Hestia Group News

Looking for some fun & excitement, or want to arrange some activities for the kids whilst you are on holiday in cyprus? If you are an adventure seeker and also enjoy natural surroundings and nature at it’s best, come and explore all the stunning scenery that cyprus has to offer and have fun at the same time with Zephyros Adventure Sports.

Established in 2001, this Paphos-based centre was the first of its kind in cyprus and offers year round adventure in the form of Climbing, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, scuba Diving, Skiing, Snorkeling and Trekking.  For those of you that don’t fancy scheduled biking, Zephyros also rent bikes to suit all ages and conditions and at extremely good rates…

Zephyros Adventure Sports offers very good value for money with their varied and exciting programme and with the minimum requirement for most activities being only two people, there’s no need to share, you can have a family trip while keeping it in the family! All the tuition and equipment is included in the prices, as is transport to the numerous locations across the island and in some cases, lunch is thrown in as well!

If the stunning Troodos Mountains are your thing, they can be explored on skis during the winter months of January, February and March, when there is often up to 2m of snow to enjoy.  Not a skier?  No worries, try snowboarding or tobogganing instead.  Excluding the water based activities for obvious reasons, all of the other adventures that are available with Zephyros can be done in this region.
If you are a water baby, try Diving or snorkeling around the beautiful Paphos coastline, taking in parts of the Akamas Peninsular with a vast array of Sea Caves and rock formations.  Some of these can only be reached from the sea and if you want to get up close and personal, a kayak trip is a must.  The Sea Caves Paddle takes you along the coastline where you can explore places that the ordinary holidaymaker will never see – paddling into various caves, all with their own names such as ‘Jonah’, ‘Purple Haze’ and ‘Standing Room Only’.  Paddle around the uninhabited Yeronissos island and watch in wonder as various sea birds roost in the rocky crevices and outcrops.  Have a swim or relax on the beach afterwards for a truly lovely adventure. For the romantics among you, try the sunset paddle which takes in some of the Sea Caves trip and then heads out to sea a little way heading west, then stops as the sun settles on the horizon so that you can lie back, relax and take in the beautiful colours of a stunning sunset – it’s also a great photo opportunity before you paddle gently home as the orange and yellow hues change into lavender and blue.

Visit the website for Zephyros Adventure Sports for more information and bookings: http://www.enjoycyprus.com/

If you feel the need to get away from the stresses and strains of life, to ‘exit stage left’ and run far away from the daily grind, then come to cyprus for a well deserved relaxing holiday, find a spa and pamper yourself!

cyprus offers you a wonderful location for relaxation and rejuvenation and is host to a plethora of top class hotels with magnificent spas.  There is so much on offer in the variety of treatments available; you will be thoroughly spoilt for choice.

There are fabulous treatments to be had in most of the island’s resorts and below are some suggestions for you.  The toughest part will be deciding which one to go to or maybe try them all!

The Adams Beach Hotel in agia napa offers some unusual and enticing treatments such as a Deluxe Chocolate Body Wrap, a Deluxe Coffee Body Wrap, a Milk Bath and a Red Grape bath.  Or treat yourself to a massage in all its variations - you choose aromatherapy massage, asiaroma harmonizing massage, Indian head massage or the popular hot stone massage.

The St. Raphael Resort Spa in Limassol offers all types of spa treatments using Thalgo products. On the menu are the usual massages such as hot-stone and Indian head together with relaxing massages, luxury manicures and pedicures, facials and face treatments, body treatments, body wraps, eye treatments, reflexology, anti-cellulite treatments and ultra toning.  All these are available for men and women.

Between Limassol and Paphos you can find two excellent spa facilities.  The Columbia Beach Resort Spa at Pissouri offers you numerous therapies for relaxation and revitalisation using the ever popular Molton Brown products, together with Phytomer, a brand which uses plants and minerals from the ocean.  Among the myriad of available treatments, Columbia have developed specialist therapies for mothers-to-be and men so nobody need feel left out of a pampering session!

‘The Retreat’ at the Aphrodite Hills Resort, set in a stunning location overlooking Aphrodite’s Rock, has everything for total serenity and tranquility.  This includes a traditional Hammam or Turkish Bath and if you opt for the full Hammam experience you can expect steam bathing, a loofah scrub and a full body soap massage, performed on a heated marble plinth – guaranteed to give deep muscle relaxation.  Specialist services here offer a hair spa and a couples programme to enjoy with a friend or partner and performed in the Thai Suite.

In Paphos, The Amathus Beach Hotel seems to offer just about everything previously mentioned on this page and more.  Here you can receive Reiki Healing, have a Reflexology massage, try Shiatsu and experience a good range of treatments geared to sun exposure.  The Golden Dream tanning preparation treatment not only looks good but makes you feel good and also prepares the skin for further exposure to the sun.  In harmony with this is the Sunset Treatment which soothes away burning sensations and helps repair any damage.

