CYPRUS

Cyprus tucked away in the top right hand corner of the Mediterranean is so close to Europe, Asia and Africa that it rightly, claims to be a stepping stone to three continents. An island whose rich dramatic history can be traced back over nine thousand years; an island so coveted over the centuries that it has been invaded and claimed by a fascinating mixture of civilizations from near and far all of which have left their culture and shaped its character.

Cyprus is the third-largest Mediterranean island and one of the most popular tourist destinations, attracting over 2.4 million tourists per year. Capital and the largest city in the country is Nicosia. Cyprus is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, Adonis and home to King Cinyras, Teucer and Pygmalion. The earliest confirmed site of human activity is Aetokremnos, situated on the south coast, indicating that hunter-gatherers were active on the island from around 10,000 BC, with settled, village communities dating from 8200 BC.

CLIMATE

Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine year round. Long dry summers and mild winters are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. Summer is a time of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas. Winters are mild, with some rain and snow on Troodos Mountains.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

Travelers should hold an onward or return ticket as well as sufficient funds for period of intended stay in Cyprus. It is also advisable to have a hotel reservation. Nationalities that require a visa are recommended that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay. Travelers should note that foreigners entering Cyprus north of the UN-patrolled 'green line' are deemed by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to have entered illegally, and can be fined when crossing to the south (EU). Policies and procedures are subject to sudden change and visitors should check on the current situation before departing for Cyprus. The partial lifting of restrictions on crossing the 'green line' allows Cypriots to cross in both directions at designated crossing points. It is possible to travel to the north of Cyprus from the south by crossing at several checkpoints, including the Ledra Palace checkpoint. EU passport holders with a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus stamp in their passport will not experience difficulties when entering the Republic of Cyprus.

Americans: US nationals must have a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. A visa is not required for a stay of 90 days, provided the visit is for tourist purposes.

UK nationals: British nationals must have a valid passport. For holders of passports endorsed British Citizen, British Subject, British National (overseas) or British Overseas Territories Citizen, a visa is not required for a stay of 90 days, provided the visit is for tourist purposes only. In all other cases a visa is required, and passports must be valid at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. However, it is advised to hold a passport valid for six months beyond period of intended stay.

Canadians: Canadians must have a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days, provided entry is for tourist purposes only.

Australians: Australians must have a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days, provided entry is for tourist purposes only.

South Africans: South Africans must have a passport valid at least three months beyond the period of intended stay. However, it is advised to hold a passport valid for six months beyond the period of intended stay. A visa is required.

Irish nationals: Irish nationals must hold a valid passport. No visa is required for tourist visits of up to 90 days.

New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals must have a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days, provided entry is for tourist purposes only.

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO:

Cuisine of Cyprus
Halloumi, (a cheese made from a mixture of goat's and sheep's milk) originates from Cyprus, and is commonly served sliced and grilled as an appetizer. Seafood dishes of Cyprus include calamari (squid), octopus in red wine, (red mullet), and sea bass. Cucumber and tomato are used widely in Cypriot cuisine. Other common vegetable preparations include potatoes in olive oil and parsley, pickled cauliflower and beets, kolokasi (taro) and asparagus. Meat dishes marinated in dried coriander seeds and wine, and eventually dried and smoked, such as lounza, charcoal-grilled lamb (souvla), sheftalia (minced meat wrapped in mesentery), as well as cracked wheat (pourgouri) are some of the traditional delicacies of the island.

NICOSIA TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS

CYPRUS MUSEUM
Priceless and fascinating collection of Cypriot antiquities and art treasures from the Neolithic Age to the early Byzantine Period.

BYANTINE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERIES
Largest collection of icons on the island, covering the period from 9th to 18th century. The Art Galleries contain oil paintings, maps, lithographs etc.

FOLK ART MUSEUM
Wide collection of Cypriot folk art of the 19th and early 20th century, including wood-carved objects, tapestry, embroidery, pottery, national costumes and hand-woven materials.

NATIONAL STRUGGLE MUSEUM
Near the Archbishopric, Arch. Documents, photos and other memorabilia of the 1955-1959 National Liberation Struggle.

