Cyprus, the jewel of the Mediterranean

Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean with a population of a little over a million. It boasts of pristine beaches, a culture steeped in history, delicious food and a rich performing art scene. What most people don't know about Cyprus though is that it is one of the earliest inhabited spots on the planet!

If you're looking for a quick getaway, traveling to Cyprus isn't quite as much about finding things to do, but rather about managing to check the island's highlights off your list. So what are the top four things we'd do?

Enjoy the beaches!

No trip to Cyprus would be complete without a visit to at least one of the beautiful beaches that ring the island. Cyprus boasts several dozen stretches of white sand, many of which are all but deserted. Some of the most popular beaches are Nissi Beach on the eastern side of the island, Aphrodite's Rock Beach near Paphos and Governor's Beach near Limossol.

See Choirokoitia

The neolithic settlements of Choirokoitia are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This collection of buildings is one of the best preserved pre-historic sites in the region. Visitors to the site can get a feel for how island residents lived more than 6,000 years BC.

Explore Tombs of the Kings

Located just outside of Paphos on the southwest side of the island, the Tombs of the Kings is a largely excavated archeological site, once used as the burial site for Cypriot aristocrats around 400 BC.

Relish Mediterranean cuisine

Cypriots put their own distinct touch on the classic foods of the Mediterranean and one of the joys of any visit to the island is sampling the variety of delicious local dishes. Halloumi cheese, the grill-able cheese that's becoming popular in the United States, hails from Cyprus. Fresh seafood, simply prepared, is also popular, as is grilled lamb, fresh tomatoes and cucumber salads and the island's world-famous desserts, many of which are many with honey and nuts.

If you haven't considered Cyprus for your next vacation, this jewel of the Mediterranean deserves your attention. Cyprus offers beautiful scenery, a relaxed atmosphere, delicious and healthy food, and a diverse array of historic sights.

Find out more about how you can experience Cyprus

 

By Sajda Latif