Clear blue skies, golden beaches and turquoise seas, is what springs to mind when I think of Cyprus. As well as, rich culture and colourful traditions.
It's the third largest island in the Mediterranean. There are 6 major towns in Cyprus: Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Kyrenia and Famagusta.
Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus and has enjoyed that status for 1000 years since the 10th century. There are many things to see in this city from museums, beautifully carved churches and theatres. The Municipal Theatre is one to see. It's used for the performances by the Cyprus Theatrical Organisation, musical concerts and recitals, dance performances and for various ceremonies.
Limassol
is the islands largest seaside resort. The town has a fun-loving reputation and the best nightlife on the island. It is also host to the annual Wine Festival held in September.
Larnaca has a historic charm, through the fortress castle which is used as the town's summer cultural centre. The town bustles with cafes, taverns, shops and bars and is very popular and lively.
Paphos focuses around little harbour. It has open air fish restaurants and is combined with history and elegance. A great place to see of Paphos is the Baths of Aphrodite. It has absolutely breathtaking views. According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to bathe in the pool of the nearby natural grotto, which is shaded by a fig tree.
Kyrenia has miles of natural beaches and a mild climate. It has a tiny harbour that has a very serene atmosphere.
Famagusta is very historical. This town is under the Turkish occupation is quite different to the rest of Cyprus, and it is reflected in the architecture of the buildings and general lifestyle of the people.
Cyprus is very close to a lot of countries, so if you have time you have time you can take a short ferry ride or plane journey to various destinations. I would suggest you go Athens. It's only an hour and 30 minutes away, and it's worth the trip.
I can't write a review on Cyprus without mentioning the local people. Their generosity and hospitality become evident from the moment you step off the plane. They are just amazing people. They're always smiling.
The Cypriots are very proud of the culture so they are always ready to share a story or two about the "Old Cyprus". You shouldn't be surprised if you are invited to join a family for a meal at their home. The streets are filled with people. When you walk down some of the smaller alleyways you'll a lot of older locals, especially the women, sitting on the front porch, or steps of their home, weaving baskets.
I met a woman called Maria. Such a sweet lady. I sat on her porch for hours listening to her stories. She had such a knack of telling stories that would keep you fascinated. So much enthusiasm. She told me about the history of Cyprus, how according to legend, many of the ancient cities of Cyprus were founded by the heroes of the Trojan War who had Hellenised the island. Also, at some point in time Assyrians, Phoenicians, Egyptians and Persians had all passed through this island adding to the rich culture they now have.
Places of Historical Interest If you like finding out about history, then these are the places to see: **Liopetri Village has a 16th Century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and a 15th Century church of Agios Andronikos, with an octagonal dome and murials. Liopetri still carries on the traditional basket weaving. **Frenaros Village has its own Byzantine churches, 2 of them date back to the 12th Century. **Paralimni has a twin-aisled vaulted church, which has been decorated with unusual 18th Century porcelain plaques. The church also has its own museum. **Omodhos is a wine producing village. It has the Monastery of Stavros (Holy Cross) standing by the stone paved square. This is a village well worth visiting. It's very pretty, and if you're lucky so you get to taste some of the wine that they make.
Attractions These are that you must see when visiting Cyprus:
Konnos Bay is beautiful bay surrounded by a cliff face and high trees. The sand is golden and the water is crystal clear. Here you can spend the entire day just lazing on the beach or you can try out the various water sports that are available, like scuba diving, para-gliding and wind-surfing.
Cape Greco is one of the national parks in Cyprus. It's renowned for its natural beauty. There are a number of trails that can be followed that will lead you to a magnificent cliff top and the views from here are amazing. You're overlooking the Mediterranean, so all you can see stretch of blue sea. It is very hot so the trek can be quite tiring, so it's best to take a bottle of water with you as you'll need it once you get to the top.
Fig Tree Bay is close to the main strip. There is a small island just off the shore that you can swim to. It is fairly close and the water isn't too deep, so it doesn't matter if you're not a great swimmer.
Makronissos Beach has 3 bays within the Peninsula. It provides the ideal sun-bathing spot because due to its location it is shielded from the wind. The beach to see here is Nissi Beach. It's the most liveliest and popular beach in Ayia Napa. There are hotels all around the bay if you wanted to spend the night, as there are always rooms available.
Larnaca is my favourite town in Cyprus. It has everything. It offers a mix of culture, history, and a modern but still traditional Cyprus. The beachside promenade is one of the prettiest places in the town. Larnaca has some very modern cafes and restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines. You can have the traditional Greek or Cypriot meal, or Indian, Chinese, Italian and a few others, and all the restaurants serve authentic dishes. When you order a traditional Cypriot meal, make sure you have an empty stomach. They bring so much food for one person. It's served to you in up to 20 saucer like dishes. So for example, you'll have various cheeses, tomatoes, olives, celery, sliced artichokes or smoked ham, houmous, octopus (or squid) and a whole lot more. My advice would be to try a little of each or you won't get round to the 20th dish,
****My Opinion**** Cyprus is highly recommended. It's got everything needed for the perfect holiday, for couples or for the whole family.
The crystal clear waters that surround Cyprus are ideal for every kind of water sport imaginable. You can also experience the underwater caves and because the waters aren't so deep, all you'll need is a pair of flippers and a snorkel.
If the above sounds too strenuous for you, then you can simply jump on a banana boat for a ride around the bay, or just spend you time soaking up the sun on the many beaches.
Flights to Cyprus are very cheap and so is the accommodation. With a lot of holidays, you have to spend a ridiculous amount to get there and then the extra costs to have a good time. Not with Cyprus. The currency is the Cypriot Pound and for Brit's it's an added bonus, as the exchange rate is pretty much the same.
This weather in Cyprus is sunny all year round, so it makes it a perfect getaway for the winter.
This is a stress fee, comfortable and most enjoyable holiday destination.
Pictures of General: Cyprus
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I love Cyprus...been there twice on holiday. On the April hol. it was beautiful and sunny down on the coast, but up on the Troodos mountains, there was quite deep snow.
shellebell 05.09.2004 17:36
like the review, sounds pretty. i havent been there before but am deciding where to go after my a levels x
j3ssica 09.08.2004 16:36
We were going to go here for our holiday this year but decided on Turkey at the last minute. It sounds lovely! x
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