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 | CYPRUSAREA GUIDE |  |
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Welcome to Cyprus, an island of legends that basks year-round in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun. A storied past 10,000 years long has seen civilizations come and go and the likes of everyone from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra stake their claim here - but then, people do tend to get possessive when faced with such beauty. Aphrodite made her home on Cyprus, and travellers throughout the ages came here just to pay her tribute. Today Cyprus is a modern country that effortlessly marries European culture with ancient enchantment. Cyprus is the third largest Mediterranean island after Sicily and Sardinia. It has a population of circa 750,000 with an area of 9.251 sq. km. The history of the island dates back to the Neolithic Age. Historical and archaeologically valuable sites are only a few kilometres away from modern cities. Cyprus is a fascinating mosaic of time combining the old with the new. Here you will discover a compact world of alluring beaches and fragrant mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins that stir the imagination, citrus groves and old stone villages where sweet wine flows as freely as conversations at the local cafe. Cyprus is a carefree place where a sense of timelessness is magnified by the kindness of the people. LARNACA Larnaca, with its international airport and busy shipping port, is usually the first sight to greet those arriving on Cyprus soil. And no welcome could be sunnier for in Larnaca deep blue seas meet bright sand beaches under incomparably brilliant skies. Here yachts and sailing vessels from around the globe bob and glint, and along the harbour perimeter is a palm-lined promenade. Between shopping trips to Larnaca’s international-calibre boutiques, inviting cafés offer shady resting spots and sweeping ocean views. The promenade winds its way to a striking finale, the Larnaca Medieval Museum, housed in a 17th-century fort. One of the oldest, continually inhabited cities in the world, Larnaca abounds with sights. Nearby are an 18th-century aqueduct, and two wonderful museums — the Larnaca District Archaeological Museum and the Pierides Foundation Museum. Both contain exceptional examples of Mediterranean art. As a result of its relative lack of tourists, renting or buying in Larnaca can be cheaper than other coastal resorts, which could be a deciding factor when thinking about moving to this very welcoming town and its friendly people, though these prices are already on the rise. >>back to top AYIA NAPA/ PROTARAS With its superb beaches and multi-star hotels, this south-eastern region of Cyprus draws discerning sun seekers from all over the globe. But this part of the island remains the agricultural heart of Cyprus, where traditional windmills stand with modern aqueducts to irrigate the fertile red soil. Life in this corner of Cyprus revolves around the sea, with water sports of all kinds readily available - from scuba diving to water-skiing and paragliding. Agia Napa, once a small fishing village, is now a lively resort. Historic sites such as a 16th-century Venetian monastery lend character to a town that’s best known for its colourful shops, taverns and discos. Another focal point is the crescent harbour, crowded with bright fishing boats. The day’s catch makes a superb seafood dinner at the popular restaurants nearby. Protaras is another area benefiting from glorious beaches spread out under the sun, while just inland the whitewashed town of Paralimni boasts open-air taverns known for their succulent grilled fish. And if you fancy a slower pace of life, one only needs to drive a few miles from these most contemporary of resorts to find traditional towns and quiet lifestyles where you will instantly feel eons away. The rugged coast toward Cape Greco, with its string of calm sandy coves, is strikingly peaceful and blessed with indescribably beautiful sunsets. >>back to top LIMASSOL During the Crusades, Richard the Lion-Heart, leader of the Third Crusade, landed in Limassol (Lemesos), to free a noblewoman held captive by the Byzantine sovereign. They married there, and celebrated with the most extravagant party the island had ever seen. Today, the legacy of those festivities lives on in this vibrant seaside town. In February before Lent, masked revellers invade the street with music, parades, and dancing for Carnival. In September, the Wine Festival explodes in the town for a week. And every night people in restaurants, cafés, and nightclubs celebrate events momentous and trivial, from a soccer win to a sudden romance to yet another stunning sunset at day’s end. Limassol has many amenities such as gardens, theatres, cinemas and a thriving nightlife. It is also home to ten miles of beautiful beaches, and is the main industrial port for the island. Limassol is very much a working town, which means there is something happening all year round. >>back to top PAPHOS Enter another world, where idols and temples, graves and goddesses make up the fabric of everyday life. Paphos is where Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, is said to have risen from the waves that crash on its shores. Petra tou Romiou, or Aphrodite’s Rock, is a massive chunk of stone that marks this spot and her birthplace was a place of pilgrimage for the entire Hellenic world. Archaeological discoveries in the Paphos region are continual, making it a highlight for those tracing civilization’s roots in Cyprus. It’s small wonder that the whole town of Paphos is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of world heritage. Paphos is a town divided into two main areas - Kato Paphos and Paphos. Both are part of a thriving, year round resort that combines the old and the new through its rich historical sites and modern hotels, bars and nightclubs. There are a large number of new housing developments in and around Paphos to cater for its growing popularity, and the area has it’s own international airport. Further west are the towns of Polis and Latchi, smaller quieter resorts that, though undergoing development, still retain much of their original character. >>back to top TROODOS MOUNTAINS There is a great deal of peace and quiet to be found at 1400 metres above sea level, and many Cypriots have weekend homes in the island’s mountain villages, an haven for rest and relaxation. Skiing is popular in the winter, and the spectacular scenery is a particular enticement to those who choose to make the mountains their home. For those expatriates wishing to live the simple life and experience traditional Cypriot ways, living in a village such as Prodomos or Platres could be ideal. There is obviously less in the way of amenities and a car is essential, but most villages are only a short drive away from urban areas that provide more in the way of entertainment. >>back to top NICOSIA During the Venetian expansion eastward in the 1500’s, Nicosia (Lefkosia), the capitol of Cyprus, was fortified with imposing stone walls and massive gates. The famous Famagusta Gate still stands today, proudly protecting the still-ancient town within from the modern city without. Through the Gate lies Laiki Geitonia, an old section of charming winding alleys with traditional houses, shops, restaurants and galleries all lovingly restored as typical examples of Cypriot urban architecture of a bygone, more graceful age. Wind your way through narrow stone streets where crimson flowers cascade from window pots and the aroma of traditional baking wafts through open doorways. Nicosia is an intoxicating mix of has charming taverns, superb jewellery and handicraft shops, centuries old churches and fascinating museums, and a famed nightlife. Beyond the walls is the new city, which is home to more shops, modern hotels and offices, schools and suburban districts. Nicosia is a cultural city and is host to a cultural centre, an arts centre, and a number of theatres and cinemas. Anyone choosing Nicosia in which to start a new life would rarely be short of things to do. >>back to top |
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