Spending a Holiday in Cyprus is more than just Sandy Beaches and Sunshine

When you visit Cyprus it is like being on a discovery mission where the West and the East meet in a beautiful setting. You will see gorgeous beaches that are settled in and backed by the most breathe taking rugged mountains. While many will seek the sunshine and sandy beaches, there are still many other places to see and things to do while visiting Cyprus. With the fact that the Green Line is finally open, travelers can now visit both Cyprus and Northern Cyprus with ease. The green line is where the Northern Cyprus and Cyprus had separated from each other for well over 30 years.

Cyprus is beautiful any time of year so it depends on the type of experiences you are looking to have as to what time of year you choose to visit. With the fact that Cyprus is located within the Mediterranean it is easy to know what kind of weather the island is having at any time of year. If you are looking to have hot days that are packed with tons of things to do and a lot of action then the best time to visit Cyprus is during the hot summer months between the end of May and the end of September . This time of the year is also when the prices of things hit their high for the year. If you are planning to travel on a budget then set your travel dates to fall on the outskirts of this time. April to the middle of May and the end of September to mid October will still see plenty of heat and sunshine without being overly expensive.

On top of the beautiful beaches, fabulous restaurants to eat in and the quaint little shops there are several other things to see and do while spending a holiday in Cyprus. These things include museums, tombs and castles that are open to the public for your viewing pleasure.

Tombs of the Kings: These tombs form a remarkable area of both chambers and mausoleums that are actually cut into the hillside. These tombs date back several centuries that cross both sides of the birth of Christ. You will notice that they are both evocatively situated and very well preserved. The names of these tombs are a bit misleading. This is actually a burial place for the aristocratic residents of a village called Pafos and not the burial of any royal person. The title comes from the grand appearance of the tombs. The mazes of the chambers, beautiful columns and the niches have been award the status of the Unesco World Heritage. There are seven different tombs that are open for public viewing. You will find that of the seven tombs three of them will thoroughly impress you. You should allow ample time to view the tombs. At least two hours is recommended.

Salamis: Being a very important city and also a pre-Christian city Salamis has become one of Cyprus’s most treasured archaeological sites. It is easy to lose yourself for the entire day looking at the gymnasium that is filled with marble baths, beautiful mosaics that will take your breath away and also the Roman amphitheatre that has been completely restored. This will give you a great insight into the history of Cyprus and the many different civilizations that have been on the island throughout the years.

Cyprus Museum: This museum is the home of the most famous collection of the archaeological find that have been located on Cyprus. Because of this the Cyprus museum has become one of the most fascination museums on the island. You will be able to see terracotta figures on display. These figures were discovered at the Agia Irini in 1929. You will also be able to see a group of sphinxes and lions made from limestone. These beautiful items were discovered just south of Lefkosia in the Tamassos in the year 1997.

Ancient Vouni: This was build in order to keep a watchful eye on the activities where were happening in the nearby pro-Greek Soloi. This palace had three different parts to it consisting of a central hearth, a throne and a rectangular room. There were also several private rooms and steps that lead down to the beautiful courtyard. The palace was burned to the ground in 380 BC and was never rebuilt. Viewing the ruins in both the very early morning or in the late of the afternoon will give the area of bit of a surreal feeling and mystery. The site is located high atop a hill and gives the feeling of the fact that it commands the viewers to have one of the best views that will ever be seen in the region area.

Kolossi Castle: This is a beautiful castle set with a short drawbridge that was used for the defense of the parapet. The defenders would then pour boiling oil or molten lead down upon the heads of their unwanted visitors. Once you enter you will see two very large chambers. One of these chambers has a very large fireplace. A spiral staircase is also situated off to the side of the large chamber and leads up to the second level that also has two other chambers. While the chambers lay empty you can easily visualize what might have been in these areas and the way things might have been in the days of long ago. If you are planning to take a holiday in beautiful Cyprus you should be well aware that there are so many other things to do and to keep you entertained than just sandy beaches and sunshine. Make sure you take the time to take in some of the amazing sights, enjoy the entertainment that can be found throughout the island of Cyprus along with the amazing cuisine that can be found in the market place or in the restaurants that are located all over the beautiful island of Cyprus. One holiday spent in Cyprus will make you long to come back year after year.