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Cyprus

Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and is located in the northeastern area of the Mediterranean Sea.

However, as a result of the Turkish invasion of 1974, 37% of the island remains under Turkish rule. The so-called 'Green Line' border that cuts directly through the capital, Nicosia divides the country, now the last remaining divided capital in Europe.

Cyprus is an island steeped in history and has a rich cultural heritage. Visitors and tourists that travel to Cyprus have an overwhelming choice of ancient monuments and archaeological sites to visit. This is particularly so in Paphos, which has been included in UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage sites.

The majority of the population is Greek Cypriot, and they follow the Christian Orthodox religion. The main language spoken is Greek but English is widely spoken, along with German, in the tourist areas.

Whatever the season Cyprus never disappoints nature lovers. The mild climate allows visitors to enjoy the unique flora and fauna of this east Mediterranean island all year round. Visitors with an interest in geology may also make some interesting discoveries.

Cyprus - the changing seasons

Spring

In Spring time Cyprus is The varied Cypriot landscape

The Cyprus landscape displays a great variety of styles. The coast has large open bays and precipitous cliffs and rocks. There are sandy beaches and shingle beaches. The precipitous mountains are mainly tree-covered to their peaks. The rest of the island is fertile hilly country.

Summer

Summer usually lasts from May/June until the end of September. After the colourful spring time the summer displays the warmer gold yellow and brown colours of the arid, sun burned landscape. The few rivers that were flowing with water in spring are now dried up. The blue sky is a strong contrast to the bright yellow fields of corn. Spots of colour are provided by the blooms of pink and white oleander. Only the trees remain a magnificent green. They are a nice, fresh relief in the dust covered environment.

Autumn

Autumn begins with the first rainfalls, usually about the end of September/beginning of October. Overnight the earth seems to wake up and becomes alive again. For the second time in the year the island delights nature-lovers with blossoms and blooms of many different kinds of flowers. Wild fields and grasses turn suddenly from brown to green. The air smells fresh and clean and the trees are a bright fresh green after the dusty summertime.

Winter

Winter at the coast appears little different to autumn. Some deciduous trees lose their leaves, the sea becomes rough and the sky can be cloudy. The rich yellow and orange of the citrus fruits, which are now ready to be picked, provide a splash of colour.

In the mountains it often rains and in the higher reaches snow falls and covers the landscape in a real winter dream.

Even in the middle of winter, when temperatures get on the cool side, the sun usually shines for the better part of the day.

The best place to soak up the Cyprus sunshine is at the beach, and with more than four hundred miles of coastline, there are plenty from which to choose.

Cyprus’ colourful history is reflected in the rich cultural life in Cyprus today. Almost every week there is some sort of celebration, a festival, a wedding or a saint’s day (which are celebrated instead of birthdays).

Religious festivals are particularly significant in Cyprus and none more so than the Greek Orthodox Easter. This is the highlight of the religious year and is considered more important than Christmas. On Easter Saturday most Cypriots will be found in the church, attending midnight mass. There is a bonfire with an effigy of Judas outside the church and also fireworks. On Easter Sunday families sit down together to eat the traditional roast lamb lunch.

Springtime is also festival time with all the major towns hosting carnival parades. There are flower festivals with parades of flower-covered floats. The largest carnival is in Limassol, with its many floats, parades and other entertainment.

Kataklysmos is another important festival - the festival of the flood- and there are celebrations in every town, with open-air fetes, games and competitions.

Harvest time is time for the wine festivals, the largest being held in Limassol. Every year thousands of visitors go to the festival to enjoy the large range of food and wine on offer.

Shopping

There are many excellent value products to be bought in Cyprus and all the main towns offer busy shopping centres and bustling markets. There are also Cyprus Handicraft Centres in all the major towns, offering a wide selection of locally produced items. Shops are closed all day Sunday and on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. However, in the tourist areas, shops usually stay open late in the evenings and all day Sunday.

In particular, Cyprus is noted for its leather goods, especially jackets, handbags and shoes; for handmade lace, and for high quality jewellry. Spectacles are very good value, often being offered at substantially lower prices than in Europe. Visitors to the mountain village of Lefkara will be able to see the villagers hard at work making their traditional lace and filigree silver products. In the other mountain villages good buys include homemade honey and sweets such as sujouko and palouze, which are made from grapes.

Ceramics are also very popular, with potteries in all the major towns offering a wide selection of brightly painted pots, plates and other gift items. High on many tourist shopping list is the famous Cyprus Delight, and visitors can visit the many workshops around the island that produce it, for a free taste and to see how it is made.

Cyprus is also well known for its wines and many wineries and breweries offer tours around their premises. Specialties of Cyprus include Cypriot brandy, the famous dessert wine, Commandaria, the orange liqueur Filfar, and Keo beer. Many locally produced spirits are also available and are much cheaper than well-known brands.

Sports

The mild climate in Cyprus means that sports enthusiasts can enjoy sporting activities all year round.

Golfers can choose from two golf courses near Paphos. The Tsadha Golf Club is situated near Tsadha village about 12 km north of Paphos. It is an 18 hole course which plays to a par 72, total length 6 050 metres.

The Secret Valley Golf Course is located between Paphos and Limassol, about 18 km from Paphos. It also plays to a par 72 and is 6 300m long.

Hiking is a very popular pastime in Cyprus, due to the large areas of unspoiled countryside. Many specialist companies offer excursions and these are an excellent way for tourists to discover Cyprus. In addition there are numerous sign-posted trails all over the island.

Sea sports are also very popular due to the calm and clear waters surrounding the island. All nature of water-sports can be pursued including water-skiing, scuba diving, wind-surfing and sailing. Trained instructors are also on hand to offer assistance and tuition.

