Cyprus is a popular year round holiday destination. With a rich and diverse history plus natural beauty ranging from golden beaches to rugged coastlines, rolling hills and forest clad mountains. For a truly captivating island escape, luxury Cyprus holidays are the perfect way to indulge in all that the Mediterranean has to offer.
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and boasts stunning beaches and rocky coves, beautiful scenery and traditional villages. The locals are friendly people and the island holds a rich cultural heritage. Also according to legend it is the birthplace of Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty, meaning it is ideal for a wedding, renewal of vows or honeymoon. Needless to say holidays to Cyprus are an enchanting way to experience the island whatever your intention. Classic Collection Holidays offers a stunning range of 4 and 5 star hotels in Cyprus to assure constant quality throughout your stay.
Greek is the official language although English is widely spoken and you will definitely feel at home if you hire a car as the Cypriots drive on the left hand side of the road! With the recent developments to the Cypriot infrastructure, driving is uncomplicated and it is certainly well worth hiring a car to explore the island's interior.
Nicosia is the largest city and the capital and worth visiting to see its historic city walls and churches. Limassol, a large cosmopolitan resort on the coast, is the second city of the island and with excellent shopping and a wide range of tavernas, restaurants and bars along a fifteen mile stretch, it has a busy and bustling centre.
Situated midway between Limassol and Paphos is the idyllic bay of Pissouri boasting a sand and shingle beach, crystal clear azure waters, a few tavernas and shops, and the traditional village of Pissouri nestling in the hills behind the bay. Luxury holidays in Cyprus would not be complete without a trip or two to the islands most breath-taking beaches. Further along the coast lies Paphos and with its charming harbour, superb historical sites and ancient monuments, the resort is a popular choice of holidays in Cyprus. Just north of Paphos is the peaceful and beautiful resort area of Coral Bay with its fabulous white sandy gently shelving beach and an array of watersports and good selection of bars and restaurants nearby.
The small village of Miliou, surrounded by citrus groves, almond trees and vineyards, is famous for its healing springs, and Latchi is a picturesque fishing village which stretches 3km along the northwest coast on the edge of the beautiful Akamas National Park.
Cuisine
With a part of the world famed for its rich food, Cyprus holidays can be a culinary adventure. The island’s cuisine is closely related to that of the Greeks and fresh local ingredients are widely used including one of the island’s own products, olive oil, which together with regional herbs and spices adds up to quintessentially Mediterranean cuisine with an interesting twist. At Classic Collection Holidays we are pleased to offer a range of fantastic dishes presented at all our hotels including our all inclusive holidays in Cyprus.
Local specialities are numerous but the most famous has to be mezedes or meze, as it is more commonly known. Meze consists of numerous small plates of various delicacies, from savoury dips and vegetables to freshly cooked tidbits of meat and fish: a word of warning though, meze is much more than hors d'oeuvres and can often become a complete meal in itself.
An evening meal could include a starter of olives, dips and bread, followed by fish, grilled halloumi, sausages, meatballs and pork rissoles, then a main course of kebabs, lamb chops and chicken and finally fresh fruit or glyko, traditionally preserved fruit.
Other popular dishes include souvlaki, meat on a skewer often served in pitta bread, stifado, a beef stew with onions, tomatoes and herbs, and moussaka, made with aubergine and lamb. The key to Cyprus holidays is to experience the islands great tastes as well as its sights and sounds.