Cyprus

INTRODUCTION

With warm sun, sparkling sea, welcoming people and wonderful scenery. Cyprus offers visitors a superb holiday destination packed with unforgettable experiences, extraordinary sights and exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, plus a generous dose of romantic ancient legends to spice up those days by sea.

Cyprus knows as the jewel of the Mediterranean and legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the ancient goddess of love and beauty, certainly lives up to the exacting standards of its divine patroness. Cyprus is attracting visitors from across the world.

sources:https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece

HISTORY

The history of Cyprus is closely linked with the history of our civilization. The island has played a prominent role in ancient times. There had to leave their traces ancient Greeks and Romans, and other known from school history lessons nations.

The first traces of civilization in Cyprus are more than 9,000-year-old. An important stage in the history of Cyprus is Greek colonists settling on the island in the XII-XI centuries BC (about 3000 years ago). The influence of this period is largely determined today's appearance of the island. Greek language, art, religion and traditions have been brought during this period. In ancient times, Cyprus was famous for its copper deposit and forests (it is assumed that the island name comes from the metal cuprum name. That's what makes him the object of aspirations powerful states of the Mediterranean. Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians conquered the island and in turn owned it. In the 333-m BC it won (or released) Alexander the Great. Britain has long an influence on life in Cyprus.

CLIMATE

Cyprus has an intense Mediterranean climate, with a typically strongly marked seasonal rhythm. Hot, dry summers (June to September) and rainy winters (November to March) are separated by short autumn and spring seasons (October and April to May, respectively) of rapid change. Autumn and winter precipitation, on which agriculture and water supply depend, is variable. Average annual precipitation is about 20 inches (500 mm). The lowest average precipitation of 14 inches (350 mm) occurs at Nicosia, and the highest, 41 inches (1,050 mm), is on Mount Olympus. Summer temperatures in Nicosia range between an average daily maximum of 98 °F (37 °C) and an average daily minimum of 70 °F (21 °C); in winter the range is between 59 °F (15 °C) and 41 °F (5 °C). From December to March the Troodos range experiences several weeks of below-freezing night temperatures, and snowfall is considerable.

source: https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/cyprus/climate-data-historical, https://www.britannica.com/place/Cyprus/Ottoman-rule

HIGHLIGHTS

Cyprus is the land where Aphrodite appeared from the sea foam, and the one-eyed Cyclops lived. An island surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, playing with all shades of emerald! A place of power and ancient monasteries, hidden in the riot of mountain greenery on the peaks of Mount Olympus. This is an island that has its own Ibiza with bright parties and plenty of entertainment. Attractions on the ancient island simply cannot be counted!

Sun Valley ski area

TROODOS MOUNTAINS

One of the highest falls in Cyprus, at 12m in height. It’s located in Platres village.

CALEDONIA WATERFALL

Packed with museums and churches, as well as trendy bars and restaurants.

NICOSIA (LEFKOSIA)

• Much more affordable city to visit in Cyprus. • Plenty to do in this coastal city.

LARNACA

• It’s built along Episkopi bay • Its position overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean Sea makes for fantastic photographs.

KOURION AMPHITHEATER

One of the most popular destinations in Cyprus for tourists and locals.

FIG TREE BAY

• It’s a large horse-shoe-shaped cove. • Has been awarded Blue Flag status for its sparkly turquoise waters

CORAL BAY

AKAMAS NATIONAL PARK AND BLUE LAGOON

•Swimming in the baths is supposed to preserve a woman’s beauty and strengthen a man.

ADONIS BATHS

•The epitome of a traditional Cypriot village. •Cobbled streets, sandstone buildings, a busy central square, and stunning views over the mountains •located in the heart of the wine-growing region of Cyprus •Visit the impressive Timios Stavros Monastery, the oldest and most historic monasteries on the island.