Also in Paphos is the Thalassa Hotel with its’ wonderful sunset views over Coral Bay.  This delightfully intimate hotel houses the Anagenisis, the first holistic spa on magical cyprus.  The philosophy is to treat the person as a whole, with therapies that soothe the mind, body and soul.  This is achieved through the therapies, the wonderful cuisine and their health and fitness facilities, creating a complete haven of relaxation and rejuvenation.

For a get-away-from-it-all experience, your ideal destination would be The Anassa Hotel, quietly nestling below the Akamas just beyond Latchi on the way to Aphrodite’s Baths and in an exclusive and tranquil setting.  Anassa’s entirely upgraded, newly-designed lifestyle spa, Thalassa Spa, also involves a holistic approach to wellbeing, together with The Organic Pharmacy’s 100% natural product line.  Holistic and therapeutic lifestyle consulting, acupuncture, spa cuisine and natural treatments using local produce are all here fro you to enjoy. 

Go on, you know you want to – pamper yourself!..

cyprus is a great place to learn Diving and also has plenty to see for other members of the family who don’t dive.  It is blessed with around 340 days of sunshine a year and although you can dive throughout the year, May through to October is by far the best time.  During these months you probably only need a light wet suit to explore the many and varied dive sites around the island.

The best of these and indeed, voted one of the top ten wreck dives in the world, is the Zenobia, a Swedish ro-ro cargo ferry which sank off the coast of cyprus, on her maiden voyage.  She is approx 10,000 tonnes and well over 170m long but unfortunately developed a problem with the computerized ballast system while on her way to her destination in Syria.  The captain steered her toward Larnaca when he realised she was listing badly and it was here that she sunk with over 100 trucks and trailers on board.  It is generally thought that it needs at least two dives to explore this large wreck to fully appreciate it and probably shouldn’t be attempted as a novice.

There are plenty of other dives around the coast of cyprus suitable for all levels of experience and some of the more interesting ones can be found around Paphos, around The Akamas or off the East coast near ayia napa where simple wrecks and caves can be explored.  Although interesting artifacts can be found on the seabed, please be aware that it is strictly forbidden to remove any. The beautiful and rugged Sea Caves and St Georges areas of Paphos host some exciting dives sites along with Yeronissos Island which lies just of this coastline.

There are many differnet Dive Centres accros cyprus, with shops in Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, agia napa and a few others. One local company, Cydive was established in Paphos around 30 years ago and was the first scuba Diving centre in cyprus to achieve PADI IDC five star accreditation.  It also has a second Diving centre in Coral Bay and is the longest established dive school on the island.  With a whole host of courses run by fully qualified PADI instructors, from beginners and children’s courses, to accredited courses to further your Diving career, Cydive has something suitable for all the family if they wish to join in and if not, non-divers are most welcome on dive trips (space permitting).

What a great activity and experience to enjoy whilst on holiday, with one-off introductory dives to PADI ‘Open Water’ courses.

Established in the 1970s as a subsidiary company of Louis Plc and quoted on the cyprus Stock Exchange , Louis Cruise Lines is one of the most recognised and respected cyprus-based shipping companies. It operates cruises from cyprus, France and Italy - as well as Greece under the name Louis Hellenic Cruise Lines. It also charters several ships to Thomson Cruises and Transocean Tours. The fleet includes the SS The Emerald - the last ocean liner built in the United States still in service.

With a fleet of 14 cruise ships, the company serves destinations across the Mediterranean and North Africa, the Holy Land, Continue Reading »

If a change is as good as a rest, then a visit to cyprus is the ideal opportunity for the keen golfer to get some rest and recuperation. The island enjoys excellent air links with all parts of the UK. In little over four hours the transition is made from a climate which can be indifferent to the best interests of the keen golfer to a destination soaked in sunshine and the ‘feel good’ factor – and some choice golf courses.

Regardless of what else you decide to do during your visit – or where you stay -  finding good value accommodation and arranging Car hire is straightforward. The helpful people at Hestia Holidays provide the ideal  ‘one stop’  solution for those who simply want to make the most of their time in cyprus – leaving you free to explore and enjoy what the island has to offer. They can advise on Car hire, Currency exchange - and offer a wide choice of rental villas and apartments to ensure that you can easily get to the golf courses of your choice – as well as reach the beach and other attractions that lie in wait of your discovery.

Whether you are a keen amateur golfer, an aspiring ‘pro’ - or simply someone who wants to find out what all the fuss is about - one course that is a  ‘must’  on your itinerary is the ‘gem’ to be found at the Tasada golf Club.

