By Katy Hanagan
I’ve hosted a lot of fam trips over the years, but I have to be honest — Cyprus completely caught me off guard. In the best possible way.
I just returned from an unforgettable few days on the island with two incredible travel advisors, and I’m still processing just how special this destination truly is. Cyprus has long been the Mediterranean’s best-kept secret, and after this trip, I am on a mission to change that.
Here’s a look at what we experienced.
Home Base: AMARA in Limassol
From the moment we arrived at AMARA in Limassol, the tone was set. This is a property that manages to feel simultaneously glamorous and deeply warm, a combination that’s harder to pull off than it sounds. The design is sophisticated and contemporary, with sweeping views of the Mediterranean that genuinely stop you in your tracks. Service here is anticipatory without being fussy, and the overall energy of the hotel is simply wonderful.
AMARA is the kind of property that advisors can confidently recommend knowing their clients will be wowed, not just by the rooms and the views, but by the entire experience. We couldn’t have asked for a better base.
Day One: Wine, History & a Legendary Dinner
Our first full day took us deep into the soul of Cyprus — its ancient villages, its vineyards, and its extraordinary culinary scene.
Vlassides Winery
We started the morning at Vlassides Winery, nestled in the Limassol wine region in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains. Cyprus has one of the oldest wine traditions in the world, and Vlassides is one of the island’s most acclaimed boutique producers. The tasting was a genuine highlight — thoughtful, educational, and delicious. Their reds in particular are remarkable, with depth and character that rival the best of the Mediterranean. They partnered the tasting with 3 incredible local cheeses that enhanced every sip we took.
If your clients are wine lovers, this is a must. Did I mention that their most amazing red was only 15€ a bottle?
The Medieval Village of Omodos
From the winery, we wound our way through the mountains to Omodos, a beautifully preserved medieval village that feels suspended in time. Cobblestone streets, whitewashed walls draped in bougainvillea, artisan shops, and a stunning historic monastery at its center — Omodos is the kind of place that makes you slow down and simply look. We wandered, explored, and soaked it all in. It’s one of those villages that photographs beautifully but is even more magical in person. Extra bonus, if you like cats you are in luck!
Dinner at Beefbar, AMARA
We ended the day back at AMARA for dinner at Beefbar — and what a way to end it. Beefbar is an internationally acclaimed restaurant concept, and the Limassol outpost lives fully up to its reputation. The quality of the meat is extraordinary, the atmosphere is chic and convivial, and the service was pitch perfect. Our group lingered over dinner far longer than planned, which is always the sign of a truly great meal. This is destination dining set on the shores of the calm Mediterranean.
Day Two: Castles, Coastline, Mosaics & Matsuhisa
Day two was ambitious with a full sweep across the western half of the island and it delivered from start to finish!
Kolossi Castle
We began the morning at Kolossi Castle, a beautifully intact medieval fortress just outside Limassol. Built by the Crusaders in the 13th century and rebuilt in the 15th, Kolossi has a powerful, storied presence. It was also historically central to the production of Commandaria, one of the world’s oldest named wines, still produced in Cyprus today. History, architecture, and a wine story all in one stop. Advisors: your history-loving clients will be obsessed.
Episkopi — The Ancient Ruins and Mosaics
Next, we visited the remarkable Episkopi area, home to ancient ruins and breathtaking Roman-era mosaics of Kourion archaeological site. The level of artistry and preservation on display is genuinely awe-inspiring. These are world-class archaeological treasures, and yet the site retains an intimacy and authenticity that feels rare. Standing in front of those mosaics, you feel the full weight of Cyprus’s layered history — Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader — all stacked on top of one another across thousands of years.
Koulika and the Birthplace of Aphrodite
We continued along the coast to Koulika and then to one of the most mythologically charged spots in the entire Mediterranean: the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite. The sea stacks rising from the shimmering turquoise water at Petra tou Romiou are striking beyond words. There’s a genuine energy to this place — it’s easy to understand why the ancients believed a goddess emerged from these very waves. Every member of our group fell quiet when we arrived, taking hundreds of pictures and videos between us. Sometimes a place simply speaks for itself.
Paphos — Old Town, Elysium & St. Paul’s Pillar
We rolled into Paphos in the early afternoon and made our way to the old town, where layers of Venetian, Ottoman, and Byzantine history unfold around every corner. The harbor is charming, the atmosphere unhurried, and the streetscapes endlessly photogenic. This is a great spot for shopping amid the windy streets.
Lunch was at the remarkable Elysium Hotel — and this is a property that absolutely deserves its own spotlight. A five-star beachfront resort set amid lush, landscaped gardens with grand colonnades, cascading waterfalls, and intricate mosaics woven throughout the grounds, Elysium is palatial in the very best sense. It sits directly adjacent to the Tombs of the Kings archaeological site, so history and luxury exist quite literally side by side.
From there, we made a short visit to the ruins of St. Paul’s Pillar — where, according to tradition, the Apostle Paul was flogged before converting the Roman governor Sergius Paulus to Christianity, making Cyprus the first country in the world to be governed by a Christian. The site is remarkable and genuinely moving, even for visitors who come simply for the history rather than the faith.
Dinner at Matsuhisa, AMARA
We made our way back to AMARA for our final dinner of the trip at Matsuhisa — the legendary Chef Nobu Matsuhisa‘s restaurant, and a genuinely extraordinary way to close out the trip. The menu is a masterclass in Japanese-Peruvian cuisine: precise, elegant, and full of unexpected moments. The atmosphere at AMARA lends itself perfectly to this kind of dining — sophisticated without being stiff, and beautiful at every turn. Our group was well-traveled and hard to impress, and the table was buzzing from the first course to the last. A truly memorable finale.
The Bottom Line
Cyprus is extraordinary. It is ancient and modern, laid-back and sophisticated, wildly beautiful and deeply rich with history and culture. It is a destination that rewards the curious traveler, one who wants more than a beach (though the beaches are stunning). The island is also genuinely underexplored by American travelers, which means advisors who build expertise here now will be ahead of the curve.
AMARA is the anchor property this destination deserves, a world-class hotel that elevates every stay and opens doors to everything the island has to offer.
Waterstone is proud to represent AMARA and this remarkable corner of the Mediterranean, and we cannot wait to help your clients experience it.
Interested in learning more about Cyprus and AMARA? Reach out to me at katy@waterstonemarketing.com.