AYIOS IOANNIS CATHEDRAL
Built by Archbishop Nikiforos in 1662, the recently restored 18th century wall paintings depict biblical scenes and the discovery of the tomb of Saint Barnabas at Salamis. Dedicated to Ayios loannis (Saint John).

HOUSE OF HADJIGEORGAKIS KORNESSIOS
Originally a Venetian Building. It is probably the most important 18th century building in Nicosia. It was once the house of the Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornessios. The house is being restored and will house the Cyprus Ethnographic Museum. Hadjigeorgakis Kornessios house has won the Europa Nostra award in 1988.

FAMAGUSTA GATE
The Venetian walls which completely encircle the old city have a circumference of 4.5 km and possess eleven heart-shaped bastions. There were only three entries to the city through gates, in the north, south and east. One of these gates, the Porta Giuliana, called the Famagusta Gate has been restored and is now the Nicosia Municipal Cultural Centre. The large imposing gate itself leads into a long passage with a central cupola, which cuts through the walls and comes out in the moat. On both sides are high, stonewalled guard-rooms. The restored passage and rooms arc used for exhibitions, conferences, Iectures and various performances. The oId quarter of the town, close to the Famagusta Gate, is also beinR restored.

ANCIENT CITY KINGDOM OF IDALION AND THE BYZANTINE CHURCH AT PERACHORIO
The site of this ancient city kingdom has not yet been fully excavated, but on the high ground, outside the present village of Dhali, part of the ancient walls of the city can be seen. In this area Adonis, mythical lover of the goddess Aphrodite, was killed by a wild boar sent by her jealous husband.

At the nearby village of Perachorio the church of the Holy Apostles contains very beautiful 12th century frescoes.

PANAYIA CHRYSOSPILIOTISSA
Near Deftera village, 11 km southwest of Nicosia. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Golden Cave, the catacomb structure, an enlarged natural cave indicates the church, dates back to the early Christian period. Unfortunately its painted interior is hadly damaged. A religious fair is held near the church on 15th August.

AYIOS HERAKLEIDIOS MONASTERY
Politiko village is around 1/2 km from the Royal Tombs. When Saints Paul and Barnabas came to Cyprus, they were guided to Tamassos by Herakleidios, whom they later ordained as Bishop of Tamassos. He was martyred at the age of 60 and buried in the cave where he had lived and preached. The Monastery was founded in 400 AD, destroyed and rebuilt several times until Archbishop Chrysanthos renovated the church and cells in 1773. The skull and a bone from the hand of the saint are kept in a silver gilt case, in the church which is decorated with fine frescoes and icons.

LIMASSOL TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS

The south coast town of Limassol is the island's largest seaside resort. Acting as a magnificent backdrop to the city that spreads for ten miles along the coast are the Troodos mountains, in whose fertile foothills most of the country's grapes are grown. Now, this second largest city of Cyprus, with a population of 135.000 is the centre of its wine-making industry, and an important commercial and tourist centre.

LIMASSOL CASTLE-CYPRUS MEDIAEVAL MUSEUM
Built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier Byzantine castle. According to tradition Richard the Lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England, here in 1191. The castle houses the Cyprus Mediaeval Museum.

KOLOSSI CASTLE
It is 14 km west of Limassol on the road to Paphos. A fine example of military architecture originally constructed in the 13th century, and subsequently rebuilt in the form it is now, in the middle of the 15th century. It served first as the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar, and after the fall of Acre in 1291 for some years, as the headquarters of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The castle is situated just outside Limassol and it towers over countryside full of vineyards. You get to it by crossing a short drawbridge, which in ancient times was defended from high above by boiling oil and pouring it onto the heads of prospective invaders.

A spiral staircase takes you up to the roof and the restored battlements.

KOURION
It is 19 km west of Limassol on the road to Paphos. The site has several Greek and Roman ruins and classical music concerts and Shakespearean plays are occasionally staged in the amphitheatre. Located next to the theatre is the Villa of Eustolios which is a summer house built by a wealthy Christian. Close by is a wonderful partially rebuilt Roman stadium.
An important ancient city kingdom, and one of the most interesting and spectacular archaeological sites on the island with excavations still bringing new treasures to light. The magnificent Graeco-Roman Theatre was originally built in the 2nd century BC and enlarged in the 2nd century AD. It is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances. The House of Eustolios was originally a private villa, and in the early Christian period became a public recreation centre. It consists of a complex of Baths and a number of rooms with beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors.

