TRAVEL Sunday, February 2, 1992 - North Shore News - 44 Cyprus: Island of beauty and myth IF HOLIDAYMAKERS to the island of Cyprus were asked for their impressions of the country they would most certainly put sunshine, glorious beaches, good hotels and, above all, a wonderfully friendly wel- come at the top of the list. Others might enthuse over cool, refreshing mountain. scenery, a profusion of historic monuments, the leisurely tempo and the joy of exploring charming, remote villages where time seems to stand still and the outside world feels a million miles away. Still others would perceive dif- ferent qualities in this unique land. If you don’t want to be mugg- ed, robbed, run over or fall il! on © holidays, then Cyprus ought to rank high on your list of priority destinations. According to the results of a recent survey, published in the latest edition of the British Con- sumers Association magazine Holiday Which? Cyprus is a safer place for 2 relaxing holiday than any other popular holiday resort around the globe. Ranking third largest of the islands in the Mediterranean, but located well over at its eastern end, Cyprus is big enough to boast spectacular scenic contrasts but small enough to be compact, friendly and easy to get around. Close enough to Europe to be a short convenient hop away from Athens, Zurich, Paris and Lon- don, Cyprus is well placed for Greece, North Africa and the Rusty ow MARGOT ’S KARAOKE | 7pra to lipm “Welcome Singers” PRIZES! 175 E. 1st Middle East — a stepping stone between three continents. The island has developed as a firm favorite with holidaymakers, yet its traditional ways and Hellenic culture are never far below the surface. No wonder its visitors are enchanted by the unique blend of natural beauty and cosmopolitan charm; of rustic tradition and contemporary urban lifestyle — Cyprus is an island like no other. This can be explained largely through a tong and _ fascinating history that stretches back over 9,000 years to neolithic times. You can hardly set foot on this intrigu- ing island without tripping over history at every corner. Cyprus served as a melting pot where people of different origin came together and often clashed. But above all each of them left their distinct mark on the island. Stretching 160 miles from west coast to easternmost tip, and 40 miles from north to south, Cyprus has been claimed over the cen- turies ty most of her - neighbors and more besides; by Greeks, Romans and Byzantines; by Crusaders, Franks and Venetians. Evidence of these outsiders is -the architecture left in their wake; temples and stadia from the Greeks, amphitheatres from the Roman era, tiny domed churches of Byzantine design; Venetian and Crusader castles... From the mists of time the island has been connected with mythology, and the goddess of love herself chose its gentle western shores as her mythical birthplace. The cult of Aphrodite that was spawned by her memory built temples and worshipped her there for centuries. Perhaps it was the plethora of different cultures and civilizations that inhabited the country that imbued such a spirit of welcome’ in its own population. Inherently outgoing and friendly, the people of Cyprus consider a visit by a stranger as a compliment, to be repaid with genuine hospitality. Greek is the native language, but English is widely spoken all over Cyprus. From its Hellenic roots the islanders celebrate with spirited Greck dancing and wor- ship in the Greek Orthodox faith. Stamped with a distinctive charac- ter of its own, Cyprus has never- theless picked up many of the threads of international life and woven them into the fabric of her being. Wide modern roads fink town with town and provide easy access to the two international airports of Larnaca and Paphos. (Driving is on the left.) Cyprus telecom- munications are regarded among the best in the world, and are constantly updated. And its hotels and services are comparable with those of many countries in Europe. The capital of Cyprus is Nicosia, a city whose history can be traced back 5,000 years to the Bronze Age. Situated more o7 less in the centre of the island, it has been capital since the 10th cen- tury. For several hundred years Nicosia knew a succession of dif- ferent musters, but it was the Venetians who surrounded the city with sturdy bastion walls that en- circle the old part of town to this day. Within these walls lie the principal places of historic inter- est. NORTH SHORE VENTURE TRAVEL & CRUISES ~ Highlights of PORTUGAL & SPAIN plus LONDON 18 days — April 30 to May 17 con. $2,900 privet : inclusive of airfare from Vancouver, 4 nights hotel in London, 13 day first class escorted tour of Portugal and Spain, featuring Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Granada, Torremolinos, Gibraltar, Seville (EXPO), Algarve, Lisbon & Salamanca. [ 319 fast 14th Street | {at Lonsdale) North Vancouver | 986-1377 | Larnaca, the smaller of the two towns on the south coast of Cyprus, has a relaxed, leisurely ambience and a number of ex- cellent hotels on its generous san- dy beaches. Further east along the coast is the popular holiday resort of Ayia Napa, said to have the best beaches on the island. Limassol, almost directly south of Nicosia, is the second city of Cyprus and its main port, a role ir successfully combines with that of host of thousands of tourists every year in its luxurious hotels. Limassol is also the centre of the island's wine making industry. Every September the city stages its now traditional 10-day wine festi- vai, when gallons and gallons of local wines are given away free... Over the west coast is the grow- ing town of Paphos, once the mythical playground of the god- dess Aphrodite and now a favorite with modern visitors. A dramatic rock which marks the place of her legendary birth on the seashore is now a famous landmark in the stunning turquoise sea, and the name of the town itself is entwin- ed with mythology, for Paphos was the name of the daughter of Venus and Pygmalion. There are two mountain ranges on the island of Cyprus. The Kerynia range runs along the north coast, providing an alluring backdrop to the city of Nicosia. Much longer is the Troodos mountain range, forming a backbone along the centre of Cyprus, and providing some of the most spectacular panoramas in this part of the world. The top of Mount Olympus — the highest point in Cyprus — is 1,951 metres above sea level and the in- vigorating, pine-scented air is an exhilarating tonic after the coasts and plains. Walking, bird-watching, picnic- ing, fishing and exploring are pur- sued in the summer, and during the short Cyprus winters an en- thusiastic ski scene attracts afi- cionados of all levels, including champions from countries in the region who compete in Cyprus championships. One of the best ways to observe the Cypriot character and enjoy a traditional repast is to eat in a typical taverna. Ask for a ‘‘meze’’ and you will be inundated with dish after dish of intriguing fare, freshly cooked and served with pride. Accompany this with a bot- tle of robust Cyprus wine and you will have sampled the true flavor of the Mediterranean island. 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