring the beautiful unspoilt coastline around the headland at Cape Greko to the south of Pernera. There is an excellent scienic coastal path from Protaras to Ayia Napa beach which takes you past ancient ruins and sea caves.

Coastal Walk

There are lots of places to see when taking one of the many holiday packages on offer to Cyprus including the capital Nicosia with its unique old town, Larnaca with its old fort and museums, Protaras, Ayia Napa and the traditional Cypriot village of Paralimni. A great day out for the whole family is a visit to the Troodos Mountains where you will discover lots of quaint traditional villages, pine forests, hiking trails, Byzantine churches and the highest point on the island, Mount Olympus.  

When the children want a break from the beautiful beaches there is a local waterpark and also the larger Water World at Ayia Napa. A mix of Ancient Greece and modern rides, the Ayia Napa waterpark is a must for the kids and adults alike when on your cheap holidays to this wonderful island.

Peyia is a quiet sleepy village in Southern Cyprus,  located inland from Coral Bay, about 20 minutes north from Paphos.

Peyia

Ideal for visitors looking for a traditional holiday, Peyia is a quaint hillside village with narrow streets lined with traditional whitewashed houses. The ancient hillside church here forms the heart of the village.
Evenings here are mainly spent in the village square where you will find tavernas which serve a variety of great fish, seafood and traditional meze.

Because of it’s hillside location there are magnificent views of the Cyprus

Peyia

 coastline and the Akamas Peninsular. There are great opportunities for walking and exploring the surrounding countryside which has banana plantations, vineyards and fruit orchards.

The wonderful European Blue Flag beach at Coral Bay is located under two miles from the village and the beaches of Paphos are just a bit further afield.
Coral Bay not only offers a beautiful beach but also great diving, swimming and watersports, and seafront dining.
Paphos on the other hand is much livelier with lots of nightlife along with sandy beaches, an attractive harbour and ancient ruins.

Coral Bay

Both Coral Bay and the beaches at Paphos offer watersports including scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, paragliding, jet-skiing, water-skiing and sailing.

The Troodos Mountains, coastal villages of Polis and Latchi, seaside resorts of Nicosia and Limassol, the Baths of Aphrodite and the ever charming Ayia Georgios harbour all offer a great day out.

Peyia enjoys hot dry summers and mild winters with around 12 hours of sunshine a day from May through till September. June till September enjoys temperatures up to 30C with lovely warm evenings, ideal for strolling around the village.

The sleepy village of Peyia is the perfect choice for package holidays where you can combine traditional Cypriot village life with a beach holiday.

If you are looking for a location perfectly situated for exploring scenic Cyprus and the Akamas Peninsula or even a winter skiing holiday there are lots of cheap holidays to Peyia available throughout the internet.