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Ever since Anthony gave Cyprus to Cleopatra as the ultimate love token, Cyprus has been stirring passions. It is an island steeped in myth and legend, history and hospitality, sunshine and romance. There's something about Cyprus that draws its visitors back year after year. Main holiday areas include (click to read more)
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(continued)Ayia Napia, Protaras, Limassol, Paphos , Kapparis, Paralimni Proteras, Polis, Latchi, Coral Bay, Peyia and Aphrodite Hills. Byron found its rich history “almost too profuse” and Richard the Lionheart lost his heart here, when he married Queen Berengaria. Cyprus is renowned for its numerous Blue Flag beaches. Today, thanks to 300 sunny days a year and a classically spectacular Mediterranean landscape, it more than fulfils the holiday cliché of something for everyone. With watersports centres on the sands and cafes and tavernas behind them, the bays around Ayia Napa and Protaras are legendary. Limassol has long sweeps of dark, sandy beaches, while the best of Paphos beaches are on the outskirts of the resort. You can explore archaeological treasures dating back to the Bronze Age, bathe in the same spot as Aphrodite, visit a nesting site for rare turtles at Lara Beach or walk among cooling pines and cedars in the Troödos Mountains. Home of mythical goddess Aphrodite, the land of love has more faces than Proteus the shape-shifting sea god. There are tempting tavernas and boutiques huddled together like old friends – sometimes they are so close you are hard pushed to travel more than single file down the maze of cobbled streets. Mountain villages have their weather-worn locals with their backgammon boards playing in the street. Yet Cyprus is at the top of the most discerning clubber's guide lists too. Nicosia is a sight worth seeing, encircled by strong fortress walls from the 16th century. Limassol sights include Kolossi Medieval Castle, the ancient cities of Amathus and Curium. There are also the Tomb of the Kings in Paphos, the birthplace of Aphrodite and of course the Troodos Mountains. Lace from the village of Lefkara, arty and exquisite jewellery, basket work, pottery, leather goods and silverware are all good buys among local crafts - available in most resorts. Larnaca, Limassol and Nicosia all have city-style shopping too for great value prices on porcelain, perfume, crystal, cameras, spectacles and clothing.
Eating out in Cyprus Cyprus is a foodlover's paradise where Greek dishes are fused with Middle Eastern influences. Try delicious 'moussaka', with aubergines, potatoes and mince or hearty 'kleftiko', with lamb and Mediterranean vegetables. A traditional Cypriot 'meze', a full meal consisting of some 14 different dishes, includes halloumi cheese, juicy olives and stuffed tomatoes. Desserts include Baklava, layers of pastry, nuts and honey, and Kadeifi, mouth-wateringly sticky pastries. You will find locally
produced fruit, such as strawberries, apricots, nectarines and peaches
that are ripe, flavoursome and dripping with delectable juices. The
harbourside restaurants next to the Venetian castle in Paphos are one of
the most romantic spots for dining, while restaurants in Limassol serve
fresh seafood followed by mouthwatering pastries. Cypriot wines,
especially the sweet ones, are so good they are commonly exported Paphos Paphos is ideal for sightseeing, combining a rocky coastline in some areas, with beach life and boasts a fascinating Old Town of winding alleyways, markets and shops. The town is really divided in two by the quaint fishing harbour and the Old Town, both relaxing and unhurried. Nearby is the harbourside, guarded by a looming Venetian Fort and bordered by open-air, terraced restaurants, cafés and bars. Paphos has plenty of ancient historical sites and monuments, such as the Tomb of the Kings and Roman mosaics. There are a number of small sandy bays dotted in and around the town, many offering watersports. The best stretch of sand is at Coral Bay, a short bus ride away. In the evening, the harbour bars and fish restaurants are the perfect place to relax and there are also Bouzouki clubs and bars around the harbour. Latchi Lying along the Akamis peninsula in the rural north-west coast of Cyprus, Latchi is a charming fishing village and harbour, four kilometres up the coast from Polis. It has much to offer peace-seeking holidaymakers, with a good choice of tavernas and a pretty pebble-and-sand beach. The village itself has a couple of shops and bars where a tranquil charm prevails. Coral Bay Coral Bay is a small town in south-west Cyprus, about a 15 minutes drive or a short bus ride away from Paphos. Apart from its shopping and the beach, the major attraction of Coral Bay is its diving. Maninji Island is regarded as the most scenic dive on the coast, with cliffs, caves, coral and 'swim throughs'. Excellent, wide sandy beaches overlooked by luxury hotels and restaurants surround Coral Bay. If you prefer quieter beaches you can make your way to Cape Lara, which is the nesting site for Green and Loggerhead turtles. Argaka Unspoilt and unhurried Argaka village is a typical Cypriot village, peaceful, relaxing and set in picturesque countryside it's the ideal location from which to relax and soak up the friendly Cypriot hospitality. You'll discover a charming church, local houses and small scattering of traditional local tavernas within easy reach. The nearest beaches are just a short drive away, as are the nearby resorts of Latchi and Polis which offer a busier atmosphere Peyia Peyia, a delightful hillside village set back from the coast and just a few kilometres from Paphos, offers more simple pleasures - old-fashioned tavernas and little shops that time seems to have passed by. Polis On the island's north coast, surrounded by citrus orchards, pine forests and tobacco plantations, Polis is a small tourist centre with a gentle pace and boasts a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. A handful of traditional cafés, appetising tavernas and shops flank the pedestrianised main square. Entertainment in Polis is low-key and tends to centre around dining in a variety of bars on offer. Protaras The resort itself spreads over 16 kms of coastline, most of it fringed by stunning bays and little idyllic coves. Watersports and scuba-diving are permanent fixtures, although generally the air is one of unbroken relaxation and tranquillity. You?ll find shops, restaurants and tavernas aplenty.
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