THOUGHTS ON HOLIDAYING IN CYPRUS

Paphos
Paphos is the mythical birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, of love and beauty. In Greco-Roman times, Paphos was the capital, and is famous for the remains of the Roman Governor`s palace, where extensive mosaics are a major tourist attraction. The apostle, Paul of Tarsus, visited the town during the first century. Paphos is included in the official UNESCO list of the world`s heritage sites.

Limassol
Limassol on the southern coast is the second largest city, and chief port. It is a key tourist area, attracting vast numbers of visitors each year. It boasts the largest seaside resort on the island, with a relaxed holiday atmosphere. The large promenade on the seafront is popular, as are the busy shopping streets in the city, which are packed with shops, cafes and restaurants. It`s also host to a variety of festivals throughout the year, including the Limassol Festival in the summer and the annual Wine Festival in September.

Larnaca
Larnaca is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It originally dates from Old Testament times. The ruins of the ancient city can still be seen. Larnaca is the `international gateway` to Cyprus, with palm-lined promenades, excellent shops, sandy beaches and deep blue sea.

Nicosia
Located on the Pedieos river, and situated almost in the centre of the island, Nicosia is the seat of government as well as the main business centre. Despite the recent symbolic gestures shown by both communities in removing sections of the dividing wall, it remains the only divided capital city in the world. The northern (Turkish) and southern (Greek) portions are divided by the `Green Line,` a demilitarized zone maintained by the UN. The 1974 Turkish invasion effectively cut the capital in half. The Turkish Cypriots claim the northern half of Nicosia as the capital of an internationally unrecognized (except by Turkey) state known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Attractions
Attractions in Cyprus are many and varied, to suit all ages. They include:

  • An active nightlife in most areas
  • Amusement / theme parks
  • Ancient ruins
  • Castles and forts
  • Museums
  • Religious sites
  • Shopping
  • Water Parks
  • Wineries

Flights
With budget flights becoming available from more airlines (and hence airports) Cyprus is becoming increasingly attractive to British tourists.

Eating Out
Cyprus provides cuisine to suit all tastes. Given a little exploration, Indian, Chinese and Italian restaurants can all be found, as well as those serving traditional Cypriot cuisine.

Climate
Cyprus climate is typically Mediterranean. However, July and August are particularly hot, with temperatures in excess of 30°C. October and November see a great deal of rain.

Accommodation
It appears that the quality of apartments and hotels in Cyprus varies widely. Reports on better have noted friendly, helpful staff, a central location, proximity to amenities, rep always available, good standards of cleanliness, excellent food, along with facilities such as a swimming pool and gym / sauna. Dissatisfied customers have highlighted cold rooms, excessive road noise, poor standards of hygiene and poor quality of food. Any traveller should thoroughly research prospective accommodation.

Why Cyprus is a Tourist Hot Spot
The People newspaper stated that a `perfect mix` of activities and attractions made the island a good tourist destination for both old and young people. In particular, Paphos was highlighted as a good place for tourists to visit, as it offered a variety of desirable features for visitors. For example, it was said to have plenty of bars and restaurants, along with a multitude of heritage sites such as Greek mosaics. The People commented, `Paphos has been attracting tourists for decades but retains a relatively quiet and picturesque charm.` Cyprus` popularity with British holidaymakers has also led to a greater number of overseas property buyers taking advantage of the investment potential of property in Cyprus

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