Ktima. Paphos. Kato Paphos

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1 Cyprus is an island of breathtaking scenery, with beautiful sandy beaches set against a landscape of rugged cliffs, dense pine forests, field after field of vines, citrus and banana trees, and 127 endemic flower varieties found nowhere else in the world. Steeped in mythology and widely believed to be Anthony's gift to Cleopatra and the birthplace of Aphrodite, this island, with its high standard of modern-day living, still retains a strong sense of the historic in the smaller mountain villages, it is as though time has stood still for centuries. throughout the island. The currency is in pounds and cents in the same denominations as the British pounds and pence, driving is on the left; electricity is 240v using 3-pin plugs and telecommunication services are good. No vaccinations are required and both public and private healthcare services are of a very high standard. Probably one of the nicest areas of Cyprus is the western region of Paphos and, as this is also where we are based, we have focussed mostly on our region in this guide. However, throughout Cyprus you will find scenic, cultural, historical and, of course, romantic locations all of which are easily accessible by car. Rolling vineyards are typical of the Paphos region Part of the UNESCO listed Heritage site at Kato Paphos Recognised as the most sun-sure spot in the eastern mediterranean, Cyprus enjoys an average of 340 sunny days per year and low annual rainfall. Wherever you go, you will find that the local people are friendly and welcoming, and that English is widely spoken The Paphos Region Strike out in any direction from the main towns and, within a few kilometres, you are in an area of rugged hills and rolling countryside or long stretches of sandy beaches.the Paphos region, which spans the whole western area beginning just a short distance east of Paphos International airport, includes monasteries, mosaics, nature reserves, gorges, pine forests, vine-yards and wineries, small mountain villages and golf courses, as well as the beaches, shops, bars and restaurants in and around the main resorts of Paphos, Coral Bay, Polis and Latchi. 13

2 Well-connected to the rest of the island by scenic coastal routes or motorway, the furthest-most resorts of Ayia Napa and Protaras are reachable within three hours, Larnaca and Nicosia within two hours and Limassol within 45 minutes of Paphos. The beautiful Troodos mountain resorts of Omodos, Platres and Kakopetria are just one or two hours away. Charming and picturesque in Kato is the pedestrianised harbour area adjacent to the Byzantine Fort, built to protect the harbour from invaders in times past. From here you can take local cruises and glass-bottom-boat trips, which run several times daily in the long summer season, or just relax and enjoy the view from one of the harbour-side fish restaurants or cafes. Scuba-diving is particularly good in this area and there are many interesting sites and wrecks to explore. Places of interest/activities in Kato include: The mosaics of Paphos; The Tombs of the Kings; The Medieval Fort; Panayia Chrysopolitissa Church and Byzantine Basilica; Aphrodite Waterpark; Paphos Aquarium; scuba diving and watersports. The serenity of the harbour at Kato Paphos Paphos Once divided into two geographically-separate areas, Kato (lower) Paphos and Ktima or Pano (upper) Paphos have gradually expanded and joined to form one large town. There are so many historical and archaelogical sites within upper and lower Paphos that UNESCO decided against listing them all separately and simply added the whole town to it's world Cultural Heritage List.Characteristically, however, Kato Paphos and Ktima remain very distinct from each other. Both have their own historic and cultural sites and attractions but Kato Paphos is the beach, harbour and tourist resort, whilst Ktima is the residential, retail and commercial area. Kato Paphos Under Roman rule, Kato Paphos was the capital of Cyprus. With the decline of the Roman Empire, the capital moved to and remains at Nicosia. Nowadays, Kato Paphos is the 'Western Cyprus Riviera' and most hotels, bars, nightclubs etc, in the Region are situated along this coastal strip. Many Cypriots, as well as international tourists, choose to spend their holidays here and there can be no better recommendation than local recommendation. Ktima Built on an elevated, rocky escarpment, the central town area of Ktima was perfectly designed to make itself virtually impenetrable from attack. Apart from the panoramic views you can enjoy from this height, you will find that the cobbled-street market area has many cafes and tavernas offering more traditional Cypriot food at very low prices, beautifully-crafted silver jewellery and a variety of local crafts and ceramics. Familiar shops in the surrounding area include Next, M&S, Mothercare, Reebok, Mango etc, and there are many smaller boutiques offering designer clothes and footware of very high quality at exceptional value for money. Cypriots take their health and appearance very seriously and here, as across much of the island, hairstylists, nail technicians, gyms and alternative therapy centres are easy to find and affordably-priced. Places of interest/activities include: Archaeological museum; Neo-classical architecture; central market, the Hammam and, of course, some serious relaxation and retail therapy Despite its abundance of bars, restaurants and tavernas, much of Kato remains relatively quiet after-hours. Most establishments close by midnight, by request from the local population, and only the nightclubs and licensed late-night bars continue till the early hours. These tend to be based in or around the lively 'Bar Street' area so are easy to find, or avoiding, depending on your point of view. 14

