APHRODITE'S ROCK: on the south coast of the island, on one of the most beautiful beaches, lies 'Petra tou Romiou' as it's known in Cyprus, the location where Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love, was said to have emerged from the sea. Aphrodite's Rock is a massive chunk of stone that marks the spot.
LARNACA: an hour's drive from Aphrodite Hills, this holiday town is lined by a palm-fringed, Miami-style seafront promenade, backed by restaurants and fronted by Phinikoudes, a long, sandy beach. For a quieter beach on the outskirts of town, try McKenzie with water sports and tavernas too. Visit the 'lace' village of Pano Lefkara in the foothills of the Troodos, a short drive from Larnaka, Lefkare lace is renowned for the use of it's famous 'river' pattern, which even appears in the tablecloth of Da Vinci's Last Supper. The Pierdies Museum in the old town of Larnaka houses a collection of artefacts from all over the island including Ancient Greek vases and Byzantine glassware. Then there's the Hala Sultan Tekke, which is one of the few Muslim pilgrimage sites left in Greek Cyprus, and is set amongst palm trees on the other side of Larnaka's salt lake.
LIMASSOL: just 30 minutes drive away, this town is largely modern, but en-route travelling from Paphos it is worth visiting the ruins of Kourion. These consist of a restored Greek amphitheatre, which hosts a Shakespeare Festival in the summer, and another ruined Byzantine basilica, which occupies a dizzying cliff-top position. Nearby is the Crusader castle of Kolossi, which is set amongst vineyards that grow the grapes for the delicious Commandaria wine. It is interesting to stroll along the streets of Limasol Old Town, which has a variety of small tourist shops and roadside cafes. Visit the Cyprus Handicraft Shop for beautiful ceramics, lace, basketry, embroidery and other items made by traditional craftspeople from around the island. Also the castle, which is now a museum, and the old Carob factory, which has been recently renovated and the Time Elevator which shows the history of Cyprus in a fun and interesting way - well worth a visit.
NICOSIA: one hour away, this 1000 year old capital should be on every visitor's agenda. It lies roughly in the centre of the island, within easy reach of other towns. A walk through the old city is to step backwards in time. Narrow streets and old houses with ornate balconies jut from weather beaten sandstone walls, and craftsmen in small workshops practice trades unchanged for centuries. There are many unique places of interest left from the ancient times, the present Nicosia is also a dynamic metropolitan city with an attractive modern look and some excellent shops and restaurants.
PAPHOS: the first stop simply has to be the Paphos Mosaics uncovered by a farmer back in the 1960s. The Roman floors are decorated with priceless, colourful mosaics which depict Dionysus giving the secret of wine to man of the Minotaur in his Labyrinth and many others. Also worth a visit is Kyriaki Church in the center of Paphos, ruins of 4th century and 12th century churches are located beside the 15th century Orthodox Ayia Kyriaki. This Byzantine church became a mosque during the Ottoman rule, reverted to the Christian Orthodox for 300 years and is now home to both the Anglican and Catholic communities of Paphos! Paphos' best beach is Coral Bay. This is a beautiful, sandy horseshoe-shaped bay just outside Paphos. It is easily reached by car, has a cafe on the beach and clear, calm waters. The beach slopes gradually, so is safe for children. The major shops in Kato Paphos are tourist-orientated, but it is interesting to visit the harbour in the evening and stroll along to the fort. There are many restaurants nearby offering a wide variety of reasonably priced menus.
PISSOURI VILLAGE: at one time Pissouri village, on the hill, had a fishing jetty a few kilometres away down the hill, known as Pissouri jetty. Now they are two distinct communities, Pissouri village and Pissouri Beach. The total population in the summer is said to reach around 1100 people, about half of whom are Cypriots, the rest foreign, mainly British, residents and visitors. Pissouri has managed to retain it's traditional Cypriot character, while adapting very successfully to welcome visitors. There has been a limited amount of, mostly, well judged development in and around the village. Visitors can find almost anything they want in Pissouri - there are several shops and just every need is available. As far as tavernas, restaurants and bars are concerned, there is an amazing number and variety - and they are all good, serving food and drink of exceptional quality. There are also two banks in Pissouri village square. During the summer there is a weekly 'Cyprus night' in the lovely traffic free village square, with dancing and music. Although the idea is perhaps that it provides entertainment for the visitors to Pissouri, it is also true that a significant number of those present every week are the villagers themselves, thus it really is a true Cyprus night.
TROODOS: while most tourism is concentrated around the coastal resorts, the interior of the island offers a charm of its own. An hour's drive away are the undulating hillsides of the Troodos and Makheras mountains, spotted with hundreds of tiny villages which, especially in summer, offer a cool retreat from the hustle and bustle of the beaches. In winter the same mountains offer the option of an alpine style holiday. The hightest point of the Troodos range is Mount Olympus (1,952 metres) easily discernible from almost any place on the island, a little below it stands Troodos village, which has a few hotels and restaurants, and an expanding ski area resort with four pistes - two beginners' slopes and intermediate and advanced runs on the north face.
