4
1 Strategies for Seeing the Island COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
1 Strategies for Seeing the Island
05_721377-ch01.indd 505_721377-ch01.indd 5 3/27/10 10:03 AM3/27/10 10:03 AM
COPYRIG
HTED M
ATERIAL
6S
trat
egie
s fo
r Se
eing
the
Reg
ion
Gü
zely
urt
Kö
rfez
iG
üze
lyu
rt K
örf
ezi
Cape
Cape
Arna
outis
Arna
outis
Chry
soch
ou B
ayCh
ryso
chou
Bay
Cape
Asp
roCa
pe A
spro
Cape
Zev
gari
Cape
Zev
gari
Cape
Gat
aCa
pe G
ata
Cape
Kiti
Cape
Kiti
Cape
Pyla
Cape
Pyla
Cape
Gre
coCa
pe G
reco
Epis
kop
i B
ay
Epis
kop
i B
ay
Akr
oti
ri B
ay
Akr
oti
ri B
ay
Me
dit
err
an
ea
n S
ea
Me
dit
err
an
ea
n S
ea
Larn
aca
Larn
aca
Ba
yB
ay
Ga
zim
ağ
usa
Ga
zim
ağ
usa
Kö
rfez
iö
rfez
iM
ES
AR
YA
OV
AS
IM
ES
AR
YA
OV
AS
I
GÜ
ZE
LYU
RT
OV
AS
IG
ÜZ
ELY
UR
T O
VA
SI
TIL
LIR
IAT
ILL
IRIA
MA
RA
TH
AS
AM
AR
AT
HA
SA
AK
AM
AS
AK
AM
AS
SO
LE
AS
OL
EA
TR
OO
DO
ST
RO
OD
OS
PIT
SIL
IAP
ITS
ILIA
Yark
Yark
öyöy
Topç
uköy
Altin
ova
Altin
ova
Boğa
zBo
ğaz
Iske
leIs
kele
Sygk
rasi
Sygk
rasi
Akov
aAk
ova
Alan
çiAl
ançi Ye
nibo
ğazi
çiYe
nibo
ğazi
çi
Fren
aros
Fren
aros
Çay
Çayö
nüönü
Dör
tyol
örty
ol
Türk
men
köy
ürkm
enkö
yKi
rikka
leKi
rikka
leG
azile
rG
azile
r
Paşa
kPa
şakö
yöy
Düz
ceüz
ce
Sotir
aSo
tira
Liop
etri
Liop
etri
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fago
uXy
lofa
gou
Xylo
tym
vou
Xylo
tym
vou
Perg
amos
Perg
amos
Avde
llero
Avde
llero
Lym
pia
Lym
pia
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cila
nAk
inci
lan
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pra
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Gou
rri
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Mat
hiat
isM
athi
atis
Mits
ero
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ero
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tos
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kipi
aAg
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Mar
ina
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ina
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isia
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isia
Gia
liaG
ialia
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diLi
vadi
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Nea
Dim
mat
aD
imm
ata
Pom
osPo
mos
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kaAr
gaka
Mak
ount
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akou
nta
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sos
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iSt
eni
Skou
lliSk
oulli
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kki Ka
thik
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roun
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unou
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mi
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ada
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ogi
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avio
u
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ios
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itria
nos
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itria
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gaAl
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mos
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osPy
rgos
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imak
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yurt
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ikon
aği
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ikon
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likÇa
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rgou
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asa
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asa
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myt
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kiKe
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iM
oni
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lava
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iAp
liki
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icho
riPa
laic
hori
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apas
