Cypruss, An Island nation in the Eastern Meditteranean is very popular for Cypress holidays, particularly, Cyprus package deals. The third largest Meditteranean Island and a former British colony, it gained its independence in 1960. It joined the European Union in 2004 and later adopted the Euro as its currency.
Disputes over the Islands name arise. One school says that Cyprus come from the Meditteranean cypress tree. Another suggests that Cyprus is derived from the sumerian word for copper since there have been coper ore deposits on the Island. The latin name for the metal Cyprium has been derived from the islands name.
Cyprus is unique in the respect that the nation is split into two seperate areas. To the south an central is administered by Greek Cypriots. While in the North Turkish Cypriots control this area. United Nations administer Buffer zones in border areas.
Nicosia is the capital and largest city with a population of 47,000 people. It is situated on the river Pedieos and is almost in the centre of the island. It is the political, economic and cultural centre of Cyprus. The venetian City wall , 4.5 m thick is a tourist attraction and the famagusta gate is now used as a cultural centre. The Archbishops palace contains a Byzantine museum and the Selimiye mosque is well renowned.
Cyprus has some of the finest beaches in the Meditteanean with Kapparis beach, Phinikoudes Beach, Pernera beach and Pachyammos beach being the most popular.
Cyprus package deal holidaymakers can explore a famous wine tasting tour at Pitsilia. Commandaria is one of the oldest wines in the world and the first to be given ‘Appellation d’origin’ (Label of geographical origin.
The Tombs of the kings are an UNESCO world heritage site and are situated close to the sea in the north western necropolis of Pafos. Some of these tombs are unique in that they attempt to imitate the houses of the living.They date to the early Hellenistic period. They have similarities to the tombs found in alexandria indicating some interchange between Cyprus and this ancient city.
Other world heriage sites include Pafos Medieval fort, Choirokoita neolithic settlement, Panagia tou Araka church, the sanctuary of Aphrodite of Palaepafos and Saranta kolones castle.
View the latest Cyprus holidays.