Overseas Property Guide Cyprus

Living in Paphos

2010-12-30T06:42:00.000-08:00

Living in Paphos: Enjoy Excellent Standard of Living in Cyprus
Extract from the Shelter Offshore web site – Published on Thursday, October 14, 2010
http://exclusivecyprusproperty.co.uk/

In this report we examine what life in Paphos – one of the best towns in Cyprus – can offer relocating expatriates of all ages. We show how Paphos is a great place for a high standard of international living abroad

One of the main reasons cited by Britons of all ages when they’re asked about why they want to move to live abroad is that they want to achieve a better standard of living. The weather in the UK, the long average commute times, the fact that Brits work the longest hours and have the shortest holidays in Europe all mean that we want a better way of life when we move abroad.
Having lived and worked in many locations throughout Europe, I can honestly say that for quality of life Cyprus is practically second to none…and of all the locations across Cyprus, Paphos is one of the best towns to choose if you want to get the balance right between your social and your work life options.

Whether you’re planning on relocating in retirement, you have family and children in tow or you’re a couple or a singleton going in search of a brand new and better life abroad, this article will show you how living in Paphos you can enjoy an excellent standard of living.

Living in Paphos and Educating Children
http://exclusivecyprusproperty.co.uk/
Unlike many international locations, Cyprus is an exceptionally family friendly place for relocation. The international schools on the island are highly regarded – with a former pupil from the International School of Paphos http://www.paphosinternationalschool.com/db/having just achieved a double first class degree from Cambridge University for example. What’s more, healthcare standards are first class, and there are many, many activities and organisations in place for the entertainment and edification of children.

For parents relocating to Cyprus, schooling is of primary concern – and in Paphos there is a fairly wide choice available to you, depending on whether you want to educate your children at the state schools where they will be primarily taught through the medium of Greek, or whether you want them to attend a fee paying international school.

If your child is between 3 months and 4.5 years old there are a selection of pre-school children’s nursery’s such as the excellent Peyia Playschool, http://www.peyiaplayschool.com/ where English is spoken, and your child will mix with other children of mixed nationalities.

If your children are under the age of about 7 or 8 and you intend living in Paphos for good, your child may find it easier to integrate into a state school and learn Greek than an older child will. For older children, and for children of parents who are not sure their relocation to Pahpos will be forever, the international options are the aforementioned, highly regarded International School of Paphos (ISOP) or the American School, Paphos.

ISOP takes children from kindergarten level right through to A levels, and the school’s campus is fabulous. The facilities and amenities are first class, teaching standards are high and former pupils go on to achieve international university placements. The American School in Paphos http://www.americanacademy.ac.cy/articles/view/home is part of the American Academy family of schools across Cyprus. The curriculum is approved by the local Ministry of Education, and students work towards the completion of the American Academy School Leaving Certificate.

According to the school: “Graduates of the school are eligible for entry to British, American, Australian, European and other overseas universities. Our graduates enjoy an excellent placement record with top universities worldwide.”

Healthcare in Paphos

Whether you’re planning on retiring to Paphos or you’re relocating with children, whether you have healthcare concerns or you just want to be prepared, you will be very, very pleased to learn that access to world-class medical facilities is available on this part of the island.

There is a relatively new general hospital serving the greater Paphos area, it’s located in Anavargos, which is northeast of the town centre. It is a fully equipped hospital catering for emergencies as well as ‘routine’ care issues. The address and phone number are as follows: -
Anavargos Street, Anavargos, Paphos.
Tel: 26-240111 or for emergencies tel: 26- 240100.
Call 199 for an ambulance in Cyprus.

There are additional private hospital facilities in Paphos such as Saint George’s Private Hospital which is at 29 Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue in Paphos. (Tel: 26 947000). Or Evangelismos Hospital on 87 Vasileos Constantinou in Paphos. (Tel: 26 848 000). Or the Iasis Private Hospital which is located at 8 Voriou Epirou and which can be reached on Tel: 26 848 484.

You will probably want to choose a medical centre close to where you’re living, but there is wide and varied choice – try St James which is in Kato Paphos on 8 Tombs of the Kings Avenue – tel: 26 949 100/99 or the Blue Cross Medical Centre 51 Demokratias Avenue(Tel: 26 221 111) if you need to find a centre in an emergency and you have not had time to register with a doctor.

