Cyprus

Island of Cyprus is several great beach resorts and skiing one. The island’s capital, Nicosia is the city unpopular among tourists but definitely worthwhile. It is the capital of the two states at the same time – the Republic of Cyprus inhabited by Greeks, and Northern Cyprus which population is made up by Turks. It is a beautiful ancient city, the first settlements date back to the 7th century BC. If you want to see authentic non-touristic Cyprus, you should allocate at least a couple of days for visiting Nicosia. This city has many museums, as well as restaurants of Balkan, Greek and Turkish cuisines. The largest and most popular Cypriot resort is city of Limassol. It is located on the coast and, in fact, it is a ‘universal’ place to rest. For families with children, there are water parks, amusement park and hotels with the entire infrastructure for little travellers, for youth – the set of clubs, bars and discos. In addition, the resort is considered the most international and ‘Russian-speaking’ one. Ayia Napa is a ‘local Ibiza’, the most cheerful and youth resort of the island where Cypriots themselves rest with pleasure. The city has many different clubs, beach discos and a variety of bars and restaurants. And compared with same Ibiza, to hang out in Ayia Napa is several times cheaper. The most inexpensive and ‘simple’ Cypriot resort is Larnaca. There is nothing special here, but it is great for a relaxing family holiday with children. Sandy beaches, gently sloping entrance to the sea and low prices for accommodation fully compensate the lack of entertainment infrastructure. In addition, there is one of the two airports on the island. The second airport is in Paphos. This ancient city is known as the birthplace of goddess Aphrodite, as well as the most elite resort on the island. Wealthy people rest here, a lot of luxury hotels and restaurants has been built. Neither special entertainment infrastructure nor animation, but a lot of beautiful bays, secluded places and other opportunities for a relaxing holiday. Protaras is a quiet resort town, more budgetary one. Lots of wide beaches, rocky bays and cheap apartments are a suitable place to come on holiday with children. At the same time, if desired, it is convenient to ride from here to Ayia Napa with its disco intoxication – just 15 minutes by taxi. The small town of Polis situated on the north-west of the island cannot boast of a large flow of tourists – and this is its charm. Natives just live their life, go fishing and engaged in agriculture. Tourists are no entertaining here, but there is the opportunity to live on real authentic Cyprus. Accommodation prices are significantly lower than in the tourist centres, fish markets and fairs work on weekends, and if lucky, you can see the boat show. The Troodos Mountains are Nature Reserve and a compulsory point of tourist program in Cyprus. It is cool pine forests, in the shade of which settled villages, Byzantine monasteries, ancient ruins and small taverns. In winter, snow falls in the mountains of Troodos, and you can ski, and in the rest of the time it is worth to visit the famous Kykkos Monastery, climb Mount Olympos, visit the pottery village of Kakopetria, or simply walk around the many hiking mountain trails.