Cyprus Will Offer More Than Ever in 2012

The sun-kissed island is opening a range of attractions next year to appeal to every taste.

Cyprus holidays can have either a reputation for wild party fun, thanks to the resort town of Agia Napa and its tabloid association with clubbers and boozy youths, or for quiet relaxing amid the island’s considerable natural beauty. As a destination with influences from the west and the east, there truly is something for every taste.

Tourist centres such as Agia Napa, Pafos and Limassol are full of high-rise hotels and bars touting special offers on shots, while the picturesque villages of the Akamas Peninsula and the heavenly golden beaches of the Karpas Peninsula are havens of tranquillity and traditional life. Walking fans can take the path along the north coast and experience the heady scent of the citrus groves, or maybe climb one of the many hills and explore the mediaeval ruins at their summit and gasp at the breathtaking views.

The island is also almost ready to unveil a number of new tourist attractions for next year, according to the Cyprus tourism agency. These include a comprehensive “facelift” for the city of Larnaka, with new heritage walks for culture vultures and golf courses for fans of the game that are set to rival the Algarve.

On the island’s south coast, the tourist trade is hoping to attract the VIPS and high-class travellers with the opening of the Limassol Marina – with posh restaurants and boutique hotels.

Eco-tourism is also likely to be an attraction for Cyprus holidays in 2012. The Green Beach project hopes to revitalise the coasts and a number of self-drive routes through the Cypriot countryside are being promoted, along with Hilltop EDEN – an ancient village restored to its original look with authentic historical materials.