7 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD GO TO CYPRUS
‘A treat for adrenaline fans could be cliffs,
from which you can jump into the water!’
FEW WORDS ABOUT CYPRUS
Cyprus is an island smaller than the smallest Polish voivodeship of Opole, and yet it has on its territory two mountain ranges, its appearance resembling the Alps (but much lower). According to legend, in ancient times the island was inhabited by the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite and the famous rocks emerging from the sea, located to the south-east of Paphos, which until today are one of the main tourist attractions of Cyprus, were named after Her.
Cyprus for almost a century at the turn of the 19th and 20th century was under British regime and until today Great Britain has a big influence on what is happening on the island. The legacy of the British colony is, inter alia, left-hand traffic, ubiquitous English, as well as high standard of hotels and well-kept, modern cities. There are a lot of British people on the streets who come here for vacation or move to the island in their old age. On the other hand, many young Cypriots go to the UK to study because Cyprus does not have its own university.
In 1974, after the end of the Turkish invasion, the island was divided into two parts: Greek and Turkish, but only a few countries recognize the autonomy of the latter, treating it as a separate state. Following the Greek entry into the European Union in 2004, Cyprus has become easily accessible to tourists from all over Europe, focusing on tourism development primarily in the Greek part and pressing for tourist agencies to arrive at the Greek airports only.
Sunny Cyprus ideally suited for a holiday vacation for people who like comfortable conditions, great weather, beaches, stunning views, as well as active recreation, such as water sports or hiking.
WHY IS IT WORTH GOING TO CYPRUS?
LONG, SANDY BEACHES
In the southern areas between Agia Napia and Larnaka, there are the longest sandy beaches in Cyprus. Most of them have hotels built nearby, so it is difficult to find isolated, intimate corners here; rather, you should expect rows of sun beds with umbrellas and many tourists. The advantage of such a developed coastline is cleanliness - the beaches are well cared for, and moreover, access to toilets, bars and restaurants is provided. In addition, they offer a wide range of attractions, including water sports, group games and party ferries (which can work as both advantage to some and drawback to others).
CRYSTAL CLEAR AND WARM WATER
A possible crowd can be compensated for the fantastic Mediterranean waters that surround the island: the bottom can be seen a few dozen meters deep. The water is warm, but cooler than the air temperature, which in the summer can reach 30-40 degrees, which is why swimming in the sea is perfectly refreshing on hot days.
CLIFFS
The southern coast of Cyprus is in many places built of cliffs, from which there is a stunning view. A special treat for those who like adrenaline can be coastal cliffs, from which in some places you can jump into the water! Never jump when there is no one else around.
MOUNTAIN VILLAGES
The further to the north, the more mountainous areas, less touristy and more deserted. In the Turkish part you can find many abandoned houses after the war. Worth visiting are the villages of Agros (where in May the countless number of roses bloom), Galata and Kakopetria, located in the Troodhos mountains, all with interesting historical background.
DELICIOUS FOOD
The Cypriot cuisine was influenced by many cultures, including Greek, Turkish and Arabic. Meals usually consist of fresh vegetables and goat and sheep meat. Surprisingly, Cypriots do not eat so much fish. The main meal, called meze, usually consists of many smaller dishes, put on the table for guests who can help themselves with whatever they want. The most popular dish of the island is Halloumi - grilled cheese made of sheep’s milk.
ANCIENT RUINS
The first settlements were created in Cyprus 9,000 years ago. Many monuments from Byzantine times have survived here, such as churches, ruins of castles, icons or remains of the city walls. Noteworthy is the ancient theater in Kourion from the second century BC.
EASY ACCESS TO ALL PARTS OF THE ISLAND
The best way to get around the island is to rent a car *, because great infrastructure and extensive network of highways provides easy and quick access to any place on the island.
CAR RENTAL ON CYPRUS
* There is no problem if you are moving in the Greek part of the island, while the rental agencies always warn against crossing the border with Northern Cyprus, threatening tourists with a tense situation in the Turkish part and frequent robberies. Cautions arise only from possible legal problems in the event of an accident or damage to the car, because the fact is that the car insurance rented in the Greek part, no longer applies in the Turkish part. Of course, there are no problems with crossing the border and you can do it at your own risk.