Photo taken on our previous visit to Paphos in April 2011 - Petra Tou Romiou
After a terribly hectic week at work, both Alkis and I were looking forward to a weekend getaway. Aphrodite Hills - a holiday resort situated near the town of Paphos on the western coast of the island has always been a favourite weekend destination. Aphrodite Hills was created in the middle of nowhere, at Petra Tou Romiou (The Rock of the Greek). According to Greek mythology, Aphrodite - the Greek goddess of Beauty and Love - rose from the white foam of the soft waves, floating on a sea shell and came to rest at Palepaphos where her Temple was erected.
In his Odyssey, Homer says:
But laughter-loving Aphrodite went to Cyprus, to Paphos, in her precinct and fragrant altars....
So off we went to Aphrodite's land. We stayed at the Intercontinental Aphrodite's Hills Resort Hotel endowed by Mother Nature with splendid views to the hills and sea alike . I sometimes wish I were a painter to paint all this beauty! But before checking in at the hotel, we had lunch at Kastro Restaurant in the nearby village of Pissouri. We had fresh fish right out of the fisherman's basket.
On Saturday morning, we visited Kouklia - the centre of Aphrodite's worship Temple. The old village was situated in a commanding position on a flat-topped hill overlooking the valley. Kouklia was founded by Agapenor - King of Tegea (Arcadia, Greece).
Kouklia
Paphos Harbour
The Intercontinental Aphrodite's Hills Resort - Saturday Night Out
We spent the rest of the day strolling and shopping in Paphos. We had lunch at Zeus - the best Greek taverna by far in Paphos! If you live in Cyprus and like Greek food, I'm sure you'll love Δίας / Zeus!