Traveling anywhere with kids can be hard; they tire easily and they often become irritable when their established routine is broken. And yet, you don’t want to deny your kids the chance to see some of the most amazing places on Earth and experience new people and cultures along the way. Exposing them to different locales, languages, cuisines, and so on from a young age can definitely help to expand their minds and give them a broader world view right from the start. So if you’re thinking of traveling to the famed Mediterranean island of Cyprus, here are just a few tips to keep your kids happy and deliver an experience they’ll never forget.
- Enjoy the food. The fresh and healthy diet of the Mediterranean can be found in abundance on this easterly island, so you should definitely enjoy the local eats. Although kids might not be too keen on a diet that depends largely on seafood (and offers spiced meats as the other major form of protein), there are plenty of fresh fruits to tempt their palates, as well as a wide variety of traditional cheeses and breads. They might not get Pop Tarts, but the variety of fresh produce should keep them (and you) healthy and happy.
- Hit the beach. Gorgeous white-sand beaches sinking into the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean await visitors to Cyprus. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation for the whole family that consists of plenty of sun and surf, then Cyprus is one of the best places to go. With eight months of summer (April – November) and temperatures that remain near 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you really can’t go wrong.
- History. Although you can visit historical museums anywhere in the world (and Cyprus is no different in that respect), there are not a lot of places where you can see thousands of years of living history all around you. With myriad historical sites to explore (the Tomb of the Kings and Mount Olympus, just to name a couple), art and architecture everywhere, and a long tradition of literature and music to catch your interest, you’ll find that Cyprus has much to offer the family looking to gain some education along with their entertainment.
- The people. Cypriots have often been described as possessing an old-world charm, which really means that they are unfailingly polite and welcoming. Although most travelers maintain a certain amount of wariness when visiting an unfamiliar locale, you will quickly find your guard dropping as locals treat you with courtesy and even greet you with open arms. This is not to say that you shouldn’t still watch your valuables, but you’ll likely find that your experience with the Cypriots is overwhelmingly positive.
- Consider the lodgings. While you can stay at one of many fine Cyprus hotels (including villas on the beach), you may want to think about choosing local B&Bs instead. Although they might not have all the amenities of a larger establishment, you will enjoy the experience of living in an authentic Cypriot household and your hosts can probably recommend all sorts of amazing places that are frequented by locals but generally passed over by tourists.
Carol Montrose is a writer for Aphrodite Hills, a luxury resort and one of the most prestigious holiday destinations in the Mediterranean. In her spare time she enjoys reading and she is currently writing a book on the joys of freelancing.
Exploring Geography is a weekly feature showcasing cities, states, and countries in a child-friendly manner. Please email mamasmilesblog at gmail dot com if you are interested in contributing a guest post.
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
I had a pleasure to visit Cyprus once – it’s such a special place. Perhaps one day I will visit it with family again. Thanks for sharing your tips!
I would love to visit Cyprus someday – it looks so beautiful!
I love love love hearing about these different countries, I have only been to Mexico.
I picture Cyprus as being so beautiful! We have friends who used to live there. I know if I visited I would love the food. Mediterranean is one of my favorites!
We loved our visit to Cyprus, and now that I have friends living there, I want to go again!! So much history, and beautiful, too.
I agree it’s wonderful to find the local places to eat that are good. So many wonderful places to visit.