In the east of the Mediterranean sea, is a beautiful island, Cyprus. Imbued with ancient cultures from the West and East of Europe, Cypriot culture is a pleasurable mix of different food, wines and traditions. Stay in a villa on the island and explore ancient historical sites and local villages at your leisure. Eat local food in tini restaurants and buy home grown produce and cook a feast to eat on the terrace of your villa. What ever you enjoy to do on your holiday, Cyprus has it all.
For those of you with a historical and cultural interest, enjoy a visit to the Tombs of the Kings. A 4th century BC network of tombs lying just outside of the popular resort of Paphos, the Tombs of the kings are fascinating as well as beautiful. With frescoed walls and Doric columns, the ancient aristocrats which were buried here were placed in tombs carved out of solid rock laid out amongst magnificent finery. The Mediterranean villa style is thought to have been influenced by this Mycenaean cultures architecture, as seen in the design of the buildings
The Maa-Palaeokastro is also definitely worth your visit. This late bronze age settlement has imposing defensive walls and was once a stronghold of the first Mycenaean Greeks who arrived on the island in 1200BC. Situated on the rugged cliffs of Cyprus, the large ashlar blocks are also reminiscent of Mycenaean Cyclopean building techniques.
But, if wandering through the cobbled streets browsing local craft shops is more your idea of relaxation, visit Lefkara, a small village close to Larnaca which produces fine lace, and find the famous Savva pottery near Paphos. Then sit back and relax in a local cafe and enjoy the local sweet pastries or dhaktyla. Take some back to your Cypriot villa and enjoy them at your leisure.
If you’re looking for something a bit more active, try quad biking in the hills or go on a 4x4 island tour and see areas which are unreachable by regular transport. You can also find fabulous scuba diving sites in the waters along Akamas. Watch colourful fish swim by as you relax in the silence of the sea.
Then, once you’ve finished all of your activities for the day, sit down to a fabulous Cypriot dinner. Enjoy meze to start and then move onto Keftedhes (meat balls), or maybe, Aphelia (cubed pork cooked slowly with wine), try Klephtiko (roasted lamb) or a Moussaka of minced meat, aubergines, potatoes and cheese sauce. All of the ingredients for these dishes will be available in the local supermarket. Why not try your hand at creating a Cypriot feast in your villa?
