Aphrodite of the Earth

Sep 27, 2018
4 min read

Credits, Max Pixel, FreeGreatPicture.com, Cyprus

Cyprus, the Mythical birthplace of the Greek goddess of beauty, is an embodiment of alluring grandeur. An island in the Mediterranean Sea, famous for splendour wines, marvellous architecture like villas, amphitheatres, and fortresses. It is one of the top three safest places to travel in the Middle East.

It is home to one of the famous vineyards, beautiful lagoons and sun-kissed shorelines. Cyprus is an island, located 65Km from Turkey and about 800Km from Greece. This country is a member of European Union, spacing over 9250 square kilometres. Nicosia the divided capital, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos are its main cities. Troodos Mountains and Protaras are the most popular tourist destinations in Cyprus.

Fearing terror attacks and security, some countries including have tightened their forces across borders. This is called the Schengen agreement. Any tourist from a country that is a member of European Union, Schengen agreement, and European Economic area do not need a visa to enter the Schengen zone of Cyprus.

Getting into and travelling around Cyprus is a piece of cake, as there are Airways, Roadways, and Waterways services available 24/7. Anyone can avail boats to Greece or Turkey. Cyprus is the land of lost and found precious antiquity site of the world. Beholding stunning sculptures and bewildering structures, this Island is a sight to take in.

The "lonelyplanet.com" compels you to,

"Strike out beyond the sun-soaked stretches of sand to discover an island of compelling culture and landscapes, steeped in myth and riddled with ancient riches."

Cyprus has its own delicious cuisine to offer which on seeing would make the people who dislike food, to crave with hunger. Cypriot Olive bread is made from flour, yeast, olive oil and olives. It is a mildly crunchy roll of bread with a groove in the middle. It is also sometimes served as flatbread.

Credits, pxhere.com, Olive bread

Cypriot Meze is an assortment of various small dishes put together is a meal of its own right. It is equivalent of Indian Thali, a multi-course scrumptitious meal, comprising of hot/spicy and sweet dishes. It typically consists of olives, salad, yogurt or curd, eggplant or any other vegetable curry along with seafood or meat main course dish. This dish is a social eating event and famous for its one of a kind taste and serving with seasons.

Credits, Wikimedia Commons, Cypriot Meze

Halloumi is an unripened, hard and layered cheese, obtained from goat and sheep milk mixture. It only melts at high temperature due to its hardness and it's easy to grill. It originates from Cyprus and its great source of protein. It is eaten along with different dishes according to seasons an also with fruits.

Credits, Wikimedia Commons, Cypriot Halloumi

Cyprus holds pride in supplying and producing the best Olive Oil in the world with highest content of organic Phenol compounds. These compounds are antioxidants that prevent and fight cancer. As said by the Cyprus-mail.com, this award winning Olive oil was manufactured by an environmental engineer Nicolas Netien, from a buffer zone of Morphou.

Credits, pexeles.com, Olive oil

Cypriot wine is a one of a kind wine in Cyprus, whose production began even before 2000 BCE. It is also popularly known as Commandaria, which is made from the infamous local grape varieties called Mavro, Xynisteri, Carignan noir and Shiraz. These grapes are also known for their distinct sweet fragrance.

One of the main travel destinations in Cyprus is Lefkara in Troodos Mountains. It's famed for Lacework, scenic landscapes, picture perfect architecture and silver handicrafts. Troodos is the largest range of mountains in Cyprus. Its highest peak is Mount Olympus, mythical Celestial Abode of Greek gods. It has ski ranges, villages and footpath muddy roads that wind around the mountains. It is also home to nine Byzantine churches and one monastery. It is splendidly chiselled with glass paintings, richly decorated with intricate designs and sculptures. This place is listed under World Heritage Listed by UNESCO in 1985. Other amazing scape and sites to see around this mountain range are the ever-flowing crystal clear Millomeris and Kalidonia waterfalls and a cute cultural village called Lemythou.

Ayia Napa and the City of Paphos are ultimate sightseeing locations, with tons to offer. Ayia Napa is a town filled with resorts and breathtaking bronze shoreline. Famed for its luxury and stunning beauty, oceanic blue beaches bordering golden sand. The main cuisine offered here is freshly caught seafood.

The twin divided capital of Cyprus, the city of Nicosia, is the Archaeological site to behold. Kykkos Monastery, famous for its bedazzled Virgin Mary sculpture, Museum of Cyprus displaying assortments of antiquates, Leventis Gallery showing wonderful paintings of Greek painters are main tourist destinations of Nicosia.

Paphos is the living archeologically shoreline city of Cyprus, known for its Petra tou Romiou, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite and the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. It also has a huge Necropolis called the Tombs of the Kings. Housing beautiful coral reefs and picturesque landscapes, Coral Bay is a must see location.

Such a beautiful island, with stunning destinations and mind-blowing sceneries, Cyprus is a sight to behold and a place to definitely travel.