Hestia Homes Blog » Larnaca

GOLF COURSES IN CYPRUS

admin — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:48:18 +0000

The Republic of Cyprus is set to become the next major location on the international golf scene – with an increasing impact on the local property market.

The government of Cyprus is standing by its long-term commitment to make major improvements to the infrastructure of Cyprus. Golf courses have taken pride of place in the overall strategy to turn Aphrodite’s isle from one of the most popular Mediterranean destinations for European holidaymakers into a vacation paradise for visitors from around the globe. Golf is still a relatively new sport here. However, a small number of excellent courses are operating and more are planned, both to meet growing on-island demand and the requirements of quality tourism.

Anyone asking about Cyprus golf courses will most likely be pointed towards one of the four venues currently in existence. Plans for more courses are already underway – a reflection of not just the growing popularity of golf as sport but Cyprus as a growing destination of choice on the international playing circuit.

Existing Cyprus golf courses such as the Secret Valley Golf and Country Club, Tsada and Aphrodite Hills in the Paphos region have already stimulated a great deal of attention amongst foreign property buyers who have recognised the convenience and investment potential of owning apartments and villas within easy striking distance of the courses – and Paphos International Airport is only a short drive away.

Whilst homes in the vicinity of these two courses are certainly in high demand, the majority of golf aficionados looking for a golf property in Cyprus are casting their eyes firmly towards the forthcoming venues across the island. One of the new courses, which will finally take golf in Cyprus beyond the Paphos region, is the Larnaca Golf and Country Club at the village of Tersefanou. Planned and backed by the PGA, this stunning championship standard course is set to become the jewel in the crown of the many infrastructure improvements being made in the Larnaca region, including the major expansion of Larnaca International Airport. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the course will boast a five-star hotel and spa facilities with luxury villas and apartments on and around the course.

New developments are an increasingly common feature of the landscape around Tersefanou and the vicinity of the planned golf course. This has affected other villages in the locality such as Kiti, Mazatos and Pervolia, which are all seeing an increase in the building of villas and apartments to accommodate the expected influx of golfers and holiday makers to this part of Cyprus.

Apart from glorious sunshine for most of the year, a key advantage of Cyprus as a golfing destination are the excellent air links it enjoys with the rest of the European Union – and the Middle East – and international connections to the rest of the world. This makes a golfing holiday at any time of the year more than a flight of fancy. Both Paphos and Larnaca International Airports are just over four hours away from London and various regional airports in the UK.
Given the sport’s worldwide popularity and continuing growth, there is absolutely no doubt that it will continue to develop and thrive in Cyprus to the benefit not only of golfers but of the Cyprus economy as a whole. This is reflected by the formal establishment in 2000 of the Cyprus Golf Federation (website www.cgf.org.cy ).

The CGF is the official governing body for golf in Cyprus and is registered with the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA) and the Cyprus Olympic Committee (KOE). The CGF has a mission to play its part in this process and provides current information about golf in Cyprus. The organisation is a member of the International Golf Federation (IGF), the European Golf Association (EGA) and is associated with the R & A.

In association with established Mediterranean golfing destinations such as Spain and Portugal, the CGF has joined 31 other countries in promoting the sport in Europe. It has been active in organising local golf tournaments and matches with British golf societies – and the PGA has been to Cyprus to inspect the golf courses.
The Cyprus government has taken positive measures to support the promotion of golf as an economic driver of the economy in various parts of the country.

In addition to the Strategy for Golf Course Development, the Tourism Strategy Plan to 2010 views golf courses as a means of generating increased tourism income – and taking into account factors such as the use of land, water and environmental concerns the Strategy suggests that, including existing courses, Cyprus will see the development of four to five international standard 18-hole courses in the Paphos district – and one each in Limassol, Larnaca, Nicosia and the free area of Famagusta. So, within a few years there should be a total of nine golf courses on the island
The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) promotes the country in all major travel markets and golf fairs (Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, and Britain) and organises familiarisation visits for golf journalists and tour operators.

If the experience of players ‘teeing off’ at the existing courses in Cyprus is anything to go by, the island will soon be an even more familiar destination for those on golfing holidays. Of course, the added bonus for people choosing to buy their own villa or apartment – and either live here permanently or on extended stays – is that they can indulge their passion for golf and bask in the Mediterranean sun with the sure knowledge that they are spoilt for choice about which world class course to visit whenever they want to at any time of the year!