The Early Christian Basilica dated to the 5th century was probably the Cathedral of Kourion with a baptistery attached to the north side. The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators have beautiful mosaic floors. The Nymphaeum dedicated to water nymphs is still under excavation by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities.The Stadium lies a km to the west on the right side of the road to Paphos, and is dated to the 2nd century AD.

SANCTUARY OF APOLLO HYLATES
It is 3 km west of Kourion, on the road to Paphos. Apollo Hylates, God of the Woodland, was the protector of the city of Kourion. Archaeological evidence shows that the cult of Apollo was celebrated here from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Part of the temple has been restored, with the cella, the colonnade and the pediment.

AMATHUS
It is 11 km east of Limassol (town centre), close to Amathus Hotel. One of the ancient city Kingdoms of Cyprus where according to legend, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be taken care of, after his battle with the Minotaur. There was a very important cult of Aphrodite-Astarte here. Excavations are still continuing at the Acropolis and Agora area of the ancient site. Numerous tombs have been found, one of them can be visited in front of the Amathus Beach Hotel.

SHOPPING
In the centre of Limassol you will find the elegant, modern shops of Makarios Avenue. There are designer goods sold here and you will even find a Marks and Spencer outlet. If you are in the market for local handicrafts such as lace and silver, try the shops in the old part of town, where local handicrafts prevail.

LARNACA TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS
St. Lazarus
A visit to the beautiful Byzantine Church of St. Lazarus situated in the centre of the city is very worthwhile. The church is one of the most cherished sites in Cyprus as it is reputed to hold the remains of St Lazarus.

According to local legend, after he was brought back to life by Jesus, Lazarus became the first bishop of Larnaca, He is reputedly buried in a crypt under the main altar.

Marina – Natural Attration
Larnaca boasts a 200 berth yachting marina. The harbour perimeter consists of a lovely palm lined promenade where you can meander along and check out all of the yachts and sailing vessels that have sailed here from all over the globe. Sit at one of the inviting caf’s and tavernas under a shady parasol and take in the beautiful views of the harbour and the ocean while sipping a glass of ouzo and deciding what to order from the extensive menus

The Pierides Foundation Museum
This is the other, must see, museum in Larnaca as it was essential for the preservation of Cypriot artefacts. In the nineteenth century it was discovered that many archaeological artefacts were being sold by dealers to museums abroad. The dealers were receiving huge sums of money for these artefacts so were anxious to sell as many as possible and precious pieces were being lost to the country... In 1839 Demetrios Pierides decided that the best way to thwart the dealers was to open a museum and start buying artefacts to enable them to be kept in Cyprus.

The Great Salt Lake
situated by the nearby airport it comprises of a single large lake, where in the summer months the salt is collected and three smaller lakes. The main lake is the largest, and the deepest at approximately seven feet lower than sea level. If you visit Larnaca during the winter months you must take a trip out to the lakes as at that time of year it is home to thousands of fabulous pink flamingos, the sight of all theses birds is awe inspiring. Close by the lake you'll also find the tekke (grave) of Hala Sultan who is reputed to be an aunt of Muhammad.

BEACHES
There are several lovely beaches in or near Larnaca. The Phinnikoudes Beach is located on the palm-lined seafront of Larnaca and is the ideal place for sunbathing and chilling out. Nearby are numerous shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment within walking distance from the beach. The harbour is located nearby and there you can hire a boat there to take you out and about. Another excellent beach is Makenzie Beach, which is known for its lovely white sand and clear blue waters. There are a number of watersports facilities based here. These include scuba diving which is a very popular sport on this part of the island. Mackenzie Beach also has a large choice of excellent restaurants, which are famous for their local Cypriot cuisine and especially the fresh fish.

LARNACA FORT
Larnaca seafront. Built in 1625, it was used as a prison in the first years of British rule. It now houses a small archaeological museum, with finds from Kition and the Hala Sultan Tekke excavations. The Fort is also used as the Larnaca Municipal Cultural Centre.

LARNACA DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Interesting collection of finds from the Larnaca area, dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period.

