Villas in Cyprus: Explore Aphrodite’s Home

Being steeped in mythology and packed with sites and activities to please even the most demanding of visitors, Cyprus is one of the most popular holiday islands in the Mediterranean for British tourists to visit. Increasing numbers of UK holidaymakers are now eschewing the traditional hotel-based break and experiencing life in countries like Cyprus in a more refined manner by renting one of the many high quality Cyprus villas.

In 2009, the Office for National Statistics reported that just shy of one million UK citizens visited Cyprus on holiday during the year, around half the number who visited Greece and Turkey during the same period. Yet Cyprus is only a fraction of the size of these two vast European countries, so what is the appeal of this jewel in the crown of the Mediterranean region and why are large numbers of holidaymakers now choosing to experience this historic and timeless country, by hiring one of the many elegant and affordable villas in Cyprus?

The answer is best demonstrated by taking a trip around the beautiful island itself. Imagine; you have hired yourself a fantastic villa near the popular resort of Coral Bay. The idyllic resort for a holiday in the sun, situated just 40 minutes from the main airport at Paphos, Coral Bay has everything you will need for a perfect sunshine break. The attractive town centre is lined with shops, bars and restaurants offering a wide range of home-grown cuisine as well as a host of international dining experiences.

The cosmopolitan theme of the Coral Bay is also in evidence on the crescent of soft-white sand that forms part of the scenic 600m beach. The gentle slope of the beach and warm, shallow waters make the seafront an ideal location for a huge variety of beach activities, from sunbathing and swimming to a wide variety of water sports that are sure to entertain and excite in equal measure.

Unlike the soulless and overcrowded hotels that sprung up around havens such as Coral Bay in the 70s and 80s, your own private Cyprus villa will be a class apart. Set in its own grounds, often with its own swimming pool, you can unload your suitcases in perfect comfort and in your own time. There is a spacious kitchen fitted, so you can enjoy cooking the local produce at home if you prefer, while the swimming pool is always available and for your sole use. There is no overcrowding around the pool here and there is none inside the villa either, as modern villas are spaciously designed to allow your party their own space and privacy, something that is frequently lacking when you are all jammed together in a hotel room with hundreds of other families.

After your five-hour flight and a trip to Coral Bay to take in the sights and sounds of this beautiful part of Cyprus, you may wish to expand your horizons a little further, and this is where the flexibility afforded by families having rented one of the excellent self-catering villas available on the island come to the fore.

Let us imagine your group has opted to spend a day visiting Paphos, a nearby town which can boast the astonishing fact of being one of the few towns placed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, so rich is it in historical treasures. Indeed, legend has it that it is the birthplace of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and so diverse is the range of exhibits, attractions and entertainments on offer in Paphos that it would be easy to spend the entire day visiting just a few of many thrilling and cultural attractions that the city contains.

Now, if you had paid extra to go full or half board in hotel, then you would feel duty bound to return to your hotel from your day out for your meal. The beauty of a self-catering villa holiday is that you do not need to. For sure, the facilities are there for you to cook at home if you choose to do so, however you do not have to. Indeed, you are free to experience the rich and varied culture of another country at your own pace and at your own leisure!

So, why not extend your day in Paphos into the evening and visit a taverna to try out some of the famed local delicacies. With Paphos being a fishing port, the seafood is particularly outstanding. Then why not round off the evening with a glass of Retsina or two and a little Greek dancing before heading home to your villa? You'll be safe in the knowledge that even though it is late, and the hotel pools are now all closed, you can slip into the warm waters of your own private pool to relax those aching muscles at the end of a fantastic, memorable day.

It is moments like this, when you sit back and take in the gentle ambience, peace and quiet of a warm Cypriot night, as your children play quietly in the pool at the end of a fantastic day, that you realise why you decided to opt to hire a villa in Cyprus. It makes perfect sense to understand that a holiday should not be about compromise, rushing back for meals, queuing for activities, noise and bustle, but rather that it should be about relaxing, enjoying the finer things and the little luxuries you have earned and having the flexibility to alter your plans because it suits you and nobody else.

The wonderful thing about Cyprus and part of the reason that it attracts so many tourists for a country of its size is that Cyprus has a little of something for everyone. From beach holidays to mountain hikes, forest walks to beach cycle rides, daredevil water sports to a gentle snorkel, visitors to Aphrodite’s home are left in no doubt as to its beauty and variety. Both have equal appeal.

So, why not make her home your own and hire one of the best villas in Cyprus for your next visit?