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apas
Choi
roko
itia
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roko
itia
Mon
agri
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agri
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igi
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igi
Prod
rom
osPr
odro
mos
Pedo
ulas
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ulas Pa
noPa
noPl
atre
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atre
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dria
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dria
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iatis
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iatis
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ios
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gia
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Para
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ma
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tioPr
astio
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tora
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tora
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ouri
Piss
ouri
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siKi
dasi
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ntou Ko
loss
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loss
i
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tiri
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tiri
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atos
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atos
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tera
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tera
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opei
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iskop
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eia
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eia
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Astr
omer
itis
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mer
itis Pe
riste
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ioCh
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Men
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ethr
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Psem
atism
enos
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atism
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otos
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otos
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Om
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beyl
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cek
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amitk
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anu
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ürke
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likD
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a
Cam
libel
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libel
Güz
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rtüz
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enou
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enou
Ara
dipp
ouA
radi
ppou La
rnac
aLa
rnac
a
Dal
iD
ali
Pano
Pano
Lefk
ara
Lefk
ara
Ger
mas
ogei
aG
erm
asog
eia
Agio
sAg
ios
Atha
nasio
sAt
hana
sios
Kato
Kato
Pole
mid
iaPo
lem
idia
Lim
asso
lLi
mas
sol
Der
ynei
a D
eryn
eia
Para
limin
iPa
ralim
ini
Ayia
Nap
aAy
ia N
apa
Akd
oğan
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oğan
Gaz
imağ
usa
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imağ
usa
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e Nic
osia
*N
icos
ia*
Kale
cik
Kale
cik
Polis
Polis
Pege
iaPe
geia
Yero
skep
osYe
rosk
epos
Paph
osPa
phos
Nic
osia
Nic
osia
Inte
rnat
iona
lIn
tern
atio
nal
Air
port
Air
port
Gü
zely
urt
Kö
rfez
i
Cape
Arna
outis
Chry
soch
ou B
ay
Cape
Asp
ro
Cape
Zev
gari
Cape
Gat
a
Cape
Kiti
Cape
Pyla
Cape
Gre
co
Epis
kop
i B
ay
Akr
oti
ri B
ay
Me
dit
err
an
ea
n S
ea
Larn
aca
Ba
y
Ga
zim
ağ
usa
Kö
rfez
iM
ES
AR
YA
OV
AS
I
GÜ
ZE
LYU
RT
OV
AS
I
TIL
LIR
IA
MA
RA
TH
AS
A
AK
AM
AS
SO
LE
A
TR
OO
DO
S
PIT
SIL
IA
Yark
öyAl
tinov
aBo
ğaz
