Month: November 2015

Secret Valley Golf Course

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Nestled in a scenic valley in Pafos (Paphos), by Petra tou Romiou – the place where legend says Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek Goddess of Love was born – Secret Valley Golf Course offers a stunning setting with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and sheer playability.

Hans-Georg Erhardt and Snorri Vilhjalmsson of Golf & Land Design are the course architects, with Tony Jacklin – four times Ryder Cup Captain and Winner of the British Open and US open – providing his signature for the golf course’s new visage.

With the course carefully laid out in the natural landscape, and with mature vegetation in the lower part of the valley, the setting is distinctly a Cyprus one with a unique Mediterranean feel. Utilising the steep hillside terrain, the course offers spectacular tee locations and long views towards valley and ocean.

Recently rebuilt and opened in 2013, the par 71 course of 5.700 metres unfolds through rolling Bermuda fairways and bentgrass greens. It is further supported by an academy that offers tuition from a PGA Professional. The modern practise area boasts 22 covered bays; large putting, chipping, and pitching greens, plus indoor solutions. A floodlight 3-hole loop for evening play is conveniently located at the lowest end of the golf courses, where the beach development links with the golf course.

The elegant clubhouse is decked out in wood and stone with cosy seating areas and fireplace, as well as valley vistas from two balconies and a menu of fine international cuisine at its restaurant. The golf club also boasts a luxury development of villas and apartments – Venus Rock Resort.

Minthis Golf Club

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The Resort Overview

Minthis is about enrichment, wellness and relaxation. The resort is set among 5 million square metres of a beautiful, protected Natura 2000 nature reserve, where we invite guests to get closer to nature, whether that’s hiking through the nature trail past waterfalls, mountain biking through the vineyards and olive groves, enjoying a round of golf on the 18-hole championship golf course or savouring local home-grown produce in one of the resort restaurants. At Minthis, your hours can be as active or relaxed as you choose them to be, but every moment is restorative allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of life.

18-hole Championship Golf Course
Minthis is home to a beautiful and challenging golf course that winds its way past a 12th-century monastery with breath-taking views of the Troodos Mountains and beyond. The 18-hole course boasts outstanding holes that organically follow the natural undulations of the topography, looping past water features and ancient groves, with hundreds of olive trees, fruit orchards and grapevines. As part of Natura 2000 site, nature is an ever-present element at Minthis and the Golf Club has been awarded twice with a GEO Certification, recognising the eco-friendly sustainable approach and commitment to nature, resource conservation and community value.
Designed by legendary golf architect Donald Steel in 1994 and renovated by renowned course designers Mackenzie and Ebert, the course is a flawless example of their philosophy that golf courses should fit into the terrain, be in keeping with their setting and focus on the details.
“Our work at Minthis has focused on making the course even more beautifulby drawing the monastery into the landscape and opening viewstowards the Troodos Mountains”.
Tom Mackenzie, Mackenzie and Ebert

The Suites – luxury boutique accommodation
Our Suites are framed with majestic mountains and rolling countryside views on one side and the beautiful golf course surrounding the 12th century Monastery on the other. The comfortable and welcoming 1 and 2-bedroom Suites, and our 2-bedroom Villas with private plunge pool, is not your typical hotel environment, they offer a more meaningful stay that provides you with an authentic, immersive and personalised experience. Each suite is designed with luxurious aesthetics and include all the hotel-style conveniences and services you could wish for, with guaranteed views, outdoor space and access the stunning infinity pool and wellness Spa.
 
 
The Plateia and Minthis Spa
 Adjacent to the golf course and Clubhouse is the Plateia, our social square. It is a place of community and energy, where you can discover authentic Cypriot hospitality, art and tradition. Evoking traditional Cypriot life, the lively outdoor square is shaded by a tree with seating for those that want to watch the world go by. The new Mediterranean inspired restaurant called Amaracus, serves a section of fresh dishes, homemade bread and pizza from the wood fired oven and Cypriot inspired comfort foods with a modern Minthis twist.
 