In terms of whether you need medical insurance – unless you’re covered by the likes of forms E106, E109, E121, E123 or E112 (see the department of health’s website) you may need to pay for all or some of any treatment you need when you’re living in Paphos. Do not believe that your European Health Insurance Card will cover you, as this is just for emergency treatment for temporary visitors to a country within the EU.

If you’re going to be working in Cyprus and paying tax, you will be paying towards state healthcare and should have an entitlement to treatment for free as a result. But you need to ensure you are properly registered and that you know the level of care you and any dependents will be entitled to.

The Cyprus Ministry of Health’s website is an excellent place to research any entitlement. If you realise you will have to pay for any or all treatment, you may decide that buying health insurance is a good way forward to protect your health and that of your family. Look around at local insurers’ offerings in Cyprus as well as the policies offered by the likes of Bupa International and so on. Insurance costs can be reduced if you increase your excess for example – and it always pays to shop around. You can also ask fellow expats what they do in terms ofg insuring their health when you move to Cyprus.

The Paphos Lifestyle

The lifestyle that you can achieve in Cyprus is excellent – the fine weather for up to 9 months of the year, the laid back attitude to life enjoyed by local people, the excellent and healthy Mediterranean cuisine and the fabulous coastline and beaches all add quality and enjoyment to life.

Paphos can take all of this a stage further however because it has great infrastructure and amenities – from shopping malls to hospitals, from schools to good roads and brilliant nightlife. In fact, if you want to achieve a best of all world’s situation, consider living in Paphos!

In Paphos you have many fine restaurants and bars – and as a resident locally you will soon discover where the locals eat and drink away from the tourists and you will get better food, better service and better value.

In Paphos you have an historic centre, ancient and fascinating remains, you have fabulous modern architecture, beautiful villas and apartments and you have all of this blended against the backdrop of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

In Paphos you have shops, jobs, schools, modern hospitals – you have your own airport and good roads linking you to the whole of the rest of the island…

Whether you’re moving to Cyprus in retirement or you’re young, free and up for a good time or you have children and you want to really integrate into the local community, there is so much going on in and around the Paphos area for people of all ages, you will never be bored or lonely!

Is Paphos Perfect?

From reading the above you may just be thinking, ‘hang on a minute I have found paradise on earth, I’m off to live in Paphos!’ However, Paphos is not perfect, nowhere is! Yes the town offers one of the best lifestyles in one of the best locations in Europe if not the world…however, it does have a few downsides that I should mention so that I present you with as balanced an opinion of the town as possible.

Because Cyprus is a very tourism-centric island, and Paphos is one of the most desirable places to stay, the town can be overrun with visitors for the long summer season. This also has the effect of pushing prices up in the likes of bars and restaurants. What’s more, despite the global economic downturn and the knock on effect this has had in economies everywhere, property prices in Paphos remain amongst the highest in Cyprus.

There are also not as many employment opportunities as there were, and competition for jobs and business is intense. If you’re going to be working or running your own business when you move abroad you need to know that if you’re moving to Paphos you will need to work hard. The good news is you can also play hard and enjoy an exceptional standard of living and way of life outside of work.

In Conclusion

Paphos has an awful lot in its favour. It is a very easy place to relocate to for Britons who are 100% familiar with many aspects of Cyprus in general – from the side of the road the cars drive on, to many of the shops on the high street for example. Nearly all Greek Cypriots have a very high standard of English, (although you should learn Greek if you want to enjoy more of your life on the island), and there are thousands of Britons living in Cyprus already, meaning that making friends will be much easier.

The thing you really need to keep in mind however is that nowhere is perfect, so ensure your expectations for your relocation are realistic – it will still take time to find a home, make a home, get your children into school and perhaps find work you enjoy…however, the many, many sunny days and the fabulous lifestyle will make any ‘hardship’ seem much, much easier!

http://exclusivecyprusproperty.co.uk/

Why it pays to retire abroad

2010-12-30T02:36:00.000-08:00

Extract from Shelter Offshore 10 December 2010. Why it pays to retire abroad.