LARNACA SALT LAKE

admin — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:30:53 +0000

Larnaca Airport is the main point of entry for many travellers to Eastern Cyprus, especially those visiting the popular coastal resorts of Agia Napa, Protaras and Kapparis. Having enjoyed what is hopefully a comfortable, cheap flight to Larnaca to enjoy this sub-tropical island paradise in the Mediterranean, the independent traveller or someone taking a last minute package deal can be forgiven for simply wanting to clear passport control, grab their baggage and head for the taxi, rental car or tour coach – and look forward to soaking up the sun from the vantage point of their rented villa, holiday apartment or hotel.When leaving Larnaca airport, mountain views beckon in the distance – but what makes a more immediate impression is a landscape punctuated by the lake which seems to ‘cradle’ the area. Whether you’re heading for Agia Napa and resorts of the Famagusta area in Eastern Cyprus, Limassol to the West, Nicosia to North – or Larnaca town itself – you cannot miss this magnificent sight which welcomes you to this island and the heritage of its ancient civilisation.

If you’re a frequent flyer and visit Cyprus at different times of the year, the appearance of the lake will change according to the season. The lake fills with water during the winter and is visited by flocks of flamingos that stay from November until the end of March. It dries up in the summer, leaving a vast shiny residue on the surface deflecting the sun into multi-coloured rays of light. The lake used to yield a good quality of salt which was scraped from its dried up surface. The salt from is now considered unfit for human consumption, but the attractive nature trail along the banks of the lake make an interesting connection with the Aphrodite Cultural Route.

LARNACA – A PLACE TO BE

admin — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:35:31 +0000

In ancient times, the town of Larnaca in Cyprus was known as Kition, and today is the island’s second commercial port and an important tourist resort. To the north of the town lies the island’s oil refinery and Larnaca International Airport is situated to the south. The city of Larnaka is well-known for its picturesque Finikoudes sea-front with its spectacular rows of palm trees and restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This is the centre of activity during the major festivals. The most important of these for the city of Larnaka is Kataklysmos or the Festival of the Flood, celebrated in early summer with a series of cultural events.

The famous stoic philosopher Zeno of Citium hailed from the city. It is said he began his stoic teaching after losing everything he had in a shipwreck.In modern times, another famous person born in Larnaca is Anna Vissi, a Greek-Cypriot singer often referred to as “The Greek Madonna”. Larnaca has many attractions as a tourist resort. The town is big enough to offer all you may need but is not overcrowded or impersonal. Its beautiful beaches extend for 25 kilometers. A magnet for local people, especially at weekends, is Mackenzy Beach. This clean and superb stretch of soft sand extends from the southern coastal edge of Larnaca to ( quite literally ) the perimeter fencing of Larnaca Airport. You can sunbathe at leisure – or dine in one of the many restaurants offering a choice of international cuisine – including freshly caught fish or the local speciality of the town, ‘ Cyprus meze ‘. A Cyprus meze is like a romp through the entire gastronomic repertoire of the island, all in bite-size portions. It is a parade of flavour and delicacy – the original tasting menu including fish, meat, snails, salads, haloumi, stuffed vine leaves and jet-black Greek coffee !

Relax in style and watch the specks of incoming aircraft grow in the sky as they circle for the runway approach – bringing with them the passengers of Cyprus Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Olympic Airways, Monarch, Aeroflot and other international airlines.

By the time you’ve finished feasting you’re ready to explore the archaeological sites and museums within walking distance in the nearby city centre.

Summer sports, sea activities and cruises are also readily available along the beach and marina. Shopping is a true adventure as you explore the local market and host of fascinating craft shops, boutiques and fashion outlets which line the intricate network of streets in Larnaca town centre. There is a superb choice of footwear and leather goods. You will also find familiar UK High Street names such as Marks & Spencer, NEXT, The Body Shop, Debenhams and Dorothy Perkins in the Larnaca town area.

Cultural life is rich and many events are organized by the town’s Municipality, many of them in the relaxing ambience of warm, open air summer evenings where local residents and visitors alike join to unwind and enjoy musical and theatrical performances. Cinemas screen the latest blockbuster Hollywood movies simultaneously with cinemas in the rest of Europe and the USA. Films are generally screened in English with Greek subtitles.

The centre of town offers a variety of restaurants, tavernas, cafeterias and bars providing an excellent choice of cuisine for the widest range of tastes – from familiar fast food outlets such as McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut through to intimate beach-side bistros where you can savour the finest food and wines and let your senses linger in awe at the majestic beauty of sunset over the Mediterranean.

The joy of being in Larnaca is knowing that one day leads to the next – and there are new discoveries to be made, new friends to meet and fresh experiences to enjoy.