The Magic of Cyprus

The Magic of Cyprus

Lying at its eastern most end, Cyprus is the 3rd largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia.

With its sandy beaches, historical sights and beautiful scenery, Cyprus creates a perfect holiday. The island for all seasons, Cyprus enjoys year-round sun, great nightlife and a wonderful atmosphere. According to Greek mythology, Cyprus is said to have been Aphrodite's, the Godess of Love's, birthplace, and once you have spent just a few days there, it's easy to see why holidaymakers fall in love with it.

Although a small country, Cyprus has a distinguished cultural heritage. Wherever you go around the island, you will find ancient monuments and sites, churches and monasteries bearing testimony to over 9000 years of civilization and history. Cyprus stands at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe and this exotic mix is imprinted strongly in Cyprus'cultural history.

Although the island is divided between the Turkish North(The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus or TRNC as it is locally known)and the Greek South, in practical terms it is now entirely possible to travel between the 2 sides of the island with the minimum of fuss and formalities.

Despite the long standing feuding and diplomatic tensions between the Greeks and the Turks, when you visit Cyprus you will be struck at just how similar both sides of the island are. Apart from the obvious language differences, the intensely deep and genuine warmth and friendliness of both Greek and Turkish Cypriot peoples will live in your memory long after you have returned to your normal place of abode.

For Cyprus is not just a place to go and have a well earned rest in the sun as is the case with many holiday locations, no, far from it, to go to Cyprus, is to immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of Aphrodite's Island of Love and to make long lasting friendships with its people who will welcome you and treat you as they would a long lost friend or returning family member.

Indeed I challenge you to go to any restaurant or taverna on this island and to come away at the end of the evening and not to have met and been introduced to the owner of the establishment and to have shared "a drink on the house!"

The most popular coastal and beach resorts are those of Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca, Ayia Napa and Protaras. Nicosia, the island's divided capital is well worth a visit but the intense heat of the summer months is made worse by the fact that Nicosia lies almost at the centre of the island and not by the coast where the sea breezes provide welcome relief in the months of June to September when average daily temperatures will rise well into the high 30's to 40's and stay there even into the evening and nightime hours.

The Troodos mountains provide a welcome change for those seeking some relief from the summer sun- indeed it is actually possible to ski up in Troodos in Winter and yet still be on the beach in Limassol or Larnaca within a short 90 minute car ride- such is the amazing variety of this island which once visited is never forgotten.

As with many holiday resorts, Cyprus has become a very popular destination for people to buy investment and holiday properties. As a result you will find a tremendous range of holiday properties to rent from holiday villas, holiday apartments and all manner of self catering holiday accommodation.

There are also a wealth of world class international hotels offering standards of accommodation and creature comforts to rival the most prestigious holiday destinations anywhere in the world. Over the last few years there has also been the very welcome development(if you are a keen golfer such as I am) of several high quality golf course and resorts on both the South and the North of the Island. With temperatures in January never really falling much below 16c in the late morning and early afternoon, a winter golfing holiday in Cyprus is very much in vogue now with thousands of golfers from all over Europe.

The Author, Duncan Paul Mitchell, is a co-owner of the holiday property rental website: http://www.letsbookaholiday.com .
If you are looking to rent superb quality holiday villas and apartments in Cyprus or if you are a holiday property owner in Cyprus and are looking to create more rental income, then please visit the website: http://www.letsbookaholiday.com/Cyprus to take advantage of some great advertising and villa rental offers.