Cyprus is the place of ruins, romantic harbours and rugged old beaches. If you want to go somewhere surrounded by sun, sea and coastline but slightly more off the beaten path than other European destinations, Cyprus can offer something a little bit different for the curious traveller. This island in the Eastern Mediterranean has a great mix of archaeological sites, quaint wine villages and white sand stretches of beach and coastline with glorious crystal clear waters. It’s the perfect family destination if you’re looking for a memorable adventure, the ideal lover’s paradise for your honeymoon or your first holiday abroad, and it’s the ideal place to go soul searching on your own to discover the beauty and intricacies of a whole new culture. For a sense of familiarity and a classic resort feel, make sure you head to the spectacular Nissi Beach in Ayia Napa, the country’s most popular and well known destination; here the party never stops and the bustling resort is crowned with the Venetian-era Ayia Napa Monastery of Plateia Seferi. For the perfect mix of archaeological wonders and paradise beaches, set up base in pretty Paphos; here you will be surrounded by myths, magic and mystery, and you will comes across a number of romantic ruins that relay the love story of goddess Aphrodite. Or for a destination that really has it all from beaches to water parks and from world class shopping to amazing nightlife, take to the South Coast in Limassol; a family-friendly resort with the best of both worlds so you can enjoy both city and beach. Other areas worth exploring include Larnaca, Protaras, Kyrenia, Famagusta, Nicosia, Lefkara and Pegeia but no matter where you go in Cyprus, you will always be greeted with warm Cypriot hospitality and you will always have access to delicious and authentic food to tantalize the soul.
Cyprus is a popular place for family travel and kids will love Cyprus. Limassol, Ayia Napa, Paphos, Polis, Pissouri and Kouklia are all renowned for having some of the best family resorts and family hotels in the country and travelling around with children is easy with the affordable public transport links. There are 24 hour taxis, service taxis taking up to 8 people and tourist taxis available, as well as an urban bus service in Nicosia, Lemesos, Larnaka and Famagusta. The local restaurants and cafes are guaranteed to offer the most varied of menus, even more the fussiest of eaters and you will find that children are welcomed wherever you go. The country is also home to various museums, theme parks, zoos, water parks plus many other attractions that can appeal to children of all ages.
When it comes to Cypriot cuisine, it’s very similar to that of Greece and also of close neighbour Turkey. Throughout the centuries, food on the island has also been influenced by Byzantine, French, Italian, Catalan, Ottoman and Middle Eastern cooking and today, some of the most distinctive dishes include Meze and cold appetisers, Meat Kebab often served with Tzatziki, Souvaki (pork or lamb), Kleftiko kiln cooked lamb, Stifado meat stew, Moussaka, Koupepia vine leave wraps, and Ekmek Kadayif bread pudding which is a traditional Cypriot dessert. Although meat stews and grilled meat skewers are extremely popular in Cypriot cooking, there’s also great news for fish fans – as freshly caught fish is always the star of the menu. If you’re a cheese fan, you’ll love the local Halloumi cheese and winos can rejoice at the country’s long history of winemaking. Some of the best local wines include the dark and enigmatic Mavro (red), the sweet and refreshing Xynisteri (white), or the trusty local Shiraz.
The turbulent history of Cyprus stretches all the way back to antiquity but one of the more recent events took place in 1974 when the country became divided by Turkish Cypriots in the North and Greek Cypriots in the South. As a result, the country today takes many influences in culture, beliefs and cuisine from both neighbours. Today, the divide is still apparent and the Northern Cypriots speak Turkish as their official language whilst Southern Cypriots speak Greek. So if you are travelling from North to South, be sure to make a note of the language difference.