The course was founded in 1994 on the hills of Tsada and set on the grounds of a 12th century monastery in a verdant valley. It was originally created by Donald Steel and renovated by Mackenzie & Ebert in 2006/07.
 
Located in western cyprus, the Tsada golf Club is near Tsada village - 15 km northeast of the city of Paphos or roughly 20 minutes drive. The altitude of 550 meters above sea level ensures cool breezes during the summer months.

The course credentials are truly impressive:

• 18 hole par 72 course of 6,060 meters 
• Handicap requirements: 28 for men and 36 for ladies.
• A handicap certificate is essential except in the low, winter season
• There is a 12 bay driving range, putting green, a pitching and chipping area and a PGA pro available for lessons
• Course map on the website

For current information, visit the club website: www.cyprusgolf.com/tsada. This provides full information on Rates, Location / Directions for getting there plus a comprehensive Course Map.

For the golfing enthusiast, the superb setting and the pleasant altitude provides more than cool breezes in the summer months as you play a round. It is a real breath of fresh air and an uplifting experience to treasure before returning home – in the expectation of some day returning for more of the same!
   
Contact Tel: 00357 26 642774/5

Visitors to cyprus make the trip for many reasons – an escape from the regular routine that life throws at us, a well deserved break or perhaps the pursuit of happiness by indulging in a favourite pastime. For many people  ‘pastime’ is an understatement for the passion that is golf.

More people are becoming increasingly aware that a trip to the sun-drenched island of cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean provides an excellent opportunity – if not excuse – to pursue their passion!  The difference between playing in the UK and cyprus is something that only the individual player can determine - and may well lie in the eye if not the ‘swing’ of the beholder.

Location is certainly one of the distinctions that cyprus has to offer when it comes to the setting of its golf courses. There are several golf course  ‘gems’ set in the landscape of cyprus – with promises of more to come – but for the discerning golfer The Secret Valley golf Course is perhaps one of the more prestigious courses.

Located by the renowned area of ‘Petra tou Romiou’, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, it is set in a scenic valley surrounded by mature trees and beautiful natural rock formations. It is consistently chosen as the preferred course amongst the island’s visiting players in terms of sheer playability and enjoyment. It can be found 18 km east of Paphos and 49 km west of Limassol, near to the Aphrodite’s Rock. Directions are clearly signposted from the exits on the Paphos-Limassol or Limassol-Paphos highways. From the Highway exit it is a few minutes drive of about 3 km into the valley – look out for signs showing the nearest village of Kouklia.

The course has a great deal to offer the amateur or ‘pro’ golfer alike:
• 18 hole course, par 71, measuring 5,904 metres
• Handicap requirements are 28 for men and 36 for women
• Handicap certificate is essential except during the low season 
• Carts, trolleys and clubs are available to rent
• There is a 12 bay covered driving range and ball machine
• 2 putting greens
• golf pro available for lessons
• There is a well stocked Pro Shop which sells a comprehensive range of equipment and golfing accessories such as bags, clubs, gloves, balls, golf shoes, protective sun creams, caps and visors.

For up-to-date information on what Secret Valley golf Club has to offer, visit their website at: www.cyprusgolf.com/secret_valley

There’s no doubt that the experience of playing a round or more at Secret Valley will be the highlight of a visit to cyprus – and perhaps prompt the pursuit of the many other indulgences the island has to offer. You can enjoy the challenge of relaxing in the sun on one of the Blue Flag Beaches, visit the Nicosia Racecourse, the Troodos mountains or go on a tour of the keo Brewery in Limassol! 

In much the same way that no two golf courses are the same - or two rounds on the same course ever identical – cyprus is an eclectic mixture of the past, present and what remains to be discovered by the enquiring human spirit.       

Hestia Holidays have available a superb villa for renting on the Secret Valley Resort, please click on the word ‘Secret Valley‘ within this article for details.

For the true afficiando, golf is not so much a sport as a way of life - and when you go on holiday, you certainly don’t stop living!  On the contrary, a welcome break from the normal workaday routine is a way of recharging your energy and doing more of what you would like to be doing back home – if only work and the pressures of daily life didn’t get in the way. So, a trip to cyprus is an excellent opportunity to make up for lost time in getting in some well deserved rest and recuperation – and doing what comes naturally to the instinctive golfer.

Although cyprus may not be a place that immediately springs to mind when thinking of golfing destinations in the Mediterranean, a little enquiry shows that there is an impressive choice to be had for the enthusiast prepared to break away from the more traditional tourist trails of Paphos, agia napa or the Troodos Mountains. Not that these places don’t have a lot to offer – far from it. There is a wealth of history, leisure and exploration to excite the curious spirit. But for golfers, knowing that their passion can be pursued in the glorious sunshine and tranquillity of an idyllic cyprus setting is a prize worth seeking out.

