Villa Par is a 20-minute drive from the centre of Paphos. It's a welcoming town on the southwest coast of Cyprus. It’s an ideal holiday destination for couples, friends and families alike seeking sun and relaxation, yet there is more to Paphos than that. Whether you’re a foodie or lover of archaeology and culture (or all three), you can rejoice. The town is home to twelve museums, a fabulous selection of traditional tavernas serving everything from moussaka to souvlaki and mezes, and the Tombs of the Kings, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
For sports enthusiasts, Paphos offers a variety of water sports like sea kayaking and jet skiing and has three golf courses. Plus, you can go horse riding, cycling or hiking in the nearby countryside – the resort’s own land, the Akamas Peninsula or Troodos mountains are all popular choices (note: you’ll need to drive from the villa to the latter two). If you’re travelling in the winter, Troodos also hosts four ski slopes and is an excellent place to pick up delicious honey-coated nuts.
The popular holiday town is also renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches. Coral Bay, a sandy strip dotted with sun loungers is an excellent choice. There’s a small café there built into the hillside, and it’s also a short walk from Coral Bay centre with more cafes, shops and restaurants. Quieter Geroskipou beach has a human-made barrier that you can swim to, and it’s just down the road. Getting there, you may pass Paphos Water Park – a great family-friendly day out.
Scuba diver? Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you can head to top dive sites like Coral Bay harbour, St. Georges Island and St. George's harbour. At the latter, there’s a small sandy beach you can relax on, caves for you to explore and a restaurant overlooking the water. From there, you could also visit the Sea Caves in Peyia. Enjoy a walk along the cliffs, swim and snorkel or sunbathe on the rocks. At night, sip cocktails at the café there (Oniro) and enjoy views of Edro III, an 83-metre-long 2,517-ton freighter ship which ran aground in 2011 in stormy weather.
Head to the boat-lined harbour where restaurants line the waterfront (look out for fresh seafood!) and explore Paphos Castle, an ancient Byzantine fort. From there, you can follow the coastal road round for a scenic walk along the shore. There’s a mall for high-street shopping, plenty of supermarkets and bakeries and Ibrahim Kahn, Paphos Old Town is home to boutique shops and artisans. Think hand-crafted mosaics, jewellery and artwork – the perfect take-home souvenirs.