Cyprus: Island of love, spas and sunshine

Whether it's a family holiday or a girlie getaway, Meera Dattani says head to the southwest corner of this Mediterranean isle for a dose of beach, spa, gastronomy and classical masterpieces

Whether it's a family holiday or a girlie getaway, Meera Dattani suggests you head to the southwest corner of this Mediterranean isle for a dose of beach, spa, gastronomy and classical masterpieces

Columbia Beach Resort, Pissouri

A week here could rejuvenate the weariest of souls. Located by Pissouri beach on Cyprus' southern coast, the hotel has a spa, six restaurants and bars and even a gorgeous on-site, seaview chapel. Rooms, which all have a balcony or terrace, are set around the lagoon-style pool which is surrounded by olive trees and bougainvilleas. Enjoy a mojito on underwater bar stools by the pool bar or sip sunset cocktails on the wooden deck of the Eros Bar. The hotel also has tennis and squash courts, gym and can arrange watersports.

For more information visit www.columbia-hotels.com
Columbia Beach Resort spa and pool

The Columbia Beach Resort's mini spa is luxurious yet laidback - perfect if you want pampering without ponce. Treatments include shiatsu massage, reflexology, facials and relaxing body masks using fresh local herbs and detoxifying rock salt as well as top-end Molton Brown products. The treatment rooms surround a lavish, central area which features a Finnish sauna, plunge pools, steam bath and jacuzzi. Or take a dip in the pool and stretch out in Temple Lounge, a relaxing poolside lounge area kitted out with cushions and low beds.

For more information visit www.columbia-hotels.com
Pissouri

Pissouri village in southwestern Cyprus is a world away from your typical resort, and has retained its traditional Cypriot feel. With its gorgeous beach and tranquil vineyard and forest surroundings, the south-facing village sits high on a hillside, 1,000-feet above sea. From the highest point of the ridge, you can see as far as Limassol to the east and the Troodos mountains to the north. The Blue Flag sandy/shingle beach is an unspoilt stretch of sand, home to just a handful of tavernas and shops, neatly avoiding the hotel-lined resort look.

For more information visit www.visitcyprus.com
Aphrodite's Rock

On the Pafos-Limassol road is one of the island's most photogenic spots. The rocky outcrop lapped by the brilliant blue sea is Petra tou Romiou which, according to legend, is the birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty - and sexual rapture. Known for lustful rather than romantic love (her lovers include Adonis and Eros), it's said that Uranus (Heaven) prevented his children from emerging into the light, instead embracing Earth, his wife Gaia. Castrated by his son Cronos who cast the severed genitals into the sea, Aphrodite rose from the gathering foam.

For more information visit www.visitcyprus.com
Pafos

Head to the pretty resort town of Pafos, home to Pafos Castle and Kato Pafos Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the attractions here are the beautiful mosaic floors depicting Greek mythology found in four Roman villas and the impressive underground solid rock tombs at the magnificent Tombs of the Kings. The town is also great for restaurants and nightlife. Head to the seafront promenade on warm Mediterranean nights or join the party animals on the appropriately named Bar Street. For beaches, two words - Coral Bay.

For more information visit www.visitpafos.com
Coral Bay

Just 11 kilometres north of Pafos past vineyards and banana plantations is the European Flag Blue Flag beach of Coral Bay, the area's best natural beach. Several stretches of sand offer a range of tavernas and watersport activities or just plonk your sarong down and unwind. The calm, shallow waters make it ideal for families. A few kilometres north are the beaches of Cape Lara, also a famous turtle-nesting site. Scuba divers can choose from a number of nearby dive sites including the cave at Manijin Island, a 10-minute boat ride from Coral Bay Harbour.

For more information visit www.visitcyprus.com
Aphrodite Hills spa

Opulence describes the full-on, five-star resort of Aphrodite Hills in southern Cyprus overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the fabled Aphrodite's Rock. The hotel offers an 18-hole championship-grade golf course, driving range, luxury health spa and tennis academy. The Retreat Spa specialises in Pevonia treatments and Roman-Greek bathing rituals while outside, enjoy the infinity pool and al fresco massages in the scented gardens. The hotel has six bars and restaurants including the seaview Sunset Bar and Euro-Asian cuisine in contemporary Leander.

For more information visit www.aphroditehills.com
Meze, taverna-style

For gastronomes, Cyprus is heaven with mezedhes or meze, sociable, sharing tapas-like meals, accompanied by tasty sauces. Often, fish, meat and vegetables are roasted over charcoal or baked in clay ovens so healthy too. Try the Cypriot sheep's milk cheese, halloumi (vegetarians should note it usually contains animal rennet, sorry), dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and the root plant, kolokasi, plus favourites like houmous, Greek salads and tzatziki. Wash down with local wines or dessert wine Commanderia or down a shot of zivania, highly distilled grape juice.

For more information visit www.visitcyprus.com
Ancient Kourion

For a dose of history, head to the ancient city-kingdom of Kourion whose ruins date back to the Classical to early Christian period. Stretched over a rocky plateau overlooking the coast, its most stunning feature is the second?century Greco-Roman amphitheatre, now used for musical and theatre performances. The complex also houses a number of excavated private villas and is three kilometres from the Sanctuary of Apollo. About a kilometre west is the 6000-capacity Stadium, which dates back to the second-century and used to host ancient pentathlon.

For more information visit www.visitcyprus.com
Troodos

For peace and quiet, there's nowhere like the Troodos mountains with their forested interior and abundance of flora and fauna. Find pretty villages like Omodos, famous for its restored wine press and cobbled streets or visit beautiful monasteries like Kykkos, one of the region's most famous with its silver oil lamps, chandeliers and wall paintings. The vineyards of the Troodos are especially picturesque. The family-run Kolios Vineyard and Winery sits 3,000 feet high just outside Statos Ayios Photios village and serves up delicious wine and cheese.

For more information visit www.koliosvineyards.com

The writer visited Cyprus courtesy of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation, www.visitcyprus.com Tel: 020 7569 8800. Cyprus Airways operates flights to Cyprus from London, Manchester and Birmingham. For reservations, go to www.cyprusair.com or call 020 8359 1333.