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Boasting some 300 days a year of sunshine, Cyprus is a delightful mixture of vibrant coastal resorts and mountain villages. With a large British community living in Cyprus the hospitable islanders are well used to British ways. With over 800km of stunning coastline, offering a myriad of sandy beaches, delightful rocky inlets and secluded coves its no wonder it’s a great year round holiday destination. Cyprus is the island of dramatic contrasts.
With an expansive coastline providing a wide variety of beaches to choose from, ranging from secluded bays, to lively resorts, sandy beaches and rocky coves, you are bound to find the right one for you.
Mark Anthony gave the island of Cyprus to Cleopatra as a token of his love and he couldn ’t have given her a more fitting gift. Cyprus is one of the Mediterranean’s jewels. Golden beaches shelve gently into the warm sea of the Med whilst quaint and delicate villages cling to the wooded hillsides. Ancient monuments stand as testaments to a vivid and colourful past that date back to over 9000 years. The west of the island’s Troodos Mountains flaunt the Byzantine monasteries that occupy them, whilst sleepy stone built villages and pine forest are cut by ice cold streams.
Cyprus has been split since 1974 between the Greek majority in the south (the Republic of Cyprus - to which this guide refers) and the Turkish minority in the northern third of the island -- the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The east-west split makes Nicosia the world's only divided capital city.
The climate is temperate and Mediterranean with dry summers and variably rainy winters.
Food: Try a meze, houmous, taramasalata, fried halloumi cheese, salads kebabs, and kleftiko - lamb cooked in a clay pot. Cypriot wine is far finer than much of what's usually exported.
Nightlife: Limassol has the best traditional nightlife. Ayia Napa was the centre of the development of a UK-based club scene, notably at the 2,000-capacity P'Zazz. Orginally underground garage based, the town has grown rapidly to offer a wider range of genres of music. More traditional Cypriot-style entertainment is widely available at the intimate bars and restaurants in other parts of the island.
Shopping: Visit the markets and shops at Limassol. Good local buys are pottery, leather and lace.
Days out: Visit the temple of Apollo, Aphrodite's Rock, the Roman settlements at Curium, Mount Olympus and the Kykko Monastery. Also worth a trip to the divided city of Nicosia, or iff you have the time, a cruise to the Holy Land and Egypt.
Events: Festivals at Easter. Tourist information telephone number (UK): 020 7563 8800
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Ayia Napa
(60 minutes from Larnaca Airport). Clean golden beaches in scenic countryside. The old village includes a 16th century Venetian monastery, and has many restaurants and cafes. At night it's become the centre of the UK underground garage music scene, so increasing attracts a young singles crowd fed up with Ibiza's high prices.
Larnaca
(30 minutes by coach from Larnaca Airport). Larnaca has sandy beaches, beautiful waters, and a palm-lined promenade streaked with great cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops. There is a strong Byzantine influence displayed in the town's architecture, and the food and discos are great. All the other towns on Cyprus are easily accessible and worth visiting if you want to see more historical and mythological sights, and try out all the great beaches.
Latchi/ Polis
(60 minutes direct by coach from Paphos Airport). Latchi and Polis are the perfect destinations for those who want a totally relaxing holiday, far away from the tourist track and having abundance in traditional beauty. Polis is near the ancient site of Marion, has a very peaceful beach, and is traditional. Latchi has a lovely fishing harbour and great taverna’s. You can go on great walks near both villages, and even get a taste of mythology as you wind across the valleys.
Limassol
(45 minutes Larnaca airport, 60 minutes from Paphos airport). Sophisticated resort with dark sand and pebble beaches, good shops and nightlife with a casino and nearby historical sites such as Curium, and King Richard's Castle. Something for everyone.
Paphos
(30 minutes by coach from Paphos airport). Paphos is a golden coastal resort, offering both relaxation in its atmosphere and lots of sightseeing in its beauty. There are a lot of historic and mythological sites, not to mention the great entertainments, shopping, and water sports. The beaches are exceptional, especially Coral Bay, and a bonus is that all the locals speak English.
Pissouri
(50 minutes by coach from Paphos Airport). Pissouri is a quiet, traditional village for those who want a peaceful, yet beautiful holiday. The village is picturesque and unspoilt, the beaches ideal. Pissouri is conveniently situated in between Paphos and Limassol, and not only are the surrounding mountains incredible, but the famous Birthplace of Aphrodite is not far either and is a must. Additionally, you can enjoy the ancient amphitheatre at Curium and Kolossi Castle, so although there isn't really any nightlife you will have plenty to do besides relaxing in the sun!
Protaras
(75 minutes from Larnaca Airport). Spectacular scenery and golden beaches. It's a very relaxed haven suitable for families, couples and sun worshippers. |
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Cyprus airport transfers at fantastic rates. Book your transfers from the main Cypriote airports at Larnica and Paphos with Europe's leading airport transfer companies. ResortHoppa offers efficient low cost airport transfer solutions for the holiday maker who chooses to travel independently. ResortHoppa will take you by taxi, minibus, or coach and on many routes have airport to resort shuttle transfers that run 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. So whatever transfer type you require you can always be sure that ResortHoppa will have a transfer tailored just for you.
Paphos (PFO) airport is the gateway to the south of the island, where as Larnica is the gateway usually used for the east and north. ResortHoppa transfers take you anywhere in Cyrpus from Famagusta in the north east to Paphos in the south westerly corner. Other resorts in the area include, Coral Bay, LImassol Paphos, Nissi Beach, Protaras and Ayia Napa to name but a few.
ResortHoppa will take you by private taxi, minibus, or coach transfer from your airport to your chosen resort. |
