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As an Israeli touring overseas these days, the inevitable query, ‘Where are you from?’ normally brings a short second of hesitation, a fast psychological bracing for the response. But in Cyprus, that nervousness fully melts away. The response is all the time a heat smile, a welcoming nod, and real affection. It is an extremely comforting feeling to be in a spot the place we aren’t simply accepted however actually welcomed with open arms.
“The tourist season is in full swing, and Cyprus is ready to welcome Israeli travelers with our signature warm hospitality,” says Louisa Varaclas, director for Israel on the Cypriot Deputy Ministry of Tourism. “With around 600,000 Israeli visitors in 2025, Israel remains a vital market. Israelis love Cyprus because it truly feels like a ‘home away from home,’ offering a familiar environment, friendship, and a deep sense of security.”
Visiting the island for the fifth time, I joined a press journey to expertise the native hospitality firsthand. Each go to to Cyprus feels barely completely different, formed by the areas and inns explored alongside the best way. Our journey this time was cut up between Paphos and Limassol. The Imperial Island Resort in Paphos was our first cease. The lodge’s room design stood out, particularly the Herringbone-patterned flooring, which gave the area a clear, up to date really feel. Its location immediately on the beachfront promenade is one in all its key benefits, providing a simple scenic stroll alongside the coast. I beloved discovering the Agios Nikolaos church, with its Santorini-style design, only a quick stroll away.
The resort has undergone an enormous transformation to determine itself as a five-star household vacation spot working on a premium all-inclusive foundation. Half of the 239 rooms had been transformed into household suites that includes separate sleeping areas for folks and kids. The format balances household vitality with quiet escapes; whereas households collect round the principle pool and the devoted splash pool, adults can retreat to the quieter outside adult-only pool or unwind within the indoor spa pool. Public areas, from the foyer to the spa, mirror the renovation, that includes up to date design and expanded services.
The eating expertise was a nice shock, notably the principle restaurant, which provided a big selection of dishes and stay cooking stations. In addition, the resort contains different eating choices corresponding to a Japanese restaurant and a burger-style venue.
Beyond the resort
While it’s simple to spend a whole trip by the pool, the encircling area presents a variety of various experiences. We divided our time between town itself and day journeys outdoors Paphos, combining city websites with rural and coastal landscapes.
We started our exploration with town’s historic landmarks on the historic Paphos Castle. Originally constructed as a Byzantine fort to guard the harbor, this stone construction now serves as a placing backdrop alongside the waterfront, with the close by promenade including to the ambiance. A brief stroll away, we visited the Paphos mosaics, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famend for its element and preservation.
We continued to Pano Paphos, the higher city located on the hills above the coast, an space recognized for its slender pedestrian streets, small boutiques, and cafés. At The Place (theplacecyprus.com), we found regionally made meals merchandise and crafts, and even took half in an artwork workshop provided on web site, a mosaic session the place guests can attempt creating their very own small items.
For extra mainstream procuring, Kings Avenue Mall presents a number of worldwide manufacturers. Nearby, the Aphrodite Waterpark (aphroditewaterpark.com) gives an exciting water park expertise with slides and points of interest for various ages, together with a kosher meals truck on web site. Cyprus is thought for internet hosting a few of the largest water parks in Europe.
A visit right here is incomplete and not using a conventional tavern night time, and Demokritos Tavern (demokritostavern.cy) delivered a full of life night. The night had a relaxed, communal really feel with lengthy tables, shared dishes, and music that step by step drew everybody into the celebratory ambiance. The band even closed the night time with a particular gesture – singing in Hebrew.
Outside Paphos
Our day exploring the broader Paphos area started with a scenic drive by means of Peyia to the village of Kathikas. Our first cease was Vasilikon Winery (vasilikon.com), a family-owned property based in 1993 and one of many largest wineries in Cyprus. We tasted indigenous grape varieties like Xinisteri and visited the on-site wine museum, which showcases the historical past of winemaking within the village.
We continued to the Steni Museum of Rural Life, which shows conventional costumes, instruments, and textiles from the area’s previous. Admission is free, however it’s best to go to with a information to really perceive the tales behind the gathering.
For lunch, we drove as much as the Akamas Peninsula nature reserve to the Baths of Aphrodite restaurant, positioned proper by the well-known springs. Perched on a cliff above the water, we sat on the terrace and loved an excellent Greek fish and seafood meze, fully immersed within the spectacular, panoramic views of the bay.
On the best way again, the Peyia Sea Caves and the dramatic Edro III shipwreck close by are a definitive must-stop. The space presents a very placing stretch of shoreline and is likely one of the most photographed spots within the area.
The Royal Apollonia
The second a part of our journey took us to The Royal Apollonia in Limassol. Shifting from Paphos’s extra relaxed ambiance, Limassol is a contemporary, bustling metropolis with a full of life business and nightlife scene. The lodge has a compact city format, making efficient use of its beachfront location. The pool space sits on the middle of the property, with a swim-up bar overlooking a small sandy seashore beneath, which shortly grew to become my favourite spot in the course of the keep. For wellness, the lodge additionally presents a spa with an indoor pool and a fitness center with health lessons.
Beyond the principle lodge restaurant, the property additionally features a Greek restaurant and Akakiko, a Japanese fusion restaurant. While each provide good choices, Akakiko stood out for me, serving a well-executed Japanese fusion menu with contemporary sushi, sashimi, and a number of sizzling dishes that I particularly loved.
After our time in Limassol, the place we had already explored town on a earlier go to, we shifted our focus to the Ayia Napa and Protaras area. The following morning set the tone for a extra coastal, relaxed expertise, ranging from the brand new marina with its mixture of seashore venues and eating spots. Among them is Riva Beach House by Frame, an Israeli venue initially from Tel Aviv that operates as a seashore membership with a pool and a neatly organized beachfront.
After strolling by means of the marina, we headed to the port and joined a ship journey round Cape Greco and Turtle Cove – one of many highlights of our journey. The route follows the shoreline, passing the Love Bridge pure rock formation, the ocean caves, and several other coastal church buildings, with a cease for swimming or snorkeling alongside the best way. Different boat choices can be found, together with bigger vessels and others geared up with water slides. Boat journeys additionally depart from Latchi, providing one other entry level to related coastal routes.
For these seeking to keep within the space, Louis Hotels (louishotels.com) operates a number of properties throughout Cyprus, together with the Louis St. Elias Resort & Waterpark, a family-oriented all-inclusive lodge with water slides and child-friendly services. The group operates round 18 properties throughout Paphos, Limassol, and Protaras, with a portfolio that ranges from household resorts to city boutique inns and adults-only properties. While the inns usually are not kosher, kosher meals will be pre-arranged by means of Chabad and served on-site upon request.
“The Israeli market has become one of our key source markets, which is why we have invested over €30 million in recent years to upgrade our properties and adapt them to the demand for both family all-inclusive resorts and adults-only hotels,” says Charalambos Lardas, enterprise growth supervisor at Louis Hotels.
The chain is at the moment providing as much as 35% off summer season stays for bookings made by June 20, topic to minimum-night necessities and free loyalty membership membership.
When planning journey to Cyprus, be aware that Cyprus Airways (cyprusairways.com) operates flights to Larnaca Airport, which serves as a handy hub for Israeli vacationers connecting to numerous European locations.
The author was a visitor of Louis Hotels, the Cyprus Ministry of Tourism, and Cyprus Airways.
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