CYPRUS (KYPROS) THE BIRTH LAND OF APHRODITE 

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INTRODUCTION 

The name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for Copper as copper played a very important part in the history of Cyprus. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and is approximately 150 miles (240 km) wide. It is now part of the European Union and the local currency is the Cypriot Pound. The Euro is not accepted at this time. The current exchange rate will give you 81 Cypriot Cents to 1 Sterling Pound. You generally get a better exchange rate at the resorts than you do with your travel agent, hotels or the banks. The six major towns of Cyprus are:

• Nicosia (Lefkosia) – This is the modern Capital city which is divided into two. The north is under the Turkish occupation since 1974 and is inaccessible to visitors
• Limassol – this southern coastal town is the island’s second largest city famous for its wine industry
• Larnaka – located on the southern coast of Cyprus and known for its annual celebration of the Feast of Kataklysmos
• Pafos – located in the west and a major tourist destination
• Kyrenia – this city is in the northern part of Cyprus which is under Turkish occupation
• Famagusta – also known as the Ghost Town is also under Turkish occupation

Other areas of interest include Protaras, Aiya Napa, The Troodos and Akamas regions. Protaras and Aiya Napa are famous tourist resorts, the former ideal for families and the latter for those who prefer late night clubbing.

The native tongue in Cyprus is Greek however English is widely spoken and most if not all road signs are in both languages. The Cypriots are very helpful, kind and welcoming people. Visiting their Island is seen as a compliment which is repaid by brilliant hospitality.

Away from the modern business towns and tourist resorts, life in the villages is slow paced and agriculture is the main source of income. Villages known as the red soil villages are famous for their production of Potatoes. Family life is of the utmost importance in the villages. It is a traditional custom to offer visitors a drink and refusal to accept one is considered rude.

Cyprus is blessed with sunshine for most of the year. In summer the golden sandy beaches and clear waters tempt swimmers and provide the best conditions for all kinds of waters sports. If the seaside heat gets too much, then head for the cool pine covered mountains of the Troodos where a spot of skiing will not go a miss. The winter season is very mild and short with daily average temperatures of 16°C.

The fruits and vegetables in Cyprus grow to a quality guaranteed to please everyone. Citrus fruits, grapes, apples, pears, melons, cherries, figs and olives are in abundance. The Cyprus potatoes are famous Europe wide and make very tasty chips. Other vegetables produced in Cyprus include aubergines, carrots, avocadoes, and huge red tomatoes.

The meze is Cyprus’s local dish or dishes. It consists of approximately 24 to 30 different dishes and should be eaten slowly. The word meze means a mixture and that is exactly what you get from salads and dips for starters, fresh fish, chicken & local casseroles for mains to baklava (the local sweet) for desert. This way you get to try most of the local cuisine. Head to a local Taverna to enjoy an authentic meze, which can be accompanied by any one of the famous Cypriot wines, Commandaria to name one, and a Cypriot coffee to finish. The coffee is served in a tiny cup and is not filtered.

Greek Orthodox is the national religion in Cyprus and plays an important part in the life of the Cypriots. This is evident by the various monasteries, churches and chapels. Christianity was brought to Cyprus by the Romans when St Paul arrived in Pafos. Other religions and denominations are accepted and practised.

Driving in Cyprus is the same as in the UK (Left Hand Side) however the speed limits and distances are all in kilometres. There are two major motor ways that link the major cities in Cyprus. The speed limit on the motorways is 100kmh (65mph) and in the towns it is generally 30kmh. Roadside speed checks using laser guns are very frequent so take due care while driving. It takes approximately 2½ to 3 hours to drive from the east coast (Protaras area) to the west coast (Pafos area) depending on traffic. Self-drive car rental firms have offices in all towns, as well as at the Larnaka & Pafos International Airport. A list of firms supplying self drive cars can be found in the Cyprus Tourism Organisation's annual "Guide to Hotels, Travel Agencies and other tourist service" obtainable from all Cyprus Tourism Organisation Offices in Cyprus and abroad. These offices also provide maps free of charge.