The big pension news in the UK this month is that annuity rates have risen for the first time in ages – much is being made of this increase in underlying offerings from the likes of Legal & General, Aviva, Aegon, Just Retirement, LV= and Canada Life…however, the fact of the matter is, the long-term outlook for annuities is actually far from positive

At the moment annuity providers pay men more than they pay women, but this is likely to change next year when it’s widely expected that the European Court of Justice will rule that this is unfair on sex equality grounds. Annuity rates for men will then probably fall – inflation is also starting to nip at the heels of annuity rates offered, and all in all, if you’re planning on retiring in the UK with a British pension, the outlook is far from positive for you.

However, we’re not in the business of promoting doom and gloom! Which is why we’re here to tell you that it can actually pay – quite literally – to retire abroad instead. Not only can you likely benefit from better weather, a lower cost of living and an improved lifestyle by retiring to a paradise in the sun overseas, there are also far, far better options open to many overseas retirees when it comes to benefiting from their pension income.

Have You Heard of QROPS?
QROPS is an acronym for qualifying recognised overseas pension schemes…they came into being in April 2006 when it was announced that British expatriates could move their pension benefits offshore and into these schemes with the UK tax authority’s approval.

The number one, overriding, most magnificent benefit of these schemes is that you do NOT have to buy an annuity with them – ever! Which means, you can enjoy your entire pension pot…and anything you don’t get around to spending can be left as an inheritance for the benefit of your heirs.

Can You Benefit from QROPS?
If you’re a UK resident and planning on remaining in the UK throughout retirement, or you’re a resident or citizen of the United States then you’re unlikely to be able to benefit from QROPS – but anyone else is eligible to explore the potential benefits.

QROPS are certainly going to be of interest to you if you’re an expat already, you’re planning on retiring abroad or living outside of the UK for at least 5 tax years, or if you’ve already retired overseas but not yet accessed your pension.

How You Can Benefit from QROPS and Why it May Pay to Retire Abroad
The main general benefits of QROPS are as follows, however, as you will already be aware, when it comes to any financial arrangement, the potential benefits and advantages will depend a great deal on your personal situation. So, ensure you get qualified financial advice before you make a firm decision about QROPS…

1) You do not need to buy an annuity with your QROPS
2) You can therefore leave any unspent money to your heirs
3) You have great investment freedom for the benefit of your money
4) You may be eligible to take a tax-free lump sum when you come to retire, this can be up to 30% of your pension pot
5) You can potentially tax efficiently draw down income from your QROPS (depending on where you’re tax resident)
6) You can invest and enjoy income/a lump sum in the currencies of your choice
7) You will enjoy greater investment confidentiality
8) There are also potential IHT benefits

In terms of why it may actually pay you to retire abroad – I expect you can already see how much more of your pension pot you could enjoy if you didn’t have to tie it in to an annuity. What’s more, by being able to invest and draw down in the currency of your choice, you can potentially avoid negative exchange rate fluctuations and currency conversion charges.

Furthermore, by having great investment freedom you can ensure your pot is well diversified and earning as much as it possibly can while you’re not spending it.

How to Learn More About QROPS
Annoyingly, QROPS are not directly accessible by an individual, rather the QROPS providers take pension transfers through appointed and qualified intermediaries. In part this is to protect you – after all, making any decision about the movement, reinvestment and management of your pension requires you receive independent, qualified and regulated advice.

Therefore, the QROPS providers want to ensure you are making the right move for your money, therefore they will only take your transfer in if it comes via an intermediary who they appoint as being qualified to offer best advice.

For you, this means you need to speak to a qualified, regulated and independent financial adviser to ensure you get best advice…

Exclusive Cyprus Properties Property for sale in Cyprus.

Minthis Hills Golf Course

2010-04-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

The existing Minthis Hills 18 hole par 71 championship golf course was originally designed by Donald Steele and is now being improved even further by Mackenzie & Ebert, who have worked on many of the top Open golf courses around the world. According to Tom Mackenzie, “There are few places in the world where you can play in such stunning surroundings as Minthis Hills, with the view of the Troodos Mountains and the course itself hidden away in a valley with the 12th century monastery set right in the heart of it.”

The course has a length of 5,828m or 6,550 yards, short enough for you to decide whether to use a buggy or walk the course, as many of the purists prefer. There are a full range of practice facilities, including a elevated driving range with panoramic views. A large new clubhouse is currently being built, which will act as the heart of the community, providing bars, restaurants and five star services to residents, such as a full concierge service.

