Cyprus Travel Guide

A diversified holiday on this eastern Mediterranean island, which boasts 300 days of sunshine per year, is guaranteed - already due to its landscape. Mountain ranges, flat sandy beaches and romantic bays along a rocky shoreline make up the overall impression of this divided island. It is here that Aphrodite rose from the sea on a scallop shell - and her beauty is surely reflected in the island. The clean water offers great swimming, and dining with the very hospitable Cypriots opens the traveller's heart to the beauty of the island.

North Cyprus, as they say jewel of the Mediterranean, a sanctuary of unspoilt beauty touched by heaven. It is once the home of Assyrians, Phoenicians, Persians, Achaeans, Greeks, Egyptians and Ottomans has many historical sites to visit. The fascinating town of Kyrenia (or Girne) is the tourist capital of Northern Cyprus. With its celebrated horseshoe harbour overlooked by a magnificent ancient castle, all set against the backdrop of the mighty Besparmak Mountains, it is a place many regards as the most bewitching of anywhere in the Mediterranean.

The island has been divided into a Turkish-speaking North and Greek-speaking South since 1974. The northern part is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and makes up approximately one third of the area of the island. More than 2500 years of history can be experienced in Northern Cyprus, for example the palace of Vouni in the west (500 B.C.) and the ruins of the city of Salamis in the east, which used to be the biggest city of the island in ancient times. Kyreia, with its pretty harbour and impressive castle holding the remains of a merchant ship which sunk 2,300 years ago, is considered to be the most beautiful city of the North. Also worth a visit is Gazi Magosa (Famagusta), the richest city of Cyprus in medieval times, which offers a special romantic flair due to the numerous historical buildings found here.

Northern Cyprus really is as wonderful as people say it is; uncrowded, unspoiled and blessed with probably the best climate in Europe. The short winters are mild, while the gloriously long summers range from pleasantly warm to scorching hot. Miles of quiet beaches, exquisite food, legendary hospitality and an unrivalled wealth of history and different cultures combine to make this a truly memorable holiday experience. Although most of the Mediterranean area has fallen victim to the problems that are often associated with mass tourism, the north of Cyprus is one of the few places where tourism and the environment go hand in hand.