Guided excursions are organised by Sightseeing Tour Operators and reservations for these excursions can be made either by contacting directly the Sightseeing Tour Operators or through the hotel receptions although the hotels seem to charge more for the service. One excursion not to be missed is an off road Jeep Safari to the Troodos Mountains. Other excursions include trips to Nicosia, Pafos, Famagusta (passports required) and other archaeological or places of interest. Trips to Egypt can also be arranged via these operators. 

Local famous souvenirs to bring back from your trip include pottery, famous handmade Lace called Lefkaritika (after its village of origin Lefkara), local silver, copper, baskets, leather goods and of course their local Wine. Other spirits and alcohol is also available and prices in the resorts tend to be cheaper than the duty free prices at the airports.

NICOSIA (LEFKOSIA)

Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus and as such is the home of the government and cultural centre of Cyprus. The Old part of the city is surrounded by Venetian walls which are over 400 years old and served to protect the town for centuries. The new modern part is a busy metropolitan city where world famous departmental stores are in full swing. The central Eleftheria square links the old and the new parts together. The famous Ledra Street is the home to the modern departmental stores and old narrow cobbled streets with over hanging balconies giving the area a historic appearance.

Places of Interest

• Cyprus Museum – collection of Cypriot antiquities and treasures from the Neolithic Age to Byzantine period
• Folk Art Museum – collection of folk art of the 19^th & early 20^th century
• Famagusta Gate – restored entry point to the city now the Nicosia Municipal Cultural Centre
• Byzantine Museum And Art Galleries – oil paintings, maps, and a large collection of icons
• Chrysaliniotissa Church – considered the oldest Byzantine church in Nicosia

LIMASSOL

Limassol is the island's largest seaside resort and is the centre of its wine-making industry, and an important commercial and tourist centre. It has a relaxed holiday atmosphere, with a seafront promenade and busy little shopping streets. It is the home to some of Cyprus’s famous festivals including the annual Wine Festival in September, when the wineries give free samples of their products for ten days, the ten day pre-Lenten Carnival with masquerade parties balls and grand parades, the Limassol Festival in summer and the ancient Drama Festival at Kourion.

Places of Interest

• Limassol Castle-Cyprus Mediaeval Museum – supposedly Richard the lionheart married Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her queen of England in 1191 at this castle. It is home to the Cyprus mediaeval museum
• Limassol District Archaeological Museum – collection of antiquities found in the Limassol area from the Neolithic age to the roman period
• Kolossi Castle – Originally Constructed In The 13th Century, And Subsequently Rebuilt In The Form It Is Now, In The Middle Of The 15th Century
• Kourion – 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
• Amathus – the Ancient City Kingdoms of Cyprus where supposedly, Theseus left the pregnant Ariadne to be taken care of, after his battle with the Minotaur. It has various tombs to visit

LARNAKA

Larnaka is home to Larnaka international airport and the famous Hala Sultan Tekke mosque. The town is characterised by its cafes, tavernas, shops and bars and a historic identity is given to the town by its fortress castle. Larnaka is an excellent town from which to get to know the central and eastern section of Cyprus, and its proximity to the International Airport and a number of luxury hotels that have been developed along its beautiful sandy beaches make it a popular holiday choice. The main shopping area is the Zenon Kitieos Street.

Places of Interest

• Larnaka District Archaeological Museum – collection of finds from the Larnaka area, dating from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period
• Larnaka Fort – Larnaka seafront houses a small archaeological museum, with finds from Kition and the Hala Sultan Tekke excavations
• Palm Trees (Phinikoudes) – The palm-lined seafront of Larnaka town bustles with cafes, tavernas, shops and bars
• Larnaka Marina – The marina with 450 yacht capacity attracts many boats as a safe wintering place
• Hala Sultan Tekke – Built in 1816 over the tomb of I mm Haram, who died on this spot in 649 during the first Arab raids. According to Legend l mm Haram was a relative of the Prophet Mohammed and the Tekke is an important place of Muslim pilgrimage ranking immediately after the shrines of Mecca, Medina and al Aksha in Jerusalem
• Chapelle Royal – situated in the Pyrga village it was built by the Lusignan King Jenus in 1421 and contains a wall painting of the king with his wife, Charlotte de Bourbon, on one of its walls
• Lefkara – a village famous for its local lace known as 'Lefkaritika' and for its silver-ware. According to tradition, Leonardo Da Vinci visited the village and bought an altar cloth, which he donated to the Milan cathedral

