A road trip in Cyprus: blessed by the gods

Aphrodite’s hot spot

Road trip adventures in Europe

Cyprus. Yes, it’s a hee-uge vacation destination (note: very large). Ask any slightly pale English teenager, and they’ll get lyrical about the bars, clubs, and beaches.

And there are bars, clubs and beaches. Very similar to what you will find in Ibiza, Thailand and Cancun. And that’s fine, if all you’re looking for is bubbly happiness in a cocktail glass and a nice tan (and the beginnings of a sexy malignant melanoma).

But this tends to mean that you will overlook the fact that the island itself has one of the most fascinating histories in existence. Almost every empire on the face of this earth invaded here. The Ottomans, the Lusignans, the Byzantines, the Venetians. Even the Arabs made a few casual raids, possibly just to keep up appearances. They all left their mark on the culture and history of this extraordinary island. Add to this potent mix a healthy foundation of ancient Greek and Roman influences on an island lapped by inky blue waves and warmed by a Mediterranean sun, and you have a vacation worth a thousand brandy sours and ouzos.

Paphos, more than a nightclub

One of the cities in Cyprus, which provides an excellent base for immersing yourself in history and culture, is Paphos, located on the west coast. If you just want to take a walk in Paphos, there is a lot of history to discover. wander in

But the entire nearby countryside is one precious find after another. If you’re not interested in the power of a donkey, maybe renting a cheap car is the way to go. Internet sites such as http://www.vroomvroomvroom.co.uk/locations/cyprus-car-rental.aspx (car rental Cyprus) can offer you a Paphos car rental deal where you can compare rates from different companies to make Sure you get the cheapest.

Paphos has many ancient sites that are protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and according to Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was born here, rising from the foam of the sea. Places to visit include Paphos Castle and Saranta Kolones in Kato Paphos, the lower part of the city. Also on this side of the city you should wander to the Panayia Chrysopolitissa church built on the ruins of a Byzantine basilica. Take a look at the Column of Saint Paul, where the unfortunate saint was apparently flogged by the authorities (the Romans) before convincing them to convert to Christianity. Paphos’ medieval fortress in the harbor is also worth a visit.

Grapes, gods and that loving feeling

Once you leave Paphos you can go in any direction and strike cultural gold. Head to the Western Troodos Mountains for a glimpse of small towns quietly doing business as usual, circa 15th century (okay, that’s a complete exaggeration, but it’s easy to get carried away with the romance here). To the north there is a small town called Kathikas: it is a great destination if you like to enjoy the vineyards. To the east of Kathikas is an even smaller wine town, Arodes, with a population in the dozens. Nearby gorges provide spectacular scenery if you want inspiration or a Kodak moment.

Near Arodes is the Akamas Peninsula, where you will find the most romantic sounding place in the entire universe: the Baths of Aphrodite. And worthy of the name it is, being damn beautiful. And if, after your holy bath, you walk your little legs a couple of kilometers, you will find yourself at the Fontana Amorosa or “the Luuurve Fountains”. It’s a sexy place indeed.

Closer to home, or Paphos, you have the brilliant Monastery of Ayios Neophytos, carved out of the mountain by a hermit. Bless those hermits, they really do have a lot of free time. The monastery houses some of the best Byzantine frescoes around.

And just because Aphrodite was a popular girl around here, you have the ruins of the famous Temple of Aphrodite about 14 kilometers east of Paphos. It was once a popular pilgrimage for believers, when people were still convinced that the gods could appear at any moment in the form of a bull or a lumbering old man.

This is really just the beginning, and whether you have a few days or a few weeks, Paphos and the surrounding areas will keep you knee-deep in Gods, mosaics, tavernas, ruins, vineyards, beaches, mountains and donkeys. He watches out for Pan’s pipes.