Cyprus, So Much to Do

You will find plenty to do in Cyprus depending on your personal taste. You should decide early if you are going to want to spend time at the beach, or if you want a cultural experience. You might even want to think of things to do around the plethora of food spots on the island. Cyprus is rich in the type of experience one can have while enjoying this beautiful island.

Let's consider for a moment that you want to spend your time doing several things on your vacation. A good starting point is to do something that will increase your understanding of the island, the culture, and the rich history of the area.

Many churches are still standing on this island. The history is rich and they are places you don't want to miss while here. Save time for several museums also. The monasteries and churches can be experienced to get a feel for the history and to see architecture from long ago. Entrance into some of the monasteries is not permitted, but there are a few that you can enter and even try the wine that is made by the monks, what a treat. For those you can not enter there is still much to be gained from looking at the ornate buildings. Keep in mind that there may be monasteries forbidden for female visitors.

Now if you are into shopping you have to take back a hand woven rug, copper kitchenware, and pottery. Cyprus is also, one of those countries where you can have clothing made for you. You go in, get measured and come back to a finished outfit. Of course, the local food items are for the real shoppers too. You can buy; coffee, coffee pots, real Cyprus honey, the sweet pastries, and you won't want to miss getting a bottle of the wine. The, "I love Cyprus", t-shirts are sure to bring back memories on your return home.

For those of you looking for more physical things to do on this vacation, you may want to rent a bicycle. You can bike to, through, and around much of the island. What a wonderful way to get up close and personal with some of the famous sites. A boat ride around the island will keep you busy and relax you from a long day of being out and about. The many beaches where you can swim or get a tan are available on the coastline. Diving and snorkeling can be found on this island also. Walking is done by a lot of tourist in the area where they are staying. Many wineries are here; taking a wine tour may fill up some of your time, and give you a chance to taste the special nectars of the area.

If you want to see more of the island, you may want to rent a driver to take you to some of the villages. The villages specialize in foods, or crafts that you will want to pick up, while enjoying other things in their villages. The scenery is breathtaking and beautiful as you drive around. You will want to take plenty of pictures of the beautiful countryside and villages. Be sure to save time to explore the olive mills, or some of the restored buildings. Exploring the villages, and experiencing the local customs, is a great way to help you understand the people on this island, so give yourself plenty of time for your trip out and about.

You have to eat, so you might as well enjoy some of the local cuisine from the local villages here. You may want to have fish while visiting the harbor town. Loukoumi deserts, dhaktyla or khateyfi are all local sweets for the adventurous eater. Cherries, olives, and coffee are locally grown, so you will want to try those. Bean casseroles, grilled octopus, and tasty sausages are all things you will have to try.

Make sure you have on a list a visit to Mount Olympus, the Venetian, and Aphrodite Rock. This can be an exciting yet exhausting vacation if you try to do it all! Enjoy the scenery, the local foods, the culture, the beaches, and the religious sites.