CYPRUS

Cyprus also called the “Island of Love.” Is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations of all places and is frequented by tourists and visitors from across the world round the year. The place with its beautiful and friendly people, ancient cultural heritage, magnificent monuments and great water sports facility is a paradise to unwind and pamper yourself. So pack your bags and enjoy a flight or even better an invigorating cruise journey to the love island.

How to reach

The major international airport in Cyprus is Larnaca International LCA. Cyprus is served by several major international airlines from European cities. From North America, travelers can break up the journey in Frankfurt. Flight time from London to Larnaca is 4.5 hours; from Frankfurt, 3.5 hours; from Athens, 1 hour and 45 minutes. In addition, the national Cyprus Airways provides regular daily flights from London, Amsterdam and other major European and Middle Eastern countries to Cyprus. Various cruises also run their business and can be enjoyed to have a wonderful time. For local transport, intercity Service Taxis connect all major towns in Cyprus and run every half hour. Driving in Cyprus is also advisable to have fun time.

Where to Stay

Cyprus offers a wide choice of holiday accommodation, from modern, large, lavish and luxurious hotels and resorts, to small and no frills apartments. Choices include hotels, hotel apartments,tourist villages, tourist villas, camping sites, traditional houses, guest houses, youth hostels. Most hotels and hotel apartments have swimming pools, tennis courts, sports facilities, sauna and most hotels offer special off-season discounts.

Places to see

Cyprus is a tourist delight with innumerable galleries, churches and museums all exhibiting rich cultural and architectural finesse. Mouseiou gallery exhibits fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures.The Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia revives life in the capital from ancient times to the present. Byzantine Museum and Art Galleries contains the largest collection of icons on the island, covering the 9th to 18th centuries. The Art Galleries contain oil paintings, maps and lithographs. Agios Ioannis Cathedral- Built by Archbishop Nikiforos in 1662, the 18th-century wall paintings depict scenes from the Bible and the discovery of the tomb of Saint Barnabas. Archbishopric (Old and New)- the New Archbishopric was built in a neo-Byzantine style in 1960. The Old Archbishopric houses the Folk Art Museum. National Struggle Museum Documents, photographs and other memorabilia of the 1955-1959 National Liberation Struggle. Famagusta Gate is the tourists favorite point Apart from that Ethnological Museum, Chrysaliniotissa Church, Omeriye Mosque, Faneromeni Church, State Gallery of Contemporary Art, Cyprus Handicraft Centre, The Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, Agioi Apostoloi Church, Tamassos, Agios Irakleidios Convent, Machairas Monastery, Fikardou village are the other tourists attraction. Cyprus is also a paradise for the sports enthusiast. Sports include angling, sea sports, golf, cycling, sailing/yachting, swimming, hiking/nature trails, and water sports.

		AGIA NAPA
		Agia Napa was originally a small fishing village and has become a major tourist centre. Famous for its nightlife, Agia Napa is determined to maintain its popularity in this area. This is the resort for fun in the sun! Families haven't been forgotten. Huge strides have been taken to make it a place that caters for all the family. With some of the best beaches on the island it's easy to have fun with a bucket and spade, building sand castles! All types of water sports can be found to cater for all enthusiasts. The interesting medieval monastery right in the heart of Agia Napa has a 16th century church partially cut into the rock and boasts an ancient sycamore tree, at the south gate, believed to be 600 years old.

		ARGAKA/POTOMOS
		ARGAKA/POMOS On the north coast just a ten minute drive from Polis lie the villages of Argaka and, further north east, Pomos. During the summer months music lovers can visit the tiny local taverna. This enjoys spectacular views of the bay and entertains with a variety of jazz and other popular music. Argaka has a lovely picnic area adjacent to the beach and is a perfect way to spend a day relaxing in the shade of the trees. The original houses, in the old part of the village, were built with hewed limestone or with igneous pebbles from the stream running through the village. Upper Argaka stands upon a slope with excellent views towards the sea and of Paphos forest. The east part of the village has officially been deemed as a region of natural beauty. Several streams flow down to the sea, the largest being the Makounta upon which the Argaka dam was constructed. Pomos is a small fishing village with stunning inland views of the Troodos mountains. A small, new harbour has made it possible to take boat trips along this scenic coastline.