For more information about Minthis Hills Resort please contact Bob Cossons at Exclusive Cyprus Property http://www.exclusivecyprusproperty.com/ or email Info@exclusivecyprusproperty.com Tel: 00357 96 612123

2009-01-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Cyprus is ‘bucking the trend’ of the credit crunch. According to a recent Knight Frank Report, Cyprus is still recording growth rates in double figures. A high level of interest in property as an investment is attracting buyers to the island who see it is an alternative to other markets which are faring badly. It is especially true at the higher end of the market. In addition to the investment potential, the good weather, idyllic lifestyle and low crime rate are all factors for those looking to escape from the gloom of the UK permanently.

This is clearly demonstrated by Pafilia’s recent launch of Minthis Hills, one of the most distinctive and attractive residential resorts in the Mediterranean that is redefining luxury living in Cyprus. Evangelia Eliadou, executive director of Pafilia, said, “Within ten days of launch, we sold ten properties in our Minthis Hills development amounting to over 13 million Euros, demonstrating that high end specifications, beautiful designs and ultimate luxury are still very much in demand. The response has been so high that we may have to introduce the next phase of the development earlier than expected.”

At Minthis Hills, we will not only preserve the landscape, we will return it to how it was years ago with the planting of over 50,000 indigenous trees and plants.”

Located in the rolling hills of Tsada village, between Pafos and Polis, Minthis Hills is remarkable for the serene harmony of its design, as well as its incorporation of the best modern design advances that put it at the forefront of modern architecture. The aim for the resort is to offer the best of both worlds; a rural escape with easy access to facilities on site and, at the same time, just 10 minutes drive from all the amenities and entertainment you could wish for in Pafos town! Unrivalled on-site facilities will include the recently upgraded 18 hole championship golf course, a spa, several restaurants and shops. This will be complemented by the highest levels of service, enabling owners to relax in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of for them.

The development will span across 5 million square metres, equivalent to 1200 football pitches, or 3.5 times the size of Hyde Park - and just 2% will be built on. This means that those buying there will be surrounded by open spaces, panoramic views of the mountains, sea or golf and will almost be unaware of any neighbours.
Property prices start at around €1 million for the villas.

For more information about Minthis Hills visit http://www.exclusivecyprusproperty.com/ or call +357 96612123 or contact bobcossons@aol.com

Schooling in Cyprus

2008-10-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

The education system in Cyprus is of a high standard and accessible to all residents. Cyprus offers a wide range of schools from pre-school kindergarten (1-6 years), infant schools (6-12 years), junior schools (12-18 years), colleges (16-18 years) and universities (18+).

The Cypriot government wishes to ensure that children from other EU countries continue their education whilst they are in Cyprus. Children with other native languages receive special lessons in their language, along with intensive tuition in Greek to facilitate their gradual integration into state school. In addition teachers receive training to enable them to respond adequately to the teaching of pupils from other language backgrounds.

A number of private schools (Greek, English, French, and Russian-language) are also available. Higher education is available through 6th form colleges and recognised English language institutions. If either parent is of Cypriot nationality, schooling for their children is compulsory until Year 9, or age 15. However, most pupils stay on until the age of 18 to gain a high-school diploma, a necessary prerequisite for a university application or job. Attendance at all Greek schools is free of charge; however there is a fairly rigid curriculum. Pre-school educationBoth state schools teaching in the Greek language and private schools teaching in other languages offer pre-school education for children aged from 3 to 5 years. Attendance is currently voluntary, however legislation to make at least one year of pre-school education compulsory is anticipated. Attendance at a private nursery school costs from (EUR 120 to EUR 260) per month. There are also private and state "baby nurseries" for children up to 3 years of age.

In Paphos the Little Acorns Pre-School Nursery is a well run and popular day nursery. Run by UK qualified staff and open from 8 till 5, they have provision for 20 children who can attend morning or afternoon sessions or both. Parents are welcome to visit whenever they wish and there are free "settling in" sessions to make sure your child is going to be happy there. Prices include meals and snacks.

Best Beaches in Cyprus.

