One of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus has an area of some 9,251 square kilometres and a resident population of around 1.07 million. A popular holiday destination with wonderful weather and superb beaches, Cyprus attracts millions of visitors every year. The legendary home of goddess Aphrodite, it has a long and rich history stretching back into the mists of time. A British colony from 1925 to 1960, the island became the Republic of Cyprus, and independent from Britain in 1960. A island divided, Cyprus has seen bitter conflict between Turkish and Greek regions, and was invaded by Turkish forces in 1974. Located south of the Turkish mainland, Cyprus should certainly be on your “places to visit” list. Due to the excellent weather, the island can be visited at any time of year. Cyprus Map.
October 18, 2009
Paphos Castle Cyprus
Among the places to visit whilst on a trip to Cyprus, Paphos castle, situated in the harbour area of Paphos, was first built during the Byzantine period. Destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1222, the castle was later rebuilt by the Lusignans. The castle has served many purposes over the centuries, and although primarily a fortress, it has also been used as a prison, a salt warehouse and a cultural centre. Paphos castle became a listed building in 1935 and several excavasions have been undertaked to discover the true history of the structure. Paphos Map.
September 5, 2009
The Weather and Climate in Cyprus
If you are travelling to Cyprus for you holidays this year, you may like to know what kind of weather and climate you can expect. Cyprus experiences one of the finest climates in Europe with around 11 months of the year enjoying wonderful sunshine. The best time to visit will depend on what you expect from your Cyprus holiday, the summer months from June to September boast dry, hot, sunny weather and packed beaches, so be prepared for plenty of company, and expect to pay higher prices for hotels and accommodation. The Cyprus weather during the winter time is milder and can be wet, so take the appropriate clothing, including something warm for the evenings. For nice weather which is pleasant and not too hot, the best time to visit is April and May, September and October. As a rough guide summer temperatures can soar to over 40 degrees Centigrade, winter temperatures range from 5 degrees to 15 degrees C.
July 28, 2009
Birthplace of Aphrodite Paphos Cyprus
A coastal city in south-western Cyprus, Paphos is the mythical birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. In Greco-Roman times Paphos was the capital of the Cyprus and was the location of the Roman Governors Palace, now a major tourist attraction boasting some wonderful mosaics. These days Paphos is a growing tourist destination enjoying the beautiful Cyprus weather and very low rainfall, in fact rain during the summer months is very rare, so sunny weather is guaranteed during July and August. One of UNESCO’s world heritage sites, Paphos is an important and protected site with numerous places of interest to visit including Paphos Castle, the Tombs of the Kings, the ancient city walls, the Roman Agora, and a number of catacomb sites.