The resort of Protaras on the south east coast of Cyprus has all
the trappings of the larger, more frenetic Ayia Napa that is a few
minutes drive away, but it is far more family friendly and boasts
the best beach on the island, fabulous Fig Tree Bay. Protaras is
actually a town built on a piece of flat, scrubby land expressly
for the purpose of catering for British holidaymakers. Just
adjacent to the village of Paralimni, Protaras consists mainly of a
grid of restaurants, nightclubs and shops surrounded by numerous
hotels and holiday apartment blocks. Landscaping is rather lacking
and the buildings do not follow any theme: it is a hodge-podge of
architecture and concrete that can get blistering hot in the summer
sun. No-one seems to mind the lack of genuine Cypriot atmosphere,
however, because Protaras does what it was intended to do, and that
is give everyone a great holiday. Then, too, it has the magnificent
golden Blue Flag beach, which stretches for 10 miles (16km) or so
shelving gently into the crystal clear Mediterranean, and further
up and down the coast a choice of secluded coves and inlets for
those wanting more privacy.