Iske
leSy
gkra
siAk
ova
Alan
çi Yeni
boğa
ziçi
Fren
aros
Çayö
nü
Dör
tyol
Türk
men
köy
Kirik
kale
Gaz
iler
Paşa
köy
Düz
ce
Sotir
aLi
opet
ri
Xylo
fago
u
Xylo
tym
vou
Perg
amos
Avde
llero
Lym
pia
Akin
cila
nAl
ampr
aG
ourr
iM
athi
atis
Mits
ero
Xylia
tos
Agro
kipi
aAg
iaM
arin
aFr
odisi
a
Gia
liaLi
vadi
Nea
Dim
mat
a
Pom
os
Arga
ka
Mak
ount
a
Lyso
sSt
eni
Skou
lli
Lakk
i Kath
ikasLo
ukro
unou
Pole
mi
Tsad
a
Koni
a
Kiss
oner
gaAx
ylou
Mes
ogiKa
nnav
iou
Koili
Agio
sD
imitr
iano
s
Alev
ga
Pach
yam
mos
Kato
Pyrg
osYe
şilim
akYe
şilyu
rt
Sam
ikon
aği
Çam
liköy
Agio
Geo
rgou
di
Apliç
Lino
u
Tsak
istra
Kalo
pana
giot
isKa
kope
tria Ch
andr
iaKa
toAm
iant
os Kato
Myl
os
Ger
asa
Para
myt
ha
Palo
deia
Akro
unta
Kella
ki
Mon
iM
ari
Zygi
Kala
vaso
s
Akap
nou
Aplik
iPa
laic
hori
Arak
apas
Choi
roko
itia
Mon
agri
Zoop
igi
Prod
rom
os
Pedo
ulas Pa
noPl
atre
s
Man
dria
Mon
iatis
Agio
sN
ikol
aos
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sAm
vros
ios
Kolo
niAc
hele
ia Kouk
lia
Nik
okle
ia
Stav
roko
nnou Ag
ios
Geo
rgio
s
Pano
Pana
giaM
ylik
ouri
Prai
tori
Om
odho
s
Pach
naSo
uni-Z
anak
ia
Para
ma
Avdi
mou
Pras
tioAl
ekto
ra
Piss
ouri
Kida
si
Kant
ou Kolo
ssi
Akro
tiri
Asom
atos
Kiss
ousa
Kato
Def
tera
Episk
opei
o
Anag
eia
Akak
iAs
trom
eriti
s Peris
tero
naKa
toKo
utra
fas
Kliro
uPe
raCh
orio
Koch
i Kalo
Chor
ioKl
avdi
a
Mos
filot
i
Korn
os
Men
eou
Softa
des
Alet
hrik
oM
enog
eia
Kofin
ou
Psem
atism
enos
Maz
otos
Agia
Anna
Om
nide
ia
Doğ
ankö
y
Beyl
erbe
yl
Yeni
cekö
yD
emirh
anAs
lank
öy
Arap
köy
Ham
itköy
Kanl
iköy
Boğa
zköy
çy
Kiliç
asla
nAk
deni
z
Yayl
a
Koza
n
Züm
rütk
öySe
rhat
köy
Kalk
anu
Türk
eli
Çam
lica
Gön
ende
reGeç
itkal
eD
eğirm
enlik
Lats
ia
Kato
Laka
tam
eia
Pano
Laka
tam
eia
Egko
mi
Ort
aköy
Cam
libel
Güz
elyu
rt
Athi
enou
Ara
dipp
ou Larn
aca
Dal
i
Pano
Lefk
ara
Ger
mas
ogei
a
Agio
sAt
hana
sios
Kato
Pole
mid
iaLi
mas
sol
Der
ynei
a Pa
ralim
ini
Ayia
Nap
a
Akd
oğan
Gaz
imağ
usa
Nic
osia
*
Kale
cik
Polis
Pege
ia
Yero
skep
osPa
phos
Nic
osia
Inte
rnat
iona
lA
irpo
rt
10 m
i0 0
10 k
m
Info
rmat
ion
Airp
ort
Beac
h
Cam
ping
Saili
ng
Golf
Cou
rse
Strategies for Seeing the IslandS
trat
egie
s fo
r Se
eing
the
Isla
nd
Previous page: Ayia Napa harbour.
05_721377-ch01.indd 605_721377-ch01.indd 6 3/27/10 10:03 AM3/27/10 10:03 AM
7S
trateg
ies for Seeing the Island
Rule #2: Time your visitJune to September is the busiest and the hottest period. If you want to see the almond blossom, come in February. May is my favourite month; it’s hot enough to swim in the sea but the island is still green from winter rains and the fields are scarlet with poppies. In October, you’ll miss the summer crowds but still enjoy beach weather—and the Mediterranean should be warm enough for swimming. For golf, hiking and cycling, November and March are usually warm and clear.
Rule #3: Slow down to Cypriot timeCyprus has a hot climate and trying to pack too much in is exhausting.
Rule #1: Most visitors will need a car for independent travelPublic transport on Cyprus is not suit-able for touring; buses do not con-nect places in a way that’s logical for a touring holiday and there are no trains. The road network is excellent and large towns linked by the motor-ways are mainly well signposted; a car also lets you reach spots local buses don’t serve. If you intend to visit the Akamas Peninsula or drive off-road in the Troodos, you will need a four-wheel -drive as the dirt tracks are too much for a standard rental car. In the height of summer—June to September—a car with air condition-ing is strongly recommended as the heat of the day is intense.
The single most important thing to remember about Cyprus is that the tiniest scratch of the surface will reap great rewards.
The tourist trail is well trodden here but there is so much to uncover to make the most of the rich cuisine, the archaeological sites, the beaches, mountains and countryside. You will need a car and an adventurous spirit. You will, without doubt, stray from your intended route but Cypriots are extremely hospitable and there will always be somebody willing to help with directions. See the journey as part of the Cypriot experience and your visit will be all the more rewarding.
