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Welcome to Cyprus, an island of legends that basks year round
in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun. A storied past 10,000 years long has seen civilizations come and go and the likes of everyone from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra stake their claim here - but then, people do tend to get possessive when faced with such beauty. Aphrodite made her home on Cyprus, and travellers throughout antiquity came here just to pay her tribute.
Today Cyprus is a modern country that effortlessly marries European culture with ancient enchantment. Here you will discover a compact world of alluring beaches and fragrant mountain peaks, vineyards studded with olive trees and ancient ruins that stir the imagination, citrus groves and old stone villages where sweet wine flows as freely as conversations at the local café. A carefree place where a sense of timelessness is magnified by the kindness of the people.
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Culture:
Experience at firsthand one of the oldest civilisations of the Mediterranean one that goes back 10,000 years.
Conquered by foreign powers throughout its long history, the island is like a large open air museum where you can see evidence of its chequered past. Ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Venetians, Ottomans and British all left their mark, making the island a mosaic of different cultures and periods.
 Famous for its copper in antiquity, Cyprus (‘Kypros’ in Greek) may even have given the metal its Latin name, cuprum. The cult of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek mythological goddess of love and beauty, flourished here and people came from miles around to take part in celebrations in her name.
The island was the first country the apostles Paul and Barnabas visited in their mission to spread Christianity and the first to come under Christian administration.
When Cyprus became part of the Byzantine Empire, art and architecture flourished here, especially in the 12th century, considered to be the Golden Age of Byzantine painting in Cyprus. As a distant outpost of Byzantium, Cyprus escaped the iconoclastic decrees of the 8th century and much of its Byzantine art has survived here.
| Cyprus Weather |
| Nicosia |
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27°C
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| Limassol |
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26°C
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| Larnaca |
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29°C
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| Agia Napa |
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29°C
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| Polis |
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27°C
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| Paphos |
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27°C
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 In the spotlight: Tombs of the Kings
The “Tombs of the Kings” are situated close to the sea in the north western necropolis of Pafos. They owe their name to their size and splendour – some probably belonged to the Pafian aristocracy, and not because royalty was buried there. They are rock cut and date to the Hellenistic and early Roman periods. Some of them
imitate the houses of the living, with the rooms (here the burial chambers) opening onto a peristyle atrium. They are similar to tombs found in Alexandria, demonstrating the close relations between the two cities during the Hellenistic period.
 Short Facts:
Region: Pafos
Accreditation: Unesco World Heritage
Address: Pafos
Operating Hours: Daily: 08:00 - 17:00 (November - March), 08:00 - 18:00 (April - May, September - October), 08:00 - 19:30 (June - August)
Operating Period: All year round
Entrance Fee: 1.71 Euro
Getting to know the land:
Polis Chrysochous - Paphos - Cyprus
Polis which in Greek means town, is one of the most beautiful areas in Cyprus , near romantic sites, close to where Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, used to meet her beloved Adonis. Polis is built on the northest of Cyprus , near Akamas Peninsula with its renowned Baths of Aphrodite . Akamas is a nature reserve of exceptional natural beauty and eventually become a national park. The whole Polis area has been beautifully blessed by nature and combines the beauty of mountain, sea and plain. It's seas are clean and cool summer nights. The area is especially suited to people with special interests who enjoy activities when on holiday. Polis is a perfect refuge for mental and physical relaxation and recreation.
Those wishing to escape the stress and routine of daily life, will find an ideal place of calm and rest, in an enviroment of unparalleled beauty. Life in Polis still rolls along at a quiet pace without too many crowds or noise. Polis is the favourite spot of demanding visitors in search of a quality holiday in a friendly, sociable enviroment.
