A monthly women`s lunch event is hosting a golf taster day at the recently-opened Elea Golf Course near Yeroskipou.

Ladies at Lunch will run a thirty minute golf lesson followed by a specially-devised three-course lunch menu including two drinks at the prestigious golf club restaurant in June.

“The golf lesson will be a light-hearted introduction to golf and for ourconverted golfing ladies, it will allow time to practise your swing and technique,” organiser Janice Ruffle said.

Situated at the heart of the prestigious Elea Estate in Cyprus, Elea Golf Club offers world-class golf in a stunning setting. The Par 71 course, designed by golf legend Sir Nick Faldo, incorporates numerous natural features.

The first `Ladies at Lunch`, was held late last year with the aim of providing informal opportunities for professional networking, socialising and and exchanging information about the practicalities of life in Cyprus.

The meetings attract woman of all nationalities and backgrounds. Since the first event, monthly events have seen talks on health, beauty and fashion as well as small business practice. Future Ladies at Lunch events include an Afternoon Tea event and a talk on home security.

The June event at Elea will also include a wine tasting courtesy of award-winning Limassol winery, Zambartas.

“It will be a great pleasure for us to introduce our wines at the wine tasting event in June,” Dr. Akis Zambartas said.

“Please wear or bring trainers or suitable attire and consider bringing sunhats and bottled water,” Ruffle said. “There will be time to freshen up prior to dining and for the ladies who would prefer not to participate in the golf practice, you are welcome to be a spectator or have coffee on the terrace relaxing and enjoying the views. During your visit, personal tours of the new venue can be arranged for the enthusiastic golfers.”

The June Ladies at Lunch event takes place on June 17 from 12 noon until 2:30pm. The fee is 35 euro. Places for the event are limited so early booking is advisable. The deadline for reservations with a 15 euro deposit is May 27.

For more information, contact ladieslunching@ymail.com or phone 99 987 672.

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The outstanding success of Carnival 2011 was celebrated at Limassol Town Hall recently with the book launch of Karnavali 2011 (Carnival 2011). The beautifully illustrated photographic record of the `biggest and best ever` Limassol carnival has just been published by Limassol company, Menos Publishers priced at 30 euro.

The hard back, full colour record of the outstanding floats, choirs and `teams` of participants who took part in this years celebration, are now recorded historically for the first time ever in this special, limited edition book.

Riccos Evaggelou, the creator and publisher of the book said “I had thought about doing this book for a long time: I went to see the Mayor and thanks to his support, decided to go ahead with it. It is a historic record of the Carnival, something that has never been done before.”

Mayor Andreas Christou officiated at the launch which was held with a combined awards presentation for all the attending teams of float organisers and participants who had taken part in the Grand Parade during Carnival week. More than 150 people congregated in the conference room of the Town Hall to receive their plaques in the ceremony led by Carnival organiser Kleon Alexandrou and Christou. The mayor spoke about the 2011 Carnival as “the most successful carnival yet, something that thousands of locals and visitors have expressed to me and the organisation team behind the event.” He thanked all the participants who were receiving their awards for their “great support and contribution.”

He added that with the book now out on release, all those who took part would be able to see their efforts rewarded. He went on to say that he hoped with the publication of this Carnival 2011, every future carnival would also be recorded in the same way.

Carnival 2011 is available from Menos publishers on: 25 367912

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They came, they saw and they partied – the 180 seafarers taking part in this year`s Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally on its annual stop-off in North Cyprus.

From a presidential cocktail party in the grounds of Girne castle to a maiden visit to the new Karpaz Gate Marina, the 23^rd rally appears to have been a great success.

It is the 22^nd time the rally has taken in North Cyprus and tour guide Conrad Dervis, 49, from Girne, who works for the Ancient Monuments and Museums Department, was involved in making sure everything went perfectly.

“I look after Girne castle,” he said. “My job is to try to help everyone relax and enjoy their visit to the Northern Cyprus and to assist the marina in looking after the crews.

“I organised the visits to Gazi Magusa, including Salamis and St Barnabas Church and inside the old city walls, as well as Girne and Lefkosa.

