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Cyprus

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The legendary island of Cyprus is beautiful beyond all comparison and known throughout history as being one of the most sought after territories on the face of the planet. The ancient Greeks believed it was the birthplace of the mythological goddess of love, rapture, and desire, Aphrodite - and it's not hard to believe, once you've seen the island itself. Over hundreds of years, empires have risen, fallen, and made claim to Cyprus. Throughout the history of Cyprus there are stories of the Persians, Egyptians, Mycenaeans, and Assyrians. Those are merely a sample of the cultures to battle for the possession of this beautiful place. Most recently, Turkey and Greece have ended their conflict as to which country the island belongs to, and have finally settled their differences literally by sharing the island; the North is part of Turkey, and the South is part of Greece.

Paphos, once the capital of Cyprus, is a more than ideal destination for an island getaway. The city is home to plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local nightlife, as well as the long, clean beaches such as Venus Beach, or Coral Beach. Paphos is also home to many resorts at different levels of luxury, regardless of one's budget. Also, because Paphos was once the capital, the city itself is littered with numerous ruins; ancient temples, buildings, statues, altars. To name only a couple of the most popular are castles from the time of the first Christian crusaders, or the tomb of the Islamic prophet Mohammed's aunt. Generally speaking, the island itself is geographically situated to be attractive to all tastes for tourism. The central area of the island is mountainous, with surrounding regions of semi-tropical jungles. Towards the coastline there are cities and excellent beaches.

Limassol is another popular city to visit on the island. It harbors the traditional resorts and luxury spas, such as the Four Seasons. There are also plenty of restaurants where one can savor and experience the unique blend of both Turkish and Greek cuisine that the Cypriot culture seems to have embraced. However, there is more to Limassol than just the usual tourist attractions. It also contains the ruins of Kolossi Castle, and a temple honoring Apollo, both just outside the city limits. There are churches, mosques, and monasteries, honoring many different religions and cultures all over the island. These almost depict a tangible timeline of the progression of civilization, for over a thousand years. The island Cyprus has something to offer everyone, and even those visitors who aren't particularly interested in history will be able to appreciate the natural beauty and archaeological value of the island.

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Ayia Napa Music, partying and nightlife are what people see when they think of Ayia Napa; a south-eastern holiday resort on the Green island of Cyprus. They certainly aren't wrong, but they are also missing out the other aspects of Ayia Napa. These are the aspects which fully cater for family life and cultura...

Larnaca Looking along the coast of Larnaca, you might think that you have stepped back in Roman times as you gaze upon the ancient fort, the historical quarter, and the other beautiful buildings that line the waters, which in turn provide a reflection of the skyline. Not only is Larnaca a perfect place to e...