		NICOSIA
		Nicosia, (Lefkosia) the capital of Cyprus remains a divided city since the Turkish occupation of the north in 1974. The old city within the 400 year old Venetian walls is a maze of narrow streets with arts, handicrafts and traditional workshops working alongside modern shopping areas and up-market restaurants. Much of this is for pedestrians only. Surrounding the walls is the busy, modern metropolis. Here you find the modern city with its restaurants, hotels and gardens blending with the fine examples of colonial buildings. The old and new are linked through the central Eleftheria Square. Nicosia is home to many museums, most linked to the distant past but some refer to a more recent history of British rule and of the Turkish invasion. This is a fascinating city to wander and the local Cyprus Tourist Organisation provide free of charge maps to ensure that nothing is missed.

		PETRA TOU ROMIOU
		Aphrodites Rock is one of the most famous spots in Cyprus. It lies between Paphos and Limassol just off the main highway. The name comes from the tale of the Byzantine hero Dighenis who, the legend goes, threw huge rocks at invaders to destroy their ships. The name literally means Rock of the Greek. This is the romantic place where, according to mythology, Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, rose from the water and was born to the world. This was her place of worship. Pafos was the name given to the daughter of Venus (Aphrodite). The whole area is steeped in legend and a visit at sunset is an ideal photo opportunity.

		TOMBS OF THE KINGS
		Just on the edge of the town of Paphos are the old cemeteries. A part of this incredibly large necropolis has been excavated and is known as Tombs of the Kings. The impressive appearance of the tombs and the heavy Doric style contributed to the naming of the site. It was used as a burial ground from the 3rd century BC up to the 3rd century AD and was used by persecuted Christians, as a place of refuge, long after. The modern day excavation started in 1977 and has uncovered 3 very large tomb complexes and the investigation of many smaller tombs.

		AKAMAS NATIONAL PARK
		The western tip of Cyprus is an area of breathtaking, rugged beauty. It is only accessible to 4 wheel drive vehicles and many tracks can be very tricky to manoeuvre. The best way to get to know this park is to explore on foot on the official trails with bottles of water, a sun screen and sturdy footwear. The results are fabulous. This area of undeveloped wilderness comes alive in the springtime with over 530 species of plants, many of them orchids, providing a blaze of colour. Visit Fontana Amoroza, the pool at the tip of the peninsular. It is said that if you taste the water here, every woman and every girl is more desirable than on any place on earth. Take a walk up the splendid Avakas gorge, where tree roots are visible high above you. Visit "turtle beach" Lara Bay where there is a turtle sanctuary and turtles come to lay their eggs year after year. Under the close supervision of marine biologists, Lara Bay has the most successful breeding program for the green back and loggerhead turtles in the eastern Mediterranean.

		TROODOS MOUNTAINS
		When Cyprus reaches its highest temperatures during the hot summer months there is nothing better than a day, or two, discovering Troodos. Troodos is located toward the western area of Cyprus. The high altitude refreshes with crystal clear air. They reach an altitude of over 1950 metres. They have picturesque villages, many with their own specialised local handicraft or even a locally distilled spirit. There are many fascinating churches and monasteries with ten Byzantine churches on the UNESCO list of cultural treasures. The most famous monastery is Kykko with its wealth of gold adorning the walls and high ceilings. Park the car and go for a stroll through the pine scented forest and discover a silent world.

		LEFKARA
		To the north between the towns of Limassol and Larnaca lies the traditional village of Lefkara with its white washed walls and cobbled streets. For centuries the women have sat out in the shade and hand made lace and hand stitched painstakingly intricate embroidery. No two designs are ever the same. Loukoumia (Cypriot delight) is also made here. There are two Lefkaras about 1km apart, Kato and Pano, take care not to miss one!

		OMODOS
		Located on the southern hills of Troodos lies the village of Omodos. This is the largest of the Krassochoria wine villages. Part of the village has been imaginatively restored to allow visitors to see and feel the essence of village life. Although created for the tourist it has been well thought out. It's now possible to go inside the old stone houses and see the corn mills, see the wine presses and see how they make the local spirit, Zivinir. Double distilled from every part of the grape and vine, local zivinir is drunk straight from the freezer and is said to cure all! You can see traditional Cypriot kitchens with their old clay ovens and venture down in the cellars and sample the local wine. The village also has its own Folk museum.

Specialty of the place

Cyprus is a fascinating land of contrasts. The city with its ancient history and monuments together with one of the most modern facilities leaves you speechless and spellbound and wishing to come back again and again.