There is also a cocktail bar serving the finest selection of drinks and a light snack menu, wine boutique, an art gallery and home concept store (coming soon) selling a carefully curated, beautiful selection of everything from local handmade crafts and jewelry to artwork.
 
Our holistic wellness Spa is hidden into the hillside and blends the restorative power of the local herbs and minerals, with ancient healing methods and contemporary science to rejuvenate and restore. Escape and breathe in the fresh mountain air, awaken your senses with invigorating aromas in the sensory courtyard, experience the wet and dry plateaus of the 9 Thermal Suites, indulge in a treatment or simply immerse yourself in nature. 
 
 www.minthisresort.com

 

Eléa Estate Golf Club

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Located in the Pafos (Paphos) region of Gesroskipou – 8 km from Pafos and its airport – the Eléa Golf Club is part of the prestigious, award-winning Eléa Estate, and is a challenging 18-hole golf course, designed by the legendary British golfer Sir Nick Faldo.

Commanding breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, the par 71 course of 6775 yards (from the black tees) incorporates numerous rugged features of the natural landscape, including endless, rolling countryside, mature carob and olive trees and weathered outcrops of limestone that strikingly contrast with the dark green paspalum grass fairways and semi-rough. A number of holes are fringed by Mediterranean grasses and an abundance of wild herbs and native flora that allow local wildlife to thrive.

Open since 2010, Sir Nick carefully designed the course of the Eléa for each hole to pose a ‘strategic riddle’ for ‘thoughtful’ golf. The course is further supported by the Elea Golf Academy and its PGA Professionals, and features a full-length driving range – complete with target greens and bunkers, a short game practice area, and a stunning putting green that boasts an impressive location overlooking the whole course. The course is walkable, with buggies available to hire.

Inspired by the traditional architecture of the island, the stylish clubhouse incorporates bars and restaurants, a library area and cosy fireplaces. Spectacular vistas unfold across the course and out towards the sea from its several terraces and balconies.

The premium estate also features luxurious villas and apartments, a boutique hotel, spa facilities and a variety of high-end dining and leisure options.

www.eleaestate.com

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Aphrodite Hills Golf – PGA National, Cyprus

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Located between Pafos (Paphos) and Lemesos (Limassol), Aphrodite Hills is an award-winning integrated golf, leisure and real estate development with a championship 18-hole golf course designed by renowned course architect Cabell B. Robinson.

Overlooking the endless blue of the Mediterranean Sea, the striking feature of the par 71 course is the deep canyon that separates two plateaus and has been beautifully incorporated into its design. Dotted with olive and carob trees, the course at Aphrodite Hills offers the perfect mix of challenging pot bunkers, manicured fairways of lush Bermuda grass and generous tiered greens – all with views across the legendary birthplace of Ancient Greek Goddess, Aphrodite.  

One of the defining features of the 6,299-metre course is the 7th hole, which is one of the most spectacular par 3s in Europe. The hole plays steeply down across a canyon onto a large green, nestled in a grove of olive trees.

The course  – which opened in 2002 – also boasts a double-ended 350 metres practice range, four target greens with bunkers, short game practice facilities and three academy holes. Three residential professional golf instructors are available for individual or group lessons at the three-hole academy course, and there is also a fully-equipped Pro Shop.

A beautifully appointed clubhouse with bar, restaurant and terraces overlooks the green and can host special events and private parties, whilst the resort also includes a five-star deluxe Aphrodite Hills Hotel, a tennis academy, fitness facilities, luxurious villas, junior villas and apartments, a spa and a village square with shops and restaurants.
 

Cyprus’ vision is to reposition itself in the global holiday market to provide a more diversified and ultimately more sustainable product. The new 2030 National Strategy for Tourism is certainly to bring profound results in diversification and to keep the sector on its growth trajectory for the next decades. 
 
