It's been a long, cold year, but the temperature is rising and spring is in the air. This summer is all about boosting those vitamin D levels with long sun-soaked days sure to revive and refresh tired spirits. The trouble and expense of organising a summer vacation hardly seems worth it for just a few days, so many Britons are looking for ways to make their pound – and their vacation – stretch.

Renting a villa is a great option for families looking to get away from it all for a little longer. While all-inclusive holiday packages are popular right now, they might not provide just the right solution to every traveller's needs. A villa is a great option for holidaymakers wanting the best of both worlds: the feel of a boutique hotel with the freedom of private and personalised accommodation.

A villa in Paphos won't disappoint if chosen wisely.

A longer vacation can become tedious if there's not much variety, but Paphos offers a wide range of activities for all members of the family. Paphos boasts some of Europe's best beaches, but it's also steeped in culture. No less than twelve museums offer a glimpse into ancient Byzantine history and ethnography.

For keen archeologists, the town is only two miles from the Tombs of the Kings, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The new Paphos Archeological Park features the remains of an important Greek and Roman city. The carefully excavated site displays the historic remains of ancient villas, palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs. The uncovered mosaics are said to be the most beautiful in the world.

For sports enthusiasts, there is hiking in the nearby mountains, cycling, a variety of water sports and no less than three golf courses. Water lovers will enjoy a day out on a speedboat or a catamaran. It's worth spending a day exploring the picturesque harbour itself. It offers a beautifully maintained Mediaeval castle and plenty of places to enjoy sundowners over the sea or pick up souvenirs.

Paphos is family friendly and there's plenty of activity for kids too, including water parks, go-karting, outdoor playgrounds, boat rides, horse riding, biking and rock climbing. Cyprus Villa Retreats are fully kitted out for little ones. There are toys, playstations, HDTVs and board games for indoor days. Hot tubs, swimming pools and garden sports are super fun on sunny days at home.

There's so much to do and see, it's important to make the break long enough to really relax and rejuvenate. “We offer discounts on stays longer than seven nights, so it's really worth taking the time to settle in to a Paphos villa and make it a real home-from-home,” says Frank Bullerwell, Head of Sales & Marketing for Cyprus Villa Retreats.

“Renting a villa is a cost-effective way of making the most of your summer holiday without sacrificing those little luxuries that make it all worthwile,” Bullerwell adds. “All CVR villas meet the same luxury standard and we have over thirty to choose from.” CVR guarantees the lowest rates when booking direct and credit card payment is 100% protected.

The founders of Cyprus Villa Retreats are two best friends with a vision to make everybody’s holiday dreams come true. Guy has an extensive background in real estate development and management and has a talent for picking properties that people love. Frank has more than 20 years of international experience with 5-star hotels and is on a mission to make sure each and guest enjoys the ultimate stay. It took Frank and Guy years to get a foothold in the market in Cyprus. But now that hard work has paid off, Cyprus Villa Retreats is growing fast and has more than doubled in size in the last year alone. CVR offers over 30 luxury holiday villas across the Paphos region, each with a distinct character and feel and the same luxury villa standard. To view villas and make a booking, visit: www.cyprus-villa-retreats.com.