Cyprus is blessed with an average of 340 days of sun per year! There are numerous activities and attractions available within the vicinity of Paphos and Villa Panorama including:
 

Golf Courses

There are three excellent 18 hole golf courses in the close proximity of Villa Panorama.

The nearest, Secret Valley Golf Club is a short 5 minute drive. The course plays to a par 72 and measures 6,120 meters. With it's driving range, chipping area and putting greens it is close enough to get in some daily practice! Secret Valley is a highly prestigious golf course located by the renowned area of "Petra tou Romiou", the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of love. It is set in a scenic valley surrounded by mature trees and beautiful natural rock formations. It consistently appears as the preferred course amongst the island's visiting players in terms of sheer playability and enjoyment.

The Aphrodite Hills Golf Complex has a championship course just a few miles further up the coast on the road to Limassol. Crowning Aphrodite Hills Resort's outstanding leisure facilities is the magnificent 18-hole golf course, designed by acclaimed course architect, Cabell B. Robinson. Five years in the making, it follows the scenic contours of two plateaux, its challenging fairways cutting a swathe through lakes, olive and carob trees. No wonder the course has taken its rightful place among the very best the Mediterranean can offer.

No matter how many times you play the course, there's always a new challenge. Not least the skill needed to conquer the dramatic holes that run alongside or traverse the dramatic central ravine. Celebrate your success in the sophisticated Clubhouse, overlooking the 18th green and the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean below.

In the restaurant you can savour delectable Cypriot specialties, international cuisine and an extensive wine list, or just enjoy the breathtaking view from the terraces. A premier Golf Academy, practice holes and pro-shop enhance your golf experience.

Aphrodite Hills is just 10 mins drive from Villa Panorama.

The third one, Tsada Golf Club is just 30 minutes away, on the road to Polis. It was founded in 1994 on the hills of Tsada, and is set on the grounds of a 12th century monastery, in a verdant valley. Created by Donald Steel, it plays to a par 72 and measures 6060 meters. Situated on the outskirts of Pafos, the altitude of 550 meters above sea level ensures cool breezes during the summer months.
 

This is the nearest village to Villa Panorama and it is built in the area where "Palaipafos" (Old Pafos) -the seat of the kingdom of Pafos -stood, which was one of the most important ancient kingdoms of Cyprus. The entire area, including the place where -today -the houses of the village are built, is an important archaeological region. Excavations have been conducted uncovering, the famous temple of "Aphrodite of Pafos" (Pafia Aphrodite), the remains of the fortification of Palaipafos, and various other artifacts can be found in the archaeological museum which is housed in the medieval villa south of the village.
 

Paphos

Paphos is located on the west coat of the Island and is a popular all year round holiday resort, famous for its fishing harbour with many open-air café's, restaurants and shops. Wherever you look in Paphos you will not be able to escape its past, whether it is historical or mythological, there will always be something to capture your imagination. Some sites of cultural and historical interest to explore in and around Paphos include:

Medieval Fort (Paphos Castle)
Situated at the end of Paphos harbour, this is a Byzantine Fort built to protect the harbour. Over its history it has been constructed and reconstructed several times and was rebuilt by the Lusignans, dismantled by the Venetians in 1750 and rebuilt by the Ottomans in the 16th century. Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 07.30 - 17.00.

The Mosaics Of Paphos
Situated near the harbour, the mosaic floors are considered to be amongst the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. They mainly depict scenes from Greek mythology.
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 07.30 - 17.00.

Pissouri

Pissouri Village is one of the most attractive, friendly villages in south-west Cyprus. It is situated in the principal vine growing area with sultana grape vines covering the surrounding countryside. This south-facing village, set high up on the hillside about 305 metres above sea level, commands a magnificent view of 32kms of Mediterranean coastline. To the south and east there are panoramic views of the coast, across vineyards, olive and carob trees and to the north one can see the majestic Troodos Mountains. Pissouri is situated just off the main Paphos to Limassol road.

It has a unique and attractive character loved by all visitors. The Cypriot character has been retained and it is still very much a working village. Visitors can find almost anything they need in the village.
 

Coral Bay

Coral Bay is a delightful resort situated about 12kms from Paphos. The main road is lined with a fine selection of shops, restaurants banks and bars, allowing you to relax in idyllic surroundings whilst having easy access to all its facilities. The sandy beach with bars, café's, and its shallow waters, make it ideal for children and adults alike due to the wide range of water sports on offer, making it a perfect location to holiday for all the family.
 

Dining Out

'Kopiaste' sit down with us, eat and drink with us, be welcome! The hospitality and gusto of the Cypriots is overwhelming. Even in the tiniest mountain villages you will discover tavernas serving delicious island specialities.