Golf tourism is growing steadily thanks to the island’s year-round good weather and due to facilities like the one we are now. 18-hole International standard courses and exceptional facilities. The PGA National Cyprus, the 1st and only certified golf course in Cyprus is the proof that we are very serious about making our vision a reality.
Furthermore, Cyprus has proven its resilience and ability to adapt and is well placed to achieve its targets and turn the vision into a reality. 
 
Excellent weather, safe destination and exceptional facilities have resulted the European Tour being hosted in our island these days. 
 
Both events (The Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Open Trophy (October 29th – November 1st 2020) and the 2nd Tournament, Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown (from November 5th-8th) were played at Aphrodite Hills Resort, with prize funds of €1million for each tournament. 500 visitors which included some of the best professional golfers of the world as well as golf and media professionals, attemded the event, whilst the tournaments had full tv and media coverage from the European Tour Productions and Sky Sports Television networks reaching more than 400 million subscribers around the world. 
 

www.aphroditehills.com

Set Sail in Cyprus!

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The endless blue seas of Cyprus offer the perfect setting for enjoying sailing and yachting all year round, thanks to their favourable temperatures and flat waters, and a lack of pollutants. Combined with ideal wind conditions, and a stunning, rugged coastline, these factors attract both enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world.

A variety of important races and regattas also take place throughout the year for the sport of sailing, whilst leisure yachters can find community and facilities at two marinas, five ports and numerous bays.

All the relevant information for sailing on the island, along with the calendar of events, and important guidelines can be found on the website of the Cyprus Sailing Federation (CYSAF).

As the national governing body for the sport of sailing in Cyprus, CYSAF is a member of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), and the European Sailing Federation (EUROSAF). It is the official body for the promotion of sailing in Cyprus, as well as for representing Cypriot sailing at an international level. The organization also organises championships, races and other sporting events on a Cypriot, regional or international level, and maintains a fleet of dinghies, including Women’s/ Men’s RS:X, Laser Standard, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, Optimist, 470, Finn and Open Sea Vessels.

For more details, contact:

Cyprus Sailing Federation (CYSAF), Lemesos (Limassol)
Amathountos 21
4532 Agios Tychonas
Lemesos
Cyprus
Tel: (+357) 25 320 559
Fax: (+357) 25 328 953
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cysaf.org.cy

The Canyon

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Located under the cliffs on the south side of Cape Gkreko, this site requires a decent level of fitness to meet its challenging entry point but rewards the more experienced diver with its variety of depths and bottom contours.
Characterised by a series of fascinating rock formations – such as walls and canyons – the site is ideal for technical and sidemount diving training.

The marine life is less abundant here than at other sites, but divers will still spot damselfish, grouper, moray eels, octopi and stingrays, with most seen above 20 metres, enchanting all level of diver.
Deep divers can experience a ‘free-falling’ sensation from 10 metres down to a sunken jet ski that lays at 38 metres and offers a popular photo opportunity.

Location:Cape Gkreko – Protaras, Ammochostos region
Coordinates:34° 57’40.41″N 34° 3’51.72″E
Type of Dive Site:Sandy Bottom / Drop-off (cliff)
Depth:20 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Shore (difficult) / By boat
Qualification Required:Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category:Recreational Diving

Canyon (dive_route) by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

Green Bay

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This picturesque bay is part of the Cape Gkreko network of dive sites, where friendly marine life flourishes in the crystal-clear waters and among the colourful pebbles.

As this is a shore dive with walk in entry – and an absence of currents or waves – it is considered to be the easiest dive sites in the region and is approved by major dive associations as a confined water training area, making it the perfect spot for beginners and introductory dives.
The site also introduces the marine life of the area in a delightful way at the ‘Fish Rock’ feeding station where large schools of seabream are a common feature and turtle sightings are frequent. Other species at the site include cornetfish, cuttlefish, octopi, ornate wrasse, parrotfish, pipefish, rainbow wrasse and starfish.