3 Coral Bay Kato Paphos has its own beaches but many visitors prefer to head for Coral Bay and its 2km stretch of sand that gently slopes into the sea. (Near the edge of the beach you can sometimes see deposits of what looks like salmon-pink sand but is actually fine coral - hence the name!) The beach has all the amenities that you would expect from such a popular beach, including beach beds and umbrellas, a couple of cafes and all the usual water sports. Swimming is particularly pleasant here and the sea remains warm early into December. Agios Georgios/ Heading west just a short drive down the coast is the small fishing harbour of Agios Georgios, which sits in a breakwater in front of a small island, and was formerly the important settlement of 'Drepanum' in Roman times. It is now primarily known for its quiet and small shingle beach and its three or four good souvla and fish restaurants.if you only have a short time to spare, it s worthwhile timing your visit to coincide with sundown. From late spring to early winter the sunset here must be one of the most dramatic in Cyprus the horizon seems to explode for miles in rich and vibrant shades of amber and red. Just up from the shingle bay are some natural rock caves through which you can clamber if you re sufficiently agile and energetic and, to the north, you can see the start of the totally unspoilt nature reserve of the Akamas peninsula. The lively resort of Coral Bay offers self-catering and hotel accommodation, shops, bars and restaurants and is easily accessible by public transport. The fishing harbour of Ayios Georgios, right on the edge of the Akamas national park Toxeftra, the Avakas gorges and Cape Lara Coralia Located 1km further along the main road from Coral Bay is Coralia (the local Paphos buses 10 and 15 terminate here). The long stretch of its sandy beach curves round two bays and there are a couple of small islands in the first bay which form a natural wind break. Quieter than Coral Bay, the area has just a few shops and restaurants and is a very peaceful location. A few kilometres north from Agios Georgios, Toxeftra beach is essentially the mouth of the Avakas gorge and can be reached (somewhat bumpily) in an ordinary car. As part of the turtle conservation area, Toxeftra has no amenities so peace and seclusion are virtually guaranteed. The nearby gorges of Avakas and Koufon are well worth the time and energy needed to explore them fully - both are spectacularly steep-sided and home to rare, endemic vegetation, birds and wildlife. Past Toxeftra the track to Cape Lara Places of interest/activities in and around the Coral Bay/Coralia area include: Snake George Reptile Park; sandy beaches; the Sea Caves, watersports and go-karting The turtle hatching beach at Lara 15

