to me! - Tonia Buxton

Travel
travel
It’s all Greek
to me!
There is something magical about Cyprus, situated on the crossroads of Europe & the Middle
East, with so many cultural & food influences, there is always something new to discover.
Words by Tonia Buxton
I
f you really want to get a feel of Cyprus
I suggest you hire a car, drag yourself
away from the seaside & venture
inland. There are some beautiful
villages, most of which have a village square
with a local ‘kafenion’, for you to stop &
have a drink at.
Cyprus’s history dates back to the 10th
millennium BC, it is the birthplace of
Aphrodite, and founded the Stoic school of
philosophy under Zenon. It is so steeped in
Historical culture, that you really must visit at
least one site. Try the Tombs of the Kings in
Paphos, which date back to the 4th Century
BC & is a UNESCO world heritage site or the
House of Dionysus with its amazing mosaics.
Without a doubt my favourite of all is
Kourion, spectacularly situated on the south
side of the island not far from Limassol. At
the house you can see the amazing water
system they had in place, but what I love
“Cyprus’s history dates
back to the 10th millennium
BC…it is so steeped in
history you really must
visit at least one site”
most is the amphitheatre, I just always want
to sing an aria, if only I had the voice.
Food is my passion & in Cyprus there is such
diversity, fresh fish, grilled meats, meze, sticky
desserts, traditional, modern & unusual. You
cannot come to Cyprus & not try a traditional
meze, a combination of little plates of different
dishes, sometimes up to 30 courses, so make
sure you arrive hungry! Always ask the locals
or at your hotel for a recommendation as
sometimes standards vary.
For traditional I love Archontiko
Papadopoulou with it’s wonderful wine cellar
& 150 year old Commandaria wine, going
there takes you away from the seaside &
into wonderful Cypriot villages like Korno.
If you like the villages, then Vouni by the
Troudos mountains is a must, stay at quaint
guest houses like Oinou Strata or Walnut
Grove and whilst there sample some of the
fine local wines from Vlasides winery.
For food & a younger atmosphere, then
head to Mackenzie Beach & eat at Koo,
and try fabulous Asian dishes with cocktails
to die for. Ta Piatakia in Limassol has Greek
food with a twist & Roddy the chef is on
hand to help you order & entertain you too.
Cyprus is now a real contender when
it comes to wines, we have some truly
amazing boutique wineries. You can pick
up wine tour guides from the Cypriot
Tourist Office, they usually are in very scenic
“Cyprus is the perfect
island, brimming with
sunshine, sea, history,
culture & lots and lots
of amazing food & wine.”
places, so lovely for driving to. Some of my
favourites are; Aes Ambelis in Kalo Horio,
Ezousa winery in Paphos, Hadjiantonas in
Limassol & Tsangarides in Paphos to name
a few. What ever happens do not leave the
Cyprus without trying Commandaria, the
best sweet wine ever invented & one which
dates back to Homers time & originally
called Cyprus Napa.
If it is a bit of luxury you seek you can’t beat
the Annabelle Hotel in Paphos, & sister
hotel Almyra next door, such lovely food in
amazing settings. I love the Ouzeria right on
the sea, it’s wonderful having dinner there
with the moon shining, being serenaded by
Tefkros on acoustic guitar.
Cyprus is renowned for it’s fabulous hotels,
in Limassol there is the Four Seasons
which has the best customer service &
brandy sour cocktails in the world; or try the
Capo Bay in Proteras if it is white sand &
azure seas you want. There are also some
wonderful Spa hotels with great rejuvenating
treatments, Ayii Anagyri in Miliou & E Spa
Hotel in Pervolia are two of my favourites.
If though like me, you have young ones to
entertain then they like nothing better to be let
loose at Hobos in Larnaka playing on all the
games whilst you sip a frozen Margarita. The
Camel Park in Mazodos is also good fun, my
children love feeding the camels carob pods.
Water Parks like Water World in Ayia Napa
are such a favourite with the children, though I
must admit to temporary insanity when I went
down the Kamikaze slide!
Cyprus is the perfect island brimming with
sunshine, sea, history, culture & lots & lots
of amazing food & wine. What also makes it
unique is that there is good weather almost
all year round.
Tonia’s book “Tonia’s Greek
Kitchen” is available to buy from
www.toniabuxton.co.uk
ToniGa’sREE
K
kitche
The Real Greek have teamed up with
Close Up and is offering 15% off your
total food bill!
^
with Weny
Travels
Veale
Tonia
n
Buxton
through
'My Greek
Kitch
as seen
on Disco en' and 'My
very Chan Cypriot Kitch
nel
en'
photogra
phy Vanessa
Courtier
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