Cyprus and Pafilia are ‘bucking the trend’ of the credit crunch. According to a recent Knight Frank Report, Cyprus is still recording growth rates in double figures. A high level of interest in property as an investment is attracting buyers to the island who see it is an alternative to other markets which are faring badly. It is especially true at the higher end of the market. In addition to the investment potential, the good weather, idyllic lifestyle and low crime rate are all factors for those looking to escape from the gloom of the UK permanently.

This is clearly demonstrated by Pafilia’s recent launch of Minthis Hills, one of the most distinctive and attractive residential resorts in the Mediterranean that is redefining luxury living in Cyprus. Evangelia Eliadou, executive director of Pafilia, said, “Within ten days of launch, we sold ten properties in our Minthis Hills development amounting to over 13 million Euros, demonstrating that high end specifications, beautiful designs and ultimate luxury are still very much in demand. The response has been so high that we may have to introduce the next phase of the development earlier than expected.”

At Minthis Hills, we will not only preserve the landscape, we will return it to how it was years ago with the planting of over 50,000 indigenous trees and plants.”

Located in the rolling hills of Tsada village, between Pafos and Polis, Minthis Hills is remarkable for the serene harmony of its design, as well as its incorporation of the best modern design advances that put it at the forefront of modern architecture. The aim for the resort is to offer the best of both worlds; a rural escape with easy access to facilities on site and, at the same time, just 10 minutes drive from all the amenities and entertainment you could wish for in Pafos town! Unrivalled on-site facilities will include the recently upgraded 18 hole championship golf course, a spa, several restaurants and shops. This will be complemented by the highest levels of service, enabling owners to relax in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of for them.

The development will span across 5 million square metres, equivalent to 1200 football pitches, or 3.5 times the size of Hyde Park - and just 2% will be built on. This means that those buying there will be surrounded by open spaces, panoramic views of the mountains, sea or golf and will almost be unaware of any neighbours.
Property prices start at around €1 million for the villas.

For more information about Minthis Hills visit http://www.minthishills.com/ or call +357 99 219078 or contact j.cossons@pafilia.com

Schooling in Cyprus

The education system in Cyprus is of a high standard and accessible to all residents. Cyprus offers a wide range of schools from pre-school kindergarten (1-6 years), infant schools (6-12 years), junior schools (12-18 years), colleges (16-18 years) and universities (18+).

The Cypriot government wishes to ensure that children from other EU countries continue their education whilst they are in Cyprus. Children with other native languages receive special lessons in their language, along with intensive tuition in Greek to facilitate their gradual integration into state school. In addition teachers receive training to enable them to respond adequately to the teaching of pupils from other language backgrounds.

A number of private schools (Greek, English, French, and Russian-language) are also available. Higher education is available through 6th form colleges and recognised English language institutions. If either parent is of Cypriot nationality, schooling for their children is compulsory until Year 9, or age 15. However, most pupils stay on until the age of 18 to gain a high-school diploma, a necessary prerequisite for a university application or job. Attendance at all Greek schools is free of charge; however there is a fairly rigid curriculum. Pre-school educationBoth state schools teaching in the Greek language and private schools teaching in other languages offer pre-school education for children aged from 3 to 5 years. Attendance is currently voluntary, however legislation to make at least one year of pre-school education compulsory is anticipated. Attendance at a private nursery school costs from (EUR 120 to EUR 260) per month. There are also private and state "baby nurseries" for children up to 3 years of age.

In Paphos the Little Acorns Pre-School Nursery is a well run and popular day nursery. Run by UK qualified staff and open from 8 till 5, they have provision for 20 children who can attend morning or afternoon sessions or both. Parents are welcome to visit whenever they wish and there are free "settling in" sessions to make sure your child is going to be happy there. Prices include meals and snacks.

Best Beaches in Cyprus.

Blue Flag Jury awarded the Blue Flag to the following 49 beaches :
Louma, Pernera, Potami, Vrysi A’ & B’ & C’, Protaras, Nisia Lombardi [Paralimni], Konnos Bay, Kermia, Ammos tou Kambouri, Glyki Nero, Pantachou, Loukkos tou Manti, Katsarka, Pernera, Vathia Gonia, Nissi, Nissi Bay, Lanta, Macronissos and Agia Thekla [Agia Napa], Yannathes [Voroklini], Phinikoudes, Kastella and Mckenzie [Larnaka], Kalymnos beach - CTO [Pentakomo], Aoratoi [Pyrgos], Municipal Beach Pareklisias [Pareklisia], Santa Barbara, Loures, Vouppa, Aphrodite, Onisilos, Armonia and Castella [Agios Tychon], Akti Olympion [Lemesos], Pissouri beach [Pissouri], Municipal beach – CTO [Geroskipou], Pachyammos, Vrysoudia A & B, Alykes, Municipal Baths and Faros [Pafos], Laourou and Coral Beach [Pegeia], Municipal beach, Dasoudi beach - CTO [Polis Chrysochous].

Low Cost Flights to Cyprus

Jet2 will start flights to Pafos Cyprus from May 2008 (flying from Leeds Bradford to Pafos)


Cyprus has a long heritage stretching back over 9000 years. Reminders of the Island's history can be found with Greek temples, Roman mosaics and 15th-century frescoes available for all to see.

