Eco Holidays In Cyprus

With a rich and varied history, Cyprus has been inhabited for over 12 thousand years. A range of influences has left an impression on the island, with Cyprus being ruled by Assyria and the Roman Empire in addition to several other empires. The modern history of Cyprus has split the island, with the Turkish area in the north separate from the rest of the island.

Cyprus has rich and varied inland regions. The landscape of Cyprus is diverse, with stunning coastal areas with many beautiful bays and coves, and sandy beaches, mountain regions and fertile rolling countryside. In autumn, the yellow and orange of citrus fruits contrast marvelously with the blue of the sky and sea. If you venture into the pastures you may come across a Moufflon, a shy mountain sheep that can be seen at a charming nature reserve at Stavros tis Psokas in the Paphos forest.

Away from the beaches the mountains of the Troodos region reach higher altitudes, offering a range of outdoor activities such as walking and winter sports. This really is fantastic trekking countryside, with some stunning summer scenery and packed full of cultural sites of interest including mountainside monasteries and idyllic villages full of rustic charm.

Booking a villa and fending for yourself is one way of staying on Cyprus, especially when combining your sight seeing with a cycling or walking tour. Cyprus villas have a reputation for being of a very high quality and places to indulge. When you're after a real taste of the authentic Cypriot atmosphere, there's no better way than to wind down after a day on the beach or exploring the cultural and artistic history of the island than to relax in stylish, quality accommodation.

The Troodos Mountains also offer an excellent way of discovering the Byzantine history of Cyprus, with many sites of cultural and archaeological importance to be explored, including Byzantine churches, monuments and architecture. The many cycle and walking routes offer some great scenery as well. Across Cyprus, the opportunities to explore the footpaths and offroad cycle routes are rich and varied, and allow the visitor to minimise their ecological footprint on this beautiful island, whilst enabling them to discover the culture, landscape and wildlife at their own pace.

Along the coast of Cyprus, there are plenty of places to stay in the heart of some stunning coastal views, where sports fans can take to the water by boat, windsurfing or kayak. With white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, idyllic coves and a smattering array of sea life and rock pools to explore, the coast of the island is diverse and wonderfully varied. Culture and history are lined across the coastline of Cyprus, with some excellent locations for bird spotting and more energetic activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, and mountain biking.

Just as in many other tourist destinations, food is an important factor, with some excellent cuisine in the towns, and some great restaurants in the tiny fishing villages along the coast. Many hotels or villas in Cyprus are friendly, family run establishments, with a range of amenities and facilities to suit groups with young children. With Cyprus now realising that an eco-friendly attitude is being demanded by tourists, it is possible to enjoy a truly green and environmentally aware stay in Cyprus, away from the crowds and enjoying the real, genuine, charming Cyprus.

If seeing a bit of nature forms part of your holiday then holidays in the Cyprus include the chance to do just that. Mark suggests different types of breaks for European travellers and the choice of villas in the Cyprus rivals that of anywhere else.