There are many places in Cyprus stay at, but a couple of places that really offer true luxury to their patrons are the Anassa, and the Almyra. Both of these amazing hotels have views which face the beaches, and are set in their own little oasis of calm and serenity.

From the outside, the Anassa is a veritable palace of marble. It looks out across the waters of one of Cyprus’ finest beaches to the Akamas peninsula and the baths of Aphrodite. It is surrounded by peaceful gardens and cool courtyards, and inside the classic interiors reflect the history of the island with many venetian frescoes and roman style mosaics. The hotel is designed with a byzantine village in mind, and combines traditional architecture with complete privacy. You can choose to stay in a guest villa with panoramic sea views, or perhaps a romantic suite with a private plunge pool facing the sea. Whatever you opt for, you will receive an excellent service in a setting of high luxury.

The Almyra is sister hotel to the Anassa and is a short walk from Paphos, and is set in eight acres of it’s own gardens all of which overlook a beautiful sandy beach that is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. There are many spacious rooms here, and the Almyra is a great choice for families as it is within easy walking distance of both the town and the castle. It also has a service called ‘Baby go lightly’ which allows parents to pre-order amenities for their baby making it extremely convenient as you can make sure you have what you want available before you get there. The Almyra also has the Kyma suites, these have a shared rooftop terrace which is candlelit at night and really is just the most perfect viewing point from which to enjoy the breathtaking views of Paphos’ fishing harbout and historical fort.
Whichever you choose, these two hotels really are set up to offer just that bit extra in terms of luxury, and each has lots of amenities from spas to dining, swimming pools to plunge pools and much more beyond.

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Elegant Resorts

The recession in Europe is now being felt in the Mediterranean holiday island’s tourism market with the rate of decline in arrivals accelerating in August — the peak month for holidaymakers.

Between January and August, 1.47 million tourist arrivals were recorded, compared with 1.66 million over the same period last year.

In August alone, arrivals were 291,583 as against 328,100 in August 2008 — a sizeable year-on-year decline of 11.1 percent.

There was a hefty 31.9 percent decline in arrivals from Russia, followed by Britain, the island’s largest holiday market, with a decrease of 11.5 percent and a lower 5.3 percent dip from Sweden.

However, there was a 15.8 percent increase in tourists from Norway and a 2.3 percent improvement in the number of Germans visiting.

The government estimates that arrivals will be down 10 percent for 2009 as a whole. To help ease the crisis, Cypriots were urged to holiday at home with subsidised hotel stays for lower income groups.

Almost six percent fewer Cypriots travelled abroad in July.

Most tourists to Cyprus come from recession-hit European Union countries.

Total tourism receipts for 2008 dropped 3.5 percent to 1.79 billion euros (2.5 billion dollars) from 1.85 billion euros (2.6 billion dollars) in 2007.

Tourism contributes around 12 percent of the island’s GDP.

Bumper tourism revenues helped the island achieve GDP growth of 4.4 percent in 2007 and 3.7 percent in 2008, and hotel bookings are said to be around 20 percent down this summer.

Cyprus’s economy shrank 0.4 percent in the second quarter to June after a 0.6 percent drop in the first three months of 2009, the state statistics department confirmed on Monday.

Year-on-year, GDP in the first six months shrank 1.1 percent compared to 2008.

Despite the gloomy figures, the finance ministry has not yet revised its GDP growth forecast of one percent for this year.

In 2008, tourist arrivals fell 0.5 percent to 2.40 million, down from 2.41 million a year earlier. It was only the fourth time year-on-year tourism numbers had dropped since 1996.

Copyright © 2009 AFP

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“This prestigious hotel is renowned for its 5 outdoor pools, award winning spa, extensive leisure facilities and excellent range of dining options. September is the perfect time to visit, with the combination of warm hospitality and tranquil surroundings.

Depart from Gatwick, Manchester, Bournemouth or Humberside. Choice of dates 9th, 12th, 16th, 23rd, 30th September.
Return taxi transfers from the airport to hotel are included.

Based on 2 sharing a large double bedded room for 7 nights with garden view. Fleuri Restaurant only.

The Cyprus coastline measures 648km.

Cyprus offers over 300 days of sunshine a year. From April to September you can enjoy an average of over 11 hours of bright sunshine a day.

The Turkish invasion in 1974 forced 142,000 people out of their homes.

Lefkosia (Nicosia) is the last divided capital in the world.