2008-07-29T02:21:00.001-07:00

Blue Flag Jury awarded the Blue Flag to the following 49 beaches :
Louma, Pernera, Potami, Vrysi A’ & B’ & C’, Protaras, Nisia Lombardi [Paralimni], Konnos Bay, Kermia, Ammos tou Kambouri, Glyki Nero, Pantachou, Loukkos tou Manti, Katsarka, Pernera, Vathia Gonia, Nissi, Nissi Bay, Lanta, Macronissos and Agia Thekla [Agia Napa], Yannathes [Voroklini], Phinikoudes, Kastella and Mckenzie [Larnaka], Kalymnos beach - CTO [Pentakomo], Aoratoi [Pyrgos], Municipal Beach Pareklisias [Pareklisia], Santa Barbara, Loures, Vouppa, Aphrodite, Onisilos, Armonia and Castella [Agios Tychon], Akti Olympion [Lemesos], Pissouri beach [Pissouri], Municipal beach – CTO [Geroskipou], Pachyammos, Vrysoudia A & B, Alykes, Municipal Baths and Faros [Pafos], Laourou and Coral Beach [Pegeia], Municipal beach, Dasoudi beach - CTO [Polis Chrysochous].

Low Cost Flights to Cyprus

2007-12-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Jet2 will start flights to Pafos Cyprus from May 2008 (flying from Leeds Bradford to Pafos)

Cyprus has a long heritage stretching back over 9000 years. Reminders of the Island's history can be found with Greek temples, Roman mosaics and 15th-century frescoes available for all to see.

Some Highlights to Visit

Salamis – Salamis is the best archaeological site in Cyprus. Visitors can bask in the atmosphere of the fully restored Roman amphitheatre, marble baths or the gymnasium. Most of the ruins are Byzantine or Roman, scattered over 5 miles with a beautiful beach near by for any keen archaeologist to cool down in and soak up some rays!

Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Lefkosia's was once enclosed by a star-shaped wall but is now more famous due to the UN's Green Line which divided the capital. Lefkosia is a friendly place with beautiful restaurants, a buzzing art scene and breathtaking museums. Lefkosia offers a more traditional view of Cyprus and gives the traveller insight into what the way of life in Cyprus is really like compared to the coastal towns. The old town, inside the 16th-century Venetian walls, is a must see for anybody visiting. There are many museums to see in the area including the Leventis Municipal, the Dragoman Hadzigeorgakis and the Byzantine Museum.

Troödos Massif – The Troödos mountains, in the country's south, are well worth a visit for their tranquil atmosphere and a place to get away from the bustling tourist hot spots. The area is a favourite for hikers and is littered with 15th-century frescoed monasteries, wine-making villages and walking trails.

St Hilarion Castle – St Hilarion Castle seems as if it has come from a magical fairytale and is uniquely blended into the surrounding cliffside. The castle has a labyrinth of tunnels, hidden rooms and overgrown gardens and paths to keep both parents and children entertained for hours on end. The view from the top of the castle is a sight to behold allowing the visitor to see the Taurus Mountains in Turkey, more than 100km away on a clear day.

Kolossi Castle – Kolossi Castle is nestled near the village houses and vineyards in the area. The castle acts as a reminder of the rule of the Knights of St John in the 13th century. The famous Cypriot wine, Commandaria, was first produced here and no visit would be complete without sampling this rich dessert wine. The castle is accessible by a short drawbridge. In earlier days the castle was originally defended by a high parapet fiercely defended by the castle occupants with molten lead or boiling oil – but don’t worry there’s a friendly reception for all visitors now!

Details of low cost flights to Cyprus with Jet2.com can be found on their website www.jet2.com

Cyprus News

2007-06-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

• A recent announcement revealed that the Euro will be introduced in January 2008.

• Two new International Airports are in the pipeline! In 2009 the new Pafos airport will be complete.

• Ten new golf courses are planned island-wide.

• Four new marinas are planned across Cyprus. Pafilia Property Developers have announced that they have formally placed a bid for the new Pafos Marina, near Coral Bay, which will boast a staggering 1,000 berths!

• Works will soon begin on the transformation of Pafos Harbour, with a pedestrianised promenade.

• A new highway linking Pafos and Polis will dramatically reduce travel times.

