DESTINATIONS ESCORTED TOURS |CYPRUS
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Coral Bay; shipwrecked Edro III; some of the agents in Kathikas with Steve West (far left) and Richard Forde (far right), both Involved Holidays; the view from Kolios Winery; the Akamas Peninsula PICTURES: Shutterstock/DaLiu, Roman Evgenev
by Aphrodite’s Rock, where the Greek goddess is said to have emerged from the waves. Our final day took us to the rugged Akamas Peninsula, on the island’s western tip. En route to Kolios Winery, Cyprus Tourism guide Mary Patroklou explained that the island is one of the world’s oldest wine-producing regions, with the industry dating back 5,500 years. Commandaria, said to be the oldest named wine still in production, was believed to have been served to English king Richard the Lionheart at his wedding in Cyprus in 1191.
NEW BEGINNINGS By contrast, Mary said modern Cyprus is evolving quickly, with recent additions including the opening of the Innia-Lara Turtle Museum and the pedestrianisation of trendy Upper Paphos. “Cypriots live to eat,” she
BOOK IT
Involved Holidays offers a seven-night solo walking holiday in Cyprus from £1,199, departing December 2, 2026, including half-board accommodation at the Athena Beach Hotel, three guided walks, transfers and flights.
involvedholidays.com
34 27 NOVEMBER 2025
continued, and we certainly saw that writ large at every meal, with so many dishes of salad, houmous, halloumi and kebabs, we could barely fit all the plates on the table. After visiting the turtle museum – an educational centre that shows how the creatures are being protected – there was more feasting at a taverna in the vine-growing village of Kathikas, and a photo stop at Edro III, a cargo ship that ran aground in 2011 and is now an eerie attraction off the shore of Coral Bay. As the trip came to an end,
I reflected on what had been a splendid showcase both for Involved Holidays and the region. It felt like walking in the footsteps of my much-missed dad, so I bought a bottle of Commandaria – one of my parents’ favourite tipples – to bring home a taste of Cyprus, along with my memories.
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& TESTED
Athena Beach Hotel
Situated on Pachyammos beach, this family-friendly hotel was perfect for exploring the region, and there were plenty of options for activities on non-walking days. As Elite Class guests, we received sparkling wine at check-in and access to enhanced public areas, such as
the poolside Leda restaurant and St Andrew’s rooftop bar. My spacious room’s sea view was ideal for spectacular sunsets. Several of
the agents agreed that the four-star hotel felt more like a five-star property, thanks to its range of restaurants and entertainment, as well as its stellar service. We also dined at sister hotels the Pioneer Beach and Athena Royal Beach
(both a short walk along the same stretch of coast as the Athena Beach). All three properties have been recently extended and upgraded, and at the Athena Royal Beach, we watched a cookery demonstration – another activity that Involved Holidays can include in its tailor-made itineraries.
athena-cbh.com
travelweekly.co.uk
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