“This is a nice group of people and it is a pity that there is only one rally per year.”

Fifty-one yachts made the trip from Alanya, Turkey, to Girne, and are due to head off to Lebanon`s Jounieh marina tomorrow.

The German crew of the smallest boat in this year`s rally, Pure Fun, were Teddy and Uwe Nieguth, from Berlin.

Mr Nieguth said: “We are really impressed: North Cyprus is so friendly and polite. The Northern Cyprus has great scenery and the highlight for us was the reception at the castle with the stunning location and megical folk groups making a wonderful atmosphere. We are also proud that Teddy is the only female skipper in this year`s rally.”

Norwegians Harold and Torill Aulom had a gearbox problem on their boat Lavida fixed. Mr Aulom said: “We are very much enjoying this trip which is our first. The organisation is brilliant, the Northern Cyprus is beautiful and we want to return. We will maybe call in again on the way back.”

One skipper who says he will be returning to North Cyprus is BBC newsman Michael Buerk, whose reports of the Ethiopian famine in 1984 inspired Live Aid.

Mr Buerk, whose yacht Skysong got into difficulties on its way into Girne New Harbour on Friday, is taking part in the rally for the first time with his wife, Christine.

He had last been in North Cyprus covering the Turkish peace mission of July 1974, but said: “I will be heading back to North Cyprus after the rally has finished.

“It has been a fantastic experience so far. We may hopefully take part in the rally again next year.

“There is fantastic comradeship and friendships which we are building. And, of course, this rally has provided us with so many possibilities even beyond North Cyprus, where we able to visit countries like Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, which usually have bureaucratic difficulties for such visits.”

Relaxing on his catamaran Why Not J was the oldest participant in the rally at 77, Peter Tabori, who has a holiday apartment near Esentepe.

The former Group Captain in the RAF, now living in France, is sailing with partner Emma and friends David Becker and Nick Walker.

He said: “This is my second time in this event, the first being in 2005. You meet a lot of interesting people from all sorts of nationalities and see places you wouldn`t easily get to see normally, and all on a floating hotel.

“To come to the rally we had spent the summer of 2010 in the Azores then entered the Med at Gibraltar, on the Malta via Tunis before joining the rally at Kemer marina in Turkey.

“We changed the crew over in Malta and now have an all-British crew.”

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Online British sports channel, skysports.com has given the thumbs up to Paphos golf courses helping to put the developing market on the European golfing map.

Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland`s main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting and is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The company`s offshoot website is skysports.com.

This week, the popular sports site featured reviews on Aphrodite Hills, Elea Golf Course, Secret Valley and Minthis Hills on its golf page.

“Cyprus fancies itself as an up-and-coming venue for golf, and with Sir Nick Faldo designing a `Mediterranean Masterpiece` which opened only late in 2010, we thought we would check out the island to see how it measures up.” Skysports.com said.

Designed by golf legend Nick Faldo, the Elea Golf Club is set within a par 71 golf course located above the Mediterranean just outside Yeroskipou. The club opened last October and boasts a clubhouse built by an American firm inspired by local architecture.

“The brand-spanking new clubhouse matches (the views) in terms of wow factor, perched on top of the hill overlooking the course with ample terraced dining areas that would rival any five-star establishment anywhere in the Med,“ skysports.com said.

“On our few days in Cyprus we got to play the Elea course a few times, but course knowledge made it no easier with Faldo`s liking for huge bunkers and a teak-tough 17^th hole the highlights, or lowlights depending on how you play them, of the track.”

Aphrodite Hills, established nearly a decade ago also got favourable reviews from the Sky Sports golfing team, who noted the unique course layout.

“Aphrodite Hills is a unique venue with their championship course built on two plateaux separated by a massive ravine, over which you have to play as it separates the tee from the green on the par three seventh – the signature hole.”

The Sky Sport golfers visited two other established but very different golf courses – Secret Valley and Minthis Hills.

“The Secret Valley holes are good, there`s plenty to think about and the scenery is magnificent, everything you want from a golf-based trip abroad, plus the on-course hotel and apartments are to the highest standards,” said skysports.com.

