Ski-sky-snow-fun: Cyprus, the island of love, readies to welcome influx of romantic couples this Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus - famed for being the birthplace of Aprhodite, the Greek goddess of love - is looking forward to welcoming Gulf residents on romantic getaways.

The idyllic island continues to host increasing numbers of visitors, year-on-year. New figures from the Statistical Service of the Ministry of Finance reveal that 2017 arrivals increased 14.6 per cent on 2016. Visitors from the GCC increased by 21.3 per cent in 2017, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contributing the largest growth at 48.4 per cent, followed by the UAE at 19.6 per cent.

Cyprus has long been favoured for its warm hospitality and beautiful natural scenery, making it the perfect backdrop for couples looking to celebrate weddings and honeymoons. In the lead up to Valentine’s Day, the island’s luxurious hotels and resorts are readying for an influx of visitors searching relaxation and pampering.

A popular Cyprus tradition are carnivals, dating back to the days of ancient Greece. Visitors can join residents in dressing up in colourful costumes and masks to mark festival celebrations while family-friendly parades are common sights in several cities. The coastal city of Limassol hosts big parades for children on February 17th and for adults on the 18th, while many carnival parties take place in different venues/clubs and bars from the 8th to the 18th of February.

Couples can also enjoy the country’s beautiful scenery, including its beaches, mountains, forests and cycling routes. The exquisite features of the island make it an ideal spot for hiking, swimming, camping or playing Golf - the country is famous for its array of courses with many designed by the world’s most renowned golf course architects.

From fairways to pistes, the popular Troodos Mountains are perfect for seasonal skiing, while beautiful villages across Cyprus are ideal for visitors more interested in folk architecture and cobbled streets than snow-covered summits.

Additionally, Cyprus provides couples with a huge number of museums and cultural sights and events. Enriched with a long history and culture spanning 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest civilisations in the Mediterranean, some of the main sights include the Cyprus Archaeological museum in Nicosia, Kykkos Monastery, the Kourion Archaeological site and theatre, the Choirokoitia Neolithic settlement, Medieval Castles and UNESCO world heritage sites, to name a few.