Paphos
Paphos is known as the capital of the west, acting as the gateway to Akamas Peninsular, a conservation wilderness of natural beauty with impressive gorges, spectacular coastlines and enjoyable nature trails.
Much of the land around Paphos, which is strewn with banana plantations and backed by the gentle foothills of the western Troodos range, has retained its natural ruggedness making the countryside a great discovery for the walker and naturist.
Brought to the world’s stage with the manifestation of the Goddess Aphrodite spawned from its shoreline, Paphos became a place of pilgrimage and worship from neighbouring nations that lasted for several centuries. With remarkable history and inherited treasures such as the mosaics in the House of Dionysos, the Tombs of the Kings and, of course, Aphrodite’s Sanctuary, Paphos is nothing less than an open-air museum!
The modern Paphos which boasts its own airport, magnificent hotels, restaurants and cafes for the benefit of its visitors, has embraced change with open arms but its heart will always be shrouded in the magical mystery and legend of the Goddess of Love and Beauty.
Limassol
Limassol the second largest city in Cyprus, has the great advantage of being centrally located on the south coast with easy access and short travelling distances to any part of the island. Acting as a magnificent backdrop to the city that spreads for ten miles along the coast is the majestic Troodos mountain range.
The city is an effervescent cocktail of quaint streets, combining modern and traditional shopping, museums and carefree holiday atmosphere. With its long sandy beaches, wide seafront promenade and numerous noteworthy historical sites, unsurprisingly, Limassol has become the leading seaside resort on the island.
Travelling north, towards the fertile foothills of the Troodos mountains, the sight of picturesque villages and livestock clinging precariously onto rock-face is breathtaking. Cultivated on this rich land are olives, almonds and cereals as well as some of the finest wine-producing grapes; crowing Limassol as the wine capital of Cyprus .
With such a vibrant fusion of past and progressive present, Limassol emerges as a spirited cosmopolitan seaside town surrounded by culture and deep-rooted traditions.
Nicosia
Nicosia which can be found on the Messaoria Central Plane has been the island’s capital since the 11th Century and in present day history, it’s the only divided capital in the world following the invasion of the island by Turkey in 1974.
Although the city has been destroyed numerous times, there are still plenty of remnants to appreciate its rich past. The most striking landmark is the 4.5metre-thick, 3-mile long wall encircling the old city built by the Venetians between 1567 and 1570 to fortify the town against invaders. Nicosia is a historian’s paradise scattered with monuments of historical significance and museums to suit every interest.
The new modern and dynamic Nicosia with its cosmopolitan approach to life, sprawls beyond the inner city wall and into the Laiki Yitonia - an area recently restored to its former glory with a true rustic character and well worth a visit. Traditional houses preserved through the centuries with overhanging balconies and an abundance of shops offer its visitors a chance to step into the past, taste the local fare and exploit the Cypriot hospitality!
Larnaca
Larnaca is home to the island’s international airport and therefore offers many visitors their first taste of Cyprus . One of the first sights is the beautiful Salt Lake, home to colonies of graceful migratory flamingos and numerous other birds.
Birthplace of the philosopher Zeno, Larnaca was also the home of St. Lazarus. The Church and Tomb of St Lazarus standing in the town centre are a lasting and befitting monument to the town’s first Bishop and patron saint. The villageof Lefkaraon the west side of the town, became famous for its lace-like embroidery known as `Lefkaritika' when Leonardo Da Vinci, captivated by the perfection and delicacy of the needlework, purchased an altar cloth for the Milan Cathedral.
At the western end of Larnaca bay, proudly stands the town's l7th Century fort, which now houses the LarnacaMediaevalMuseum. The long promenade is lined with palm trees and the seafront bustles with cafes, tavernas, shops and bars.
Ayia Napa
Ayia Napa is situated near CapeGreco, on the east side of Larnaca and south of Famagustacounty. Over recent years the area has flourished from a fishing and agricultural village into a thriving tourist centre with only traces of its rural past.
The golden sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean make an irresistible combination for any traveller. Below the surface of the warm sea, rocky crevices, porticoes and underwater kingdoms are abound with sea life. The past is always on your doorstep in Cyprusand this is no exception in Ayia Napa. Tombs of the Hellenistic and Roman periods, numerous chapels and the Monastery of Ayia Napa are just a few of the great discoveries made over the last few centuries.
Today, although Ayia Napa is a cosmopolitan tourist paradise, the locals still maintain the simplicity of life and traditions passed down by generations making it an exciting blend of past and present-day living in unity.