Geologists say that the rocks of Cyprus were created during the Cretaceous period, making them 150 million years old.

The Ammochostos Castle in Cyprus was the setting of Shakespeare’s “Othello”.

Cyprus is split into many different regions, each with their own personalities and attractions. All of them are known for their wonderful beaches, hospitality and 5 star resorts and hotels that dot the coastlines. The beaches are well-kept and clean, usually with lifeguards on duty. Planning luxury vacation in Cyprus is very easy to do, and it is very tourist friendly.

One of the most well-known areas of Cyprus is the stunning Phinikoudes Beach in the Larnaca region. Surrounding the beach area are many different restaurants and shops that cater to the many different needs of the beach goers. Five star service is the norm at Phinikoudes Beach, and no where is that more evident than the Golden Bay Beach Hotel, an establishment that believes in pampering its guests so that they may truly relax during their stay. The amenities are abundant and the staff is meticulous about catering to the guests’ needs.

Paphos is another area of Cyprus that must be seen. Located on the eastern part of the island, this area is also known for its snorkeling and underwater diving activities. One of the finest places to stay on this part of the island is the finely appointed Elysium Beach Resort. Located directly on the beach, this hotel has much to offer guests, especially in the way of the deluxe accommodations and different types of food that are available in its many restaurants.

Another region that is a hotspot for those that want to take a vacation to Cyprus is Lemesos. Lemesos has many different beaches to choose from. The Aphrodite Beach is an appealing choice, as is the Onisilos Beach. Lemesos also offers luxury accommodations. The famed Four Seasons Hotel is located in Limassol will be sure to please. Newly renovated, this hotel boasts an exclusive spa, multiple restaurants and offers activities to please all ages.

One of the smaller 5 star hotels is in Ammochostos. The Alion Beach Hotel only has around 100 rooms, but its privacy and committment to superior service make it a notable place to stay in Cyprus. The views are wonderful, especially from the outdoor breakfast bar that is available for its guests. This small hotel proves that bigger isn’t always better in the name of luxury.

Cyprus is a world-renowned holiday spot that has it all. Historical landmarks, vibrant nightlife, great shopping and sunny weather are just some of the things that luxury holidays in Cyprus can offer.

Kato Pafos includes the seafront and harbour area, with something for those craving activity as well as the lazy sunbather! Spend your days jet skiing, parasailing, diving or snorkelling before a swift trip to the vast water park. It’s also a great place for cycling, with extensive cycle-routes mapped out through the beautiful backdrop of Paphos. And when you need a well-earned rest; the beaches are stunning and the surroundings magnificent.

Take a stroll along the harbour, past the local fishermen and you’ll reach the numerous restaurants and bars. From local Cypriot seafood dishes to Chinese and Italian, there’s something for every member of the family. As the Sun starts to set, Paphos becomes alive with music and people aplenty, all creating a fantastic ambience. The harbour front is extremely vivacious with lots going on and you simply can’t miss out on the impressive evening boat cruises.

A short trip inland documents the other side to Paphos – Paphos Town, an atmospheric hill town made up of charming cafes and beautiful villas, and strongly linked to Greek mythology. Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love and beauty is said to have come from the waves and crashed on the shores to reside here. It’s worth renting a car for a couple of days to really take in everything Paphos has to offer.

Visit The Tomb of the Kings for a historical masterpiece that dates back to the 4th Century BC. Aesthetically delightful with Doric pillars and carved out of solid rock, these were the final resting place for high officials. Yet their impressiveness and magnificence brought about its momentous name.

Venturing back towards the harbour, one comes across the Paphos Castle. First built as a Byzantine fort with the sole aim of protection for its picturesque harbour – job well done, we must say – it changed hands through various settlers in the region until it was dismantled by the Venetians in 1570. The Ottomans eventually restored it and fast-forward to 1935, the cornerstone of the Paphos region was declared an ancient monument. The castle grounds host various cultural affairs such as the Paphos Aphrodite Festival, a famous annual opera.

Paphos airport lies just 9 miles north of the town and with an increase in budget flights to the area, it has become accessible directly and very cheap. The diverse holiday crowd is reflected in the accommodation choices. From beachfront luxury hotels to hill-top villas, as well as self catering apartments for the super-active, there’s the accommodation to suit every choice and budget.

Whether it’s action-packed water fun or delving into the ancient mythology, as you sip your refreshing cocktail watching the sun set by the harbour, you’ll being to wish you had another week here!