The traditional meze meal makes sampling very simple: it consists of hot and cold fare providing a tasty sample of Cypriot cuisine. Small portions of up to 30 different dishes are served, accompanied by delicious sauces.

Fish and meat dishes, even vegetables, are frequently roasted on the charcoal grill or in large dome-shaped clay ovens.

Typical regional treats are Halloumi (a firm white sheep's milk cheese, grilled or raw); dolmades (stuffed vine leaves); and Hummus (sauce of chickpeas, sesame, olive oil and lemon juice). A special delicacy is the root plant, Kolokasi (Colocasia esculanto).

Meals are accompanied by local beer or one of the excellent wines of the island, produced either in one of the big wineries or in the small wineries of the hinterland. Even Mark Antony acclaimed their quality: With the words 'Your love, my beauty, is sweeter than the wine of Cyprus', he presented the island to Cleopatra as a wedding gift. Also popular are the local sherries and brandies, as well as the desert wine Commandaria, one of the world's oldest vintages.

Driving in Cyprus

In Cyprus, you drive on the left as in the UK

Border Crossing between North and South Cyprus - please ensure you take your passport

In recent years the unification of the island or at least the idea of it has come much closer to being realty.  As of 2003 the borders were opened and there has been a free flow of citizens and foreign nationals from both parts of the island. People from both sides cross the border on a daily basis for shopping, tourism, business, etc.   

This process has also allowed tourists to cross the border and explore the whole island.  In doing so, the people of the world also get a closer look at the two sides and they themselves can compare what they heard to what they see to be true. As a result of this they too can be taken out of the game of “they did this”.  At the border tourists will get a form stamped and with that they will be allowed to cross to the south. Please note that the form will be stamped and not your passport. Also while nationals of most countries including E.U. countries and the U.S. may enter the South, countries that would otherwise be required to have a visa in order to enter by other ports may not cross the border.  Restrictions for E.U. countries, the US, and others where lifted once the crossing was opened and Cyprus joined the E.U. Although some of the laws have not changed they are disregarded and for the most part there is free crossing. Restrictions are mostly held to 50 Cypriot Pounds worth of goods crossing to either side.

Crossing the border with a car

You may rent a car in the South and cross over to the North. On the other hand, when you rent a car in the North, you are not allowed to cross over the south. Only personally owned cars can cross over to the South (basically a car that is not a rental car or displaying the rental license plates which are red). For your connivance there are also rental agencies near the crossing points so you may rent a car once you cross over. However, please note that insurance purchased from one side is not applicable to the other. So when you cross you will need to purchase insurance if you plan to drive on the other side.

Border

All in all it seems that by opening the border the two sides may be coming together in terms of at least an acceptance of the other community. There will be talk, there might be some understanding, but most importantly there may be some dispelling of myths. Everybody knows that this is an island that is deeply rooted in mythological lore, but its people must look for some thing beyond the myths that abound. There must be action that is based on reality and not myth. Differences do exist between the two sides and no amount of ouzo or raki will erase those differences. They must be aired and then maybe, maybe an acceptance, a trust, a respect will be established. Then and only then when the people of today are gone and their descendants look back may they wonder if it was a myth, what brave ancestors they had that reached across the divide and said take my hand for I trust you.

Border crossing points

There are currently 5 active check points for crossing the green line in Cyprus. The last crossing point that was established was the Zohdia crossing that is located in Morphou.
Current active Green Line Crossing Checkpoints:

Agios Dometios (Nicosia)

Which is also known as Metehan is considered the main crossing point between the two sides of Cyprus due to sheer volume of people that cross at this checkpoint. It is located in Nicosia and it is a checkpoint that handles the crossing of, pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and goods.

Black Knight (British Eastern Sovereign Base Area)

Or also known as the Azios Nikolaos, Strovilia, or Akyar crossing is one of the two crossings points that are located in the British Eastern Sovereign Base Area. This crossing point allows for the movement of pedestrians, vehicles, and goods across the border in either direction.

Ledra Palace (Nicosia)

This crossing point is strictly for pedestrians and cyclists. However, it is also used as a crossing point for diplomatic vehicles. This checkpoint is also known as the Ledra Palas crossing.

Pergamos (British Eastern Sovereign Base Area)

This is one of the two checkpoints located in the British Eastern Sovereign Base Area. It is also known as, Beyarmudu, or Dhekelia. It can be used for the crossing of pedestrians, vehicles, and goods.

Zohdia (Güzelyurt)

This crossing point may also be known as, Astromeritis, Morpho, Morfu, Güzelyurt, Omorfo, or Morfou. This was the last checkpoint to be opened, as it is located to the west of Nicosia. This checkpoint allows for the crossing of pedestrians, vehicles, and goods.

Note: In many cases these checkpoints have more than one name because they also take in to account the English, Greek, and Turkish names along with the names of the region or neighbouring villages.