When the situation in the country is bad and the possibilities for traveling abroad are reduced, many Israelis jump to find solace in the neighboring countries of the Mediterranean basin. Greece and Cyprus have become the favorite destinations of the Israeli tourist in the last year and for good reason: they offer an accessible vacation at a price and flight time (45 minutes), and due to the pleasant weather of the locals, everyone feels at home there.
Even now, during the Passover holiday, most Israeli tourists chose to spend their vacation in one of the two popular destinations. And we also decided to dedicate the section to one of the places that has become a home for many Israelis - Paphos in Cyprus.
It is not by chance that Paphos has become the recommended "destination" for a vacation. The city is known for its fascinating history, with sites such as the Paphos Archaeological Park and the medieval Paphos Castle, so you can dip in the sea one day and visit the ancient ruins another. And as for diving, Paphos boasts amazing beaches with crystal clear waters and golden sands. Whether you prefer to spend hours under the sun or want to try water sports, Paphos has beaches to suit everyone - don't miss Coral Bay and Lara Beach.
And when you get tired of the beaches, you can indulge in the traditional Cypriot cuisine in the local taverns and restaurants. In almost every restaurant you can find dishes of fresh seafood, fine fish and varied seafood platters. All this alongside salads and fresh vegetables. In short, a delight for the Israeli palate.
If you are a nature lover, within an hour's drive in each direction you can find many natural treasures. One of the popular options is a hike on the Akamas Peninsula, a visit to the Aphrodite Falls or a boat ride along the coast. Of course, if you are a wine lover, a trip to wineries is also a good option - which will ensure that you return from the flight overweight with excellent bottles of wine at ridiculous prices.
But you don't always have to travel far, because the old town of Paphos is also charming. It is enough to walk around the picturesque streets of the old city and be filled with pleasure from the traditional architecture, the charming cafes and the local shops. And of course there's also a mall, so you can proudly return with a bag full of Jumbo crap.
And all this before we talked about the hotels. As in any successful tourist destination, there is no shortage of hotels of different quality levels, but this time we will focus on two of them. Two adjoining hotels located on the coastline, belonging to the Thanos Hotels & Resorts hotel group. It is true that the chain boasts three luxurious properties in Paphos: "Almira", "Anabel" and "Anasa", but we will focus on the first two, which in our view provide a perfect mix for any Israeli family, and are about a quarter of an hour's drive from Paphos airport.
Whether it is a romantic vacation or a family vacation, there is no doubt that location is one of the most important things when choosing a hotel. In this respect, the choice of the "Almyra" hotel is already proving itself. And after we won the location test, a little about the hotel and the facilities. "Almira" is the embodiment of contemporary chic - on the one hand clean marble surfaces will welcome you, and on the other hand a choice of warm and inviting furniture and accessories.
The hotel, which is located next to the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, has recently undergone a massive renovation, is a modern oasis on the beach and is suitable for couples and families. The hotel has 188 elegant and stylish guest rooms, from which you can see the clear water, and if you are in the higher rooms, also the sunbathers on the roofs of the hotel cabins. The rooms are all equipped with everything you would expect from a hotel room, from a coffee machine, through a mini bar to a hair dryer for those who forgot.
If you are a massage lover, the hotel also has an excellent spa, sauna, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a stunning infinity pool. Besides, since you are on the beach, you can enjoy water sports activities like fishing, diving lessons, cruises and more. If you are a fan of adventure sports, you can use the hotel and sign up for trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, etc.
And while this is less relevant to us Israelis, one of the pluses of the hotel, especially for the European tourists: it is dog friendly, and it even has a dog park, the first of its kind in Cyprus. The hotel does not only take care of friends on all fours, it also has a successful children's club suitable for children from 4 months to 13 years old, and the activities there are accompanied by professional educators from the UK.
In terms of attractions for adults only, there is a luxurious bar with a variety of cocktails, personal aerial yoga and pilates lessons. You can also indulge in gourmet food, since in terms of cuisine, the hotel has restaurants with diverse concepts. One of them is the "Ouzeri" restaurant, which offers a menu that combines grilled meat and fish, and even an excellent tavern right on the coastline.
In terms of costs, the hotel offers a vacation at a very affordable price. According to a check we did in Booking, a night on a weekend during May will cost about NIS 1,000 per couple, including breakfast. In a package through one of the Israeli airlines you can find even lower prices, for example a flight plus four nights will cost you about NIS 5,300 per couple.
A few steps away from "Elmira" is the "Annabelle" hotel, which also recently underwent a massive and very successful renovation. The renovation somehow manages to move on the seam between classic and traditional, which gives it an elegant but also warm and relaxed look, not least due to the use of wood in the public spaces.
Like its neighbor, "Annabel" is defined as a 5-star hotel, and is surrounded by vegetation that gives the feeling of a secluded resort. From the hotel rooms you can see the picturesque port of Paphos and the beautiful promenade.
The hotel has 244 rooms and suites, some of which are two stories high and some also have a private pool, so if you like your peace, you won't have to mingle with the other guests in one of the hotel's four pools (three outdoor and one indoor).
In terms of attractions for the adult crowd, the highlight of the hotel is the pampering spa. The spa has an extensive menu of treatments and excellent therapists, who use only natural ingredients. If you don't feel like a massage, you can just relax and enjoy the perfect silence in the indoor pool. Of course, next to the spa there is also a gym and schedule of fitness and yoga classes.
The hotel has a rooftop bar and restaurant, where you will find a varied cocktail menu and a trendy food menu. Sometimes there is also a band that makes the time pleasant with current music. And while you sip the cocktail, you can look out of the huge windows at the most beautiful sunset you will ever see.
If you like Italian food, you should know that the hotel houses the "Mediterraneo" restaurant, which offers classic Italian dishes with local ingredients and selected products imported from Italy.
And besides splashing in the pools and walking on the boardwalk, you can experience a couple's cooking workshop at the hotel, or go on several tours for an additional fee. For example, a tour to the old town of Paphos and the market - the tour goes through key points in the old town and between the narrow alleys of the market, through stalls and hidden magic corners - or a wine tour on the outskirts of Paphos. This tour lasts four to five hours, and it stops at several wineries.
In terms of costs, according to a check we did in Booking, a night on a weekend during May will cost about NIS 1,300 per couple, including breakfast. In a package through one of the Israeli airlines, you can find a flight plus four nights at a price of NIS 7,500 per couple.
You should know that if you are staying at one of the two hotels, you can choose to eat your meals at the other hotel. Also, for the kosher observant public, several kosher restaurants can be found within a short walking distance from the hotels.
The writer was a guest of a tennis group.