Omodoes Village

Omodoes Village is a gorgeous traditional village that is beautiful in every way, shape and form. Only spending a few hours here will result in you falling in love, and it’ll certainly be hard to force yourself to leave. There are many beautiful Venetian structures that are the homes of wineries, shops and restaurants. You can easily spend several afternoons here exploring the region and taking in the wonderful sights. This are is truly wonderful and it will leave you with many superb memories.

Omodoes Village, Cyprus by Wknight94

Koilani Village

Koilani Village is a beautiful are that is full of history and charm. Upon entering this village, you’ll feel as though you’ve taken a trip back in time. There area is filled with many charming elements that indlude traditional wineries and many others. Another great thing about this village is the fact that there is great food on seemingly every corner. With the many beautiful views that this village has to offer, you can easily spend an entire afternoon exploring without even scratching the surface of what is available.

Alley in centre of Koilani village, Cyprus by Etan J. Tal

Why You Should Visit

The homes of Limassol are absolutely gorgeous and it would make even the most stubborn visitor tempted to make the move. If you’re into fine wines, delicious dining and historic structures that are full of beauty, you’ll fall in love with the many traditional villages. It is recommended that you rent a car if you’re interested in saving a bit on costs. Any time of the year is a great time to visit these traditional villages as they are always exciting and full of activities. If you’re looking to take a trip that will leave you with many wonderful memories, I highly recommend exploring Limassol.

Author Byline:

James Bradford has worked with hotel in Limassol and has worked with several travel planners over the years.

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Photo by LearningLark

Prepare Your Passport

The first part of getting into Europe for the first time is to make sure you have your passport ready. It’s best to make sure that you have your passport renewed as early as possible. This includes having your passport valid for at least six months after the date that you get into Europe.

Check on Foreign Exchange Fees

There are a number of different foreign exchange fees that you might have to deal with when using credit cards or other financial instruments in Europe. This is often used to pay for the process of converting funds in your native currency into funds that are in the currency of the country that you are trying to pay for something in.

The foreign exchange fee that you might have to pay off could be worth about two or three percent of the value of whatever you are buying. You need to check your credit card company to see what you would have to pay when getting your fee.

Consider Driving Points

It’s a good idea to think about the way how you might drive on the left side of the road in some countries. You might even have to drive your car by sitting on the right side of the vehicle instead of the left.

Fortunately, most parts of Europe involve driving on the right side of the road. You’d have to go on the left side of the road if you were in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus or the Isle of Man.

Watch for Tipping

Tipping people who serve you is always a good idea. However, the value of the tip that you can give to someone in Europe might be smaller than what you’d be used to pay off.

You might be able to get away with paying a tip that’s only five or ten percent in value. You might want to talk with locals in the area to see what you should be paying if only to at least see what you could be getting.

Adapt to the Culture

The final tip is to make sure that you adapt to the culture of whatever spot it is you are getting into. Every country has its own interesting things relating to what people do. For example, people in England drink more tea than what you might expect to find where you live. Meanwhile, wine is much more popular in France and Italy than where you might live in.

You have to make sure you are using the right ideas when traveling into Europe for the first time. It’s to give you an idea of what you could be getting out of a trip in the area.

This article is written by Pritam Nagrale who writes about traveling on his blog PNR Status Check. He is a travel freak from India.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ronald Saunders

Accommodation to please the elderly and the adventurous young crowd!

The popular resort of Ayia Napa is full of wild nightlife and thrills. If you do not prefer seclusion, you can also rent out flats and villas near the town. Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos have luxurious resorts and villas. Also there are a few villas, which are wheel chair friendly. If you have some disabled members in your family try to search for a villa with wheel chair facilities and you will find plenty available in Cyprus. You can rent a holiday villa and enjoy your holidays in a private pool and the fantabulous nightlife as well. Cyprus is an ideal destination for honeymoon couples and even young crowd. 

Villas right on the beach

Cyprus is a small Island and many villas are right on the beach. You open the door and can walk right to the beachfront, this is like dream come true. Cyprus is full of Villas and holiday apartments. All those who do not want to confine themselves inside hotel rooms can opt for villas. You can rent a villa in Cyprus for long term and short term. It all depends on the duration of your holidays.

On-line booking services will help find your matching villa

There are many online booking services, which offer range of villas all around Cyprus. You can search for a variety of them online. There are villas, which are available, all year round even during the summer days! The are many villas with low prices but you can also find the most luxurious villas around Europe!  Winters are usually off-season in Cyprus. Many honeymoon couples visit Cyprus during the winter. There are honeymoon villas available in all destinations in Cyprus, which have very low prices during this time of year.

