DESTINATIONS SECOND-TIME GREECE & CYPRUS
ABOVE: Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri LEFT: Kalopanayiotis
its oh-so-charming villages is close to sacrilege, and among the best-known is Lefkara, set at the foot of the Troodos Mountains and famous for its centuries-old lace and silverware heritage. It’s far from being the only
place to glimpse the country at its most traditional. The Troodos Mountains are a hotspot for tiny villages, including Kalopanayiotis, full of cobbled streets where ornate churches and historic attractions such as the Lampadistis Monastery overlook mountain scenery. There are various other draws
nearby, including the Kykkos Monastery and a string of cycling trails, but the crowning glory here is Casale Panayiotis, a rustic retreat hidden away in the hills and featuring 35 rooms and suites that started life as village homes. They were converted to
help revive the then-neglected settlement, and it did the job – now the hideaway uses water from the sulphur springs for its healing spa, while offering local experiences such as halloumi- making. It’s also an ideal base for exploring the other mountain villages that dot the area, from Omodos, known for its arts and
crafts, to Alona, home to ancient Cypriot drink Zivania. Book it: Sunvil offers a seven- night stay at Casale Panayiotis hotel in Kalopanayiotis from £870, including B&B accommodation, return flights from Gatwick and car hire.
sunvil.co.uk
BEST BEACHES They’ve been to: Protaras Now try: Pissouri Bay Sell it: If it’s beach resorts clients are into, Cyprus isn’t short on options. Protaras is a safe bet for first-timers looking for a tranquil vibe, with a string of family- friendly resorts wrapping around a gold-sand coastline – but for second-timers wanting a quieter alternative, look to Pissouri Bay. Located halfway between
Limassol and Paphos, it boasts a peaceful stretch of part-sand, part-pebble beach and offers water sports and other activities. Pissouri village is also close by,
offering Cypriot traditions and quaint little cafes where locals sit alfresco beside pretty-as-a- picture flowerbeds. “In summer, the village square
comes alive, with traditional tavernas hosting entertainment
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travelweekly.co.uk28 March 2019
Pissouri has quaint little cafes where locals sit alfresco beside pretty-as-a- picture flowerbeds
in the evenings,” says Cyplon’s Elena Ahmadian. “Visitors can get a taste of the homemade culinary delights of the locals and bask in music, dance and heritage.” Book it: Suggest Columbia Beach Resort for a five-star, luxury stay right by the beach. “It’s one of my favourite hotels in our entire 950-hotel programme,” says Andrew Farr of Classic Collection Holidays. A week’s B&B with the operator starts from £1,474, in a junior suite with flights and private transfers.
classic-collection.co.uk
CITY SIGHTS They’ve been to: Nicosia Now try: Limassol Sell it: The capital, Nicosia, is a hotspot for nightlife as much as it is historical sights, with key spots such as the Cyprus Museum,
Venetian fortifications and Büyük Han – a 16th-century merchant quarter turned artisanal shopping arcade – bringing city lovers flocking. Just as wealthy in attractions is Limassol, where Roman ruins, a Folk Art Museum and Ottoman- built castle give the capital a run for its money, according to Mark Hall, Tui director of product and customer experience. “The area has a similar feel to the capital with plenty to explore in the way of culture and history, but it’s slightly less well known,” he says. Nearby there’s a handful of
attractions that add appeal for families – including a huge water park, Limassol Zoo and dungeon- filled Kolossi Castle – and the historic Kourion Archaeological Site is a short drive away too. Here, intricate mosaics, statues and other archaeological finds hark back to its beginnings as one of the island’s most important city-kingdoms. Book it: Tui offers a week all- inclusive at the four-star Atlantica Oasis Hotel from £396, with flights from Gatwick on March 29 and transfers.
tui.co.uk
PICTURES: TAS ANASTASI; LEE STUART PHOTOGRAPHY; SHUTTERSTOCK
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