4 Cyprusdreamweddings.com is often deeply rutted and this journey is only really advisable in a 4-wheel drive or as part of a jeep safari excursion. At Cape Lara, apart from fabulous scenery and unspoilt beaches, you will find Lara Turtle Station on the northerly bay, which is one of several local nesting grounds of the endangered green and loggerhead turtles. In 1978 the Lara Turtle Conservation Project and its field station were established in an attempt to reverse the decline in the mortality rate and the coastal area from Toxeftra to a few kilometres beyond Lara declared a protected area. So far, the project volunteers have managed to quadruple the yearly survival rate for hatchlings. Peyia Heading inland and upwards from Coral Bay you soon come to the hillside village of Peyia, overlooking the sea. One of the most popular residential villages, it has an attractive cistern-fountain square and a number of good cafes and tavernas from where you can relax after an excursion to the nearby Akamas, or just continue to relax after a day on the beach... The fantastic views from just above Peyia. Driving further upwards out of Peyia the road becomes steep and winding and the views down the valley towards the coast are simply stunning. As you continue, the road cuts inland through agricultural land and then, further on, to extensive vineyards around the village of Kathikas and the Akamas ridge. Kathikas A short detour from the Peyia to Polis road lies Kathikas which, though just a small village, has a couple of restaurants deserving of their regional acclaim.it is worth noting that, in some village cafes and restaurants, you may not get a menu and the English language is not as fluently spoken as in the towns and resorts. However, don t let this put you off - the welcome is equally, if not more, warm. Just sit down, let them bring you meze or the special of the day and enjoy yourselves! The picturesque harbour at Latchi, with some very good fish tavernas. Polis and Latchi The road to Polis begins its descent just after the Kathikas turn-off and is flanked by vineyards and views of the distant Paphos forest. Polis is a small town overlooking the Chrysochou Bay and is very popular with those who prefer a quieter, more relaxed pace of life but don t want to be too far from all the usual amenities. In town is a shady, stone-built, central square which offers a welcome respite from the midday sun, as well as a variety of places to eat or drink. A short distance away lies the pretty fishing village of Latchi. There is a good pebble beach and several sea and harbour-side tavernas offering freshly caught produce - an excellent place to spend a few hours enjoying a leisurely fish meze and magnificent scenery. A few miles further along the coast takes you to the Baths of Aphrodite, almost at the most northerly tip of the Akamas peninsula Although the Bath itself is little more than a small pool, the surrounding area is delightfully pretty, the views from the cliff-top are breath-taking and the small, shallow bay below is perfect for swimming and snorkelling. On returning to Paphos, you can take the more direct route via Goudi and Stroumpi. This again is very scenic and passes through orchard after orchard of citrus trees, equally beautiful when in blossom or laden with fruit. All of a sudden you round a bend just after Tsada and the view down to Paphos is fantastic. Places of interest/activities in and around Polis and Latchi include: the Baths of Aphrodite; the Fountain of Love; scuba-diving; snorkelling; boat trips; Akamas nature trails, Neokhorio village stone houses and the Petratis Gorge. 16

5 spanning Frankish to Venetian to Ottoman eras, styles and influences and, though not the most immediately obvious of tourist destinations, has a certain atmospheric appeal, particularly in the old town still enclosed in Venetian ramparts. Places of interest in Nicosia include: The Ramparts; Cyprus Museum; Kanakaria Mosaics; Gothic church of Ayios Mamas; Ledra shopping street and the viewing point into no-mans land at the end of it, and the cross-border city views from the top of the Woolworth building. The Cavocle museum at Kouklia and the remains of the temple of Aphrodite are not far from Paphos on the way to Limassol. Petra tou Romiou/Paelo Paphos 18kms east of Paphos is Petra tou Romiou (otherwise known as Aphrodite s Rock), which is widely believed to be the birthplace of Aphrodite.This imposing monolith is part of an incredibly scenic shoreline, which can be visited up-close or seen from a number of hilltop or roadside viewing platforms. Although there is little here to actually do, this is a truly atmospheric place and definitely not one to visit without a camera. Places of interest/activities around Petra tou Romiou include: Kouklia and the ancient city of Palea Paphos; Byzantine grotto and frescoes of Palea Enklistra;and the Secret Valley golf course. Further afield Although this guide is mostly about the Region in which you will be staying, you will probably want to travel a bit further afield during your stay on the island. We have, therefore, included this section to cover general background and sight-seeing information about the major towns and resorts in Cyprus, as well as a few of our own personal favourites. A shady spot in the heart of old Nicosia.. Limassol At first impression, the city of Limassol appears to be a vast and sprawling residential, business and tourist resort. Ignoring this initial aspect, the old centre of Levantine stone buildings and alleyways lends a certain amount of charm to the city and the gardens and sculptures along the lengthy seaside promenade make for a pleasant, sunny stroll. Nicosia Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus and, as you would expect, is the business and commercial hub of the country. Without dwelling too heavily on the political aspects of the island, it can t be left unsaid that Nicosia is the only remaining divided city in Europe and, as such, is of interest on that basis alone. However, Nicosia has much to offer of cultural and architectural interest in its own right The seafront promenade in Limassol 17

