Beaches and shopping: why Cyprus is ideal for a luxury holiday
While there’s a lot to be said for adventure backpacking holidays into the unknown and cheap all-inclusive holidays in Europe, nothing beats a luxury holiday in the Mediterranean. One of the best places to relax and enjoy all that a luxury holiday has to offer is Cyprus.
Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean, offers the perfect place for a relaxing holiday in the hot and dry summer climate that the country offers. For those visiting Cyprus, particularly those from more temperate Northern European countries, one of the first ports of call should be the beach.
With summer temperatures reaching 30 degrees, Cyprus’s beaches are ideal for spending a day, or days, sunbathing, swimming, and most importantly, enjoying a stress-free holiday. Naturally, as an island, Cyprus has many beaches to offer visitors, although some of the most popular are in the Lanarca and Ayia Napa regions.
The problem, as many visitors to Cyprus will find, is that these beaches tend to get crowded, especially during the summer months. The trick, for those looking for a quaint and quiet haven, is to head west to areas like Lara Bay on the Akamas Peninsula.
Here, visitors will not only get a cleaner and calmer beach experience, but also the chance to see the green turtle in its natural habitat. The Akamas Peninsula is an area of such immense natural beauty that it has been proposed as a nature park.
Another popular way to enjoy a luxury holiday in Cyprus is to go shopping in the quaint and beautiful towns and cities all over the island. One of the best ways to get a taste of shopping in Cyprus, and if you’re lucky grab a bargain or two, is to visit the weekly Sunday market held in Lanarca.
Here you will have the opportunity to meet local merchants and shop for items such as clothing, souvenirs, local handicrafts, electronic equipment, and locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. The popular market is held weekly in the Ermou street car park and usually runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Another shopping district worth visiting is the covered market located on Makarios Avenue. Here, the covered market offers an ideal place not only for shopping, but also for trying the local food at the many local food stalls and restaurants.
Although when the heat reaches its peak most visitors return to their luxury hotel in Cyprus, this shopping market is also cool and refreshing thanks to its canopy that protects it from the strong Mediterranean sun. Visitors can expect to find a wide range of locally made goods including jewellery, leather goods, travel bags and gold luxury items.
Whether it’s on its pristine beaches or lazy afternoons strolling the market stalls, Cyprus is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and recharged after a luxury holiday here.
