Catch the last of the Summer sun and train like an Olympian with Sporting and Active Breaks in Cyprus

With average temperatures around 25C until late October, Cyprus is a favourite among those wanting to catch a last bit of summer sun before winter sets in. As the Southern-most island in the Eastern Med Cyprus is still bathed in nine hours of sunlight per day throughout October and in early November, making it the perfect destination for topping up the tan while staying in shape late in the Season.

For those inspired by the Olympic games the temperate weather makes Cyprus an ideal place for an active break between September and November. Boasting a variety of top sporting facilities and a famously Brit-friendly attitude and infrastructure, Cyprus has long been a popular training ground for our Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth teams – a relationship underpinned during the 2004 Olympics when the whole of Team GB was based on the island for training prior to the Athens Games.

Today the island offers an extensive range of facilities for professionals and fitness enthusiasts. There are several hotels with sporting connections including the Coral Beach Hotel, home to both Team GB and the BBC Olympic news crews in 2004 and still a popular destination for teams looking for winter training. Boasting top-level facilities including an Olympic pool and gym, which can be used by guests when not in professional use. The hotel also has an in-house trainer who can put together tailored fitness programmes to suit people of all fitness levels.

Tennis is a big part of island life. Fans can follow in the tennis shoes of both Marcos Baghdatis, born and raised in Limassol, and the UK’s own Annabel Croft, who opened a new tennis academy at the Aphrodite Hills Resort at the beginning of 2012. Golfing enthusiasts also have the chance to follow in the footsteps of a sporting great – the island now boasts four golf courses, of which the most recent was designed by British golfer Nick Faldo.

With its varied geography, Cyprus also offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, from rock climbing on the unspoilt Akamas peninsula and diving in the island’s crystal-clear waters to hiking in the Troodos and making the most of the watersports on offer around Agia Napa.

Cyprus’ excellent road network has long been popular with both cyclists seeking some serious sports training or a casual ride to take in the breathtaking views.  Runners, too, can get in on the action – beautiful beaches and mountain trails are ideal places to allow you to combine enjoyment with keeping in shape while you’re away. For those who are super competitive, why not sign up to the international 4-Day Challenge in November? (www.cypruschallenge.com)

If all this activity sounds a bit strenuous there are still plenty of opportunities to rejuvenate at the end of a hard day. The island is home to a range of acclaimed spas - many of which cater to sports needs - as well as specialist institutions such as that at Ayii Anargyri, a recently-opened hotel in beautiful surrounds, which offers treatments derived from the healing waters of sulphur springs, or the Akamas Health Farm in Droushia.

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Notes to Editors

For high resolution images and more information on Cyprus and forthcoming press trips contact the Kallaway Travel team:

Email: visitcyprus@kallaway.com Tel: 020 7221 7883
Media centre: http://mediacentre.kallaway.co.uk/cyprus-tourism.htm

About Cyprus
www.visitcyprus.com

Cyprus – the third largest island in the Mediterranean – attracts over 2m tourists annually, lured by its legendary hospitality, glorious coastline and stunning mountain villages. There is something to suit every traveller: family resorts, world class spas, golf courses, marinas, a booming agrotourism scene, unique food and new wine trails celebrating the 40 new wineries which have developed on the island in recent years. For the active; the warm waters of Cyprus are perfect for diving and waterskiing. Adventure seekers can explore the beauty of Cyprus with trekking or birdwatching tours, while golfing enthusiasts play on award-winning courses designed by golfing legends.

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