It was part last hurrah and holiday for me, mostly a chance for some european sunshine before we left for NYC. Having received our passports from the US embassy a few business days after our appointment we snuck in a really last moment break. It came down to where we could find accomodation and flights cheaply and easily enough in August. Accomodation came rediculously cheap for 5 nights in self catered accomodation so we could justify getting shafted on flights somewhat.

We ended up in Cyprus, quietly petrified it was going to be an awful suspecting the entire island would be a mess of overdeveloped resorts and sunburnt brits. We found 5 nights accomodation at a restored apartment in a village near the Troodos mountains, about 30kms from the coast.

It was a good drive through the countryside to the village of Vuoni, in Cyprus’ wine region. It’s a tiny isolated village with 3 tavernas (1 highly rated by the CyprusTimeout guide which was closed on sunday night when we tried to visit) and a donkey sanctuary. Our accomodation was great, so quiet and the stone walls offered respite from the 40 degree temperatures during the day. Upstairs was John who used to be a dermatoligist in London but had since retired to Cyprus and had been living upstairs almost 18months. He was a handy source of local knowledge and an interesting character who loved a good chat.

We mostly peetered about reading and relaxing until the early afternoon and driving to a beach in the afternoon. Along the coast between Limasol and Pathos we visited some nice beaches that weren’t overly busy. Avdimou, Pissouri and Petra tou Romiou (birthplace of Aphrodite) they were all nice long stretches of beach in slightly protected bays wierd but it seemed to get crazy windy from about 5pm everyday. Petra tou Romiou had a nice westerly facing aspect so most parts got lots of late sunshine. There are a few rocks which we dubbed the FHM poseur rocks, something about them drove all the euros mad and they were all (girls and guys) pulling crap poses.

A drive well worth it and enduring the horrorshow that is parts of Pathos is head north west along the coast to Cape Lara. The road disappears when you get past Agios Georgios but its worth pressing on. Sections of the beach are sectioned off as turtles lay eggs at this time of year. Quite a popular beach with locals (mostly during the day) and tourists in the evenings. Reminded us of a Sydney beach, long and sandy and a bit of a swell.

Otherwise we managed a short and easy trek in the Troodos mountains upto the Caledonia Falls. Platres seemed pleasant enough, Troodos itself felt a bit lame with crap horse rides. Best avoided on a Sunday though as all the Cypriot city folk took to the whole area in droves to catch up with family so roads were rather congested (by local standards).We had a good wander around the ruins of Ancient Kourion with some amazing intact mosaics.

After the tranquility of Vouni, we spent the last night at Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri. It was a stark contrast to our previous accomodation, a choice of restaurants, bars and easy access to the beach was lovely as were the complimentary towels and beach umbrella.

We had a pretty relaxing time unwinding and get some sunshine in before shuttling off for NY. Pleasantly surprised and happy to have avoided the package holiday masses. Would have been nice to have had more time to explore there are some beautiful beaches and more sights we couldn’t get to.

Link to snaps here