PAFOS (PAPHOS) – APHRODITES CITY

The west coastal town of Pafos is located on the lee of the Western Troodos Mountains and has its own international airport nearby thus making it a popular tourist destination. The resort is characterised by its luxurious hotels along the coastline giving Pafos an air of holiday charm combined with history. The lower part of the town - known as Kato Pafos is the home of the harbour, the fish tavernas, souvenir shops and several beautiful hotels with important archaeological sites around them. The legendary birth of Aphrodite on Pafos’s shores brought fame and worshippers there to follow the cult of the Goddess.

Places of Interest 

• Paphos District Archaeological Museum – home to a collection of antiquities from the Pafos area
• Tombs of The Kings – a large area containing underground tombs carved out of solid rock dating to the 4th century BC, many decorated with Doric pillars. Whether Kings were buried here or not, the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name
• The Mosaics Of Paphos – located near the harbour of Kato Pafos are the House of Dionysos, House of Theseus and the recently excavated House of Aion. Amazing mosaic floors from the 3^rd century AD are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean
• Temple Of Aphrodite – located in the Kouklia village, it is one of the most celebrated places of pilgrimage of the ancient Greek world. The ruins of the famous Temple of Aphrodite, the most ancient remains, go back to the 12th century B.C.
• Petra Tou Romiou (Birthplace of Aphrodite) – According to legend, Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, rose from the waves in this strikingly beautiful spot. It is characterised by an arrangement of three large rocks
• Baths of Aphrodite (Akamas Peninsula, Near Polis) – this is an area of breath taking beauty associated with Aphrodite. According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to bathe in the pool of the nearby natural grotto. The baths are considered a source of fertility

TROODOS 

The Troodos area is home to nine Byzantine churches which are included in the official UNESCO list of cultural treasures of the World's heritage: Stavros tou Ayiasmati, Panayia tou Araka, Timiou Stavrou at Pelendri, Ayios Nikolaos tis Stegis, Panayia Podithou, Assinou, Ayios loannis Lampadistis, Panayia tou Moutoula, and Archangel Michael at Pedhoulas. The impressive Troodos mountain range stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus, offering cool sanctuary and idyllic hours spent in long walks in its scented pine forests in summer and winter sports and skiing in winter. The Troodos area is home to the Mount Olympus (height 1951 metres), the district of Pitsillia to the east of Mount Olympus, the district of Solea Valley, the district of Marathassa Valley to the north of Mount Olympus, and the district of Krassochoria (the Wine Villages) to the south (north-west of the Limassol district).

Places of Interest

• Pitsillia – the area is characterised by picturesque villages that cling to the mountain side amid vineyards, orchards of almond and hazelnut trees, and an astonishing array of wild flowers
• Marathassa Valley – the area is well-known for its cherries
• Kykko Monastery – The most famous and richest monastery in Cyprus dedicated to the Virgin Mary
• Troodhitissa Monastery – a monastery standing amid pine trees, with a church that houses a priceless icon of the Virgin Mary brought from Asia Minor, plated with silver-gilt and many other valuable icons
• Mesa Potamos Monastery – this is a deserted monastery which includes a nearby waterfall
• Krassochoria (The Wine Villages) - Old traditions are kept alive in these villages where the cultivation of the vineyards and wine-making are still the main occupation of most of the inhabitants. This is the area which produces famous local red dry wine
• Machairas Monastery – this monastery was started by two monks in 1148 when an icon of the Virgin Mary was found in a nearby cave