PAPHOS TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS

KATO PAPHOS
Located in the lower part of Paphos, this is a charming part of town that has all of the amenities considered essential for a sun and sand holiday plus, as an added bonus, loads of historical sites. It has an atmosphere and life of its own.

Kato Paphos is situated by the sea and is home to the lovely picturesque harbour. Here you will find excellent fish tavernas, where you can taste and enjoy the days catch. Several souvenir shops and hotels are also situated here.

THE MOSAIC OF PAPHOS
It is located in Kato Paphos near the harbour. The Mosaic’s consist of the House of Dionysos, the House of Theseus and the more recently excavated House of Aion. They are the most famous historical sights in Paphos. The mosaics were originally laid down in the 3rd century as floors for the houses of the Roman nobles. The first mosaic was discovered in 1962 and the ongoing excavations have revealed a complex of buildings which cover approximately 300 sq metres (980 sq ft). The mosaics are, considered to be the best in the Eastern Mediterranean and depict scenes from Greek mythology and are beautifully executed. Whether you are interested in history or not you should really make an effort to check out these mosaics as they will take your breath away.

The Akamas Peninsula
Situated on the west coast, this is one of the last wild and unspoilt places on the Cypriot coast. It is well worth taking a few hours out to visit this area where the landscape is a patchwork of lush vegetation and barren rock. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna; including some rare species. It is a great destination for walkers, with a network of paths criss-crossing the rugged terrain. The views are terrific so do not forget to take a camera along with your walking boots and bottles of water. This is also the best area to see wildlife. The Baths of Aphrodite are situated here, according to local legend; this is where Aphrodite restored her virginity after nights of lust with her admirers.

The Tombs of the Kings
Located 2km (1.2mi) north of Kato Paphos, This is another historical site that is a must to visit .It is a wide area containing complex maze of fascinating tombs carved into the solid rock of the sea-cliff. They date back to the 4th century BC and many are decorated with Doric pillars. It is not known for sure whether Kings were buried here or not but the locality got its name from the magnificence of the tombs.

Paphos Castle
Located in Kato Paphos the castle was originally built as a Byzantine fort in order to protect the harbour. It was later rebuilt in the 13th century by the Lusignans and then dismantled by the Venetians in 1570. The Venetians had found themselves unable to defend the castle from the Ottomans, who, in their turn, restored and strengthened the castle after they seized the island.

Petra Tou Romiou (Birthplace of Aphrodite)
Located 25 km east of Paphos. Most visitors to Paphos take the time out to visit this lovely attraction. According to local legend, Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this beautiful spot. The Greek name, Petra tou Romiou ,The Rock of the Greek, is associated with Dighenis Akritas a famous legendary frontier-guard in the Byzantine period. He kept the marauding Saracens at bay with his amazing strength. Legend has it that in one fight he hurled a large rock (Petra), at his enemy.

BEACHES
Six of the Paphos beaches have been awarded the coveted European Blue Flag awards in 2004. These are Pachyammos, Vrysoudia A, Vrysoudia B, Alykes, Municipal Bath and Farros. The "Blue Flag" is awarded to beaches which meet some pretty stringent criteria, including: the quality of the bathing water, and beach area management and safety.

These beaches are a joy to visit and you can let your kids play with impunity. The sands are fine and golden and you can sunbathe, play volleyball or whatever appeals to you.

This is what sun and sand holidays are all about and a few days relaxing on the beach will put you in the right frame of mind to return to the real world.

GOLF
Paphos has established itself as a centre for golfing trips. One of the best courses is the Tsada Golf course, which was built in 1994. The golf course is set in the grounds of a 12th Century monastery, and was designed by famous golfer, Donald Steel. The 18-hole course is 550 metres above sea level, and has a number of other facilities include a driving range and putting green.

Other excellent courses include the Secret Valley golf course, which is located within close proximity of the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, goddess of love, at Petra tou Romiou. The course is situated in a lovely scenic valley with lots of trees and strange and unusual rock formations. And Aphrodite Hills, designed by Cabell Robinson, which is 20 kilometres from Paphos in a beautiful setting surrounded by lush olive and carob trees. Onsite there is a driving range, academy holes, PGA instructors and a pro shop.