Cyprus: So much to see
Cyprus is a small, demure island where a pleasant, laidback atmosphere makes belies thousands of years of turbulent history. From Alexander the Great to the British Empire, for long it has been coveted by the great imperial powers of Europe. Julius Caesar gave it as a gift to Cleopatra. Cyprus is a rich island with so many stories written into its sands.
Today, it is a destination with quality hotels, culture and great nightlife. The old and the new come together, as it is a place where you can ride a jet-ski at the beach or dance the night away at Ayia Napa just as easily as you could walk around the ruins of a Byzantine monastery.
The Kourion is a spectacular site, an ancient city with a magnificent theatre originally built in the 2nd century BC but which has now been fully restored and is used for a great many shows. The Tombs of the Kings meanwhile are impressive and imposing, spread over a vast space and carved from solid rock nearly two and a half thousand years ago.
If you're spending time in Ayia Napa, then just down the road is Water World, a water park with rides likeThe Quest of Heraclesâ, The Fall of Icarusâ and Aphrodites Bath, all harking back to classical times, and certainly good fun.
The Troodos Mountains are covered with pine forests, small brooks and citrus groves, and Cypriots come here to escape the heat of the towns on the coast, as it provides a very temperate climate.
The capital city of Lefkosia/Nicosia is divided between Greece and Turkey, and is today the only divided capital in the world, with 16th century Venetian walls surrounding the heart of the city, where you will find narrow sandstone streets and smell the exotic fragrance of jasmine in the air. In the Archbishop Palace in the city you can find folk art and a Byzantine Museum.
The beaches of course are never far away. The most striking are in the south east of the island, around Ayia Napa and Protaras. Around Limassol, Ladies Mile Beach seems to stretch for miles. For the more adventurous, Lara Beach is a breeding ground for endangered green and loggerhead turtles and is protected land, but is well worth the visit.
As the attractions are scattered all across the island, you may well wish to consider hiring a car to get around. It is certainly worth it so that you can properly see all that Cyprus has to offer. Just make sure that your car insurance will cover you for driving abroad, if not you could = try a provider like Co-operative Insurance.
Just make sure that your car insurance will cover you for driving abroad, if not you could = try a provider like Co-operative Insurance.
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