• A beach improvement scheme will further raise the standards of Cyprus' plentiful blue flag beaches.

• Cyprus already has one of the highest employment rates in the EU, but new enterprises will create thousands of new jobs on the island!

• There are a growing number of familiar UK High Street names in Cyprus. The latest additions to Pafos are Starbucks and Debenhams, and the existing Marks & Spencers has recently been extended and now includes a food department.

• The German supermarket, Lidl, will be opening a chain of branches across the island soon, and market whispers speculate that Ikea and Tesco could soon follow suit.

• Rumour has it that increasing competitiveness will lead to a price war between supermarkets, meaning that prices will be brought down.

The view from my terrace in Peyia looking down on Coral Bay. If you fancy a view like this every evening, contact my son:

Bob Cossons bobcossons@aol.com
+357 966 12123

Climate

2007-06-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Climate can be important when looking at overseas property and will influence your choice of location. Cyprus is the hottest of the Mediterranean islands and boasts near all year round sunshine, where you can expect 340 days of sunshine with temperatures rarely dropping below 16 degrees.

This picture was taken in November.

Monthly Average temperature
January 16°C
February 16°C
March 18°C
April 23°C
May 28°C
June 32°C
July 32°C
August 33°C
September 32°C
October 28°C
November 23°C
December 19°C

The rainy season is from November to March with temperatures ranging between 23 to 16 degrees, with most of the rain falling between December and February.

The spring season is mild and you can expect temperatures of 23 degrees. During April the spring flowers are at their best and the whole country is beautifully green By May the flowers are starting to go over. Early May can be windy, but by the middle of the month the temperature is starting to rise and all the lovely green countryside turns brown. During July and August the temperature can be well above 30 degrees centigrade.

The Troodos Mountains are a great place to escape the heat of the summer sun, you can expect a difference in temperature of up to 12 degrees. During the winter months of December and January the mountains provide ideal Skiing conditions, while by the coast you can still enjoy the beach.

Betty Boothroyd's Bolthole

2007-03-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

Baroness Boothroyd, former Speaker of the House of Commons, was asked by the Sunday Telegraph what place she considered to be heaven on earth. Her reply was Cyprus.

She said "I discovered Cyprus in the 1970s on a parliamentary group trip, and fell in love with it. It's now my little bolthole, to which I try to escape several times a year.

I've been all over the island - driving through the Troodos Mountains, and visiting the monasteries or other antiquities like the ruins of ancient Salamis. I've even been paragliding.

I usually stay outside Paphos, on the coast, and my routine is to have breakfast outside in my swimsuit and shorts, and then go beachcombing. I also love to swim and the water is so clear you can see the colour of your toenails. Occasionally I'll have lunch with some of my many friends on the island. After a day outdoors, I'm happy to spend the evening with friends in a little taverna somewhere.

Turtle Watching in Cyprus

2007-03-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nest only in a handful of select locations around the world. Cyprus just happens to be one of those locations. The pollution-free sands of the Akamas Peninsula (particularly Lara Bay) and the beaches near Polis provide an annual refuge for turtles to lay their eggs. These are special places that should be treated with care and respect.

The action always begins in June. Turtles from all across the Mediterranean descend on the beaches of Western Cyprus and Turkey. They arrive in their hundreds under cover of darkness, choosing sand high up on the beaches in which to lay their clutch of eggs. Typically a hundred eggs will be laid in one clutch, the turtles returning three, four or even five times through the summer to lay new clutches on the beach. Despite these apparently large numbers, only 20% of eggs laid are hatched. The remainder fall foul of foxes and other wildlife on the island.

Eggs hatch in around seven weeks. A mad dash to the sea by the hatchlings then ensues. Again, not all of them will make it, the wildlife picking them off before they can reach the relative safety of the water.
Lara Bay in Akamas is now a protected area during the turtle breeding season. Conservationists work to protect the eggs and to escort hatchlings to the sea. Even so estimates put the yearly survival rate of turtles at only 6,000 - 7,000. It is a very low number for two species that find themselves on the verge of extinction.

Turtle watching is best performed from afar so as not to disturb these beautiful aquatic reptiles. Evening twilight or dawn break are the best times to see the turtles waddle across the sands. Some people have even spotted turtles swimming in the crystal clear waters close to the beaches in daylight hours.

