Wednesday 29 October 2014

Want a short-haul honeymoon destination? Try Cyprus!

Where could be more romantic for your first holiday as husband and wife than the birthplace of the goddess of love herself? Richard Jones explored Cyprus, the short-haul honeymoon hotspot…

Just a few miles inland from the legendary Aphrodite’s Rock near Latchi, western Cyprus, lies Paradisos Hills. Co-owner Soulla Charalambous and her family built their 15-room (with another 12 rooms on their way) boutique hotel in memory of their father Andreas near the village of Lysos, the home of his wife Theodosia.

cyprus-honeymoon-Paradisos Hills Hotel - stone rooms

Paradisos Hills is a kind of retreat with its breathtaking mountainside location providing stunning views of Chrysochou Nay, Paphos Forest and the Akamas Peninsula all amidst a romantic atmosphere of peace and tranquility.  Also, thanks to the warm, welcoming nature of Soulla and her clan, honeymooners or wedding parties will feel like they have been invited to stay over at the luxury home of an extended Cypriot family.

Throughout the week, there is a lot going on at the hotel, and considering Paradisos Hills’ relatively small size and constant calm at the place, each day there seems slightly different! Varying cuisine is served each evening in the restaurant, with Soulla and her sister Niki also running cookery classes involving mouthwatering Cypriot and Mediterranean dishes. Hikers and cyclists regularly call in for a bit to eat or a glass of wine, and to share a tale of two, with Niki’s Sunday lunch and Friday night Indian buffet being particularly popular!

cyprus-honeymoon-Paradisos Hills Hotel - outside

Paradisos Hills is fully equipped to host a range of functions, including wedding ceremonies and receptions. The entire hotel is available for hire to groups large or small, perfect for accommodating any wedding guests.

cyprus-honeymoon-Paradisos Hills function room

Do as the locals do

If you’re one of those people who believes that when you’re abroad, you should do as the locals do, then Paradisos Hills ticks that box too. You’re able to have beautiful and friendly days out and about around the island, and the hotel is just a 15-minute drive south of Polis, and 40 minutes from Paphos meaning you can easily explore the largest island in the Med on your honeymoon.

cyprus-honeymoon-Paradisos Hills Bedroom

Of course, public transport is available in Cyprus, but unfortunately, as with many Mediterranean destinations, not the most reliable! Therefore, the best way to get around is renting a car. Driving around the island is pretty relaxed and straightforward and, as most road conventions and markings are exactly the same as the UK’s, it will seem like a doddle to British motorists.

cyprus-honeymoon-Paradisos Hills Hotel pool2

Most UK visitors to western Cyprus spend their time lapping up the warm sunshine and swimming in the sparkling blue sea at the beaches of Latchi, Coral Bay and Pomos, as well as days out in Paphos, too. Romantica is the ideal place for a spot of lunch or early evening meal that serves absolutely delicious dishes within a stone’s throw away from the municipal beach.

Wall-to-wall sunshine

You can’t talk about Cyprus without mentioning the climate, and wedding and honeymoons are popular all year round on this sun-kissed island. April and May are very pleasant, being not too different from a summer’s day in the UK. July and August are the months to go for when you’re a couple who like it hot! Although there aren’t any guarantees, you can be almost certain that a summer ceremony in Cyprus will have lots of sunshine and no sign of rain!

cyprus-honeymoon-Paradisos Hills Pool sunset

With all the sun, it’s probably a good idea to find somewhere to cool off. Another half an hour or so down the road from Paphos is the city of Limassol, and just on the outskirts is the famous Fasouri Watermani waterpark – a great way to cool down after a hot day, we think! Here, couples can lounge around on the sunbeds or try out the lazy river, whilst any young ones you might have with you can enjoy splashing around in the kids’ pool.

cyprus-honeymoon-Fasouri Watermania1

If a waterpark doesn’t float your boat, then you could always go for a swim in the sparkling Med near Aphrodite’s Rock – who knows, you might just end up being blessed with eternal beauty.

cyprus-honeymoon-Aphrodite's Rock 1

Find out more…

Boutique, family-run hotel Paradisos Hills in Lysos, Western Cyprus, offers rooms on a bed and breakfast basis from just 60 Euros per night in 2014. Currently the hotel has a special offer whereby guests who stay for one week, will receive one night free. For accommodation, wedding and event enquiries, contact Soulla at info@paradisoshills.com.

Leading leisure airline Jet2.com offers friendly low fares, great flight times, and a generous 22kg baggage allowance to Paphos Airport from many UK airports. Flights start from £75 one way including taxes. For more information, visit www.jet2.com

Petrides Rentals in Polis provided car hire for the Akamas region. For enquiries, just visit http://ift.tt/133AnUV

Whether you’re looking for a destination for your wedding abroad or for your honeymoon, we’ve got lots more tips for you right here…

The post Want a short-haul honeymoon destination? Try Cyprus! appeared first on Wedding Ideas.



Weddings Abroad ... Want a short-haul honeymoon destination? Try Cyprus!

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