Like many people I presume I buy raffle tickets never expecting to win a prize, so it was quite a shock one Sunday in September when I received a phone call to say I’d won first prize in the Hospice raffle; indeed I had to enquire what the first prize was and to be told it was a week’s inclusive holiday for 2 was a very welcome surprise.
So it was, one gloomy February day that we flew out to sunny Cyprus.Our hotel was situated in CoralBay, a quiet resort but with a frequent cheap bus service to Paphos, a picturesque town with a pleasant harbour lined with some good fish restaurants.We spent a couple of days in Paphos, visiting the daily open air market, the Byzantine fort and the Roman villas with some well preserved mosaics.We also had lunch at a couple of the fish restaurants – very enjoyable.
Our hotel was very comfortable, although not near a beach the grounds more than compensated.Our room overlooked the well-tended gardens with tennis courts and pool complex with views of the sea beyond.Although the temperature was about 68o-70oF only one brave soul ventured in the pool and it wasn’t me! – but the hotel had a gym and heated indoor pool which we used occasionally in a vain attempt to thwart the effects of all the food we were consuming! The food was plentiful and varied, the accompanying Cypriot wines being very palatable.After dinner there was always entertainment available if required or quiet, comfortable areas for those guests who wished to read or relax.
We went on a couple of excursions, one to the little villages in the Troodos mountains – be sure to take a coat if you go on this – and the other a Jeep Safari to the National Park and Lara area which is home to the turtle sanctuary.We found all the staff, whether from the hotel, holiday reps or excursion guides very pleasant, helpful and efficient.
We were blessed with good weather which made our unexpected break even more enjoyable.I will certainly buy tickets for this year’s raffle and I urge others to do the same.Many thanks to Emily and her team for organising everything.