OMODOS

CYPRIOT WINERIES AND VINEYARDS

•Famous for its turtle hatchery. The eggs are laid around June or July and volunteers relocate the eggs to the hatcheries to protect them from predators

LARA BEACH

•WaterWorld Ayia Napa •Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark •Fasouri Watermania

WATERPARKS

Legendary nightlife scene with more than 100 bars

AYIA NAPA

A picture-perfect beach that features white sand and azure waters

NISSI AND MAKRONISSI BEACH

This amazing microbrewery is located in the hills overlooking Paphos and also serve amazing food.

APHRODITE BREWERY

A UNESCO heritage site since 1980 •Fascinating sites and monuments dating back to the 4th century BC.

PAPHOS ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

•The birthplace of the goddess of love •One of the best times to visit Aphrodite’s Rock is sunset.

APHRODITE'S ROCK

•Best places to visit in Cyprus for couples •Walk down Molos, the promenade next to the Old Marina, which is lined with palm trees

LIMASSOL MARINA AND OLD TOWN

LADY'S MILE BEACH

•For nature lovers and those that love getting out and being active. •It’s best to visit the gorge in the spring or autumn

AVAKAS GORGE

•There’s an amazing golf course in the Aphrodite Hills resort

APHRODITE HILLS

has a long history of silversmithing and lace making. •Men are in the workshops crafting and ladies making lace •Very picturesque and pretty town full of souvenir shops and lovely café.

LEFKARA VILLAGE

GASTRONOMY

The island of Cyprus has over time formed a special mosaic of flavors, due to its geographical position (between three continents), its neighboring countries and the gastronomic influences of its conquerors.

Since the 12th century, Cyprus has been under the successive domination of the French, the Italian, the Turkish and the British Empires. All of them influenced and eventually shaped the island’s cuisine into a mixture of Greek-Mediterranean, Oriental and European cuisine. This is why Cyprus is characterized as a “gastronomic crossroad”.

Cypriots had developed trade throughout the Mediterranean, thus bringing back from their journeys ingredients and eating habits of other civilizations, integrating them into the culinary culture of the island.

As part of ancient Egypt, Cyprus had access to cumin, while cinnamon was imported from Sri Lanka. The cookware known as “Tavas” comes from Syria (during the Middle Ages, a large community of Maronites from Syria used to live in Cyprus).

The mixing of cumin and cinnamon constitutes one of the characteristics of the Cypriot cuisine and an example of the cultural and gastronomic exchange which took part on the island. Other examples of typical delicacies in the Cypriot Cuisine, according to the American food historian William Woys Weaver, are the bread from chickpea flour which used to be common during the Middle Ages, and “trachanas” which was brought in the area by Franks.

The Cypriot Cuisine is meat-based, with pork being widely used in Cypriot meals, while the island is also popular, since ancient times, for its salads and fruits.

Olive oil, bread, honey, as well as legumes and vegetables have an important place in the Cypriot diet. Many vegetarian dishes served in Cyprus have exceptional taste. Seafood also has a prominent position. Squid and octopus are served marinated with wine, and the popular Cypriot mullet or the fried small fish (gavros) constitute unique local delicacies.

The main aromatics used in the Cypriot cuisine are: coriander, spearmint, cinnamon, laurel and cumin, which lend a special flavor to various dishes.

The variety of cold cuts that stand out in the Cypriot cuisine has been a result of the efforts for the preservation of meat. Salt, wine and smoke used to be – and still remain – the main meat preservation materials. Consequently, products with a unique taste came up, such as sausages, lountza and tsamarella.

Wine is another element of the Cypriot Gastronomy, with Commandaria being one of the oldest wines in the world, in terms of its production. Richard the Lionheart characterized Commandaria as “the wine of kings and the king of wines”. Zivania, the “national” drink of Cyprus, is also connected with the Cypriot tradition and culture.

When it comes to dairy products, two are the most notable cheeses of Cyprus: the popular halloumi, the only cheese that can be grilled without melting and that is consumed in various ways; and “anari”.

Despite the fact that Cypriots’ favorite dishes are the grilled and baked ones, Soups also hold an important position in the Cypriot diet.

The gastronomic journey concludes The traditional spoon sweets, which are the trademark of Cypriot hospitality and the ultimate treat. For the preparation of spoon sweets, honey, syrup, walnuts, fruits and vegetables are used.