The weather in Cyprus is sunny and pleasant about 8-9 months of the year. The short winter starts in October and will only last until about January. For those who are looking to arrive for ski vacations in Cyprus these are available between January and mid March and the Troodos mountains offer some fantastic ski resorts and great slopes.

Nicosia, the island capital, is a thriving town combining history and culture with modernity and advancement. The southern part of the city offers nightclubs and shopping while the northern part is more traditional with ancient ruins, galleries, museums and parks.

Limassol, the second largest city, lies along the Akrotiri bay in the southern parts. It has become a centre for tourists where one could find fantastic resorts, luxury hotels, festivals and archeological sites.

Aya Napa is perhaps the most popular resort town in Cyprus. Located in the south East, it attracts young tourists worldwide who come to lie in the magnificent sandy beaches, take part in water sports, and enjoy a vibrant night scene that includes clubs, bars and pubs. It is also a major site for festivals including the national festival in February, the Ocean festival in May and the Wine festival in September.

For a bit of outdoor activity, the Troodos Mountains, reaching 1952 meters in the highest point of the Olympus- the Chionistra, offer a fantastic getaway. This great national reserve offers hikes, ski, 4×4 driving and other activities. This can all be done between waterfalls, local churches and monasteries, and local villages that produce fantastic local red wines.

Thomas Cook offer great deals on holidays to Cyprus, this includes family holidays, all inclusive holidays and package holidays to the island.

You can get daily direct flights to Cyprus from most UK airports and with flight times at around 4 hours Cyprus makes for a great summer holiday destination.

You’ll find Limassol encompasses the full seaside-city type holiday resort. With beautiful, busy beaches and generous watersports facilities, a wander around lets you experience the charm of this laid-back yet fun-loving resort. Think bustling little shopping streets full of character, local Cypriot eateries scattered amongst international restaurants and an array of interesting and extraordinary people and you’ll be some way to understanding why boredom is not an option in Limassol.

Beaches are aplenty and whilst the sandy beach of Avmidou must be sampled, one can be rewarded for venturing out a few miles either way to discover some beautiful, untouched natural havens.

The much-celebrated nightlife of Limassol is vast in choice and the most acclaimed in Cyprus. From smart and funky inner city clubs, to laid back seafront bars; there’s something to sample each and every night.

When the sunburn kicks in and you perhaps want a day away from the beach or if you had one to many beers the night before and perhaps need a healthy does of fresh Cypriot air then do not despair, Limassol offer much more to the discerning tourist. Museums such as the Medieval Museum and the Folk Art Museum offer an insight into the often overlooked, yet hugely interesting history, of this attractive Island. Take a trail around the Troodos Mountains which offers interesting excursions and beautiful scenery so close to the city. And with castles and convents aplenty, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to embrace the culture before heading back to the sand!

Limassol is the centre of winemaking in Cyprus. This dates back to the Middle Ages when Richard the Lionheart infiltrated the Island renowned for its wine and sugar cane. The culture reflects this with the Annual Wine Festival every September which is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike for ten days. The dedicated wine-lover simply must also take a daytrip to one of the local wineries to experience the production and taste of the local produce.

The four hour flight route has now been taken up by many budget airlines and flights to the local airport, Larnaca, are direct and cheap. A short ride away from the airport and with many of the city’s hundreds of hotels offering airport-pick up service, Limassol is a very accessible resort. If you can, avoid peak times for great hotel deals, as the Cypriot summer lasts almost all year.

Limassol captures the city-living urban style with a laid-back seaside influence and it works! History and culture reside efficiently with the buzz and excitement of a major city resort. Such is the close proximity and ease of travel around Limassol, you could be chilling on the beach, refreshing in your hotel and sampling the fresh seafood produce with friends outside a charming Cypriot restaurant all within the hour. Limassol presents an envious lifestyle and you might just not want to go back home!

Ayia Napa has become somewhat renowned for its nightlife. Brits flock to the resort every summer to enjoy all night parties with world-class DJs. While the wild ways of Brits abroad may grab the headlines, but put your beer down and take a look around, you’ll find there’s a lot more to this once-fishing village than meets the eye.

Take the Ayia Napa festival for starters. Located in a Venetian-style monastery in a charming location, it gives holidaymakers an insight into Cypriot folklore with theatrical performances, concerts and dancing. First held in 1985, it’s a free event and eagerly-awaited every year until it kicks off in the tourist season.

