Choirokoitia / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Klaus D. Peter, Wiehl, Germany

Cyprus has long been a popular holiday destination for Northern Europeans looking for that perfect beach holiday, and especially for the British whose country ruled the island up until independence in 1960. Cyprus is now firmly in the European Union with the Euro as its currency. With thousands of years of history Cyprus has some wonderful places to visit including  a number on the UNESCO World Heritage list which are:

1. Choirokoitia. A Neolithic settlement dating from the 7th till the 4th millennium B.C. The remains found at this site are some of the most important finds in the Easter Mediterranean and cast in light on the evolution of humans in this area. The site has only been partially excavated so it is hoped that future finds will help in the research.

2. The painted churches of the Troodos Mountains are a well preserved example of Byzantine architecture. The complex consists of 10 monuments all vividly painted with murals providing an overview of Byzantine painting in Cyprus.

3. Paphos and the area around have been inhabited since Neolithic times and was a centre for the cult Hellenic following of the fertility Goddess Aphrodite. A temple to the Goddess was erected by the Myceans (Ancient Greeks) in the 12th century B.C.  With the Mosaics of Neo Paphos some of the most beautiful in the world. The site is of exceptional worth due also to the many villas, fortresses, and tombs that have been uncovered.

These three sites in Cyprus have been deemed so important as to be put on a list giving “enhanced protection” status by the committee for the protection of cultural sites so that the destruction of the Mostar Bridge in Bosnia Herzegovina , and the shelling of the city of Dubrovnik  never occur again.  By giving the sites enhanced protection it is hoped that signature states to the Hague Convention for the protection of cultural monuments will abide by the conventions terms in the event of armed conflict.

Temple in Paphos / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Fiore Silvestro Barbato

Cyprus is most visited during the Summer months, and is thought of primarily as a beach destination.  A visit to these sites though will allow you to see a little more of what Cyprus has to offer including a drive into the mountains where the air is cooler, this provides a nice break to all those days you will be spending at the beach.

Cyprus is an easy Island to fly to from anywhere in Europe, and just recently low-cost carrier Irish airline Ryanair has announced that it is making Paphos a hub, for the airline, and will be basing aircraft in Cyprus. This will create 600 jobs while offering 80 flights a week to 14 destinations throughout Europe. Yet more proof of Paphos’s appeal as a holiday destination.

We hope that you have found this information useful, and that you will visit these cultural sites on your visit the Beautiful Island of Cyprus.

This is another article from Nathan Griffiths and was written on behalf of e rentals. Visit their site to compare rates and deals available for car rentals worldwide.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cayetano

The name means ‘sunny coast’ and it’s those long, sunny days and scorching temperatures (well into the mid-40s Celsius on some days) that provide the attraction for millions of visitors each year. Located along the Mediterranean in Andalusia, this area has been a major tourist draw since the 1950s.

Popular Costa del Sol Destinations

Andalusia enjoys the second largest share of tourist traffic among Spain’s autonomous communities which is no surprise as it’s one of the warmest and sunniest places in Europe. Some of the most popular areas include Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Estepona and Marbella. These – and the many other coastal cities – provide a variety of activities for visitors. Many of the towns are linked by a coastal rail line, making it easy to sample the variety of this coast. Estepona stands out for its 325 days of annual sunshine and two Blue Flag beaches. Torremolinos is the place to go to find the largest number of British expats and the beaches in Fuengirola are so popular that you will have trouble finding a free spot in the height of summer.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Gert Mewes

What to Do in Andalusia

As well as the usual assortment of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs, this area offers castles, cathedrals, forts and monasteries. The Alcazaba in Malaga, the Alhambra in Granada and the Giralda and Alcazar in Seville are worth visiting. Andalusia has a wide variety of other attractions. The birthplace of Velasquez and Picasso, it has a number of museums and art collections on show. Of these, one of the most important is the Malaga Museum of Modern Art. It’s also possible to see craft, ceramics and jewellery made by the region’s artisans. Andalusia is also a great place for those interested in architecture, as everything from Moorish/Islamic architecture to Renaissance, Baroque and more modern styles are on display. Walk around Malaga city centre and you will suddenly find yourself on distinctive and beautiful tiles or face to face with a beautiful building. And of course, depending on where you are, a visit to Gibraltar can make a nice day trip.

There’s so much to see and do in this area that its popularity is no surprise. If you have ever visited the Costa del Sol or Andalusia, be sure to share your favourite attractions in the comments.

Marian Jaime enjoys visiting the Costa del Sol. She uses Suntransfers’ Malaga airport taxis to get to her resort.

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