Breezy does it

For a family break on a budget, you can’t beat an all-inclusive trip to sun-baked Cyprus

Five-year-old Freddie had already started moaning before our airport bus had arrived. “But it’s f-f-f-freezing,” he wailed, as we waited in the bleak pre-dawn of an English November day.

Thankfully, we soon warmed up after landing in south-west Cyprus, which is among a handful of places that combine short-haul distance with almost year-round warmth.

The second we stepped off the plane in Paphos, the wet and gloomy autumn at home became just a bad dream.

And glasses of sparkling wine handed to my partner and I as we checked in to the Louis Paphos Breeze hotel lifted our spirits further.

By the time we had started sipping our second glasses, we were sat on our balcony basking in the mid-afternoon heat while looking out across the shimmering sea.

As it turned out, drinking – and eating – whenever we liked became a bit of a habit.

The all-inclusive element is something of a blessing when you have two small kids.

Relaxation is very much the order of the day at the Paphos Breeze, which is close to Paphos town itself.

The main swimming pool is the largest I’ve ever been in, and you can lie back on comfy loungers while the children play in the kids’ pool.

We soon adapted to our daily routine – breakfast, lounging by the pool, strolling down to the grassy area which looks out to sea, lunch, more lounging by the pool, a couple of cheeky afternoon drinks and perhaps a game of darts before the sun goes down, then heading up to our room to change for dinner.

But after a few days, the kids were getting restless and our stomachs were getting ever fuller so it was time to see what Paphos had to offer.

The hotel is located on a long and well-maintained coastal path that leads right to the main harbour.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to walk, there are plenty of buses and taxis as well as a free shuttle.

We chose to stretch our legs, though. It actually took several attempts to cover the full distance because there were so many distractions, including the beaches.

Freddie and two-year-old Albie particularly liked the part of the path called Lizard

Land that was

CHILD’S PLAY The kids have loads of fun in the sun home to a very large population of reptiles. But my partner and I were pleased to see Paphos was packed with restaurants that commanded lovely views across the bay.

Buskers provide the evening entertainment and there are even guys doing tricks with iguanas.

You can also hire boats in town to go fishing, diving and exploring.

We were lucky enough to be shown around by Cypriot tourist board guide

HISTORIC Stroll in to picturesque Paphos

IT’S ABREEZE

Our Steve enjoys the resort

Nemo (the kids loved his name, of course). He imparted many facts about the western side of Cyprus – including a great tip about where to get the best halloumi.

But as far as the kids were concerned, the best thing Nemo did was take us to Paphos Zoo, where we saw an elephant, ostriches, toucans, a white lion and a giant tortoise pushing 200 years old.

Paphos may be renowned for its ancient ruins, and for being the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty.

But Freddie was more interested in the kids’ disco.

On our final evening, he said: “I want to do this every night, Daddy.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that in less than 24 hours we’d be back in that freezing airport car park…

Our guide Nemo told us where to get the best halloumi