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