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Extensive travel and tourism guide for Cyprus, Europe

Cyprus Tourist Information

Coastal path near the Baths of Aphrodite, CyprusThis island republic of spectacular beauty offers sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and cool pine forests. Its 9,000-year-old cultural heritage blends East and West.

Attractions

Cyprus Archaeological Museum, Lefkosia. Cypriot antiquities and art treasures from the Neolithic Age to the early Byzantine period.

Byzantine Museum and Art Gallery, Lefkosia. Largest collection of 9th- through 18th-century icons on the island.

Kolossi Castle, Lemesos. Medieval military architecture.

Kourion. Site of an important city-kingdom whose Greco-Roman amphitheater was built in the 2nd century B.C. Twelve miles from Lemesos.

St. Lazarus Church, Larnaka. One of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture, built in the 9th century and restored in the 17th century.

Mosaics of Pafos, Kato Pafos. The 3rd-century mosaic floors, portraying scenes from mythology, are considered the finest in the eastern Mediterranean.

Kykko Monastery, Troodos mountains. The country's most famous monastery was founded in 1100 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Assinou Church, Troodos mountains. Frescoes of the 12th century and later periods are the finest Byzantine murals on the island.

Panayia Chrysopolitissa Church, Pafos. Built in the 13th century; contains St. Paul's Pillar.

Food & Drink

The traditional meze (appetizers) is usually some of everything that is available that day in the restaurant - as many as 30 dishes, starting with soup and salad; then such traditional hot dishes as haloumi, moussaka, afelia, stifado, souvlaki, sheftalia and calamari; ending with sweets. Good but inexpensive wines accompany this lingering repast, and as a finale, try a local brandy with a cup of Cypriot coffee.

What's New in Europe!

Events & Festivals

London events highlights: Japanese crafts, ‘Pop Art’ and gardening all feature in London’s cultural events calendar this summer and beyond.

Royal wedding dress at Buckingham Palace: A special exhibition at Buckingham Palace this summer will recreate the day in 1947 when Princess Elizabeth - now Queen Elizabeth II - married the Duke of Edinburgh in a glittering ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey.

Attractions

Shrewsbury recreates its summer season: Performances by Jools Holland, George Melly and Beverly Knight are among the 370 cultural and artistic events over 100 days at the 'Shrewsbury Summer Season' this year (May 19-Sept. 9).

Scotland’s oldest house marks 900 years: The longest continually inhabited house in Scotland is 900 years old. Once a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland (it hosted 27 monarchs over the years), the Stuarts of Traquair House supported Mary, Queen of Scots and the doomed Jacobite cause.

News

Ceramics Festival in The Potteries: Designers, studio potters, experts and collectors will be making their way to The Potteries this autumn for the Stoke-on-Trent Ceramics Festival 2007 (Oct.5-7).

Macdonald Hotels transforms Cheshire golf venue: Three championship golf courses and the largest indoor golf academy in Europe at The Portal Golf Club venue are to be part of the new four star Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf and Spa in Cheshire when it opens in July.


Cyprus Facts

Area: 3,572 square miles (one and one-half times the size of Delaware).
Population:
753,000 (Lefkosia, 193,000).
Languages:
Greek, English (widely spoken).