If you’re looking for something that will get your adrenaline pumping a little bit more, then you should really tap into the watersports available in Ayia Napa. Whether it’s water skiing, speed boating, canoeing, windsurfing or scuba-diving there’s something for each and every water baby. Clean, safe, well-marshalled beaches are the norm, and it’s quite likely you won’t have snorkelled in such stunning surroundings.

For those craving culture, Ayia Napa doesn’t disappoint. A number of museums aim to educate, impress and stress the importance of preserving the beautiful environment of Ayia Napa. The Tornartis – located in the Town Hall – exhibits Marine life of past and present. Exhibitions of note include at reconstruction of a sea-bed during prehistoric times, fish fossils from the Mesozoic period (up to 60 million years old) and vast aquariums of beautiful Cypriot fish species.

One can’t visit the Cypriot hotspot without sampling the wonderful food. While the town centre may be littered with fast-food joints and kebab shops to cater for the partygoer, venture a few minutes out of town to find some enchanting treats. You can probably guess the local speciality – seafood. But don’t confuse this with your generic European dish. Think fresh Red Snapper, Calamari, and Octopus combined with delicious dips such as tzatziki, taramosalata and tahini, throw in some Middle-Eastern
influence and you’re on the right lines.

For the thrill-seeking holidaymaker, take a ten-minute trip out to Cape Greco, where dwells the alleged Ayia Napa Sea Monster. Spotted only a dozen or so times and described as porpoise-dragon cross, legend has it, it’s a direct descendent from prehistoric times.

Travel to Ayia Napa is direct and frequent. Flights from the UK typically travel to the International Airport of Larnaca, just a thirty minute drive away from the centre of Ayia Napa. With the Cypriot winter months just December and January, avoid the peak British summer months for cheaper travel and more reasonable rates.

So if you’ve always dismissed Ayia Napa for it’s party-town reputation, or perhaps you’re a regular visitor guilty of not venturing out of the bar, open your eyes and see the undoubted charm on offer. Just watch out for the Sea Monster!

In 2006, the International Blue Flag Jury awarded the Blue Flag to 49 beaches in 13 coastal communities and municipalities in Cyprus. Among them were Agia Triada Beach, Skoutari Beach, and Mouzuora Beach.

Agia Triada Beach

This beach is used primarily as a boat-launching area because the water is so shallow. At Agia Triada, the sand is a little coarse, but the beach provides more privacy since tourists tend to avoid the area due to a lack of restaurants.

Skoutari Beach

At Skoutari, the sand is hard-packed and contains a bay where tourists snorkel. This beach is a little more populated because there are good restaurants nearby.

Mouzuora Beach

This beach is popular with Cypriots and serious swimmers. Lounging on Mouzuora is not an option since the sand banks slope so dramatically. However, the water is clear and beautiful for swimming! Parking is ample and there are hotels and restaurants nearby.

For none beach-dwellers, there are thousands of other attractions to see in Cyprus! Visit the Cyprus Museum, a storehouse of the island’s archaeological treasures, the Folk Art Museum, the new Archbishop’s Palace, St. John’s Cathedral, Byzantine churches, the Byzantine Museum/Makarios Cultural Center, and the Ömeriye Mosque.

If you are visiting Cyprus at the end of May, check out the annual International State Fair. If your travels bring you to Cyprus in the beginning of June, go see the Nicosia Arts Festival.

For other excursions, visit the Nicosia area to see the Royal Tombs and Agios Irakleidios Monastery at Tamassos. Enjoy the beautiful five-dome church and the mosque in Peristerona, or the Panagia Chrysospiliotissa Church in a cliff-side cave near Deftera.

If you desire more seclusion, visit Paphos, the capital of Cyprus’s western region. With a population of only 27,000 inhabitants, Paphos provides a serene environment for its visitors. Among its attractions are the beautiful old harbor, Paphos’s ancient mosaic floors, its modern hotels and restaurants near the seaside promenade. Other attractions include an archaeological museum, the Byzantine castle of Paphos, the Tombs of the Kings, St. Paul’s Pillar and the Temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.

Another popular Cyprus destination is Limassol, which is situated in the south of the island. Limassol is Cyprus’s main industrial and maritime area, and also the second biggest town in the country. Tourists flock to the Berengaria Castle, which is where Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria.

Whether you desire historical sights or beautiful beaches, Cyprus has it all!