| Nestled into the eastern part of Mediterranean | | | | unforgettable.This is where the highest point on |
| Sea, Cyprus is the third largest island in the | | | | the islanond - mount Olympus (1,952m, 6,507ft) |
| Mediterranean. Cyprus history for the past 10,000 | | | | located. Kykkos Monastery, in the western |
| years has seen civilizations come and go and | | | | Troodos, is the best known Christian Orthodox |
| famous historical figures such as Alexander the | | | | monastery. Built in the 12th century, it's been |
| Great to Cleopatra stake their claim here. | | | | completely renovated and contains a museum of |
| According to the legend, Aphrodite, the Greek | | | | religious icons including the icon of Christ and the |
| goddess of love and beauty was born here. From | | | | Virgin Mary painted by St. Luke himself. On the |
| independent travellers to honeymooners, | | | | Throni Peak in the region there is a tomb of |
| archaeology enthusiasts to friends of nature, | | | | Archibishop Makarios, the first Cyprus President. |
| adventure lovers to people enjoying lazy days on | | | | COLOSSI CASTLE: Built by the Crusaders |
| a beach visitors to Cyprus find offers to | | | | (Hospitallers, the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) |
| everyone's taste. Food lovers feast on farm-fresh | | | | in the 13th century this castle served as their |
| halloumi cheese and delectable meze, the local | | | | headquarter. This well-preserved castle , restored |
| specialty appetizers that mix Western ingredients | | | | in 1933 is a good example of military architecture |
| with Eastern zest. Business travelers appreciate | | | | of that period. A spiral staircase leads up to the |
| the fine, modern conference facilities and warm, | | | | roof and the restored battlements. There are also |
| professional service at numerous hotels and | | | | plenty of citrus orchards in the area, and you can |
| resorts. Since 1974 there have been two | | | | pick up some of country's juiciest oranges in the |
| countries on the island of Cyprus - the Turkish | | | | markets here. SALAMIS: It was the most |
| Republic of Northern Cyprus and the southern | | | | important pre-Christian city in Cyprus. You could |
| Republic of Cyprus. So you can actually visit two | | | | easily spend a day here, exploring these very |
| countries for the price of one. We invite you to | | | | extensive ruins that include a fully restored |
| get a delightful taste of what both Greece and | | | | Roman amphitheatre, the gymnasium with marble |
| Turkey have to offer: beautiful sunny beaches, | | | | baths, and the mosaics, a temple of Zeus, |
| small charming villages, ruins of ancient civilizations | | | | numerous statues of the 4th century. Byzantine |
| and distinctive local cultures.HISTORY: Cyprus | | | | remains include the basilica of Bishop Epiphanos |
| (Kypros in Greek) gave copper its latin name: | | | | (4th century AD). The necropolis of Salamis |
| cuprum. First Greeks settled on Cyprusin the late | | | | covers 7 sq. km (almost 3sq.miles) to the west of |
| Bronze Age (1,600 B.C.) and established trade links | | | | the town. It contains a museum showing some of |
| with Egypt and the Aegean islands. During this | | | | the finds. Close to the site is a very nice beach, |
| period ceramic art first flourished. Alexander the | | | | so bring your swimming suits.ACTIVITIES: A |
| Great wrestled the island away from the Persians | | | | country of resorts, Cyprus has plenty of places |
| . As centuries passed by, the island came | | | | where you can try water sports. If it's |
| consequently under Persian, Assyrian, Egyptian, | | | | windsurfing or sailing you want, head to the |
| and Roman rule. The Roman emperor Marc | | | | peninsulas and capes, where the wind is strongest. |
| Antony gave Cyprus as a gift to his lover, the | | | | There's also at least one sea-diving site in each of |
| beautiful Cleopatra. Then came a long period of | | | | the big resorts. Mountain biking and hiking are |
| Byzantine domination. For a hundred years until | | | | possible all over the island, with specially marked |
| 1571 the flag of the Republic of Venice flew in | | | | trails in the southern hills, on the Akamas Peninsula |
| Cyprus, when the Ottoman Turks occupied it. In | | | | and in the Troodos. Although hardly renowned for |
| 1878 Cyprus became part of the British Empire. It | | | | its skiing, Cyprus does have a resort on the |
| gained independent status in 1960. Cyprus History | | | | northeastern face of Mount Olympus, but it's not |
| - Recent Past and Present: A Greek, Archbishop | | | | exactly world standard. For a golf fan there are |
| Makarios, became an elected president. On 15 July | | | | several courses, the most popular are in the |
| 1974 a CIA-sponsored, Greek-organised coup | | | | Paphos district. Spear-fishing (without aqualung) |
| overthrew Makarios and replaced him with a | | | | angling, fishing with vertical lines or trolling are the |
| puppet leader. Turkey responded by invading the | | | | permitted methods for which no licence is |
| island and Greece quickly pulled out, but the Turks | | | | required. Birdwatching trips and social events are |
| did not stop and took the northern third of the | | | | organized for members and the general public. |
