| Nestled into the eastern part of Mediterranean Sea, | | | | in the country's south, are unforgettable. This is |
| Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. | | | | where the highest point on the islanond - mount |
| Cyprus history for the past 10,000 years has seen | | | | Olympus (1,952m, 6,507ft) located. Kykkos |
| civilizations come and go and famous historical figures | | | | Monastery, in the western Troodos, is the best |
| such as Alexander the Great to Cleopatra stake their | | | | known Christian Orthodox monastery. Built in the 12th |
| claim here. According to the legend, Aphrodite, the | | | | century, it's been completely renovated and contains |
| Greek goddess of love and beauty was born here. | | | | a museum of religious icons including the icon of |
| From independent travellers to honeymooners, | | | | Christ and the Virgin Mary painted by St. Luke himself. |
| archaeology enthusiasts to friends of nature, | | | | On the Throni Peak in the region there is a tomb of |
| adventure lovers to people enjoying lazy days on a | | | | Archibishop Makarios, the first Cyprus President. |
| beach visitors to Cyprus find offers to everyone's | | | | COLOSSI CASTLE: Built by the Crusaders |
| taste. Food lovers feast on farm-fresh halloumi | | | | (Hospitallers, the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) in |
| cheese and delectable meze, the local specialty | | | | the 13th century this castle served as their |
| appetizers that mix Western ingredients with Eastern | | | | headquarter. This well-preserved castle , restored in |
| zest. Business travelers appreciate the fine, modern | | | | 1933 is a good example of military architecture of |
| conference facilities and warm, professional service at | | | | that period. A spiral staircase leads up to the roof |
| numerous hotels and resorts. Since 1974 there have | | | | and the restored battlements. There are also plenty |
| been two countries on the island of Cyprus - the | | | | of citrus orchards in the area, and you can pick up |
| Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the | | | | some of country's juiciest oranges in the markets |
| southern Republic of Cyprus. So you can actually visit | | | | here. SALAMIS: It was the most important |
| two countries for the price of one. We invite you to | | | | pre-Christian city in Cyprus. You could easily spend a |
| get a delightful taste of what both Greece and | | | | day here, exploring these very extensive ruins that |
| Turkey have to offer: beautiful sunny beaches, small | | | | include a fully restored Roman amphitheatre, the |
| charming villages, ruins of ancient civilizations and | | | | gymnasium with marble baths, and the mosaics, a |
| distinctive local cultures. HISTORY: Cyprus (Kypros in | | | | temple of Zeus, numerous statues of the 4th |
| Greek) gave copper its latin name: cuprum. First | | | | century. Byzantine remains include the basilica of |
| Greeks settled on Cyprusin the late Bronze Age | | | | Bishop Epiphanos (4th century AD). The necropolis of |
| (1,600 B.C.) and established trade links with Egypt and | | | | Salamis covers 7 sq. km (almost 3sq.miles) to the |
| the Aegean islands. During this period ceramic art first | | | | west of the town. It contains a museum showing |
| flourished. Alexander the Great wrestled the island | | | | some of the finds. Close to the site is a very nice |
| away from the Persians . As centuries passed by, | | | | beach, so bring your swimming suits. ACTIVITIES: A |
| the island came consequently under Persian, Assyrian, | | | | country of resorts, Cyprus has plenty of places |
| Egyptian, and Roman rule. The Roman emperor Marc | | | | where you can try water sports. If it's windsurfing or |
| Antony gave Cyprus as a gift to his lover, the | | | | sailing you want, head to the peninsulas and capes, |
| beautiful Cleopatra. Then came a long period of | | | | where the wind is strongest. There's also at least |
| Byzantine domination. For a hundred years until 1571 | | | | one sea-diving site in each of the big resorts. |
| the flag of the Republic of Venice flew in Cyprus, | | | | Mountain biking and hiking are possible all over the |
| when the Ottoman Turks occupied it. In 1878 Cyprus | | | | island, with specially marked trails in the southern hills, |
| became part of the British Empire. It gained | | | | on the Akamas Peninsula and in the Troodos. |
| independent status in 1960. Cyprus History - Recent | | | | Although hardly renowned for its skiing, Cyprus does |
| Past and Present: A Greek, Archbishop Makarios, | | | | have a resort on the northeastern face of Mount |
| became an elected president. On 15 July 1974 a | | | | Olympus, but it's not exactly world standard. For a |
| CIA-sponsored, Greek-organised coup overthrew | | | | golf fan there are several courses, the most popular |
| Makarios and replaced him with a puppet leader. | | | | are in the Paphos district. Spear-fishing (without |
| Turkey responded by invading the island and Greece | | | | aqualung) angling, fishing with vertical lines or trolling |
| quickly pulled out, but the Turks did not stop and | | | | are the permitted methods for which no licence is |
