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It’s that time of year where I start plotting my travel wishlist for next year. And despite being back in the UK for less than a week, I’m already starting to feel the lack of sun. After our long-haul stint, somewhere slightly closer to home would be easier.

So my thoughts are turning to family-friendly Cyprus, just four hours away with temperatures are in the high teens even in January. 

I’m also overdue a visit, as my last trip was well over five years ago – it’s also a great place for families, with water parks and zoos as well as the gorgeous beaches, plus more active options in the Troodos mountains and on the Akamas Peninsula for older kids (though perhaps not in January. Brrr).

My favourite of the bigger resorts is Paphos, the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, according to legend, with divine beaches and scenery along the south west coast.

But as neither Minnie nor myself are likely to spend whole days lounging by the sea, that’s certainly not the only reason I’m thinking about holidays to Paphos with kids.

Along with Paphos Zoo and Bird Park, there’s a Donkey sanctuary at nearby Kelokedara, part of a sustainable tourism project to help maintain traditional lifestyles as well as protect the Cyprus donkey.

You can ride the donkeys out to the 16th century Sindi monastery or pet the babies if you’re too young to saddle up, as well as getting a sense of Cypriot village life.

As a huge history fan (one dream alternative career was being an archaeologist – about as likely as my top choice of being an astronaut, sadly), the entire city is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site with ancient villas and mosaics, a medieval fortress on the waterfront and the fantastic if distinctly buggy-unfriendly Tombs of the Kings.

What I love most is the atmosphere though – tavernas on the seafront where you can nibble mezze and the freshest fish as people fuss over the kids, sleepy cobbled streets in the old town, traditional markets, and maybe a glass of local sweet wine Commanderia to finish.

Images courtesy of Depositphotos

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