Aphrodite's Rock: Cyprus

Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, goes hand in hand with Cyprus, and the beautiful coastline of the island is where the legend began.

The Rock of Aphrodite is a near to Paphos on the south side of the island.

Aphrodite was born from the sea, if you follow the legend, after Cronus had cut off Uranus' testicles and thrown them behind him into the water, from this arose a woman, who was Aphrodite.

She was said to emerge from the depths, naked, on the shell of a scallop, and chose the rock just off the coast of Paphos to begin her mortal life.

There would be few who could mock her decision, as the goddess of love and beauty she certainly chose a beautiful place to emerge, the outcrop of rock is surrounded by the turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming.

The nearby village of Pissouri provides the perfect peaceful destination for holidaymakers to unwind and enjoy the character of the island, with the total population of the area reaching just over 1,000 in the summer, it couldn't be better for a secluded break.

The area is famous for its grapes that grow mainly in the valley and the laid-back working lifestyle of farmers in the area is typical of Cyprus' character despite tourist involvement for many years.

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