Lying on the fault lines of east and west, the picturesque landscape of Cyprus will capture your heart in more ways than one. Said to be the ‘Island of Love’, this destination holds a rich history that adds to the character of this popular wedding and honeymoon destination.
With warm sun, sparkling sea, welcoming people and wonderful scenery, Cyprus offers visitors a superb holiday destination packed with unforgettable experiences, extraordinary sights and exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, plus a generous dose of romantic ancient legends to spice up those lazy days by the sea.
Known as the ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’ and – as legend would have it – birthplace of Aphrodite, the ancient goddess of love and beauty, Cyprus certainly lives up to the exacting standards of its divine patroness. A stunning Mediterranean island steeped in legend, myth, beauty and romance that enjoys more than 340 days of sunshine a year, Cyprus attracts visitors from all walks of life.
Enchanted by the island’s endless stretches of golden sands, secluded bays and rocky coves, today’s tourists are also drawn to Cyprus for its fascinating history and culture, its exquisite Mediterranean cuisine and its glorious mountains and verdant countryside that prove it to be much more than just a sun-and-sea destination. Here are our top five reasons for making it your next holiday destination.
History buffs will have a field day
The island is like a large, open air museum packed with evidence of its chequered past, a mosaic of different civilisations and cultures. In Nicosia visit the old quarter surrounded by a Venetian sandstone fortress with a moat and heart shaped bastions, where Mosques and palm trees add an oriental atmosphere to the old city.
Cyprus’s long and winding history offers visitors a journey of discovery paved with ancient archaeological treasures
Visit St John’s Cathedral with its frescoes and adjacent museum of marvellous Byzantine icons and the Cyprus Museum, where you can see the best collection of archaeological artefacts on the island, including a 1st century AD Roman statuette of Aphrodite of Soli.
Cyprus’s long and winding history offers visitors a journey of discovery paved with ancient archaeological treasures. The ancient city kingdoms of Kourion and Amathus and the Mosaics of Paphos are considered among the finest mosaic floors in the eastern Mediterranean.
Other must see historic sites include the Neolithic settlements of Choirokoitia and Kalavasos-Tenta, the Tombs of the Kings and the famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, whom legend claims was born on this island.
The cuisine will have your tastebuds begging for more
Cypriot cuisine is famous for its delicious Mediterranean qualities. The island is the home of halloumi cheese and meze, one of the most popular options being a multi-course meal featuring olives, salad, seafood, cheese, chicken, sausage and kebabs. Just make sure that you share it and savour it siga siga (slowly, slowly), preferably at an open-air taverna.
Cyprus is also one of the world’s oldest grape-growing and wine-making regions, with its fruits of the grape ranging from delicate whites and full-bodied reds to the rich sweet amber-coloured dessert nectar known as Commandaria.
The Commandaria is one of the oldest wines in the world, representing an ancient wine style documented in Cyprus back to 800 BC. This wine has the distinction of being the world’s oldest named wine still in production with the name itself dating back to the crusades in the 12th century.
Nature lovers will find plenty to admire
All year round Cyprus’s air is redolent with the scent of blossom, be it the heady fragrance of musky mimosa, balmy jasmine-perfumed nights or the sweetly sharp aroma of citrus trees. With nearly 2,000 flowering plants (including 20 rare species of orchid), 371 varieties of birds, including flamingos, imperial eagles and griffon vultures and a fascinating diversity of animals, including sea turtles, snakes and lizards, not to mention the elusive moufflon (a rare wild mountain sheep found only in Cyprus). The island is a haven for any nature lover.
Sporty types will be spoilt for choice
Cyprus offers a host of energetic pursuits for the more energetic visitor. Becoming increasingly popular as a destination for golfers, Cyprus offers first-class facilities with three professional courses on magnificent locations and the development of several new courses in the pipeline.
Spectacular, pine clad mountains offer walkers and cyclists welcome respite from the heat. It’s difficult not to relax when breathing in the bracing pine scented air and admiring the Venetian stone bridges and waterfalls that pepper hiking trails. In Cyprus, going for a walk makes you feel as though you fell into a scene that was lifted direct from a book of fairy tales. In winter months, skiers can test the slopes on Troodos, while the rest of the island wears short sleeves and basks in winter sun.
Cyprus also offers excellent dive sites and facilities, with one of the best wreck dives in the world, the Zenobia, situated off Larnaca. Other popular dive sites include Ayia Napa, Paphos and the Akamas Pensinsula, where divers are often able to see artefacts such as Roman pottery on the seabed.
Boredom is not an option
Cyprus offers so much diversity and entertainment that you won’t want to waste a minute of your time on the island. From lounging on balmy beaches to discovering ancient settlements, hiking across forest paths or relaxing over a glass of Commandaria, there’s a whole world of experiences to fit in to your visit. Add the famed Cypriot hospitality, guaranteeing the warmest of welcomes by the locals and it’s easy to understand why most visitors start planning their return trip to Cyprus before they’ve even left the island the first time.
Information courtesy of ROCS Travel. ROCS offer a choice of packages to Cyprus. For more information visit ROCS travel offices in Floriana, Mellieħa and Mosta, call on 2015 1515 or send an e-mail to travel@rocsgrp.com.
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