Divers can also enjoy a cultural element to this easy dive thanks to the artificial statues (replicas of Ancient Greek monuments), submerged at a depth of 10 metres, whilst there are fragments of ancient amphorae to be discovered on the seabed.

Location: Cape Gkreko – Protaras, Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates: 35° 0’1.13″N 34° 4’4.51″E
Type of Dive Site: Shore Dive
Depth: 11 metres
Visibility: 20 metres
Access:Shore (walk in)
Qualification Required: Open Water
Dive Category:Recreational Diving

Green Bay by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

For the Statue 1 click here
For the Statue 2 click here
For the Statue 3 click here
For the Amphorae click here

Nemesis Shipwreck

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The Nemesis III wreck was sunk in the Protaras Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2013 to create an artificial reef, joining the Liberty wreck that was sunk in 2009. 

The former fishing vessel was built in France in 1956. She now lies upright in the MPA, just 90 metres away from the Liberty. As such, the site is particularly good for scooter diving between the two wrecks, passing the submerged two-metre cross placed there by famous Russian explorer Feodor Konyukhov, which was added to with a statue of the Mother of God by a Russian diving centre.
Divers can enter the wreck and swim through its hull and bridge; explore the small cabin with its railed veranda, as well as the engines and corridor where all manner of marine life thrives. The safe swim throughs make the Nemesis suitable for basic wreck diving. The site is also ideal for training for the Advanced Open Water qualification.
The amazing array of marine life at the site includes ascidian, grouper, lionfish, moray eels, sea slugs, squid, tube worms and tuna. Large numbers of amberjacks pass through seasonally.

Location: Protaras,Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates: 35° 3’3.72″N 34° 2’11.05″E
Type of Dive Site: Wreck (also suitable for scooter diving)
Depth: 26 metres
Visibility: 20+metres
Dimensions: 25 metres long / 6 metres wide
Access: By boat
Qualification Required:  Advanced Open Water / Boat Diver
Dive Category: Recreational Diving


Nemesis Shipwreck by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

Kyrenia Shipwreck

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Location: Agia Napa

Type of dive site: Artificial reef

Depth: 23 metres

Visibility:  25 metres

Access: By boat

Qualification Required: Advanced Open Water

Features: This old Greek navy boat has become home to a variety of marine life, including moray eels and groupers, which can be spotted in abundance.

Interesting Facts: This old war ship was donated by the Cyprus Ministry of Defence to be sunk in March 2015 for the purposes of creating an artificial reef, with the aim of encouraging the increase of marine life to the area.

Kyrenia ship dimensions:

Lenght: 29 metres

Width: 5 metres

Depth: 2.54 metres


Kyrenia Shipwreck by visitcyprus on Sketchfab

Chapel

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The charming, little, white washed Agioi Anargyroi chapel that sits above this dive site gives it its name, with steps on the water’s edge leading down to the entry point where a sudden drop allows divers to descend fairly quickly.

Divers are then rewarded with the sight of beautiful, changing underwater scenery that unfolds with overhangs and ledges; cliff faces with fossils; rocks with sponges and encrusted, shattered amphorae on the seabed.

The highly popular and picturesque dive at Cape Gkreko is ideal for all levels of diver, and for navigation, deep dives and night dives – where octopi and eel hunt for their food in the darker hours. An array of other sea creatures live among the rocks and meadows of Posidonia seagrass, including bream, grouper, lionfish, moray eels, nudibranch and sea urchins.

Location:Cape Gkreko – Protaras, Ammochostos
GPS Coordinates: 34° 58’33.88″N 34° 4’33.98″E
Type of Site:Rocky, Sandy, Drop Off (cliff)
Depth:40 metres
Visibility:20+ metres
Access:Easy access up to the entry point (steps), but difficult entryand exit point.
Qualification Required:Open Water
Dive Category:Recreational and Technical Diving