subject: Cyprus, The Holiday Destination For 2010 [print this page] Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and stretches 150 miles from the west coast to its east and 60 miles from north to south.
The natural vegetation, influenced by the island's position among three continents, is rich and varied with a number of endemic plants. Equally significant is the fauna of the island, with its unique moufflons roaming in herds in the forests of Pafos and Troodos. Moreover, millions of migratory birds use Cyprus as a stopover in their movement from the cold north European countries to the warm countries of the African continent, and vice versa, during autumn, winter and spring.
What makes Cyprus a very attractive and fascinating country for the foreign visitor, is its long and tempestuous history, dating back to the neoilithic times (7500 B.C.). Besides numerous conquerors and settlers have left their imprints on the surface of the island which currently constitutes an open air ethnographic museum.
Following the invasion by Turkey of 1974, just over one third of the island remains under Turkish rule. The 'Green Line' that cuts through the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia divides the country, the last remaining divided capital in Europe.
Nowhere else in the world will the visitor find a similar size of land with such a large variety of physical and manmade environment.
Visitors can visit archaeological sites and museums, popular neighbourhoods and folk art museums, basilicas and Byzantine frescoed churches, traditional houses and wine-presses.
Visitors can walk over cobbled streets or medieval bridges as they admire the large wine jars of the last two centuries, placed all over the island in houseyards, hotels and resorts as decoration.
Visitors can take part in festivals and dance contests. They can watch or participate in citrus, olive and grape harvesting. Yet, if they like isolation, hiking, trekking or just exploring the countryside, there are numerous unspoilt areas, nature trails and large expanses of forest and small villages preserving genuine Cypriot hospitality and traditional customs.
The wise and infallible Greek imagination, out of all the islands of the Mediterranean, chose Cyprus, as the birthplace of the Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite, at the Petra tou Romiou. Standing there admiring the views, visitors can imagine the Goddess, emerging from the waves. This is yet another reminder of the island's natural beauties and its poetic and romantic past and present.
The Cyprus holiday resort towns Limassol, Paphos, Protaras, Polis, Ayia Napa and Pissouri Bay house the most of the hotel, Villa and apartment holiday accommodation. Cyprus has six major towns Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus and three coastal towns of Limassol, Larnaka, Pafos, and in Northern Cyprus Kyrenia and Famagusta.
Cyprus, situated in the eastern corner of the Mediterranean, Cyprus has a subtropical climate. During July and August temperatures rise to more than 40C, in the central Mesaoria plain, leaving the land dry with brown and gold colours broken only by the green leaves of the olive, carob and fig trees.
Cyprus has a fascinating history and rich cultural heritage. Those taking holidays in Cyprus have a vast range of ancient monuments and archaeological sites to visit.
This is particularly so in Paphos, which is on UNESCO's list of World Cultural Heritage sites. The most prominent features of Cyprus are two mountain ranges the higher of the two is the southern Troodos range, at 2,000 metres above sea level and in winter it is with snow covered.
Cyprus is an excellent choice for summer holidays or holidays during the UK winter season. Cyprus weddings are also very popular with British tourists.
by: Romolo Lerza
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