6 Places of interest in and around Limassol include: The castle and mediaeval museum; the bazaar; municipal gardens and achaeological museum; winery tours and the September wine festival; waterparks; the nightlife of Potamos Yermasoyias; the ancient site of Kourion (approx 12km west); Kolossi Castle (approx 9km west); Pissouri beach, village and amphitheatre (approx 35km west) and the Troodos foothill village of Omodos (approx 35km northwest). Ayia Napa Widely known as the dance capital of Europe, Ayia Napa needs little introduction as a lively, vibrant resort. However, recognition as such has only occurred over recent years and it still remains a popular destination for visitors of all ages who remain faithful to the area despite its newly-found popularity. It is, without doubt, the area of the island most geared towards mass tourism and it is pretty much what you would expect it to be. Much as we hate to admit it, the beaches in this region, though at times overcrowded, are some of the best that you will find on the island - calm, shallow seas and silky sands which stretch for miles along the coast. Our personal recommendation is to enjoy Ayia Napa for a short visit out of the high season. Timeless village backstreets to explore and fall in love with Omodos Situated in the foothills of the Troodos mountains, this lovely village is popular with tour operators for very good reason. Centred around its monastery, this quaint village is made up of a warren of small cobbled alleyways, all of which seem to contain picturepostcard vistas of traditional Cypriot life.it is hard to believe that somewhere so often visited has retained so much of its own identity. Platres Heading deep into the pine forests and the upper Troodos, Platres is a town of cool climate and, in some instances, seemingly gravitydefying, mountain-side accommodation. Very popular throughout the year, Platres is the ideal escape-from-the-heat as well as the place to enjoy-the-snow resort. Fig tree bay at Protaras Protaras A short distance east from Ayia Napa, Protaras is a similar, but smaller resort geared slightly more towards families. Again, the beaches are fabulous,particularly Fig Tree Bay, and all amenities are at your disposal. A great place to visit, but definitely not the real Cyprus. 18

7 Kakopetria Travelling down from the peak of the Troodos mountains, a slight detour will take you to Kakopetria a village which welcomes tourism but doesn t owe everything to it. Built on a steep cliff, the town centre has a flowing mountain stream running through the middle on one side is a large but nice, luxury alpine-style hotel/restaurant offering mainly international cuisine and, on the other, traditional, stone-built houses and smaller hotels offering four-poster beds in traditional surroundings. Whatever you choose here, its a win-win situation. The top of the Caledonian falls - a 2km mountain gentle climb through beautiful scenery just outside the hill resort of Platres Caledonian Falls Just north of Platres lies the foot of the Caledonian Falls. Depending upon which time of year you visit, the 2km walk up to the top of the falls is either the mildly-exertive dry climb or the more-challenging, slippery, stepping-stone version. Either way, it s a stunning and rewarding climb and you needn t be ultra-fit to enjoy it. Once you reach the top, you can return to the bottom and perhaps stop at the restaurant below which offers very local and very fresh trout, or continue some 5km further up-hill along the track which will almost bring you to the resort of Troodos. Troodos/Mount Olympus Visitors often expect more from the top of the Troodos mountains, which is Troodos/Olympus itself but, apart from a number of eateries and stalls, there isn t all that much here. It s a nice enough place to stop for a break though. You can while away some time just enjoying a drink and people-watching; go pony-trekking; or you can, for about six weeks of the year, enjoy good skiing. It s not that Troodos/Olympus isn t fantastic it s just that expectations are often so high that it s hard for the area to live up to them. There ends our guide. We hope that you find it both informative and useful. If, however, you require details about any area not covered in this guide, then please do contact us and we will do our utmost to help you in every way we can. 19