Protaras, the tourist area of Paralimni, is just one hour's drive from Larnaca International Airport on the southeast coast of the island. Here in this idyllic resort one can find golden sandy beaches and rugged cliffs complimenting the tiny bays while overlooking the brilliance of the early morning sun as it slowly rises above the horizon, as if emerging from the crystal-clear waters of the sparkling blue-green Mediterranean.

It is here within this poetic scene that one can still choose between lounging at any of the luxurious hotels with their tempting swimming pools, or escaping to the quiet solitude of a lonely stretch of beach for that intimate picnic. Explore this enchanting locale for a few miles inland and you will discover the delightfully scenic "Valley of the Windmills" where what seems like hundreds of rotating fan blades help to pump the water that irrigates the surrounding fields.

Historical tradition continues to bean important feature of the culture of Paralimni and its people whose typical Cypriot hospitality is very much in evidence here. Local residents still practice many of their age-old customs and are always eager to demonstrate some of the traditional farming techniques that have lasted for generations.