The Elysium’s Royal Wing is for couples only with a sunken pool for their exclusive use.

Rediscovering Cyprus
Far from the sun, sea and sex of Ayia Napa, Cyprus is developing its more traditional attractions. From the mountain villages of Troodos, to wine and cultural routes, the island is repositioning itself to attract a more discerning traveller. Think you know Cyprus? Think again

As more destinations open up to mass tourism in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is seeking to reach out to a more discerning clientele. This has resulted in an upgrade in infrastructure, including the redevelopment of its two major airports and the creation of new golf courses. Elsewhere, the west of the island around the town of Paphos is quickly becoming five-star territory as a range of exclusive hotels and resorts spring up.

However, for Lefkos Phylactides, the Acting Director General of Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), the transformation goes deeper. “The cultural wealth of Cyprus is something that hasn’t been properly showcased in the past,” he says. “Cyprus has a tradition of culture and hospitality going back 10,000 years. For example, we have one of the oldest wines in the world known as Commandaria and dating back to the Middle Ages. There is a lot of tradition around that and other wines of Cyprus so we are creating a cultural route starting from the mountainous wine villages. In 2007, we will begin another route based on the Byzantine heritage of the island.

As the birthplace of Aphrodite, there will also be a cultural route dedicated to the goddess. However, Phylactides explains the idea is to show the goddess in all of her complexity. “We do not want the idea to degenerate into kitsch. This is a subject that is abused and overused but we are trying to keep it authentic,” he explains.

	The Mallia vineyards and the Tombs of the Kings are just two of Cyprus’ little-known cultural attractions and are complemented by new luxurious five-star developments.

Elsewhere, the new and more luxurious face of Cyprus tourism is well represented by the Elysium Hotel in Paphos. Enjoying uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean, it has been sensitively designed to evoke a sense of the island’s Byzantine history. The warm and muted tones of its local stone, marble and timber create a soothing environment in which to relax. The aptly-named Opium Health Spa takes the relaxation and pampering to a new and narcotic levels.

Demos Demosthenous of Stademos Hotels, which owns the Elysium, explains, “We wanted to offer a wide range of accommodation to cater to families and couples of all ages. This ranges from deluxe bedrooms with balconies and two-storey Cypriot maisonettes to royal studios and royal garden villas with private pools.”

A fascinating range of cultural routes will give visitors an inside look at Cyprus

With its position right in the historical heartland of Paphos there is much to see. There are three 18-hole golf courses within a twenty-five minute drive of the resort and the Tombs of the Kings - a large subterranean necropolis carved out of the solid rock - lie on the strip of coastline alongside the hotel. The Tombs are thought to have been the burial sites of Paphitic aristocrats and high officials up to the third century BC and at times imitate the houses of the living.

For further information see: www.elysium-hotel.com & www.visitcyprus.org.cy