The Delights Of A Holiday In Cyprus

Cyprus is a popular holiday location for tourists in Europe and beyond - with annual visitors surpassing 2.4 million per year, it is obvious that the island of Cyprus is at the top of the list as a hot travel destination.

Cyprus is the third largest of the Mediterranean group. The island is favoured not only for its fabulous climatic conditions, but also her rich history.

Historically, Cyprus has one of the most intriguing pasts of most Mediterranean countries. This historic past is in many ways still very evident in the architect and sites. The historic intermingling of Egyptians and Byzantine cultures provides a unique mix hard to find anywhere else. Signs and relics of the various conquerors who set foot in Cyprus at one time or another still remain today.

One of the most interesting and must-see historic relics is the prehistoric settlement of Choirokoitia. This Neolithic settlement is viewed as one of the most important of its kind in Europe and possibly the world - Choirokoitia is believed to have been occupied from the 7th to 4th century B.C. This site has much to offer now and in the future, as not all of it has as yet been dug.

So bountiful is the historic remains that UNESCO has listed quite a few on its World Heritage List. Ten of these includes Cyprus famed painted churches. These churches in the Troodos Mountain range are from the Byzantine Empire. They are noted for their colourful murals. The simpler, more rustic ones are known for their architecture. Of the more decorated churches, St John Lampadistis is still being used as a church today.

Unlike major tourist towns, the island is without the crime and much of the bustle of some tourist locations. In fact Cyprus is known to have one of the lowest crime rates in the world. There is a variety of nightlife for all age groups and interests, so you will always find something to keep you entertained.

Sun lovers cannot ask for more than 320 days of heavenly sunshine. The plenteous beaches that line the coast provide the perfect opportunity for relaxation. Temperatures averages around 28 degrees Celsius, but the heat is tempered by the cool ocean breezes so it is not unbearable.

Some of the top beaches can be found in the district of Paphos. Eleven beaches in the region have the coveted blue flag rating.

Some of the best beaches in Cyprus are:

o Ladies Mile Beach: This beach is ideal for children, making it the perfect beach for the entire family. There are many different water sports to choose from, and the Cyprus weather is good enough to enjoy a beach holiday for most of the year.

o Alagadi Turtle Beach: This is just the spot for those who want a great spot for swimming. Nature lovers will be pleased to know that during egg-laying seas this beach is used by Loggerhead and Green turtles. No swimming is allowed at this time.

o Nissi Beach: Another blue flag beach, Nissi is not only great for swimming and relaxing, but offers many water sports. Among the offerings are windsurfing, pedal boating and water skiing. The even more brave at heart can go in for a bit of bungee jumping.

The waters of Cyprus are known for offering a great opportunity for scuba divers - the island is known as one of the 10 best places for scuba divers to visit wreck sites worldwide. The wrecks at Zenobia are world famous. No visitor to Cyprus who wants to see underwater wrecks can miss taking a dive.

Golf lovers are not left out. The island boasts at least three championship golf courses.

Even the winters in Cyprus are made for holidaymakers - they are generally mild, although the winter months tend to be rainy as well. This makes Cyprus perfect for visiting just about any time of the year, but the autumn and spring are favoured by many.

Cheap holiday in Cyprus information is available with travel guide yourcyprus.info

For those who prefer self catering villa holidays in Cyprus over hotels for their accommodation the site also offers villa holidays in Cyprus