Gü
zely
urt
Kö
rfez
i
Cape
Arna
outis
Chry
soch
ou B
ay
Cape
Asp
ro
Cape
Zev
gari
Cape
Gat
a
Cape
Kiti
Cape
Pyla
Cape
Gre
co
Epis
kop
i B
ay
Akr
oti
ri B
ay
Me
dit
err
an
ea
n S
ea
Larn
aca
Ba
y
Ga
zim
ağ
usa
Kö
rfez
iM
ES
AR
YA
OV
AS
I
GÜ
ZE
LYU
RT
OV
AS
I
TIL
LIR
IA
MA
RA
TH
AS
A
AK
AM
AS
SO
LE
A
TR
OO
DO
S
PIT
SIL
IA
Yark
öy
Topç
uköy
Altin
ova
Boğa
zIs
kele
Sygk
rasi
Akov
a
Alan
çi Yeni
boğa
ziçi
Fren
aros
Çayö
nü
Dör
tyol
Türk
men
köy
Kirik
kale
Gaz
iler
Paşa
köy
Düz
ce
Sotir
aLi
opet
ri
Xylo
fago
u
Xylo
tym
vou
Perg
amos
Avde
llero
Lym
pia
Akin
cila
nAl
ampr
aG
ourr
iM
athi
atis
Mits
ero
Xylia
tos
Agro
kipi
aAg
iaM
arin
aFr
odisi
a
Gia
liaLi
vadi
Nea
Dim
mat
a
Pom
os
Arga
ka
Mak
ount
a
Lyso
sSt
eni
Skou
lli
Lakk
i Kath
ikasLo
ukro
unou
Pole
mi
Tsad
a
Koni
a
Kiss
oner
gaAx
ylou
Mes
ogiKa
nnav
iou
Koili
Agio
sD
imitr
iano
s
Alev
ga
Pach
yam
mos
Kato
Pyrg
osYe
şilim
akYe
şilyu
rt
Sam
ikon
aği
Çam
liköy
Agio
Geo
rgou
di
Apliç
Lino
u
Tsak
istra
Kalo
pana
giot
isKa
kope
tria Ch
andr
iaKa
toAm
iant
os Kato
Myl
os
Ger
asa
Para
myt
ha
Palo
deia
Akro
unta
Kella
ki
Mon
iM
ari
Zygi
Kala
vaso
s
Akap
nou
Aplik
iPa
laic
hori
Arak
apas
Choi
roko
itia
Mon
agri
Zoop
igi
Prod
rom
os
Pedo
ulas Pa
noPl
atre
s
Man
dria
Mon
iatis
Agio
sN
ikol
aos
Agio
sAm
vros
ios
Kolo
niAc
hele
ia Kouk
lia
Nik
okle
ia
Stav
roko
nnou Ag
ios
Geo
rgio
s
Pano
Pana
giaM
ylik
ouri
Prai
tori
Om
odho
s
Pach
naSo
uni-Z
anak
ia
Para
ma
Avdi
mou
Pras
tioAl
ekto
ra
Piss
ouri
Kida
si
Kant
ou Kolo
ssi
Akro
tiri
Asom
atos
Kiss
ousa
Kato
Def
tera
Episk
opei
o
Anag
eia
Akak
iAs
trom
eriti
s Peris
tero
naKa
toKo
utra
fas
Kliro
uPe
raCh
orio
Koch
i Kalo
Chor
ioKl
avdi
a
Mos
filot
i
Korn
os
Men
eou
Softa
des
Alet
hrik
oM
enog
eia
Kofin
ou
Psem
atism
enos
Maz
otos
Agia
Anna
Om
nide
ia
Çina
rli
Doğ
ankö
y
Beyl
erbe
yl
Yeni
cekö
yD
emirh
anAs
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Jeep safari in the Troodos.
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your air conditioning on; away from the busy coastal resorts, enjoy the full sensory experience. Pull off the road to look at the view from look-out points, turn off the engine and listen to the silence. Park outside villages and walk through them rather than driving, stopping for wine-tasting or coffee and a chat with the locals. Wherever you are in the hills, smell the wild herbs and listen to the sound of the wind in the pines.
Rule #6: Mix & match accommodationCyprus has some of the finest luxury resorts in the Mediterranean as well as a wide range of rural, stone-built houses that can be rented as part of the government’s agrotourism initia-tive (www.agrotourism.com.cy). Splash out on a golf and spa resort one day and stay in a mountain vil-lage the next. Vary where you eat, too; in the resorts, there are some excellent international restaurants as a break from the delicious but ubiquitous meze.
Build in coffee stops, lunch stops and swimming stops to make the heat more enjoyable. Take a siesta or beach break after lunch when some shops close. Accept the fact that things happen slower here and stopping to chat in a shop or restau-rant is part of daily life.
Rule #4: Don’t be put off by long distancesNothing is more than 2 to 3 hours apart in Cyprus and the highways are rarely busy. Mountain roads are much slower and signposting in rural areas can be muddled—and is sometimes only in Greek—so a good map is essential (the tourist board maps are helpful and free but sometimes inac-curate). If you have time, take the coast roads instead of the highway, for example, from Paphos to Limassol or Limassol to Larnaca. They’re empty and there are some tantalising views of the coastline.
Rule #5: Use all your sensesDon’t just blast through Cyprus with
Take in the beautiful countryside.
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