Cyprus coastline by Anton S.

If there’s one thing above all else that Cypriots are proud of, it surely has to be the warmth of the welcome they offer to visitors. Wherever you have been in the past, the chances are you will be pleasantly surprised by how pleased the locals are to show you just how friendly they can be. This is one of the reasons why a great number of visitors from all over the world return to Cyprus on an annual basis.

The climate on this beautiful Mediterranean island is the envy of a great many other holiday destinations. In the summer, the days are warm, long and wonderfully sunny, yet even on the hottest days it rarely becomes uncomfortable because of a cooling breeze that’s often in the air. And when the winter months come along, the temperatures are still high enough to make life comfortable for everyone.

Get a proper taste of Cyprus

In most restaurants on the island, especially around the tourist resorts, you’ll find a wonderful selection of local and international options on the menu. Although you may want to try something a little familiar on some occasions, be sure to choose something typically Mediterranean at least one or twice on your vacation. As you might expect from an island nation, fish dishes feature prominently, so try the gilt-head bream or the delicious calamari.

For most people, a holiday to Cyprus offers a much-needed opportunity to relax, if only because modern life seems so hectic nowadays. Because we are always rushing from one place to another in our daily lives, the restorative effects of an annual summer vacation should never be underestimated. A cool drink, a comfortable sunbed, a good book and a beautiful view of the ocean – what more could we ever need?

Needless to say, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy for those who are in the mood for something a little less sedentary. Cyprus has a number of golf courses to offer, for example, as well as some stunning cycling routes. Another favourite option is to hire a car for a few days in order to explore the island. With a rich heritage all around you, you’ll find plenty of fascinating places to visit.

David Showell has visited Cyprus on several occasions. He works for http:/www.carrentals.co.uk.

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As a result of the UNESCO biosphere designation, the Menorcan authorities are even more careful to ensure that its environment and the plants and animals it supports are protected and preserved for years to come. This gives rise to some unique and interesting ways in which tourism on the island is handled and some unique experiences for visitors to Menorca.

Tranquil beaches and quiet villages

One of the benefits of Menorca’s restrictions on development is the peace and tranquillity that you’ll find on the island. Rather than the blaring night clubs and raucous bars of many of the other Spanish coastal tourist resorts, Menorca has miles of unspoilt coast and many villages with quiet cobbled streets that are never troubled by traffic.

Cala Galdana, Menorca, Spain by Matth i

If you enjoy time on the beach, there’s plenty to attract you to the island and its stunning stretches of sand.

Flora and fauna

Aside from the beaches, there are plenty of attractions for naturalists in Menorca. Birdwatchers will be kept very busy with a range of rare and unusual birds including Raptors, Egyptian Vultures and Booted Eagles seen soaring in the skies above the island. Late April is thought to be the best time for birders to visit, with the island acting as a key staging point for birds migrating across the Mediterranean.

Minorcan countryside, Spain by Francisco Valverde

The islands heaths and wetlands are protected and monitored by park rangers at the Albufera des Grau Natural Park. The park has an environmental museum that opens to the public, offering a fascinating commentary on the work of the park to protect indigenous species of plants and the birds of prey that nest in the area.

The park has several well-marked paths that allow visitors to explore this unique wildlife habitat and gives the opportunity to see some of the plants and creatures native to the area.

Culture and craft

Menorca’s UNESCO recognition extends beyond the ecological and environmental to the culture of the island. With a unique language – Menorquin – which is part Spanish, part Catalan the islanders have something that is completely different to anywhere else in the Mediterranean. In addition to the language and culture, including the strong heritage of horsemanship and agrarian living, Menorca has a host of prehistoric sites indicating a culture dating back to the Bronze Age and maybe even earlier.

One way in which the Menorcans have maintained their culture is through the handicrafts that are still practiced across the island. In particular, handmade leather shoes are made in tiny workshops by craftsmen and women whose skills have been handed down from generation to generation. The Albarca shoes, which are particular to the area, can be found in little shops and boutiques across the island.

Islanders are also skilled jewellers and metal smiths, and artisan jewellers are attracted to the island for the Eurobijoux trade fair in Mahon in September. At the leading edge of the trends, jewellery and accessories seen at the fair are likely to be seen replicated across the world in the following seasons.

Conclusion

This delicate cultural and environmental climate deserves respect and those who will do so receive a warm welcome on the island. With plenty of villas available, you can take advantage of the peace and quiet to get a complete break from the rat race. If you want to stay at a beautiful Menorca villa during your stay visit this link.

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Spain is a country which welcomes its tourists with open arms. Tourism forms inseparable part of a national economy. About 10,000 accommodation facilities is available here so you can choose from the cheapest one up to the most luxurious offering all types of service you can even imagine.

Photo by admin

Spain belongs to one of the cheapest western European countries, so this is why about 10% of all tourists travelling abroad choose this place for their holidays. Hotels are rated by stars from one to five and are marked with the letter H. Stars are awarded mainly for the room’s equipment but also for overall quality. Hotel restaurants are usually available also to other tourists.

If you prefer homelike atmosphere, you can choose from a network of Spain apartments. There are two kinds of such facilities – HA (Hotel Apartamentos) or RA (Residence Aparthotel).

Other accommodation options are Paradores Nacionales, which are state-owned hotels ranked from three to five stars, so those are luxurious and more expensive. The first Parador was established in 1928. Now you can find them both on the mainland and the islands. They are easily accessible, often presented as a mansion, medieval castles and other luxurious hotels.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cayetano

The most luxurious hotels are located on the Costa del Sol and Balearic Islands. Tourists across the country can choose from a wide variety of accommodation for different occasions, from short-stay apartments to long-term lease. Cheaper accommodation can be found in guesthouses, campsites or various casa rurales, which are family village hostels with a homelike atmosphere. They generally have a limited number of rooms/beds and are open only in the peak season. In Spain there are more than 600 campsites, which most of them are on the coast and offer standard services.

Accommodation prices vary by location, number of stars, and depend on the season. Prices should be displayed in each reception. It is common that rural and suburban hotels and hostels are cheaper than similar facilities in the city centers and along the beaches. Peak season starts in July and ends in August, but in some areas lasts from April until late September. At the time of national holiday (Fiesta) hotels may require a special fee.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Wolfgang Staudt

One of the hottest destinations in Spain is Barcelona without a doubt. Barcelona is experiencing a real boom since the early 90′s, when the preparations for the Olympic Games have changed and modernized a character of the city. Today, Barcelona is really a busy city (sometimes too much in terms of traffic intensity…), full of culture, art and all sorts of activities.

However there are lots of Barcelona apartments, hotels, B&B and other accommodation facilities here, it is still recommended to book your room in advance to avoid any troubles and stress.

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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.

View Kolossi Castle – medieval fortress in Cyprus in a larger map

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