A beachfront villa with outstanding views of the sea and the tranquil countryside close to this beautiful Akamas conservation area would be an ideal holiday home, or as an investment.

Iberian International have a 2 bedroom beachfront villa

for GBP171,000 at Argarka Bay

Spring Delights

2007-03-02T08:29:00.000-08:00

The first orchids bloom in January in Cyprus, and by mid-February the countryside is already alive with fresh green meadows and almond trees in bloom. March days can still be cool (daytime temperatures around 19C or 65F, (9C or 40F at night) but steadily moderate. Early spring is a wonderful time to visit to Cyprus, with pleasant daytime temperatures and many of the ancient ruins framed by a carpet of red anemones and other wildflowers. In April and into the middle of May spring is in full force. This is an ideal time for nature hikes and off-road adventures in the pristine Akamas Peninsula.

Cyprus has 1,950 species of flowering plants, 140 of which do not grow anywhere else except on the island, and in the Akamas alone, there are 700 plant species, of which 40 are endemic. From February to April, pink cyclamen sprouts up from rocky foothills and thickets and forms a riveting adornment to the Baths of Aphrodite. From March to April, the pink wavy-leaved monkey orchid (Orchis italica) grows in dense patches around Paphos. In summer Cyprus is the place to bask in the sun, but spring is the time to savour the natural beauty of the island in bloom.

Food and Wine

2007-02-13T09:31:00.000-08:00

Fruit and Vegetables - Nurtured by the warm Mediterranean sun, Cyprus fruit and vegetables grow to a size and quantity guaranteed to delight the most demanding palates. The trees laden with citrus, and the acres of grapes particularly on the southern Troodos slopes, are the beginning of the story.

The markets and many roadside stalls are a feast of colour, with fruit of every variety, size and hue; ripe, juicy, tasty, ready for eating and very inexpensive. These include apples, pears, melons, watermelons, plums, figs, strawberries and cherries to mention but a few. The same goes for the Island’s vegetables. Everyone knows the superlative Cyprus potato - so tasty and ideal for chips - but there are giant, shiny aubergines, massive red tomatoes, fat lettuces, elongated carrots, plump artichokes, delectable avocadoes and many more.

Island Cuisine - The gastronomic pleasures of Cyprus should be savoured at an unhurried pace. To discover new flavours and sample the many traditional dishes, there is no better way to learn than to follow local custom with a typical meze, meaning mixture, which is usually a little of everything that is available that day in that taverna or restaurant.

As many as thirty dishes may form the meze starting with dips, salads and vegetables, advancing to hot dishes - including such favourites as Mousaka and kebabs as well as tasty local casseroles, fresh fish and chicken - and finishing with sweets like Baklava and Loukoumades.

Cyprus wines, inexpensive and plentiful, make a good accompaniment to this exotic and lingering repast, and a Cyprus coffee in a tiny cup, ordered according to sweetness desired is a fitting finale with a local brandy.

Loukoumades - Greek style doughnuts.

Ingredients:

1 Pinch Cinnamon To taste
2 Cups Flour
1 A Little Oil
1 Teaspoon Salt "Light" teaspoon
1 Handful Sesame Seeds
1 A Little Thyme Honey
4 Teaspoons Yeast

Directions:
Thin the yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water.
Mix the flour with the salt in a deep bowl.
Add the yeast and an extra cup of warm water and mix well until you make a uniform thin paste.
Cover and leave in a cool place for 1½ hours until it rises and forms bubbles under the surface.
Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and pour your mix in, one large spoonful at a time.
The mix will form round dumplings.
Remove them with a strainer/ladle when they darken a little.
Pour honey over, sprinkle with cinnamon and the sesame seeds.

Hiking in Cyprus

2007-02-09T12:08:00.000-08:00

Cyprus for All Seasons
One of the benefits of being a Mediterranean island is plentiful sunshine throughout the year, and Cyprus is no exception. In fact, Cyprus epitomizes the ideal weather of the region with sunny days and fine temperatures almost every day. Extremes of temperatures are rare, meaning Cyprus has something to offer every month of the year, whether it's swimming (as late as November) or enjoying cultural sites and festivals (all year long).

