The Facts
Capital: Nicosia
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: GMT +2
http://www.visitcyprus.com/
Introduction:
There's a beguiling blend of influences in Cyprus where east and west merge and mingle. You'll find it in the food, the culture and the character. Whilst there are arguably signs of over development in places like Paphos and Ayia Napa you can still find the heart of Cyprus, often dubbed the 'island of love', Aphrodite's supposed birthplace. One thing you can be pretty sure to find is good weather. With an average of 326 sunny days each year, Cyprus can be counted amongst the finest anywhere in the Mediterranean.
Where To Go:
The third largest and easternmost of the Mediterranean islands Cyprus is actually closer to the east than the west. With Syria only 105km east the slim, finger like Karpas Peninsula with some of the most spectacular beaches on the island, seems almost to be waving towards its shores. You will arrive at one of two main airports, Paphos in the west, or Larnaca in the east. These two major towns are connected by motorway with branches off to the capital Nicosia and east to the well-known party zone of Ayia Napa. The remaining key towns on Cyprus are all located on the coast.
The pine forested Trodoss mountain range stretches across most of the western side of the island where churches precariously perch on mountain peaks, Byzantine monasteries can be explored and picturesque hamlets cling to terraced hill slopes. In the north the narrow chain of the Kyrenia mountain range runs approximately 160 km along the coast. To the northwest the Arkamas peninsula is dotted with villages where the traditional 'kafenion' remains the focal point, serving up the distinctive thick Greek coffee.
What To Eat & Drink:
- Mezedes are generally a collection of small plates of different foods like green olives, tahini but can include things like pickled brains with capers.
- Souvla translates as 'with skewer' and are mainly pieces of lamb or chicken, grilled over charcoal.
- Try Koupepia, stuffed vine-leaves.
- Zivania is a traditional drink produced by distilling grape residues. It accompanies a meal such as mezedes, or is served with dried fruit and nuts.
- Brandy Sour a blend of Cyprus Brandy and lemon squash (made from Cyprus lemons).
Unmissable Cyprus:
10 things you really should do in Cyprus.
1. Pillar Talk
Visit St Paul's Pillar in Paphos at the St Kiriaki Church (Ayía Kyriakí) on Apostolou Pavlou Avenue where the disciple was tied and lashed by the roman governor for preaching Christianity.
2. Look For Love
Visit the Baths of Aphrodite, where the goddess of love supposedly used to bathe. Located in the Akamas peninsula, near Polis walking trails from the pool offer sweeping views of the north coast.
3. Turtle Time
Cyprus boasts the only beaches along the Mediterranean where two endangered species of turtle reside (the green and loggerhead). You can watch the turtles under the supervision of the Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT) based at Alagadi Beach in North Cyprus.
www.northcyprus.cc/index.php/front/turtle-watching
www.seaturtle.org/mtrg/projects/cyprus/volunteer/
4. Shape Up
See the roman mosaics discovered by accident in the 1960s. (Located near the lighthouse and fortress of Saranda Kolones close to Paphos Harbour.
5. Get to grips with grapes
Cyprus is home to the world's oldest continuously produced wine, the sweet Commandaria. Get better acquainted with this and other Cypriot tipples on a wine tour.
6. Walk with orchids & wildflowers
Head to Cyprus in the spring (Feb-May) when orchids and wildflowers flowers carpet the hillsides.
7. Sample some Turkish Delight
Take a bus trip to Kyrenia (Girne), a pretty port on the Turkish occupied north coast. Rental cars from the south are not allowed north for insurance reasons.
8. Enjoy a golden glow
Nissi Beach is the most famous white sand beach in the region of Ayia Napa and probably the whole island.
9. See the wood & the trees
Cedar Valley in Tilliryan in the Troodos is aptly named and home to the indigenous Cyprus cedar, Cedrus brevifolia, a close relative of the famous cedars of Lebanon. Look out for moufflon, a species of wild sheep native to Cyprus, and the national symbol.
10. Pay a crafty visit.
To Lefkara village, between Limassol and Larnaca and discover its world-renowned lace, also known as 'Lefkaritika'.