Minthis Hills fared less favourably but the Sky golfers acknowledged that development is underway to upgrade the course to a more attractive standard for the rather tribal international golf aficionados.

“Redevelopments here are underway also and plans do look interesting with regards to this track too.”

The website commented on travel time between the UK and Cyprus compared to other European golfing destinations, hinting that the destination was worth the extras flight time.

“At between a four-five hour journey from the UK, Cyprus is not as close as the likes of Spain and Portugal, but with the climate warm enough to promote a winter escape they hope to challenge the traditional venues for the ever-increasing market of golfers heading abroad.

“In summary, Cyprus is largely work in progress as a golfing destination. I would not put anyone off staying in Paphos and playing Aphrodite Hills and Elea, but I`d also advise the other two lesser – known courses we played.”

The widespread development of golf courses has been attacked by some circles, notably the environmental movement owing to Cyprus` ongoing water shortage.

But the government is supporting the development of golf tourism in order to get a slice of the lucrative European pie.

Aphrodite Hills has ambitious plans to make its course more water-conserving through introducing features and shrubbery which don`t depend heavily on irrigation.

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intrepid ramblers and wildlife enthuisiasts in Cyprus face a multitude of problems when trekking across the island`s longest walking path, according to environmentalists.

The European long distance path E4 was extended to Cyprus in 2004 following a proposal by the Greek Ramblers Association, the coordinating body of the European Network of long distance paths.

E4 is essentially a network of footpaths that traverse Europe. While most long-distance footpaths in the Europe are located in just one country or region, the E4 long-distance path passes through many different countries.

The path starts in Gibraltar, passes through Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, mainland Greece, Crete and Cyprus.

Forest and biodiversity campaigner of Friends of the Earth Cyprus, Klitos Stylianou said the path in Cyprus had attracted scores of visitors since it was launched but many had also complained that bad planning prevents the route from being the enjoyable trekking experience it could be.

“We have been told by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) that the route is frequently used by tourists and locals who unfortunately also report on many of the problems they encounter while rambling.”

He added that the aim of the trail, as in other countries, is to inspire locals and visitors to appreciate the rich history and wildlife in the area.

The Cyprus section of the E4 Path which is 539 km long connects Larnaca and Paphos international airports.

Along the route, it traverses the Troodos mountain range, Akamas peninsula and long stretches of Cypriot rural areas, along regions of high ecological, historic, archaeological, cultural and scientific interest.

“The E4 is by far the longest nature trail in Cyprus and is part of network of footpaths which is the largest in Europe,” said Stylianou.

He added that Friends of the Earth Cyprus is preparing a report on the problems its members encountered on the E4 which they will be submitting to the CTO next month.

“We recently sent a three member team to cover the entire path in Cyprus and document all the problems they encountered along the way,” said Stylianou.

He explained that in general terms the route is badly planned and there is no existing infrastructure to support ramblers who wish to trek across the entire path.

“In other European countries where the E4 runs through the route is supported by a network of campsites and cheap and accessible accommodation for ramblers which are necessary for a walking holiday.”

He added that as there are no free camping areas in Cyprus and no designated camp sites along the E4 route, the route is impossible to tackle in one go.

“Other very serious problems include a lack of signs across the path and sections of the route which run through military firing ranges. We consider these two issues to be very serious and hope they will be addressed immediately.”

According to Friends of the Earth Cyprus the local E4 section can take up to a month to walk providing you are a keen walker capable of covering over 20km per day.

“Promoting nature walks has many benefits and not just the obvious such as increased physical firness for the ramblers,” said Stylianou. “Rambling routes that are successful can help the economy by increasing agro-tourism and also help promote environmental consciousness in society.”

The CTO has recently published a new brochure on the Cyprus Path E4 which is available in English and Greek and is distributed free of charge.

The information given in the brochure is a general outline to assist ramblers identify the path route.

Ramblers are strongly advised to research further path sections with particular emphasis in their availability and proximity to overnight licensed accommodation establishments,especially in remote mountain and rural areas.

