Travel & Leisure highlights Cyprus as a “the Perfect Year-round Destination”

Travel & Leisure, a travel brand that reaches more than 16 million readers per month and claims to have “the power and responsibility to create positive change”, has dedicated a special feature on how to plan the perfect trip to “the sun-splashed island of Cyprus, according to local experts”.

Entitled: "This Often-overlooked European Island Is the Perfect Year-round Destination — With More Than 300 Days of Sunshine Each Year", the article highlights the island’s year-round sunny weather, and offers up the best tips on how to enjoy a trip Cyprus, as proposed by locals. It also points to the fact that it is cheaper compared to other more popular destintaions.

“More than just a summer standout, it enjoys consistently pleasant weather and more than 300 days of sunshine each year,” says author Lindsay Cohn. “That means ample time to catch some rays on the sandy beaches, swim in the clear water, and hit the scenic hiking trails. Plus, this under-the-radar gem's low-key status translates to fewer crowds and lower rates (yes, even in the summer).”

The “Top 5 can’t miss” list includes: soak up the sunshine on the nation's sandy beaches; eat delicious Cypriot specialties like halloumi cheese and moussaka; and step into the past with a visit to Kourion archaeological site.

It also proposes exploring the charming villages in the Troodos Mountains and staying “in swish style at an oceanfront resort”.

Travel & Leisure goes on to list the best hotels and resorts, and restaurants, places, as well as the best things to do, like visit the Kourion Archaeological Site, Kykkkos Monastery and Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock), or the Troodos Mountains’ charming villages and UNESCO-listed painted churches.

As for its top pick of resorts, the prestigious travel magazine named Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol; Anassa Hotel; Columbia Beach Resort; Amara; and Almyra Hotel.

The best restaurants, as proposed by the locals, are listed as the Meze Taverna in Limassol, Pyxida Fish Tavern at Limassol marina, Estiatorio Evroulla in Nicosia, Laona Restaurant in Old Town of Paphos and Estia Tavern in Paphos.

(Photo: the images used in the Travel & Leisure article)