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I awoke to the view of the vineyard studded with olive trees. The sun,meanwhile, had risen several hours before i did. No wonder Alexander theGreat and Cleopatra loved this island of legends while Aphrodite, alluringGreek goddess of love and beauty was born here and made it her home.After all, people do become rather possessive when faced with suchenchantment...
Besides its bracing pine-scented air, Byzantine churches, stirring ancientruins and pristine beaches, Cyprus, the Mediterranean's third largest island,is the perfect holiday resort. I had long wanted to visit this land of exoticfragrances which basks in year round sunshine and wasn't disappointed whenwe finally met for the first time.
The coastal resort of Paphos in the country's southwest, drips withhistory. Despite its vulnerability to foreign incursions throughout thecenturies, it survived, retaining an indefinable, legendary charm. Remarkably,this tough little town, the country's ancient capital, even managed to survivea devastating earthquake in the 4th century AD. In fact, Paphos bursts withso many historical and archaeological treasures that UNESCO3 decided thebest thing was simply to add the whole town to its World Cultural Heritagelist. The town is also home to numerous catacomb sites. The impressiveunderground Tombs of the Kings carved out of solid rock are spread over awide area. It was actually local movers and shakers of the 4th century BCwho were buried here rather than kings, but these tombs are so magnificentyou can forgive them for upgrading the status of the entombed.
Children of all ages love visiting the Paphos BirdPark complete with waterfalls where you can delight at theaerobatic antics of a variety of colourful species. Here inacres of parkland set in an unspoiled natural environmentyou will see exotic parrots, toucans, eagles, owls, ducksand swans.
Food in Cyprus is satisfying, sturdy and varied. If youorder "Mezes " in a restaurant, you will receive an arrayof small dishes with salads, beef, smoked ham, chicken,olives, cheeses, artichokes and vine leaves. Rememberto leave some room though, because you may want totry some of the island's excellent fish-octopus, squidand sea bream are the tops. And no Cypriot meal wouldbe complete without wrapping yourself round a dish ofbaklava-layers of puff pastry packed with nuts, fruits andgolden syrup.6 If you prefer a selection of juicy fruit tofinish your meal, you'll be spoiled for choice with oranges,strawberries, apricots, pomegranates, figs and bananas-all thrive in this sun-kissed land.
Cosmopolitan Limassol, the island's main port, is thecountry's second largest city, heart of wine country andholiday resort. This is the location for the island's two topfestivals, the Carnival with fancy dress balls and paradesand the September Wine Festival, an extravaganza withfree-flowing wine, courtesy of the local wineries, foreveryone to enjoy.
It has another claim to fame because in the MiddleAges, it hosted the marriage of Richard I the Lion-Heartwith Berengaria of Navarre whom he crowned Queen ofEngland. Thereafter the Crusaders made their headquartersat the Kolossi Medieval Castle, where history tells us theyspent a lot of time brewing wines, particularly a sweetdessert wine "Commandaria", said to be the oldest namedwine in the world.
Besides its bracing pine-scented air, Byzantine churches, stirring ancientruins and pristine beaches, Cyprus, the Mediterranean's third largest island,is the perfect holiday resort. I had long wanted to visit this land of exoticfragrances which basks in year round sunshine and wasn't disappointed whenwe finally met for the first time.
The coastal resort of Paphos in the country's southwest, drips withhistory. Despite its vulnerability to foreign incursions throughout thecenturies, it survived, retaining an indefinable, legendary charm. Remarkably,this tough little town, the country's ancient capital, even managed to survivea devastating earthquake in the 4th century AD. In fact, Paphos bursts withso many historical and archaeological treasures that UNESCO3 decided thebest thing was simply to add the whole town to its World Cultural Heritagelist. The town is also home to numerous catacomb sites. The impressiveunderground Tombs of the Kings carved out of solid rock are spread over awide area. It was actually local movers and shakers of the 4th century BCwho were buried here rather than kings, but these tombs are so magnificentyou can forgive them for upgrading the status of the entombed.
Children of all ages love visiting the Paphos BirdPark complete with waterfalls where you can delight at theaerobatic antics of a variety of colourful species. Here inacres of parkland set in an unspoiled natural environmentyou will see exotic parrots, toucans, eagles, owls, ducksand swans.
Food in Cyprus is satisfying, sturdy and varied. If youorder "Mezes " in a restaurant, you will receive an arrayof small dishes with salads, beef, smoked ham, chicken,olives, cheeses, artichokes and vine leaves. Rememberto leave some room though, because you may want totry some of the island's excellent fish-octopus, squidand sea bream are the tops. And no Cypriot meal wouldbe complete without wrapping yourself round a dish ofbaklava-layers of puff pastry packed with nuts, fruits andgolden syrup.6 If you prefer a selection of juicy fruit tofinish your meal, you'll be spoiled for choice with oranges,strawberries, apricots, pomegranates, figs and bananas-all thrive in this sun-kissed land.
Cosmopolitan Limassol, the island's main port, is thecountry's second largest city, heart of wine country andholiday resort. This is the location for the island's two topfestivals, the Carnival with fancy dress balls and paradesand the September Wine Festival, an extravaganza withfree-flowing wine, courtesy of the local wineries, foreveryone to enjoy.
It has another claim to fame because in the MiddleAges, it hosted the marriage of Richard I the Lion-Heartwith Berengaria of Navarre whom he crowned Queen ofEngland. Thereafter the Crusaders made their headquartersat the Kolossi Medieval Castle, where history tells us theyspent a lot of time brewing wines, particularly a sweetdessert wine "Commandaria", said to be the oldest namedwine in the world.