The ancient city of Paphos located on the beautiful Akamas Peninsula at the far west of Cyprus enjoys a long and fascinating history.
Though inhabited since Neolithic times, the city proper was originally founded by the Romans around 1400BC.
They made it the island's capital.
Home to the cult of Aphrodite (legend has it that it is the birthplace of Aphrodite the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty) Paphos became the most famous and important place for worshiping her in the ancient world and throughout its long history the city has kept its association with legend and myth.
According to another legend, it was founded by the Amazons, a mythological nation of Greek woman warriors.
All kinds of races and civilizations have ruled in Paphos including Romans, Byzantines, Christian missionaries and the Ottoman Empire as well as the British, each leaving their mark and legacy in this intriguing city.
You only have to stroll around the harbour, the 13th Century Byzantine castle or The Tombs of the Kings, a large necropolis lying a little over a mile north-west of Paphos harbour, to convince yourself that generation after generation of different civilisations have enjoyed living there.
Paphos gained its reputation as an important port, the most important and influential city in the whole of Cyprus, Paphos stood firm in the face of both invasion and natural disaster (an earthquake in the 4th Century almost destroying the city) until the Middle Ages when trade began to move elsewhere and the city became less important after Larnica, Limassol and Nicosia.
Things went from bad worse during the 19th and 20th centuries as investment and development in this part of the country ground to a halt.
It wasn't until the 1970's that Paphos began to revitalise and tourism has played a big part in that recovery.
No wonder that the whole area, for many years a Mecca for historians and antiquarians is quickly becoming a Mecca for discerning tourists and holidaymakers too.
For those in search of something a little bit extra, a little bit special, Paphos has just what it takes - culture, 5 Star hotel and villa accommodation, top class restaurants, bars and tavernas all complemented by wonderful beaches, deep gorges, forests and mountains.
The choice of things to spend your days doing seems to go on and on.
Take your pick from diving, fishing, flying and golf to rock climbing, yachting and anything in between.
Then again if you fancy just laying in the sun and using your break to recharge the batteries you might want to try Paphos's Coral Bay.
One of the most attractive sandy beaches across the whole of Cyprus, its crystal clear waters, safe swimming and excellent leisure facilities make this exceptional beach a favourite with both visitors and locals.
If Paphos is a new destination to you, it certainly merits closer examination.
Holidays with genuine class and quality are sometimes difficult to track down - especially if fine weather is high on your priority list.
If you want the very best in 5 Star hotels or villas Paphos could have the attributes to fit your requirements.
Don't delay - Its beauty, history and genuine class mean that Paphos is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the Mediterranean's most attractive and stylish summer destinations.
Though inhabited since Neolithic times, the city proper was originally founded by the Romans around 1400BC.
They made it the island's capital.
Home to the cult of Aphrodite (legend has it that it is the birthplace of Aphrodite the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty) Paphos became the most famous and important place for worshiping her in the ancient world and throughout its long history the city has kept its association with legend and myth.
According to another legend, it was founded by the Amazons, a mythological nation of Greek woman warriors.
All kinds of races and civilizations have ruled in Paphos including Romans, Byzantines, Christian missionaries and the Ottoman Empire as well as the British, each leaving their mark and legacy in this intriguing city.
You only have to stroll around the harbour, the 13th Century Byzantine castle or The Tombs of the Kings, a large necropolis lying a little over a mile north-west of Paphos harbour, to convince yourself that generation after generation of different civilisations have enjoyed living there.
Paphos gained its reputation as an important port, the most important and influential city in the whole of Cyprus, Paphos stood firm in the face of both invasion and natural disaster (an earthquake in the 4th Century almost destroying the city) until the Middle Ages when trade began to move elsewhere and the city became less important after Larnica, Limassol and Nicosia.
Things went from bad worse during the 19th and 20th centuries as investment and development in this part of the country ground to a halt.
It wasn't until the 1970's that Paphos began to revitalise and tourism has played a big part in that recovery.
No wonder that the whole area, for many years a Mecca for historians and antiquarians is quickly becoming a Mecca for discerning tourists and holidaymakers too.
For those in search of something a little bit extra, a little bit special, Paphos has just what it takes - culture, 5 Star hotel and villa accommodation, top class restaurants, bars and tavernas all complemented by wonderful beaches, deep gorges, forests and mountains.
The choice of things to spend your days doing seems to go on and on.
Take your pick from diving, fishing, flying and golf to rock climbing, yachting and anything in between.
Then again if you fancy just laying in the sun and using your break to recharge the batteries you might want to try Paphos's Coral Bay.
One of the most attractive sandy beaches across the whole of Cyprus, its crystal clear waters, safe swimming and excellent leisure facilities make this exceptional beach a favourite with both visitors and locals.
If Paphos is a new destination to you, it certainly merits closer examination.
Holidays with genuine class and quality are sometimes difficult to track down - especially if fine weather is high on your priority list.
If you want the very best in 5 Star hotels or villas Paphos could have the attributes to fit your requirements.
Don't delay - Its beauty, history and genuine class mean that Paphos is quickly establishing a reputation as one of the Mediterranean's most attractive and stylish summer destinations.
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