| took the northern third of the island, forcing 180,000 | | | | required. Birdwatching trips and social events are |
| Greek Cypriots to flee their homes. In 1983 Turkish | | | | organized for members and the general public. |
| Cypriots proclaimed a separate state, naming it the | | | | Horse-riding can be enjoyed at special centres, |
| Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Peace | | | | professional training facilities, equipped with instructors |
| talks have been held sporadically, but Cyprus remains | | | | who provide lessons for beginners and advanced |
| divided. ATTRACTIONS:NICOSIA: The island's capital | | | | riders. want, head to the peninsulas and capes, where |
| city is divided in two parts by the UN-patrolled Green | | | | the wind is strongest. GETTING THERE AND |
| Line, which separates the Republic from Northern | | | | AROUND, ACCOMODATIONS: The Republic of |
| Cyprus. Nicosia is a friendly, laid-back place, with good | | | | Cyprus has airports at Larnaka and Paphos, you can |
| restaurants, museums, and a lively art scene.A visit | | | | book a flight from most of Europe and the Middle |
| here should give you a less touristy view of the | | | | East. North Cyprus has an international airport at |
| country than you'll get if you stick to the coastal | | | | Ercan, only Turkish airlines fly there. By sea, you can |
| towns. The old town , inside the 16th-century | | | | get to Greece and Israel from the Republic's port in |
| Venetian walls, is the most interesting part of Nicosia, | | | | Lemesos. There are ferries from North Cyprus to |
| a home to numerous little shops where you can | | | | Turkey, but you cannot exit Cyprus this way unless |
| bargain directly with the owners. The Cathedral of | | | | you entered from Turkey. Bus services run within |
| St.John houses some outstanding frescoes. The | | | | and between towns every day except Sunday, they |
| Cyprus Archeological Museum exhibits the priceless | | | | are cheap, frequent and efficient. Visitors may travel |
| collection of Cypriot antiquities and art treasures. | | | | between the North and the South. 2 and 3- day |
| Visiting Nicosia gives you a chance to cross the | | | | cruises from Cyprus to Jerusalem, Cairo and Jordan |
| Green Line and to explore the Turkish part of the | | | | are very popular among tourists. They can be |
| capital city. Passing through the "no man" zone within | | | | booked through any travel agency on the island. |
| the Green Line, where everything is left untouched | | | | Prices start from $300 USD. 9-11-night Eastern |
| since the 1974 military action, seeing houses covered | | | | Mediterranean cruises with Cyprus' Limassol as one of |
| with bullet holes leaves unforgetable impression. The | | | | ports of call would cost you from $1,200 USD. Hotel |
| Turkish part of Nicosia is smaller, has less things to | | | | prices start from $65 USD/room in peak season |
| see, but carries its own charm and specific culture. | | | | when booked through our agency. WHEN TO GO, |
| More about going to the Northern Cyprus- here. | | | | WEATHER: The climate here is typically |
| PAPHOS: One of the most beautiful parts of the | | | | Mediterranean, with very hot July and August. There |
| island, place where, according to the legend, | | | | are over 300 sunny days per year. Mid-May to |
| Aphrodite arose from from the foaming waves. | | | | mid-October is the ideal season for swimming, |
| Among the souvenir shops you'll see Saranta Kolones, | | | | sunbathing and watersports. Temperatures are cooler |
| a Lusignian fortress destroyed by an earthquake in | | | | in the mountaneous Troodos area, making it ideal for |
| the 13th century; it's mostly fallen columns and sewer | | | | hiking or simply relaxing. December and January are |
| tunnels. The underground Tombs of the Kings dated | | | | the months of wet and cool Mediterranean winter. |
| back to the 4th century are carved out of the solid | | | | Troodos is ideal for skiing at this time. The first |
| rock, some of them are frescoed and are thought to | | | | flowers bloom in January, and by mid-February there |
| have been the burial sites of aristocrats and high | | | | are fresh green meadows and blooming almond trees. |
| officials. In Greco-Roman times Paphos was the | | | | March days are still cool (daytime temperatures |
| island's capital, and it is famous for the remains of the | | | | around 19C or 65F, 9C or 40F at night). In April and |
| Roman Governor's palace, House of Dionysos , with | | | | into the middle of May spring is in full force. This is an |
| its stunning mosaics which is now a major tourist | | | | ideal time for nature hikes and off-road adventures. |
| attraction. There is a small harbour and an upper | | | | The most pleasant times to visit Cyprus are |
| town slightly to the north where the larger shops, | | | | April-May and September-October. Visit us at: for a |
| offices and town administration are based. | | | | full guide to Cyprus with travel tips and useful links. |
| TROODOS MASSIF: The Troodos region mountains, | | | | We wish you a nice and safe trip! |