Chlorakas Holidays

Chlorakas puts all its eggs in a beach-based basket. Everything in this laidback village revolves around the seafront, thanks to its handy postcode on Cyprus’ west coast. It’s not a jot on some of the super-sized stretches, but the peaceful pockets of sand have a different appeal. They’re split up by patches of digestive-coloured rock, and the aquarium-clear waters are bang on for swimming.

The centre of the village is set a little way back from the seafront. It’s a collection of Cyprus’s old-school best bits – think age-old chapels and traditional tavernas. Back at the shoreline, the scene’s totally different. Up-to-the-minute hotels are spaced out behind the beach, with textbook turquoise pools and lounger-lined gardens in good supply, as well.

Paphos is certainly one of the country’s tourism poster boys, thanks to its ancient ruins and all-hours party scene. In fact, the historic sites are in such good nick that UNESCO slapped a world heritage tag on the entire city. It’s only 10 minutes’ drive from Chlorakas, which means the bevy of well-preserved villas, palaces and tombs are a cinch to reach.