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| About Cyprus |  The contrasting scenery in Cyprus is a constant source of delight, from the beautiful, panoramic, sea vistas, stretches of beach and little isolated coves, to the cool of the mountains, with many picturesque villages in between.
Travelling to the island of Cyprus involves either flying or ferries. Flights being the most direct route. It is possible to get a cheap flight to Cyprus if you are able to travel at short notice and if you are not time-limited or having to travel during the school holiday period. Charter airlines offering regular packages or flights to Cyprus include: First Choice, Britannia and Cyprair. Scheduled flights are available from airlines such as Cyprus Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air Austria, Aeroflot, Air France and KLM.
Accommodation in Cyprus ranges from luxury Hotel Resorts to Youth Hostels with many visitors being students coming to Cyprus in their gap year to gain some work experience, earn a little money to see them through college and mainly experience a different lifestyle before they embark on their chosen career.
Many visitors to Cyprus so fall in love with its people and its climate that they choose to buy their own holiday home and establish themselves in some way as part of the community rather than simply holidaying here.. Perhaps by escaping the winter weather in their native counrty by basing themselves in Cyprus through the temperate winter months here.
There are approximately 110,000 foreign born immigrants in Cyprus, about 30,000 of these being British ex-pats. The population of Cyprus is approximately 750,000 and the island covers a total area of only 9251 square Kilometres or 3572 square miles.
Once here, Nicosia, of course, is your typical capital city, sophisticated and cosmopolitan in the new areas and quaint in the older ones such as the Laiki Geitonia tourist area. Nicosia offers nightclubs, bars, restaurants and cafe society. It has the largest population on the island, with many businesses located here. The stock exchange can be found on the outskirts of Nicosia and the Cyprus International Fairground can host many exhibitions. Ledra Street is fascinating in its dubious distinction of being a border site in the last remaining divided capital in Europe. It is possible these days to cross the border and stay for a short while in the North of the island, and for European Union citizens it is no longer necessary to show a passport at the checkpoints, only some other form of ID.
All travelling distances in Cyprus are relatively manageable within one days' sightseeing using rental cars. Car and motor-bike hire is easily arranged, either as part of your holiday package or even independently via the internet prior to arrival in Cyprus. Most of the road routes (in the Republic) are fairly modern and well-kept although some of the secondary routes are a little more adventurous. Maps are clearly marked with the different types of road.
Cyprus has a relatively low crime rate compared to other European countries and in many of the villages (and outside some of the larger supermarkets), it is possible to see cars and trucks with their keys in the ignition. Doors are often left unlocked in the villages still, whether inhabitants are in or out. This means that generally you can feel very safe here and children are more easily able to play outside and enjoy a healthier lifestyle, although it is not advisable to become too complacent even here.
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 The Greek Orthodox Church continues to play a large part in the lives of most Greek Cypriots, maintaining traditional values and close knit family units. Sunday is a day for families to spend together, as are the Bank Holidays and many of the islands' tavernas are full on these occasions with Cypriots enjoying traditional mezedes "en-famille".
Cyprus upholds many other age old colourful traditions such as Carnival and Anthestiria, as well as the Wine festival, with ancient Gods such as Dionysos being honoured. These traditions co-exist happily with the religious festivals such as Christmas, Easter and Kataklysmos. |
The latest news which may change the history of Cyprus yet again, relates to the theory of American Scientist, Robert Sarmast, who believes that Atlantis actually existed as part of Cyprus.
In his book published last year, he outlines his theory which is based on 3D bathymetric maps of the land under the sea off Cyprus. He has been able to use these maps to correlate features of the land mass with the fifty physical characteristics of Atlantis described by Plato in his "Critias" and "Timaeus" dialogues.
This summer, Sarmast gets the chance to test his theory as he commences his underwater expedition to find the lost City of Atlantis. He will be using submersible equipment to gain film footage that he hopes will show remnants of the megalithic stone structures he believes will be found on the sea bed, miles from the shore of Cyprus.
We wait with baited breath for the first "live" images of Platos descriptions of colossal buildings, bridges, roads, canals and stone temples.
The discovery of ancient artifacts supporting this theory would create even more cause for celebration than Greece Euro 2004 cup win and the arrival of the Olympic Flame combined!!! Fingers crossed......
Click here for more information on the History of Cyprus. |
Cyprus has some stunning beaches
We have some best beaches in the med, this is one of the reasons that tourists enjoy themselves so much and helps the economy ,We have 48 beaches to choose from that have the Blue flag award and lots of others which are small private coves.
Limassol benefits from 11 blue flag beaches which can be found at: Pissouri, Kalymnos, Akti Olympion, Aphrodite, Castella, Vouppa, Armonia, Loures, Onisilos, Santa Barbara and Aoratoi.
Larnaca area has four blue flag beaches which can be found at: McKenzie, Castella, Yanathese and Phinikoudes.
Ammochostos / Free Famagusta District (Ayia Napa) area , has the most blue flag beaches (22), which can be found at: Ayia Thekla, Konnos Bay, Landa, Nissi, Vathia Gonia, Nissi Beach, Gliki Nero, Ammos tou Kampouri, Macronissos, Louko tou Mandi, Vrissi (A, B & C) beaches, Nissi Bay, Pernera P & A, Katsarga, Louma, Kermia, Protaras, Nissia Loumbardi, Potami and Pantahou.
The most popular of the above beaches in the Ammochostos area are: Nissi and Macronissos, with Konnos Bay is one of the most peaceful.
There are 11 blue flag beaches in the Paphos area, which can be found at: Alykes, Polis camp site, Faros, Pachyammos, Coral Bay, the Municipal Beach, Laourou, the Municipal Baths, Geroskipou and Vrysoudia A & B beaches. Coral Bay is one of the best in the Pafos area for children as it is very shallow.
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