Apart from the pool-side kiosk, a friendly family restaurant is just a couple of minutes' walk from the villa..............why not try their wonderful selection of tasty Cypriot dishes or their refreshing homemade lemonade? There is also a wide selection of restaurants and bars located nearby either in the historic and beautiful village of Choirokoitia or neighbouring villages.

Around Choirokoitia: The local blue flag Governor's Beach, with its sweeping sandy beaches, hidden coves and wide selection of restaurants, is around 10 minutes drive from Choirokoitia. Alternatively, you might want to try horse riding, fishing, cycling or a trip to see traditional local activities such as olive-pressing. The many local nature trail walks are a wonderful way to enjoy the picturesque views or just wander through the paved streets of Choirokoitia to leave you admiring the characteristic houses of the area. The village of Zygi is also around ten minutes' drive away, and here you will find stunning deep blue sea, the wonderful new marina and the excellent seafood tavernas it is famed for. Agios Minas Monastery and the historic village of Lefkara with its beautiful embroidery and lace-making are also nearby. There really is so much to see and do away from the hustle and bustle of the big resorts!

Limassol, the island's largest seaside resort, boasts a wide range of tavernas, restaurants and shops. It has a Medieval Castle, local galleries, and is famous for its wine production. You may also want to take a cruise from there to the Holy Land, Egypt or even the Greek islands. Just outside of Limassol, you will find Fasouri Watermania, which offers the largest selection of water slides and attractions in Cyprus.

The Troodos mountain range are definitely worth a visit and the stunning Mount Olympus (1,952m) can be reached in around an hour. Hilltop villages full of vineyards and Byzantine churches make this a popular day trip when you need a rest from the beach, so if you want peace and tranquillity, going for long walks, bird-watching or cycling in pine-scented forests this is for you.

How to get there: Charter and scheduled airlines fly frequently into Paphos and Larnaca throughout the year. Both airports offer car rental from the major rental companies and details of local companies can be provided on request.

The brand new Larnaca International airport is about 25 - 30 min from the villa. Paphos International airport is about 1 h and 20 min. The route from either airport is very straightforward with most of the route being on Cyprus's excellent motorway which stretches from one end of the island to the other. A car is advisable, not least to explore the beauties of the island.

Driving in Cyprus is simple as they drive on the left-hand side, there is much less traffic and the signs are in English as well as Cypriot. Fuel is relatively cheap at €1.27/litre (= approx £1.03/litre) at November 2012.