"Well, mostly Paphos... " a Cyprus Travel Page by leics

This is what I wrote first time round:

'I had no real preconceptions before travelling to Paphos, though never imagined I'd make snowpeople on Christmas Eve........hence the photo above, preserving the moment for posterity! The trip to Troodos (and Kykkos monastery) was worth it just for the snow people, because we get far less snow in the UK than you might think.

But the rest of the week was spent in and around Paphos so, to be honest, I can't say I've really been to Cyprus at all.....just a tiny bit of it.'

But I've just been back to Cyprus, have explored a bit more and taken far more photos (digital cameras are wonderful things).
I'm not going to change the rest of this page for sentimental reasons, but I've made new pages on Pafos, Kouklia, Tala, Kissonerga and Kourion.

This classic (and entirely accidental) postcard pic of palm tree and sunset over the sea is more what I expected. The Kato Pafos harbour front is lined with bars, shops and tavernas ....... probably a nightmare for me in high season, but quietly enjoyable in December. And especially interesting to see the local residents, dressed in their finery, promenading on Christmas Day......almost like a passegiata.

So....lots of places to drink and eat (or eat and drink), lots of daytrips available, nice beach, pleasant walking, friendly people.

And I wrote:

'There are two huge archaeological sites in Kato Pafos, because the ancient capital of Cyprus was here. The excavated town (excellent mosaics) and the rock-cut tombs further out are open to the public (and the beach is absolutely littered with huge pottery sherds, mostly from the Roman period). We visited both, but the small rock-cut tombs and shrines tucked away in other places fascinated me (it's the archaeologist in me, I suppose).'

But there is much, much more on Cyprus for the wannabe archaeologist, historian and person-who-is-interested-in-the-past (as well as all the watersports/sunshine activities/package holiday stuff one might expect).

So visit if you get chance (preferably out-of-season), don't be too dismayed by the myriad ex-pat Brits (and those who are enjoying their hols there) and try to get off-the-beaten-path; it's well worth it.

I suspect I may visit again..........