With spring (and then summer) tantalisingly round the corner, IAB Travel looks to the not-so-distant future at Anassa in Cyprus – one of our favourite spots for a summer holiday in the sun.
ESCAPE TO ANASSA
Surrounded by the kind of scenery that evokes the myths and legends of ancient Greece – rugged cliffs, waving grasses and tumbling Mediterranean waves – Anassa’s romantic setting is sheer bliss for couples looking to escape the humdrum for a week (or more) of sun – even with the kids in tow. Families are exceptionally well catered for here, with some of the best childcare on the island, interconnecting rooms and an inventory of kid’s kit which means you can travel without nappies, bottles or pushchairs and still arrive prepared. Set on the Akamas Peninsula, the hotel is cradled by low hills and sheltered from sea breezes. Built to epitomise a traditional Cypriot village, the resort feels tranquil and well, not much like a resort at all.
GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE GODDESS OF LOVE
In ancient times the goddess of love, Aphrodite was fabled to have enjoyed lovers’ trysts with Adonis on the peninsula and it’s not hard to see why. The northwest tip of Cyprus is one of the least inhabited areas of the island, with a rugged coastline that draws walkers and mountain bikers to explore its unpaved tracks and footpaths. Today it is blissfully peaceful and undeveloped, save for a few luxury hotels like Anassa – a far cry from its more recent past as a firing range for the British Army. The peninsula is home to a huge variety of habitats and wide range of wildlife, including at least 160 varieties of bird and 16 different butterfly species. One of the peninsula’s main wildlife draws is the sea turtles, both green and loggerhead, which lay their eggs on the unspoilt beaches. At just 45 minutes’ drive from Paphos International Airport, it feels like a world away.
TRY SOMETHING NEW
With so much space and natural beauty on your doorstep, it would be a great shame not to explore in more detail. Anassa offers a plethora of activities to help you make the most of your time in Cyprus, from watersports to land-based activities with like-minded travellers. Group activities encourage making lasting friendships while enjoying something new, such as introductory courses in scuba diving and luxury cruises which sail around the peninsula on board the hotel’s own Bavaria 41 cruiser yacht. The all-day discovery tour of the local area is one not to miss: meet the local people, visit some of the island’s prettiest villages, enjoy a wine tasting and indulge in a Cypriot feast. You could also try a more adrenaline-filled excursion around the Akamas Peninsula in a four-wheel drive jeep. The hotel can also organise private excursions on request. A huge variety of sports activities are also available, from yoga and Pilates to beach volleyball and squash.
JUST FOR GROWN-UPS
Anassa may be one of the best family resorts in Cyprus, but it’s not just for families. Couples will love the excellent spa, wide choice of restaurants and beautiful setting with great activities on offer. There’s even a fashionable concept store selling designer labels including Miu Miu, Etro and Rochas. Thalassa Spa is consistently lauded with awards: the 18-room temple of indulgence uses seawater pumped directly from the bay at Chrysochou and offers everything from saltwater jet spray massages, wraps and massages to 10-day detox packages to reset the body inside and out. When you’re not being pummelled or polished, there’s a Roman-style swimming pool lit by enormous skylights, saunas and steam baths to distract you. And while there are four restaurants on offer, one is reserved just for teens and above so you can escape little ones for a little adults-only respite.
PACK LIGHT
The secret has long been out that Anassa offers some of the best family-friendly accommodation in Cyprus – that’s why many families return year after year to make the most of its variety (that word again) and excellent facilities. One of the hotel’s top initiatives is the Baby Go Lightly service, allowing parents to leave bulky items like nappies and pushchairs at home, instead ordering ahead from the hotel online, so it’s all ready and waiting for you in your room when you arrive. Some of the items available include car seats, potties, sterilisers, baby bathtubs and all manner of skin-friendly shampoos and bath products, plus storybooks and DVDs in a variety of languages. Babies require a huge amount of ‘stuff’ on holiday, so it’s just one way the hotel are helping to make new parents’ lives easier. Babysitters are also available, should you crave a night off. The hotel’s family accommodation is also famously well equipped, with interconnecting doors, big sofas for snuggling up in and dining terraces so you have the choice to eat in your room.
WE LIKE:
• Posh picnics: perfect for families
• Beautifully unspoilt setting
• Parents can pack light and still arrive prepared
• Excellent choice of restaurants
• 18-room Roman style spa
To read more about Anassa, Cyprus take a look at the hotel page here
