Family Cyprus

Cyprus is just such a place: with a great climate (more than 300 days of sunshine a year) and tons to do on land and water, it is ideal for a family beach holiday.

What makes it a particularly hassle-free destination are the Anassa and the Almyra – two superb beach resorts which are ‘child-friendly’ without being adult-unfriendly. Both are fully geared-up to cater for kids of all ages and have the full range of facilities to keep everyone busy, from sandy beaches and watersports centres to tennis courts and kids’ clubs. Both hotels offer a choice of several restaurants, with children’s menus, and organise weekly family beach barbecues.

As well as the many activities on hand at each hotel, there’s plenty more to see and do nearby. A good option is to hire a boat, take a pack lunch and spend the day exploring the bays and beaches of the Akamas peninsula, stopping off to swim or snorkel whenever you feel like it. For divers, there’s also the underwater world of the Akamas marine reserve. Alternatively, the peninsula offers great terrain for mountain biking.

And if a little cultural activity wouldn’t disrupt the familial harmony, the classical mosaics in old Paphos are well worth seeing. Near Polis are the ‘Baths of Aphrodite’. Legend has it that splashing some water onto your face from the waterfall here will make you look ten years younger (good for mum & dad perhaps, but not advisable for teenagers).

Should parents want a little time out, kids can be left in the capable hands of the Anassa and Almyra to have waterskiing lessons or go horse riding while dad enjoys a round of golf and mum indulges herself at the Anassa’s thalasso-therapy spa.

In the unlikely event the weather is bad, head to the Paphos Aquarium which houses several hundred species (including crocodiles) and overlooks the harbour and castle.