Look, a beach!

Eleanor was, and still is, amazed and excited at seeing the sea so every time we drive anywhere she invariably calls out "Look, a beach! Izzabiff, a beach!"

We've tried out a few since we've been here. We had access to a small, private beach while we were staying at the Ermitage which if nothing else was convenient. The sand around Limassol is volcanic, so quite dark, but not unpleasant. The tourists of course largely use the beach along the main drag but if you go a bit further east you can find some quieter spots between the grander hotels and close to the Amathus site along the coastal pedestrian path (if you don't mind the sound of traffic 30 yards behind you). By far the nicest, and incidentally closest public beach to where we live, is one between the St Raphael and Meridien hotels. The water is clear and shallow and the beach is deeper than most. I can't remember its name at the moment - I shall just have to go back!

The other two major beaches close to Limassol, to the west, are Ladies Mile beach and Kourion (Curium) beach. The latter is apparently very attractive because of its backdrop of cliffs and the Greco-Roman amphitheatre. Ladies Mile runs along the eastern edge of the Akrotiri peninsular next to the salt lake so you can see whole of the Limassol coastline. This is also a good beach for children as the water is clear and shallow. Further along the coast the attractive village of Pissouri also boasts a pleasant beach.

Going the other way along the coast towards Larnaca there is Governor's Beach with extremely white rocks which contrast with the dark sand. When the tide is right you can walk along into various small coves.

If you want golden sands then there's Ayia Napa. We visited Nissi beach with its turquoise water. I wouldn't want to be there in peak tourist season as I reckon it's a bit of a Club 18-30 spot but just before Easter it was very pleasant although sadly cloudy for most of our visit. The harbour at Ayia Napa is also worth a visit.