Travel review: Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus
Somewhere back in the mists of time Aphrodite was born off the coast of Cyprus.
The goddess of love and beauty emerged from the foaming waters just east of Paphos on a stunning stretch of coastline.
Today, that stretch of coastline has barely changed but, on the hills behind it, yet out of sight, British holidaymakers are taking full advantage of a development that shares its name with the goddess.
Aphrodite Hills is the largest development on the island, covering some 578 acres, and offering very special accommodation for the discerning traveller, sportsman and woman.
The complex is so large it spans the vast Randidi Gorge, leaving golfers playing its 18-hole championship course with the daunting task of reaching the east plateau from the west plateau with their tee shot.
But perversely, on a recent visit, I found the size of Aphrodite Hills was part of its charm because it allows everything to be spread out so nowhere ever feels crowded.
Visitors can rent an apartment or villa or even opt to stay at the five-star Inter Continental Aphrodite Hills Hotel.
Unsure which was best for us, my wife and I opted to try both – spending three nights in a villa and two in the hotel.
Our evening arrival – via a direct flight from Birmingham with Monarch – meant we had to collect the keys from the security gate entrance and then follow one of the security cars to reach our villa, so it was not until the next day when we drew back the curtains that we could appreciate the stunning view.
The villa was perched right on the edge of the cliff and looked straight down the centre of a small gorge to the sea in the distance.
And – as temperatures were hovering around the mid-30Cs – I was especially delighted to find it had its own ‘infinity pool’. Swimming in it – and we were rarely out of it when not sightseeing – gave you the feeling of swimming in the ocean, as pool, sea and sky blended into one.
With two bedrooms and two bathrooms it was an ideal holiday home. But such is the prestige of this development that, should you want to buy rather than rent a similar property, it will cost you a cool 1.2 million euros, although I gather the market is currently slow enough to warrant a 20 to 30 per cent discount at present. Lottery winners take note.
