Cyprus Holidays The Island of Love

Here is just a little taste of what this magical island has to offer:  – Cyprus is my second home, the birthplace of Aphrodite, and the goddess of love, and the Island of love. Cyprus offers a world of exceptional experiences, with amazing sandy beaches with warm pure crystal blue waters, to venturing inland into the pine clad mountains where you will find yourself on winding roads taking you through dense forest, heading towards the magnificent mountain peaks. Tucked neatly into the landscape, old stone villages were the locals invite you to stop and sample the local wines which flow freely so you have to make sure the driver is on water only, or pop into the little village restaurants bars and cafes which is offering local cuisine . “Why you ask”…  is Cyprus so perfect? The answer is simple, because it offers something for everyone. If you love history you will not be disappointed. Many wonder how such a small island can offers so much. You won't have to travel to far to see some of the ancient ruins that will tell much about the island's rich and complicated historical heritage accumulated during thousands of years.From hidden Venetian bridges and ancient tombs, castles and monasteries, abbeys there is so much to explore. Kyrenia Is a wonderful Historical Harbour town, which has certainly grown over the years, it offers something for everyone in the form of shops, bars and restaurants -  offering a full range of cuisines from around the world.  Large pedestrianised area around the castle offer amazing views.The strange thing is there is very little information offered about the founders of this amazing town. Said to be established by the Achaens coming from the Peloponnese around the 10^th century BC is one theory, whilst others claim it was founded by the Phoenicians around the 9^th century BC, What is certain is that it was for many centuries, one of the 10 known kingdoms of Cyprus. Famagusta is one of my fascinating places - the walled city. Discover an amazing array of shops, bars, coffee shops and restaurants,  The town of Famagusta was originally a small quaint fishing village and commercial port,and possesses the deepest harbour in Cyprus . The name in Greek Ammokhostos, and in Turkish Gazimagusa but the Famagusta is a Frankish corruption of its Greek name, which means "buried in the sand".  The town that we know now as Paphos is actually the New Paphos. The old Paphos village was founded in the fourth century BC and became the capital of the western side of Cyprus. It thrived for hundreds of years, however it was destroyed by a massive earthquake in the twelfth century BC. Today Paphos is a tourist zone. Kato Paphos offers a seafront of palms and a busy Harbour with a strong British influence including a food offering of English breakfasts and UK-style pubs. If you venture out of the main area the buildings of the back streets take you back to the 'olden days'. The old town is a much quieter area with some good hotels and the chance to see old colonial architecture. Nearby is Paphos Archaeological site, one of the south's richest historical heritage spots.  Years ago Protaras was well known for its windmills. Protaras today still offers visitors the chance to glimpse some of those famous windmills which enrich the culture of this beautiful area. The first hotels and tourist apartments opened in around 1977 and have continued to grow over the years, making  the wonderful horse shoe shaped town that is situated between Paralimni and Ayia Napa and only 45 minutes from Larnaca airport a perfect holiday destination.  home to some of the most wonderful beaches a popular family fun resort. It offers safe beaches and a good selection of shops, restaurants which are set around the main promenade, boulevard. The tourist area of Protaras is one of the nicest areas on the islands and the locals are particularly proud of their setting and rightly so. The most famous beach at Fig Tree Bay is home to many fig trees. Larnaca is a town that works hard to hang on to its authentic roots. There is a mix of old, historic buildings along with a mix of more modern developments. The liveliest area is around the main seafront promenade where restaurants and family-owned businesses operate, like they done for decades. The town has a calm atmosphere is calm and has a genuine community feeling to it. Magnificent Neolithic sites are located nearby.  So, whether you are in need of a touch of R&R on a secluded beach followed by a peaceful evening meal overlooking a stunning view, or you want to fill your day with action and then dance the night away in one of the numerous clubs or discos, not a problem Cyprus can oblige. Plus for sports lovers, sightseers, and pleasure seekers, A holiday in Cyprus you will find is hard to beat. Limassol is of my history highlights on the island Graves that were found date back to 2.000 BC and others date way back to the 8^th & 4^th century BC have been discovered. Today, Limassol is a vibrant busy cosmopolitan resort with an amazing beach, a large pedestrianized area around the castle, and a wide range of places to eat or drink that is covering all tastes. The new promenade and marina really adds to its appeal while all the historic sites and the mountains are within easy reach. Ayia Napa has some perfect beaches and was a former fishing village. Now it has become one of the best places to party in Europe, although in recent years locals have managed to tame it a bit! With its array of bars and clubs, it attracts the young and lively. In spite of its reputation of being a giant disco, there is still so much to see and do with history lovers enjoying it's monastery, museum and ancient tombs. Polis is a firm favourite for many (even the locals). This small town offers some good hotels and resorts and shops and has some amazing restaurants. It's a great place for all the family. According to tradition Athenia Akamas son of Theseus, disembarked near Polis after the Trojan war and gave his name to cape of Akamas and the city of Akamantis, a legendary City that has never been found. Polis is now the administrative centre.

• Capital : Nicosia/Lefkosa
• Airports : Larnaca/Paphos/Ercan
• Language : Greek/Turkish & English
• Currency : Euro/Turkish Lira /GBP
• Time Difference+2 GMT

All over Cyprus, there is a great range of restaurants offering delicious, traditional dishes. With influences from around the world Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. Where ever you chose to eat it really is a wholesome treat to enrich your holiday experience and adding to your memories. A Meze is one of the best ways to sample Cypriot food. Enjoy a selection of tasters to share with family or friends. Typically from a range of local dishes you might find dips, vegetables, fish and meat on the menu. The great the thing is you will find that a whole range of restaurants all offering something different every time. Halloumi is a local cheese. Made from goats milk and/or sheep's milk, it has a rubbery texture, a salty taste and is delicious grilled, in a salad. Cypriot kebabs are amazing. They are what the UK's favourite 'after-the-pub' snack tastes like. A specialty of the north of the island. The kebabs are very different to what we know a Kebab to taste like in the UK! Sweets: You can visit Cyprus with trying out the world renowned Turkish Delight - this fragrant, sugary sweet teat is always an ideal present to bring home. Cyprus Wines. An annual wine festival is usually held annually in September. It's an ideal time to sample sample the great quality of local wines available. There are 'wine experiences' day tours which can be organised in advance - these tours are amoungst my favourite. Weather and climate information   The Mediterranean has plenty of sunshine throughout the year and Cyprus is no exception: with nine months of summer and three of spring, it is idyllic holiday weather all year round. The temperatures below are only for guidance only: - MAX TEMP C -  JAN – FEB – MAR – APR – MAY - JUN – JUL – AUG – SEP – OCT – NOV – DEC CYPRUS       -   16   -    17   -  19   -   24  -   29   -  31   - 31    -  32    -   31  -    26   -   22   -  20 LONDON        -    6    -   7     -   10   - 13  -   17    - 20  -   22    -   21   -   19   -    14   -   10   -   7 SUNSHINE HOURS                              -  JAN – FEB – MAR – APR – MAY - JUN – JUL – AUG – SEP – OCT – NOV – DEC CYPRUS         -   6   -    7   -     8   -    9  -      9    -  11   -   12    -   12    -  11  -    9  -  7  -    5 LONDON        -   1    -    2    -   4   -      5  -    6    -     7  -     6    -    6   -     5  -    3   -   2   -  1