The Perfect Summer Holiday in Protaras, Cyprus

We only returned back from the sparklingly sunny Cyprus on September the first yet it (depressingly) seems like a lifetime ago.

Over two weeks of sun, sea and feta by the bucket load back in the homeland aka the most beautiful island on earth (in my opinion), and the minute we land at Leeds Bradford Airport (in the rain of course), it felt like we’d never left, that is, apart from the lingering holiday blues, reminding me of what a magical trip it was.

I don’t know about you but I can set up home anywhere, especially if anywhere happens to be by the sea (the ‘take your Scorpio to water’ meme on Instagram certainly rings true for me)! My kids are the same, irrespective of their star signs, and are certainly happier/ more easily pleased when they’re playing in the sea and the sun is shining! It helps that Peter, my husband and I, could fully switch off from work and other responsibilities. 

My kids have always fitted in quickly, whenever we’ve gone away, whether that’s a weekend by the Yorkshire Coast or a trip of a lifetime to Jamaica.

I’m sure this adaptability is why we’ve fared so well with house/city moves over the years. We don’t fear change and can settle anywhere as long as we have each other. 

Now, one week of school later (Florence started Reception, Oliver, Sixth Form, Alexander, Year 9) and I’m so dog tired, I can barely type thanks to the come down from a heady mix of anticipation, relief and lack of sleep, to even remember much of the trip to blog about, so I’ll keep it short (with tonnes of photos of course because Peter, as per, has delivered on that front)!

We whiled away our time in a dreamy two-floored villa with enough bedrooms to sleep 10 (the older kids wanted their own rooms), a private pool, garden and frankly all the bells and whistles you could possibly want, making it the perfect base for us, and where we spent most of our time. I strongly believe the quality of accomodation can either make or break a holiday and this one certainly made ours! 

We rented a pre-booked car on arrival so made a few day trips here and there, mostly to picturesque villages such as Sotira which you must visit for its incredible traditional bakery (although you’ll find these everywhere), quaint tavernas, a vast playground in the centre Florence didn’t want to leave, a boutique pharmacy that reminded me of the ones you find in France and frankly, a peek into the locals’ way of life.

We also visited Avgorou (where my Mum was born) which is a teeny village bursting with jasmine flowers, ornate Greek churches and miles of red fields it’s famous for (they grow a lot of potatoes there), as far as the eye could see. So many of my childhood memories of holidays goneby were in that village and a trip to Cyprus is not complete without seeing my older relatives who still live there.

We also popped over to the pretty town of Paralimni (again nearby) for mine and my mum’s shopping fix (you’ll find everything from fine jewellers to premium clothes stores like Calzedonia in the centre), and we were even lucky enough to hang out with family from Manchester during our break, who were staying at a hotel near to our villa.

The highlight, was of course, seeing our many relatives living in Cyprus. I just wish we’d ventured to the other side of the island to see more of them but it was simply too far in the heat. 

A standout memory was seeing my Great Aunt and Uncle and their families, eating fresh fish and every sumptuous salad you could think of under the stars in their al fresco courtyard dining area, pomegranate trees swaying above our heads, feeling deeply connected to a country I wasn’t born in but which runs through me. 

Spending time with my cousins, especially, breaking bread together, reminiscing about family members long gone, and sadly, recently so; catching one another up on work and life and laughing heartily, reminded me what life is really about: meaningful connections with the people you love. 

These are the moments that matter.

I always learn more about myself on trips to Cyprus, piecing the jigsaw pieces of my identity back together through storytelling with my family, remembering who I used to be, and still am, grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with my roots.  

Sharing these moments with my own children feels poignant as they’re invited into parts of my world, some of which they’re unfamiliar with: listening to me speak Greek daily, and hearing stories of my childhood with those who lived it with me, whilst we collectively, make new memories together. It’s such a layered and life affirming experience returning to this beautiful island. I know my parents feel the same.

It also reminded me to slow the heck down!

I loved the slower pace of life holidays give us, and the chance to rest, relax and pick and choose what we felt like doing day-to-day.

Our time was mostly dedicated to enjoying the pool (Florence and Alexander were in their element there) and/or trips to the beach (my eldest son, Oliver, preferred swimming in the sea), morning Frappes (Cyprus’ famous cold coffee) followed by lunch/dinner, usually on the seafront where we would enjoy the catch of the day/fresh calamari and Greek salad with dips, as standard, and sometimes dinner was accompanied with lively live music (Opa!).

There were (so) many supermarket stops in between (how I love a supermarket abroad), and my husband, Peter, rustled up BBQs at the villa, or collected takeaways from traditional kebab shops and grill restaurants close to us, on the days we didn’t feel like a fancy meal out! 

Hello skewers of tender chicken, lamb or hallumi kebabs garnished in chopped parsley and diced onions, drizzled with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and plenty of sea salt, encased in crispy pitta breads (eaten so quickly we never managed a photo). Yum. 

An ice cream van would luckily stop twice a day outside the villa’s front door, providing us with our fix of Cypriot rose ice cream (and I also ate a daily quota of traditional Mahalepi, a dessert made with fine cornflour topped with rosewater and rose ice cream) I could happily eat every day like we did whilst I was there. 

…With grandparents, a husband and two older kids sharing the load with Florence (it takes that many people to be fair), I managed to read 4 books in 2 weeks, which I’m feeling rather pleased with myself about, and I reached my daily goal of 150 lengths of swimming (it’s a small pool so don’t be too impressed) as well as getting my goal of 20k steps in most days with beach walks, shopping expeditions and scattering food around for the sweet cats who roam the island.

We even had the odd drive to bustling Ayia Napa nearby (pretty wild, ideal for a nostalgic trip as a couple or with friends which will inevitably involve a 90s style foam party, blaring music beachside, and sheer sea waves as clear as the gin and tonic in your hand) and by all means, if you don’t mind booming music beachside then take the family too.

Florence did love the clear and shallow-for-miles waters there when we did go as a family!

Fig Tree Bay was where we spent most of our time or Kalamies Beach in Paralimini which were both walkable from the villa, the latter closest to where we were staying.

You really are spoilt for choice though when it comes to world-class beaches in Cyprus (crystal clear water and sandy beaches are the norm) which can be found all over the island, and with 300-340 sunny days a year, you’ll have the weather to enjoy them, whenever you plan a trip there. 

We did experience an uncharacteristic and dangerous, stormy day (which saw some tragically die in maritime accidents) towards the end of our holiday, and in fact, on the day my Dad required a doctor due to a dancing accident, would you believe? He came home in a wheelchair but is slowly on the mend now, thankfully. 

On the whole though, the sun is shining on this little island. So, what else can you expect from a holiday to Cyprus? Pristine towns, villages and cities, hospitable islanders (and cats), glorious beaches, delicious food, premium accomodation, plus history in spades.

Cyprus to me is more than a holiday, of course. In many respects it feels like coming home, or at least visiting one of the places I call home. 

Peter’s vibrant photos capture not only the beauty but the spirit of Cyprus, an island that in Greek mythology is said to be the birthplace of the Goddess of Love, Aphodite (in the city of Paphos) and which reminds me of my own personal history and family archive. Cyprus certainly lives within me, and constantly influences my work be it my earlier films when I was a screenwriter and director, or my more recent children’s book on Greek mythology. 

It is an island that cannot fail to touch those lucky enough to visit.

Have you been?