Water-lovers will also like to try Water Park near Ayia Napa. "Waterworld" has a large number of slides, an activity pool as well as a children's pool.

Although most people consider Cyprus a summer resort, winter sports can also be enjoyed in the brief Cyprus winter. The high Troodos mountain range sees some heavy snowfall enabling skiing from January often until March.

Month	Average Temp.	Hours of Sunshine Per Day
January	17	5.8
February	17	6.5
March	23	7.4
April	19	9.2
May	26	10.8
June	30	12.6
July	32	12.4
August	33	11.8
September	31	10.6
October	27	8.8
November	22	7.1
December	19	5.6

Food and Drink

No Cypriot village is complete without a traditional coffee shop, the ‘kafenio’ Its the most important place in the village, the central point of communication, a place to meet friends, to play ‘Tavli’, the Greek version of Backgammon or just pass time by drinking a Greek coffee, tea, fresh juice or a home-made fruit squash. Greek coffee is ordered ‘sketo’, ‘metrio’ or ‘glyko’. Coffee is always served with a glass of cold water.

Each ‘kafenio’ has its own individual way of making coffee, so be to be sure of what you will receive, it is best to state the number of sugars you want whilst ordering!

In case you are invited to someone’s house to drink a coffee, don’t be surprised if they turn their cups upside down onto the saucer after drinking the coffee. There are some people that say they can read your future from the coffee drains. Don’t be afraid to let them do it... it’s a nice way to start some small talk, and of course it depends on you how seriously you take the predictions!

Meze

A Cyprus Meze is certainly one of the most famous Cypriot delicacies. Or to put it another way: Mezedes are a great number of different Cypriot delicacies. Eating a Meze is one of the ‘musts’ on any visit to Cyprus, and is a great guide to understanding the Cypriot mentality. Take your time and share a Meze with friends; don’t be surprised at how long it takes and how much food is offered, ‘siga, siga!’ ‘Slowly, slowly!’ as they say in Cyprus. Mezedes can include up to 20-30 dishes! Its a great way to enjoy a friend’s company, have a few drinks and last but not least enjoy the many different tastes of Cyprus that a ‘Meze’ includes.

Fish

You should not miss the opportunity to eat Mediterranean fish in one of the many fish restaurants that you can find near the coast. There are lots of delicious fish dishes to discover, grilled or fried, salty or sour, spicy or plain. In many cases there will be no menu, the waiter will tell you about the catch of the day and how it will be prepared. In the mountain areas delicious freshwater fish can be ordered. Did you ever try a Cypriot trout?

Brandy Sour

One of the memories of a trip to Cyprus will no doubt include the famous cocktail the ‘Brandy Sour’. As the name implies, a ‘Brandy Sour’ is the successful ‘union’ of two local specialties, Cyprus Brandy and lemon squash (made from Cyprus lemons). Add some drops of angostura bitters, top up with soda water and ice cubes...and enjoy a pleasant summer cocktail! Cheers!

Yemista

Yemista are stuffed vegetables all kinds, favourites in every Cypriot family. Especially in summertime you will appreciate the interesting taste of this Mediterranean speciality. You can order the great number of stuffed vegetables as starters or as main dishes. They can be hot or cold. Served.

The famous stuffed wine-leaves are called "Koupepia". Not only children do fight for the last one!

Also tasty are stuffed peppers, tomatoes, onions, courgettes, aubergines or stuffed petals from courgettes.

The filling is made with rice and grated tomatoes. However the cook likes minced meet and different spices like parsley or mint can be added.

On the grill:

Souvla

Barbecues are very popular in Cyprus. „Souvla" can be translated with „skewer". Souvla are mainly pieces of Lam or Chicken, grilled on charcoal grill The Cypriots love their Souvla and there can always be a reason to be invited for.

Shieftalies

Another tasty dish from the charcoal grill are the small sausages of minced meat, called „Shiftalies". Maybe you will try to find out the secret of that special taste, if you try them for the first time. It is not the parsley or the onions that are ingredients, it is ...Why doesn't you try by yourself?

Kleftiko

Nowadays "Kleftiko" is a typical dish for every single celebration. It is a piece of lamb or goat wrapped in foil and baked in special ovens, that in any case must be closed airtight, until the Kleftiko will be baked.

The origin of this dish, as history tells us, goes back to the Cypriot freedom fighters of the 19th.Century that lived in the mountain. They had to prepare their stolen meat, the Kleftiko, neither that some could smell it, nor that it could be seen. Though they baked it closed in special earthenware pottery, that they had buried under the ground...

Mousakas

The famous "Mousakas" for sure will be find on every menu. It is a typical summer meal and can be eaten warm or cold. Mousakas is prepared with potatoes or/and courgettes and aubergines, and covered with a tasteful cream. Some vegetarians might be lucky; there are some restaurants that also serve "Mousakas vegetarian" though it is not made with the traditional sauce of minced meat.

Alcoholic Beverages

Beer

The mild Mediterranean climate of Cyprus produces rich wheat and allows it to brew light beer (of high quality). There are two breweries in the Republic of Cyprus established: KEO, the Cypriot brewery and the world known Carlsberg brewery.

Brandy

However, a good wine makes also a good Brandy. The Cyprus Brandy is popular because of its mild taste. Pure or in long drinks, not only experts will enjoy it. It also makes the famous "Brandy Sour" to the specialty that it is. Did you know that it is tradition to offer Brandy to the wedding guests?

Cypriot Wine

Cyprus wine has been produced for thousands of years and since the time of the Crusades it has also been exported to Europe. ‘Commandaria’ has enjoyed a reputation as a fine dessert wine since the 12th century. Today wine is one of the most important exports of Cyprus.