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Walking tours of Cyprus

19th January 2010 Print

This spring the Columbia Beach Resort, in the panoramic bay of Pissouri, offers short breaks for people who would like to explore Cyprus on foot to see its unique fauna and flora, and to experience some of the culture that the island is famous for.

Cyprus offers the perfect destination for a walking holiday, whatever your level of fitness and the Columbia Beach Resort offers a stylish base for those who want a little luxury along with their exercise. The southern valleys of the island offer gentle paths for ambling along or try the spectacular Troodos Mountains and coastal paths or something more demanding.

This award-winning* five star hotel will provide a guide for walkers and transport where needed. Here are three varied walking tours as recommended by the Columbia Beach Resort:

1. Walk the “Path of Aphrodite” on the Akamas peninsula just an hour’s drive north from the Resort. A natural spring fills a picturesque pool surrounded by greenery where mythology suggests that Aphrodite, goddess of love, used to bathe. The Baths of Aphrodite are where Aphrodite is supposed to have met her lover, the handsome Adonis, when he stopped for a drink while hunting. The moment he drank the water, Adonis fell in love with the goddess. The walking tour takes approximately three hours, is medium level in terms of difficulty, following the slender coastal paths with their impressive views across the Mediterranean at Cap Arnautis. Go in spring and see the splendour of the early blooming wild flowers too.

2. Or stay close to the hotel and enjoy its spectacular two kilometre beach framed by the white cliffs of Cape Aspro and the vineyards and orchards in the valleys behind. A gentle walk will reveal the native flowers and plants that grow in this part of the island that are constantly changing with the seasons but in spring are particularly colourful. There are more than 40 different species of orchids in vibrant colours to be discovered. And rugged cliffs surrounding the bay are a well-known nesting ground for Griffon vultures.

3. Cyprus wines are becoming recognised outside its community as a plethora of small independent wineries have emerged in recent years to make the most of the almost perfect growing conditions. The Columbia Beach Resort also offers a walking tour in the Troodos Mountains through some of its vineyards. Starting at a height of 800m at the mountain village of Panagia, the birth place of Makarios, former archbishop and President of Cyprus, the tour visits the famous Byzantine mountain monastery Chrysorroyiatissa. Now a renowned winery this is where the tour stops for tastings of the wine which has been produced since 1984 in large earthenware jars, or pithariars.

Then spend time in the Resort’s renowned Columbia spa – perfect therapy for aching limbs or just for some pampering. And enjoy the celebrated cuisine of the Columbia Beach Resort knowing that you will burn off the calories the next day.

A four night stay at the Columbia Beach Resort in Junior Suite costs from £460 / 520 Euros including breakfast (cost per suite which sleeps two people). Transfers from the nearest airport Pafos is £38 / 43 Euros one way. Costs of a guide and flights are not included. Cyprusairways.com, ba.com and Easyjet.com all fly regularly to Cyprus.

The distinctive architecture of the Resort is inspired by local Cypriot villages featuring low rise buildings in local stone. The sloping roofs furnished with reclaimed terracotta tiles and shutters on the windows and abundance of natural wood give this hotel a discreetly aged and traditional look, landscaped so that old and new blend together. The 94 suites in this all-suite hotel are arranged in 'villas' clustered around the 80m lagoon style pool that flows into the Columbia Spa.

A range of luxurious pampering and therapeutic treatments are available in the Columbia Spa including Molton Brown, the anti-ageing spa and beauty range Daniele de Winter, and Phytomer. Squash and flood-lit tennis courts are also on-site, a first class gym and an aerobics hall with regular workout sessions and yoga classes. A great range of water-sports is available in the bay including kite-surfing, Wind-surfing and Hobie Cat sailing where regular mid strength winds and warm clear waters make exceptional conditions for learning these activities. Regular complimentary transport takes golf enthusiasts to three championship courses in the vicinity.

Eating well is part of the luxury experience at all Columbia hotels. Speciality local cuisine can be enjoyed in the Apollo Taverna and the traditional Ouzeri overlooking the sea including the Cypriot meze. The Dionysos restaurant offers international fine dining in a lavish setting - complete with superb five star service.

For more information and bookings, visit columbia-hotels.com.