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.

The Elea Golf Club in Cyprus has announced its golf-course designed by six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo will open this autumn.
The par-71 course will be at the centre of the Elea Estate Paphos, which comprises of Luxury villas and apartments, a boutique hotel and spa facilities, beside the Mediterranean Sea.
“This golf course certainly has the potential to play a pivotal role in establishing this part of the world as a leading European golf destination,” said Faldo. “When we designed the golf course at Elea Golf Club we decided to put the emphasis on thoughtful, rather than big-hitting, golf and there are plenty of strategic riddles for the golfer to explore and unravel over all 18 holes.”
The course has been designed to allow partridges, birds of prey, butterflies and lizards to continue living around the course.

Love golf?  Book your direct holidays to Cyprus and enjoy this ecologically friendly course and surroundings.

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/

NICOSIA – A late goal by Falcao gave Porto a 1-0 win over APOEL Nicosia in Champions League Group D on Tuesday and a place in the knockout stages.

Falcao grabbed the only goal of the game with a low shot after a smart turn at the edge of the box in the 84th minute in a fast-paced match where both sides missed several good chances.

APOEL goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis made two brilliant stops to thwart Porto.

Hulk raced through from midfield but Chiotis dived at his feet to deny him in the 30th minute and the keeper also saved from Falcao in the 55th.

APOEL’s best chance came in the 70th minute but Nenad Mirosavljevic’s weak shot from close range was saved by Helton.