| island, forcing 180,000 Greek Cypriots to flee their | | | | Horse-riding can be enjoyed at special centres, |
| homes. In 1983 Turkish Cypriots proclaimed a | | | | professional training facilities, equipped with |
| separate state, naming it the Turkish Republic of | | | | instructors who provide lessons for beginners and |
| Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Peace talks have been | | | | advanced riders. want, head to the peninsulas and |
| held sporadically, but Cyprus remains | | | | capes, where the wind is strongest.GETTING |
| divided.ATTRACTIONS: NICOSIA: The island's | | | | THERE AND AROUND, ACCOMODATIONS: The |
| capital city is divided in two parts by the | | | | Republic of Cyprus has airports at Larnaka and |
| UN-patrolled Green Line, which separates the | | | | Paphos, you can book a flight from most of |
| Republic from Northern Cyprus. Nicosia is a | | | | Europe and the Middle East. North Cyprus has an |
| friendly, laid-back place, with good restaurants, | | | | international airport at Ercan, only Turkish airlines |
| museums, and a lively art scene.A visit here | | | | fly there. By sea, you can get to Greece and |
| should give you a less touristy view of the | | | | Israel from the Republic's port in Lemesos. There |
| country than you'll get if you stick to the coastal | | | | are ferries from North Cyprus to Turkey, but |
| towns. The old town , inside the 16th-century | | | | you cannot exit Cyprus this way unless you |
| Venetian walls, is the most interesting part of | | | | entered from Turkey. Bus services run within and |
| Nicosia, a home to numerous little shops where | | | | between towns every day except Sunday, they |
| you can bargain directly with the owners. The | | | | are cheap, frequent and efficient. Visitors may |
| Cathedral of St.John houses some outstanding | | | | travel between the North and the South. 2 and 3- |
| frescoes. The Cyprus Archeological Museum | | | | day cruises from Cyprus to Jerusalem, Cairo and |
| exhibits the priceless collection of Cypriot | | | | Jordan are very popular among tourists. They can |
| antiquities and art treasures. Visiting Nicosia gives | | | | be booked through any travel agency on the |
| you a chance to cross the Green Line and to | | | | island. Prices start from $300 USD. 9-11-night |
| explore the Turkish part of the capital city. | | | | Eastern Mediterranean cruises with Cyprus' |
| Passing through the "no man" zone within the | | | | Limassol as one of ports of call would cost you |
| Green Line, where everything is left untouched | | | | from $1,200 USD. Hotel prices start from $65 |
| since the 1974 military action, seeing houses | | | | USD/room in peak season when booked through |
| covered with bullet holes leaves unforgetable | | | | our agency.WHEN TO GO, WEATHER: The |
| impression. The Turkish part of Nicosia is smaller, | | | | climate here is typically Mediterranean, with very |
| has less things to see, but carries its own charm | | | | hot July and August. There are over 300 sunny |
| and specific culture. More about going to the | | | | days per year. Mid-May to mid-October is the |
| Northern Cyprus- here. PAPHOS: One of the most | | | | ideal season for swimming, sunbathing and |
| beautiful parts of the island, place where, | | | | watersports. Temperatures are cooler in the |
| according to the legend, Aphrodite arose from | | | | mountaneous Troodos area, making it ideal for |
| from the foaming waves. Among the souvenir | | | | hiking or simply relaxing. December and January |
| shops you'll see Saranta Kolones, a Lusignian | | | | are the months of wet and cool Mediterranean |
| fortress destroyed by an earthquake in the 13th | | | | winter. Troodos is ideal for skiing at this time. The |
| century; it's mostly fallen columns and sewer | | | | first flowers bloom in January, and by |
| tunnels. The underground Tombs of the Kings | | | | mid-February there are fresh green meadows |
| dated back to the 4th century are carved out of | | | | and blooming almond trees. March days are still |
| the solid rock, some of them are frescoed and | | | | cool (daytime temperatures around 19C or 65F, |
| are thought to have been the burial sites of | | | | 9C or 40F at night). In April and into the middle of |
| aristocrats and high officials. In Greco-Roman | | | | May spring is in full force. This is an ideal time for |
| times Paphos was the island's capital, and it is | | | | nature hikes and off-road adventures. The most |
| famous for the remains of the Roman Governor's | | | | pleasant times to visit Cyprus are April-May and |
| palace, House of Dionysos , with its stunning | | | | September-October.Visit us at TravelMake.comfor |
| mosaics which is now a major tourist attraction. | | | | a full guide to Cyprus with travel tips and useful |
| There is a small harbour and an upper town | | | | links.We wish you a nice and safe - one of leading |
| slightly to the north where the larger shops, | | | | online discount travel agencies, a source of useful |
| offices and town administration are based. | | | | travel information. Lowest special Internet hotel |
| TROODOS MASSIF: The Troodos region | | | | rates guaranteed. |
| mountains, in the country's south, are | | | | |