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Celebrate the feast of Kataklysmos (the Greek Orthodox Whitsun); although celebrated throughout Cyprus, there is special enthusiasm in Larnaka, where crowds throng the shore for watersports, singing, dancing, eating and drinking.• The many unspoilt areas in Cyprus make the land ideal for hiking and trekking. Recommended Nature Trails include Atalante, Kaledonia and Persephone in the Troodos area and Aphrodite and Adonis in the Akamas area, with other trails in the forests of Machairas and Limassol.
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Cyprus is also becoming established as a destination for winter sports with some hoteliers and tour operators, offering off-peak incentives. Both Platres and Kakopetria are conveniently placed for the skiing season on Mount Olympus, which usually lasts from January to mid-March, but Troodos is actually the nearest resort to the skiing area; it has hotels and cafes. There are four ski-lifts on Mount Olympus. The Ski-Club, which is based in Troodos, has its own shelter and accepts tourists as temporary members. Ski equipment can be hired there, PO Box 22185, CY 1518, Lefkosia, Cyprus (tel: (22) 675 340.
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Opportunities abound for windsurfing, paragliding and swimming. Recommended beaches include Geroskipou, Dasoudi, Larnaca, Dassoudi Beach and Germasogeia (latter two at Limassol). South of Limassol, on the Akrotiri Peninsula (and also inside the British military base), Lady’s Mile Beach is a long stretch of excellent sand. On the coast north of Pafos, Coral Bay is a fast-growing resort around a small but good beach. On the north coast, Polis is a small town that until recently was virtually undeveloped and is now a bustling resort, though it retains traces of its former ‘alternative’ character. There is a busy small resort at Pissouri Bay. On the coast south of Famagusta lie busy resorts, speckled with golden sand beaches, that are ideal for children, like those at Fig Tree Bay and Flamingo Bay. Agia Napa has an increasingly boisterous reputation as a major clubbing resort. It also attracts families to its beaches, Waterworld leisure centre and Go-Karts track. Boat tours leave from the harbour. Family-oriented Protaras and Pernera resorts have good beaches, with cafes and beach bars. Other attractions in the area include rock climbing. Around Cape Gkreko, the coastline becomes indented with rocky coves and small sandy beaches, ideal for snorkelling and scuba-diving (both for experienced practitioners), explorations by boat and picnics. The Potamos Creek fishing harbour presents a scene of colourful fishing boats. Inland, the small town of Paralimni provides entertainment in its restaurants, dance clubs and cafes. The Cyprus Federation of Underwater Activities, PO Box 21503, 1510 Nicosia (tel: (22) 754 647) and Cydive (tel: (26) 934 271; website: www.cydive.com) can provide information on diving facilities.
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Practise fishing; Note that a licence needs to obtained from the Department of Fisheries, Aiolou 13, CY, Nicosia (tel: (22) 807 861). Licences cost C£3 for each reservoir or C£10 for all reservoirs. Those who do not fish can still taste freshly caught fish in one of the tavernas around the harbour at the fishing port and resort of Latchi (Lakki).
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In September, enjoy free wine during the Limassol's wine festival. During the pre-Lenten Carnival, Limassol also bursts into celebration, with bands, gaily decorated floats and dancing. West of Limassol, at Fassouri, are extensive citrus orchards and the Water Mania leisure park.
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Southeast of Pafos, try some Greek Delight (like Turkish Delight) at Geroskipou village, which also has a small Folk Museum.
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Eat the island's best apples in Prodromos, the highest village on Cyprus, 1530m (5019ft) above sea level. Pedoulas in the fertile Marathasa Valley is famous for cherries (and in spring for cherry blossom) and other fruits. Kalopanagiotis also has orchards. Moutoullas is a source of mineral water bottled and sold locally as well as exported to the Middle East. Agros produces rose water, mineral water and wine. The Commandaria Region, midway down the southern slopes, where the grapes for the Commandaria sweet red dessert wine are grown, has attractive villages like Zoopigi, where almond and walnut trees grow. Tourist Information Cyprus Tourism Organisation in the UK17 Hanover Street, London W1S 1YP, UK Tel: (020) 7569 8800. Website: www.visitcyprus.org.cy Cyprus Tourism Organisation in the USA13 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA Tel: (212) 683 5280. Website: www.visitcyprus.org.cy |
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