Cyprus people are friendly and ever helping. No matter what your holiday purpose is, you will be given the best of facilities. Do not worry about old age group or even newborn. Come with your family and check in in any of the Cyprus villas, you will have best of the services available. There are different villas with different specialties or themes. Specify your holiday purpose and your requirements, all you have to do is to pack your luggage and come to Cyprus, rest all is taken care of.

About the Author:
Mr Charalambos Touloupos runs Cyprus Car Hire portal a family owned car hire business based in Cyprus. Their goal is to offers the lowest rates for car hire in Paphos with personal attention to each customer.

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Visitors receive a warm welcome from the locals and even the temperature heats up to almost 40oc in July and August. Cyprus has the warmest climate in the Mediterranean and the warmest winters, so you can go any time of year. Here are the top places to visit:

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Karen Bryan

Petra tou Romiou

On the southern coast of the island lies Petra tou Romiou, a rock off the shore at one of the finest beaches in Cyprus and more famously referred to as Aphrodite’s Rock. This is because it is known as the birthplace of the mythological goddess of love Aphrodite. This is one of those must see places because it is a strikingly stunning area of natural beauty particularly the views from the road which travel from Paphos to Limassol that runs along the top of the cliffs.

Ayia Napa

On the far eastern side of the island, Ayia Napa has earned itself the reputation for the destination for those who love to party. This resort attracts oodles of tourists and has lots of beaches where you can experience a variety of water sports which range from water skiing to canoeing, scuba diving to wind surfing you can really take your pick. Ayia Napa is also home to the biggest waterpark in Europe so if you are a thrill seeker and love giant water slides then WaterWorld Waterpark is for you. It has many attractions, areas for parents to relax and playground areas for the kids.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by anthony kelly

Paphos Harbour and Castle

Paphos Harbour and Castle is on every tourists list of attractions to visit in Cyprus. Here you will find the remains of a castle which dates back to 1391. All round you will find stunning views and you can also enjoy a tour of the beautiful coastline by boat. You can take relaxing walks along the quay and sit in one of the many cafes and restaurants.

Nicosia

Finally, you can’t visit Cyprus without exploring its capital city, Nicosia. Its beautiful stone walls were built in the 16th century by venetians with lots of hidden delights. If you have had enough of exploring the city architecture, Nicosia also has a famous shopping centre called Laiki Yitoniak. You can also enjoy the many excellent places to eat and pick up a few souvenirs and gifts to take back home.

Whether you are looking for a holiday that’s jam packed with adventure, laid back with lots of sun and sea or filled with culture, then Cyprus is the holiday destination for you. There are many cheap flights to Cyprus so book yours now.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Martin Belam

The city of Larnaca is built on the site of an ancient Kition – the old city, whose ruins can be found about a kilometer of Larnaca’s city centre. Its existence is documented also in Larnaca’s archaeological museum featuring a collection of ceramics from ancient Kition, as well as in Neolithic settlement Khirokitia situated near Larnaca.

Khirokitia is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the eastern Mediterranean and is protected by an international organization UNESCO. Area around Larnaca Salt Lake is a home to thousands of flamingos in winter, but dries up in summer and only a layer of salt remains here. Beaches are darker, with fine sand, somewhere with pebbles or small stones. The sea around Larnaca boasts clean turquoise water.

Larnaca was founded between the 11th and 14th century BC. During its existence, has undergone a terrible destruction of the Persians in the Greco-Persian War.

From the top sights in Larnaca I should mention renovated tomb of Neolithic settlements Khirokitia, Roman glassware, Agios Lazaros Church, located in the southern part of the city which was built in the 10th century by Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise. Today the church hosts Byzantine museum.

About 20km west of the city you can visit Greek Orthodox Stavrovouni monastery which is located at the top of Stavrovouni mountain at an altitude of 680 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the coastal landscape and the Troodos mountains.

And if you will go more to the south you can see a very prominent Muslim shrine called Hala Sultan Tekke or the Mosque of Umm Haram. Anyway, once you visit Larnaca with its surroundings you will certainly not be disapointed!

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Luca Sbardella

The whole peninsula is rocky, there are some impressive canyons, such as Androlikou and Petratis, both on the north side of the peninsula. There are many marked hiking trails and climbing routes here. It is worth to see also the water reservoir called Aphrodite’s Baths. According to Greek mythology this is the place where Aphrodite met Adonis.