An ideal way to get a feel for the countryside of Cyprus is to walk through it - literally. There are hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty throughout the country, with the most extensive network found in the delightful Troodos Mountains. Some of these are within walking distance of the major monasteries. All told more than 48 well signposted paths or trails cover a total distance of 200 kilometres in various parts of the island.

Three Days In Central Cyprus
The Troodos Mountains area boasts four distinctive signposted nature trails. The circular, seven-kilometre long Artemis Trail is at the 1850 metre level and encompasses endemic flora such as Cyprus crocus and orchids under the black pines, as well as rich avian life that includes blue rock thrush and imperial eagles.
The Atalanti Trail, named after a forest nymph, is nine kilometers long.
At four kilometres, the Kalidonia Trail (also known as the Trail of Nightingales) criss-crosses the Kryo Potamo stream as it flows from the Troodos to Platres. The final portion of the trail begins under a wooden archway and leads to the Caledonean Falls.
The three-kilometre Persephone Trail affords up-close looks at beautiful lichens and ferns.

A Day in Akamas
Still basing yourself in Paphos, explore the Akamas Peninsula, a rugged thumb-shaped strip of land criss-crossed by rocky hiking trails. From the Aphrodite Trail hikers have spectacular views of rock formations, limestone outcroppings, cliffs and boulders sculpted into odd shapes suspended in the sea. Both the Aphrodite Trail and Adonis Trail branch out from the Baths of Aphrodite, a natural grotto.

On the other, western side of the peninsula is Avakas Gorge, popular as a day trip excursion from Paphos by jeep. Several outfits organize 4X4 jeep trips all year long, the majority leaving from the Paphos District. Most of the excursions include a stop at Lara Beach, a protected nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. All of the settings are pristine, so be sure to bring Your camera!

Live the Med Lifestyle

2007-02-07T03:05:00.000-08:00

'Live The Med Lifestyle In Cyprus' is an ebook written by Roy Carter & Lynda Burke in 2006. It tells you all you need to know about moving to Cyprus to live.

Roy and Lyn moved to Cyprus some years ago and are currently living and working there very happily and enjoying all that the island has to offer.

'Live The Med Lifestyle In Cyprus' costs less than your first dinner for two will cost you on the island! Just $47 (around £25) for.....................

Over 100 pages of up to date, 'straight from the horse's mouth' information, painstakingly compiled for you in order to ensure that your move to the 'Island of Love' is a happy and successful one!

How To Import A Car - The Pro's AND the Cons
Do We Need A Residency Permit - How & where do I get one?
Do I Need A Work Permit - How do I make sure I am working legally?
What About Retiring In Cyprus? - What do I need to do?
What Is Health Care Like? - Will I be looked after if I get sick?
What About Bringing A Pet? - Can I bring my cats and dogs?
What Are The Schools Like? - Will my children be well educated?
What Does It Cost To Rent An Apartment or Villa?
How Difficult Is It To Buy A Property? - Just what is involved?
How Does The Cost Of Living Compare - Will it be cheaper to live in Cyprus?

The ebook comes in pdf format which is the 'industry standard' and you can begin reading this ebook in the next few minutes as it is available as a digital download. It takes just seconds to download and save the ebook to your computer.

To download your copy now Click Here!

Why live in Cyprus?

2007-02-01T04:36:00.000-08:00

Whether a holidaymaker or a foreign resident, Cyprus offers you all you will ever need. Sandy beaches, luxurious hotels, bars and night clubs, traditional taverns, ancient monuments, small villages untouched by time and mountain tops covered with pine woods.

Climate
Cyprus enjoys a mild Mediterranean type climate, short mild winters and long warm summers.

Quality of life
A short visit will convince you that Cyprus enjoys a high European standard of living. According to Interpol statistics, the crime rate is only 1/6 of the average crime rate in Europe, which makes Cyprus an ideal place to live and raise a family.

Cost of living
The cost of living in Cyprus is relatively low compared to that of other European countries and to the high quality of life. A couple living in Cyprus, can easily have a comfortable lifestyle from Cy£6.000 to Cy£8.000 per year.

Language
The official language of Cyprus is Greek, but due to the facts that Cyprus was once a British colony, more than 90% of the population speak English. As a result all street signs, direction signs, shop signs, restaurant menus, etc are written in English.