The Paphos area in the west of the country plays host to three well known golf courses – at Aphrodite Hills, Tsada and Secret Valley golf Course. There are plans for others courses on the island, including Tersefano which is close to Larnaca International Airport, between Paralimni and agia napa and more in the Limassol region. For those who are looking for something ‘midway’ and closer to Limassol, they don’t have to wait - there is already a club that provides a friendly welcome for the golfing enthusiast and their family. 
 
Vikla golf and Country Club is the only golf course in the Limassol area. It was founded in 1992 by Robin Houry near the village of Vikla and is only 20kms drive from the main Limassol tourist / residential area – pick up can be arranged. With its spectacular mountain views, its welcoming and informal atmosphere makes it an ideal place to play golf or simply relax!  The club boasts an 18 whole golf course with a par of 68 from the championship tees.

This is a great course for experienced golfers and beginners alike. No handicap certificate is required and tee-off times can be booked. The two par fives and six par threes offer a realistic challenge. Gross par is only ever broken once or twice a year, if that!

If value for money is important to you, give the club a call and check out their current rates for playing and hiring equipment - they claim to be about 75% cheaper than other courses on the island. The club is committed to making the golfing experience as enjoyable as possible. For some, the most convenient - and best time to play in the hot cyprus climate - may be towards the end of the day. So, whilst other courses close promptly at 5:30pm, Vikla remains open until the sun sets.
The facilities at Vikla are designed to be ‘family friendly’ - providing the true golfing enthusiast with some good reasons to visit the course whilst catering for non-golfers in the family with drinks and bar snacks at the Club House or dipping into the swimming pool with its outside terrace overlooking the course during summer months. Clubs and trolleys are available for hire from the PROSHOP, where there is also an excellent selection of golfing equipment for sale.
The accent is very much on friendly informality – so there is no course dress code and the practice ground helps you on the way to perfecting your game!

For further information, check out the Vikla golf Club website:
www.vikla-golf.com - or send an e-mail to: viklagolf@cytanet.com.cy
Telephone:  00357 99674218

The Republic of cyprus is set to become the next major location on the international golf scene – with an increasing impact on the local property market.

The government of cyprus is standing by its long-term commitment to make major improvements to the infrastructure of cyprus. golf courses have taken pride of place in the overall strategy to turn Aphrodite’s isle from one of the most popular Mediterranean destinations for European holidaymakers into a vacation paradise for visitors from around the globe. golf is still a relatively new sport here. However, Continue Reading »

What makes a tourist attraction a tourist attraction? This question is possibly a permanent item on the agenda of national tourist organisations the world over – and in cyprus the issue is probably much the same.

The island’s very existence is rooted in ancient civilisation and mythology. Paphos is a prime example. St.Paul’s pillar within the compound of the church of Chrysopolitissa is where, by tradition, Saint Paul was flogged. A few kilometers from the main town is Aphrodite’s Rock, which juts out of the Mediterranean Sea at the spot where Aphrodite, the mythological goddess of love is said to have emerged from the sea in 1200BC.

People come from across the world to visit these locations – yet more recent events have added to the interest value of visiting Paphos. One such object - of nautical attention - can be seen whilst traveling along the main Paphos to Coral Bay Road.

On 23 March 1998, the Honduran-flagged M/V Demetrios II ran aground off Paphos Lighthouse, close to Chloraka Village, in heavy seas during a voyage from Greece to Syria with a cargo of timber.
When the accident took place, the ship had eight crew members - four Greeks, two Pakistanis and two Syrians. The crew were rescued and airlifted to the safety of Paphos by a British Military Helicopter.

At the time of the incident, reports in the English-language newspaper  ‘The cyprus Mail’ stated that seafarers certificates issued for some of the crew of the cargo ship were forged - confirmed in a report appearing in Lloyds List that the competency certificates issued for the Greek captain and the Pakistani first officer were “high-quality” Liberian fakes.
The Demetrios II was left stranded on rocks near the Paphos lighthouse, where it remains to this day – a fascinating landmark and an item of noteworthy interest!

One of the great joys of getting away from it all and visiting a sun-soaked island like cyprus is that you also have a chance to get away from your comfort zone, explore new places and get to know more about a culture that goes back thousands of years.

This particular culture includes the longstanding tradition of wine-making. How often do we really think about where our bottle of wine actually comes from when we pick up the latest bargain from the supermarket or the off licence? Not very often perhaps? So why not take advantage of the opportunity to fill this gap in your knowledge and get even more satisfaction from your stay in cyprus? Continue Reading »