Couple’s Guide - Holiday to Paphos

Aphrodite, the Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty, is intricately tied to the city of Paphos and its history. The Paphos that the city is named after is the child of Pygmalion and Galatea, the sculptor who dedicated his life to his art, and the statue made in Aphrodite’s image that she brought to life. The city was then founded by Paphos’ son Cinyras, who built a massive temple to the goddess of love as thanks for giving life to his grandmother. It’s no surprise then, that Paphos is still a hotspot for romance in the Mediterranean. To help out all the lovers looking for a getaway we’ve put together a “how to” for couples travelling.

Travelling with your significant other is a very different experience from travelling with family. The activities are different, the relationships are different, and the etiquette is all different. The start of any good couples’ holiday is the planning, making sure that your holiday is an actual couple’s holiday, not just a family holiday without the children. It’s always good to check out the place that you are staying in, whether it’s in a particularly bustling or calm part of the city, and whether that fits the type of holiday you are going on. Paphos in general is calm but staying closer to the beach may be a plan for the more adventurous couples. Also, it’s good to keep in mind is that many of the archaeological and historical sites are located inland, so cultural couples might look that way for a place to stay. If it ever gets too much, just remember that travelling with a significant other means half-price on accommodation, there’s always a silver lining!

Next up is travel, and the biggest mistake you could make is somehow not booking seats together. While we’re sure you can survive a flight in different rows, it’s just not fun and it starts the holiday off on the completely wrong foot. It’s also good to be aware of what your partner’s travel preferences are, there’s nothing worse than a long bus journey with someone who gets carsick. These journeys shouldn’t be seen as something to get through though, if you’re travelling with someone you truly care for it’s an opportunity to spend some quality relaxed time with them. Make the most of being stuck in a box full of people for a few hours - watch a movie together, play some travel games, or go old-school and just talk.

When you get to your destination, make sure to accommodate each other’s’ planning styles. Some people like to have every minute of the day scheduled in, and others prefer to just explore and do whatever comes their way. As with most things in a relationship, compromise is key. Plan half the day and the other half can be left to chance, whatever works for you and your partner. There’s always going to be some disagreement but getting over those bumps is all part of travelling as a couple.

The most important thing on any holiday is to cherish the time spent together. Don’t be on holiday with half your mind still in the office, the office will still be there when you get back. If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that we shouldn’t be taking anything for granted, especially not our loved ones. If you’re lucky enough to be able to travel with your partner this coming year, you owe it to them and yourself to give them your full attention from the second you leave the house to the second you get back.

Paphos is a unique destination, not just because the town is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its history. It sits between modernity and history, and luxury and culture. There’s something for every couple’s holiday. There are ancient ruins to stroll through, beaches to walk along, and a city to explore, all within a stone’s throw of each other. When you think of romantic destinations your mind might go straight to Paris, Rome, and Venice, but Paphos has all they do without the city smog and the thousands of other tourists.