Some Highlights to Visit

Salamis – Salamis is the best archaeological site in Cyprus. Visitors can bask in the atmosphere of the fully restored Roman amphitheatre, marble baths or the gymnasium. Most of the ruins are Byzantine or Roman, scattered over 5 miles with a beautiful beach near by for any keen archaeologist to cool down in and soak up some rays!

Lefkosia (Nicosia) – Lefkosia's was once enclosed by a star-shaped wall but is now more famous due to the UN's Green Line which divided the capital. Lefkosia is a friendly place with beautiful restaurants, a buzzing art scene and breathtaking museums. Lefkosia offers a more traditional view of Cyprus and gives the traveller insight into what the way of life in Cyprus is really like compared to the coastal towns. The old town, inside the 16th-century Venetian walls, is a must see for anybody visiting. There are many museums to see in the area including the Leventis Municipal, the Dragoman Hadzigeorgakis and the Byzantine Museum.

Troödos Massif – The Troödos mountains, in the country's south, are well worth a visit for their tranquil atmosphere and a place to get away from the bustling tourist hot spots. The area is a favourite for hikers and is littered with 15th-century frescoed monasteries, wine-making villages and walking trails.

St Hilarion Castle – St Hilarion Castle seems as if it has come from a magical fairytale and is uniquely blended into the surrounding cliffside. The castle has a labyrinth of tunnels, hidden rooms and overgrown gardens and paths to keep both parents and children entertained for hours on end. The view from the top of the castle is a sight to behold allowing the visitor to see the Taurus Mountains in Turkey, more than 100km away on a clear day.

Kolossi Castle – Kolossi Castle is nestled near the village houses and vineyards in the area. The castle acts as a reminder of the rule of the Knights of St John in the 13th century. The famous Cypriot wine, Commandaria, was first produced here and no visit would be complete without sampling this rich dessert wine. The castle is accessible by a short drawbridge. In earlier days the castle was originally defended by a high parapet fiercely defended by the castle occupants with molten lead or boiling oil – but don’t worry there’s a friendly reception for all visitors now!

Details of low cost flights to Cyprus with Jet2.com can be found on their website www.jet2.com

Cyprus News

• A recent announcement revealed that the Euro will be introduced in January 2008.

• Two new International Airports are in the pipeline! In 2009 the new Pafos airport will be complete.

• Ten new golf courses are planned island-wide.

• Four new marinas are planned across Cyprus. Pafilia Property Developers have announced that they have formally placed a bid for the new Pafos Marina, near Coral Bay, which will boast a staggering 1,000 berths!

• Works will soon begin on the transformation of Pafos Harbour, with a pedestrianised promenade.

• A new highway linking Pafos and Polis will dramatically reduce travel times.

• A beach improvement scheme will further raise the standards of Cyprus' plentiful blue flag beaches.

• Cyprus already has one of the highest employment rates in the EU, but new enterprises will create thousands of new jobs on the island!

• There are a growing number of familiar UK High Street names in Cyprus. The latest additions to Pafos are Starbucks and Debenhams, and the existing Marks & Spencers has recently been extended and now includes a food department.

• The German supermarket, Lidl, will be opening a chain of branches across the island soon, and market whispers speculate that Ikea and Tesco could soon follow suit.

• Rumour has it that increasing competitiveness will lead to a price war between supermarkets, meaning that prices will be brought down.

The view from my terrace in Peyia looking down on Coral Bay. If you fancy a view like this every evening, contact my son:

Bob Cossons of Pafilia Property Developers
J.Cossons@pafilia.com
+357 26 848 738

Climate

Climate can be important when looking at overseas property and will influence your choice of location. Cyprus is the hottest of the Mediterranean islands and boasts near all year round sunshine, where you can expect 340 days of sunshine with temperatures rarely dropping below 16 degrees.

This picture was taken in November.

Monthly Average temperature
January 16°C
February 16°C
March 18°C
April 23°C
May 28°C
June 32°C
July 32°C
August 33°C
September 32°C
October 28°C
November 23°C
December 19°C

The rainy season is from November to March with temperatures ranging between 23 to 16 degrees, with most of the rain falling between December and February.

The spring season is mild and you can expect temperatures of 23 degrees. During April the spring flowers are at their best and the whole country is beautifully green By May the flowers are starting to go over. Early May can be windy, but by the middle of the month the temperature is starting to rise and all the lovely green countryside turns brown. During July and August the temperature can be well above 30 degrees centigrade.

The Troodos Mountains are a great place to escape the heat of the summer sun, you can expect a difference in temperature of up to 12 degrees. During the winter months of December and January the mountains provide ideal Skiing conditions, while by the coast you can still enjoy the beach.

Betty Boothroyd's Bolthole

Baroness Boothroyd, former Speaker of the House of Commons, was asked by the Sunday Telegraph what place she considered to be heaven on earth. Her reply was Cyprus.

She said "I discovered Cyprus in the 1970s on a parliamentary group trip, and fell in love with it. It's now my little bolthole, to which I try to escape several times a year.

I've been all over the island - driving through the Troodos Mountains, and visiting the monasteries or other antiquities like the ruins of ancient Salamis. I've even been paragliding.

I usually stay outside Paphos, on the coast, and my routine is to have breakfast outside in my swimsuit and shorts, and then go beachcombing. I also love to swim and the water is so clear you can see the colour of your toenails. Occasionally I'll have lunch with some of my many friends on the island. After a day outdoors, I'm happy to spend the evening with friends in a little taverna somewhere.