Some general words..
Cyprus is a Eurasian island country situated in the eastern Mediterranean, south of Turkey, west of Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, east of Greece, and north of Egypt. Being the third largest Mediterranean island obviously makes Cyprus a very significant tourist destination, attracting over 2.4 million tourists per year.
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A brief history and modern Cyprus..
Cyprus is a former British colony which became an independent republic in 1960, and has been a member of the European Union since 1 May 2004.
In 1974, following years of inter-communal violence between ethnic Greeks and Turks and an attempted coup d’état by Greek Cyypriot nationalists aimed at annexing the island to Greece -- engineered by the military junta then in power in Athens- Turkey invaded and occupied one third of the island. This led to the displacement of thousands of Cypriots and the establishment of a separate Turkish Cypriot political entity in the north. This event and its resulting political situation are matters of ongoing dispute.
If you ever decide to visit Cyprus..
These are the Top 10 categories of stuff you might find useful.
- CM Top 10 Sights of the island
- CM Top 10 Hotels
- CM Top 10 Restaurants
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So which are the Top 10 Sights of the island as we decided here on CM?
1. Paphos Harbour
http://www.paphosvideoportal.com/photos/paphos1.jpg
2. Avakas Gorge (Abacus’ Gorge)
http://image50.webshots.com/50/3/85/79/412438579SxLGwr_fs.jpg
A masterpiece of nature, Avakas Gorge is situated in the unspoilt Akamas peninsula in northwest Pafos (Paphos). A trekker’s paradise, it offers spectacular views and a generous introduction to local flora and fauna, including the endangered centauria akamantis – an endemic plant found only in the gorge. Carved out of limestone rocks, rising up as high as 30 metres and narrowing dramatically at one point, the gorge is a fairly difficult hike as the rough track winds its way along and over the stream that formed this natural wonder over thousands of years. Parts of the walk are slippery and involve a certain amount of clambering over rocks and stones. Solid footwear and sensible clothes are recommended. Visitors are advised to take ample drinking water and urged not to enter the gorge alone without first informing someone of their plans.
Rich in flora, the gorge has pine trees, cypresses, junipers, wild fig trees, ferns and oaks among other trees as well as a profusion of wild flowers. Prize specimen among them is the extremely rare endemic centauria akamandis with its purple flowers that blossoms in the spring. Animal life includes foxes, hares, falcons, crows, night owls, butterflies and a large number of reptiles. The gorge is some 3km long. A number of travel firms carry out organized visits to the gorge. http://www.visitcyprus.com
3. Tombs of the kings
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/cyprus/images/paphos/tombs-of-kings/inside-cc-dolanh.jpg
4. Tzielefos Bridge
http://ianjerry.blogspot.com/2008/11/blog-post.html
5. The Venetian Wall Fortifications
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Venetian_walls_nicosia%27.jpg
6. Petra Tou Romiou
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2367825361_012518fe9d.jpg?v=0
7. Phinikoudes Beach
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3043/2610785112_9c9201445e.jpg
8. St. Lazarus church (Larnaca)
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/7941245.jpg
9. Aphrodite’s Baths
http://images.travelpod.com/users/scurle/cyprus_2005.1119133800.img_6888.jpg
10. Kolossi Castle
…….http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/kolossi-castle-limassol-cy112.jpg
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What about the CM Top 10 Hotels?