35Km from Paphos - a 30 minute car ride. The tow towns are linked by regular bus routes every day except Sunday. Polis is 45 minutes from Paphos airport, less than 2 hours from Larnaka Airport, and 25 minutes from the Tsada Golf Course. |
September 2008
From September 1 - October 28 - Kypria International Cultural Festival 2008. Kypria is an annual festival staged at various venues across Cyprus in September and October. The festival is organized by the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture and gives the opportunity to bring into Cyprus some of the world's best artists in the fields of music, dance and performance art. Art and photography exhibitions, opera and ballet are also included in a varied programme. The festival has been running since 1990 and is considered the premier cultural event of the year.
From: Sep 19, 2008 - Oct 30, 2008 - Thalassa” International Cultural Festival. The festival includes photographic exhibition, educational workshops, screenings and music performances.
Time: 10:00-13:00, 15:00-21:00 (Monday to Friday) and 15:00-21:00 (Saturday and Sunday). Closed on Tuesday, at the Evagoras Lanitis Centre, organised by the Evagoras and Kathleen Lanitis Foundation
October 2008
Start: Oct 18, 2008 End: Oct 19, 2008 - Limassol Dragon Boat Festival. International Event with 55 million members and held all over the world through out the year. Coming to Cyprus for the first time. The aim is to build up to the world championship final to be held in Cyprus in 2012 where we expect in excess of 3,000 competitors. Races are run in 10 meter boats with up to 20 paddlers a drummer and a helm. Minimum age for competitors is 10 years. No maximum age. Training will be provided.
This fantastic event will take at Limassol Molos Seafront. For further information please contact: +357 99 679 138 . Time: 09:00 am
November 2008
From: 7 - 9 November - Historic Cyprus Rally 2008
Many historic rally competitors were involved in road rallying many years ago and see historic rallying as a means of meeting old friends and reliving old times. Although the will to win is always present, the social side of these events is equally important. Not surprisingly, historic rallying is the fastest growing side of motor sport and is an excellent introduction for people contemplating motor sport for the first time.
From November 27 - 30 November - The Cyprus International 4-day Challenge Marathon is organised by Arena DMC, is a staged running event which combines in a distance a bit longer than a marathon, mountain running, trail running, cross country running, a trail half marathon and a 10k City Run over four days, making it an ultimate adventure running event. The event takes place in the area of Paphos, and for the most part of it, participants have the opportunity to compete in the AKAMAS Nature Reserve Park, in some of Cyprus most scenic routes, where every turn comes with a different stunning view, unfolding the beauty of the AKAMAS Nature Reserve Park in a panoramic sea-sky-earth motif.
All year round in Polis:
6th January: The feast of Epiphany at Latsi. The majestic celebrations take place in the late morning and symbolise the baptism of Christ in the Jordan river. Visitors wishing to acquaint themselves with the customs and traditions of the area, are able to participate in various events throughout the year, and the most important are:
Carnival Celebrations: The Carnival King accompanies the children as they parade in fancy dress. Traditional singers are singing carnival songs in the square. Free wine is offered to all.
 Green Monday: The first day of Lent is celebrated on the Minicipal beach with a vegetarian picnic, kite flying and traditional dances.
Greek Easter at Polis: On the evening of Good Friday the Epitaph is ceremoniously carried arround the town; at midnight on Easter Saturday, during Easter Mass, the traditional bonfire is lit where Judas is sumbolically burned. On Easter Sunday afternoon, traditional Easter games are held in nearby Neo Chorio.
Mayday: A flower festival on the paved streets with exhibitions, flower markets and music. These celebrations, with their roots in antiquity symbolise the rebirth of man and nature.
Kataklysmos: The Feast of the Holy Spirit at Latsi. This is celebrated 50 days after Greek Orthodox Easter with sea games and traditional dances.
Traditional Fair: A religious fair outside Apostolos Andreas church with loukoumades (beignets) and traditional dances in mid-July.
Music under the stars: Summer events on the paved street and Agios Nikolaos square in cooperation with C.T.O .
Christmas: Father Christmas visits the square with carols and wishes.
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