We arrived at Paphos airport to be met by Angela, a friendly, interesting and exceptionally helpful (she actually drove ahead of us as we left the airport, guiding us to our first hotel) travel representative.
That first hotel was, on arrival, unprepossessing to say the least. The two blocks next to ours were out of action and builders were working hard, modernising the rooms. Ours had not yet been renovated and boasted a tiny balcony with a ‘side sea view’. First impressions however are not always the best. Aphrodite Beach Hotel, just outside Latchi, was clean and quiet and our four nights there provided many of the highlights of our stay, notably including wholesome breakfasts of pancakes, fresh fruit, spinach pies etc. etc, etc… and the carnivore’s unwholesome breakfasts of sausage and bacon. The buffet dinners also come highly recommended with plenty of veggie choice. Every single member of staff was friendly, nothing was too much trouble and, when it was time to move on, I was sad to leave.
The hotel was near to two excellent and well-marked walking trails, Aphrodite and Adonis. Both share a common start near the underwhelming Baths of Aphrodite. The Aphrodite trail then climbs up the side of a mountain towards the coast before winding on its slightly vertiginous descent back to the start. Adonis veers inland to pass groups of Mouflon and meadows filled with spring flowers (including those delicate purple or white crocus cyprius) on its circular path back to the baths and the (Free Entry) Botanic Gardens.
We had a hire car as part of our package and it was a short trip out (an hour’s drive) to the archeological site of Neo Paphos and its stunning mosaics.
Our second hotel was in the mountainside village of Kalopanayiotis, a miracle of architectural engineering with its own funicular. Sadly we never got to use the vertical train, preferring, for some unbelievable reason, to tramp up and down the many, many steps (not as steep and nothing like as hazardous as the slope I’m lying on now) which separated our suite from the hotel reception, restaurants, spa, sun deck and breakfast table. The hotel, Casale Panayiotis, seemed quite familiar, as though I’d seen it before somewhere…I half expect to be chased by a big bouncy ball when I try to leave.
Walking from the hotel is excellent; we took a circular walk around the village on the first day and a longer walk up into the surrounding mountains on the second.
We travelled on a package with Sunvil (https://www.sunvil.co.uk) staying at the Aphrodite Beach Hotel (https://www.aphrodite-beachhotel.com/) then Casale Panayiotis (https://www.casalepanayiotis.com/) We used Terrain Editions Cyprus (https://www.terrainmaps.gr/)walking map