Part of the peninsula is forested and include about 600 plant species, of which 35 are endemic. For example, you can see wild cyclamen, several species of orchids, the Cyprus tulip, rock roses and more.

The fauna is represented by bats, shrews, foxes, hedgehogs, snakes, vultures, and sea turtles.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by sunrisehomeland

Probably the most beautiful walk on the island of Cyprus, you can enjoy by following Aphrodite Trail – 7.5 km long. Along the way, you can see the remains of a Byzantine monastery of Rigena. The trail leads to the top of Mouti tis Sotiras (370 m). Expect heat and the fact that water can be found only at Castle of Rigena, or when you follow another Adonis Trail, then in the village of Kefalovrysi.

Another trail is Pissouromouttis Trail which is 3km long or Smigiaes Trail with a length of 5km. On both of them you can enjoy magnificent views of the bay Hrysohou and Polis.

All the trails are carefully maintained, marked and accompanied by didactic signs.

If you are just planning your holidays in Cyprus, you should also include this great part of this island.

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Sandy beaches on the southern coast of Cyprus are very popular among tourists already for years. There are lots of young people coming here every summer. Cyprus’ beaches are traditionally evaluated very positively. The coast slowly descends into the warm turquoise water. The crystal clear sea is suitable for the lovers of water sports – here you can try paragliding or riding on water skis, or diving.

Until the late 18th century, the only inhabitants on the island were monks from the local monastery. The monastery was built specifically as a home for sacred icon, which according to legend, should appear to hunters during hunting. Just after almost two centuries, about twenty civilians moved to the area and founded the city, in the middle of which you can find a monastery.

Nature around Ayia Napa is beautiful, there are also many cultural and historical monuments and archaeological sites and beautiful churches.

How to get here
During the summer season you can take a ferry from the Greek island of Rhodes or the city of Piraeus and Turkish Tasuku. It can be reached by air, Ayia Napa is located about 50 kilometers from the airport in Larnaca.

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Kolossi Castle was probably built already in 1210 by the King Hugh I of Cyprus, also known as the Knight Hospitaller who built the main residence here.

Later the castle became the center of the order of the Knights Hospitaller and Templar Knights. In the years of 1425-1426 the castle was damaged after a large invasion of Mameluke raids. In 1454 was at the place of original castle built a new castle. It was built by Louis de Magnac whose coat of arms can be still seen on the eastern walls of the castle.

In 1933 the castle was reconstructed. The castle is now open all year round and is accessible by a small drawbridge. Following the stone staircase it is possible to get to the roof of the castle, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the surroundings.

Already in the days of knights the castle was a place of production of a delicious sweet wine known as Vins de la Commanderie, one of the traditional Cypriot brands.

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Famagusta was founded in 300 BC and its original name was Ammochostos – “burned down in the sand.” Large expansion of the city occurred in the late 13th century, when the first refugees settled here from the Holy Land. In this period, the first churches and mosques were built here in Famagusta.

Another boom came with Genoese and Venetians, and with their commercial potential. In 1571, Cyprus was controlled by the Ottomans. Today, the area of Famagusta is full of history and ancient architecture, but it also offers tourist services, beautiful beaches and romance. For sport lovers it is important to remind that Famagusta has quite a strong football team.

The city and surrounding worth a visit. Famagusta offers sights like the city walls with the most beautiful place of the Citadel, which offers a stunning view of the city.

You can also visit a mosque, Lala Mustafa Pasa Cami – former Cathedral of St. Nicholas from the late 13th century. As the whole Cyprus, also Famagusta boasts archaeological site – site of Salamis, where you can access gymnasium, baths, theaters, porticoes and the Basilica from 4th century.

Very interesting is also the district Varosha with Greek Cypriots that live here. During the occupation in 1974 lots of people leaved, and many people are still unhappy to see the abandoned houses.

To the north of Famagusta you can visit the church of the Apostle Varnavas. The church serves as the Museum of icons and the Archaeological Museum. Close to the church there is a small fishing village Bogazi located about 24 km north of Famagusta.

Akrotiri and Dhekelia are two British military bases on the island of Cyprus. Great Britain kept those two areas after the declaration of independence of Cyprus in 1960. Akrotiri is located on the southern island of Cyprus, near Limassol, Dhekelia is in the southeast of the island between the towns of Larnaca and Famagusta. Akrotiri has an area of ​​123 km². Dhekelia has an area of ​​130 km². In both areas there live more than fifteen thousand people.

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