Friends of the Earth Cyprus are also organising a photographic exhibition which will take place in Limassol at the Panicos Mavrellis Institute from June 22 to 25.

ntrepid ramblers and wildlife enthuisiasts in Cyprus face a multitude of problems when trekking across the island`s longest walking path, according to environmentalists.

The European long distance path E4 was extended to Cyprus in 2004 following a proposal by the Greek Ramblers Association, the coordinating body of the European Network of long distance paths.

E4 is essentially a network of footpaths that traverse Europe. While most long-distance footpaths in the Europe are located in just one country or region, the E4 long-distance path passes through many different countries.

The path starts in Gibraltar, passes through Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, mainland Greece, Crete and Cyprus.

Forest and biodiversity campaigner of Friends of the Earth Cyprus, Klitos Stylianou said the path in Cyprus had attracted scores of visitors since it was launched but many had also complained that bad planning prevents the route from being the enjoyable trekking experience it could be.

“We have been told by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) that the route is frequently used by tourists and locals who unfortunately also report on many of the problems they encounter while rambling.”

He added that the aim of the trail, as in other countries, is to inspire locals and visitors to appreciate the rich history and wildlife in the area.

The Cyprus section of the E4 Path which is 539 km long connects Larnaca and Paphos international airports.

Along the route, it traverses the Troodos mountain range, Akamas peninsula and long stretches of Cypriot rural areas, along regions of high ecological, historic, archaeological, cultural and scientific interest.

“The E4 is by far the longest nature trail in Cyprus and is part of network of footpaths which is the largest in Europe,” said Stylianou.

He added that Friends of the Earth Cyprus is preparing a report on the problems its members encountered on the E4 which they will be submitting to the CTO next month.

“We recently sent a three member team to cover the entire path in Cyprus and document all the problems they encountered along the way,” said Stylianou.

He explained that in general terms the route is badly planned and there is no existing infrastructure to support ramblers who wish to trek across the entire path.

“In other European countries where the E4 runs through the route is supported by a network of campsites and cheap and accessible accommodation for ramblers which are necessary for a walking holiday.”

He added that as there are no free camping areas in Cyprus and no designated camp sites along the E4 route, the route is impossible to tackle in one go.

“Other very serious problems include a lack of signs across the path and sections of the route which run through military firing ranges. We consider these two issues to be very serious and hope they will be addressed immediately.”

According to Friends of the Earth Cyprus the local E4 section can take up to a month to walk providing you are a keen walker capable of covering over 20km per day.

“Promoting nature walks has many benefits and not just the obvious such as increased physical firness for the ramblers,” said Stylianou. “Rambling routes that are successful can help the economy by increasing agro-tourism and also help promote environmental consciousness in society.”

The CTO has recently published a new brochure on the Cyprus Path E4 which is available in English and Greek and is distributed free of charge.

The information given in the brochure is a general outline to assist ramblers identify the path route.

Ramblers are strongly advised to research further path sections with particular emphasis in their availability and proximity to overnight licensed accommodation establishments,especially in remote mountain and rural areas.

Friends of the Earth Cyprus are also organising a photographic exhibition which will take place in Limassol at the Panicos Mavrellis Institute from June 22 to 25.

According to Stylianou the exhibition titled: `E4 Cyprus: Beauty in Every Footstep` aims to highlight the potential which the Cyprus trail has a local attraction as well as many of the problems its ramblers face.

“Admission is free and visitors will be able to buy photographs of the E4 route from which proceeds will go to the Friends of the Earth Cyprus to help fund future environmental campaigns,” said Stylianou.

“The E4 has been described in other countries as the diamond of agro-tourism and we hope that with some work and a few adjustments we can eventually achieve the same here in Cyprus.”

According to Stylianou the exhibition titled: `E4 Cyprus: Beauty in Every Footstep` aims to highlight the potential which the Cyprus trail has a local attraction as well as many of the problems its ramblers face.

“Admission is free and visitors will be able to buy photographs of the E4 route from which proceeds will go to the Friends of the Earth Cyprus to help fund future environmental campaigns,” said Stylianou.

“The E4 has been described in other countries as the diamond of agro-tourism and we hope that with some work and a few adjustments we can eventually achieve the same here in Cyprus.”

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