strange place (Cyprus)

Member Name:

Product:	Cyprus
Date:	15/01/02 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: people

Disadvantages: quite far

Anyone out there who is interested in history, culture, and places off the beaten path would love Cyprus. I have been to Cyprus for the past two summers (1998and 1999) and plan to go alot more. Each time I was there I spent 7 weeks so I got a good idea of the people and the island. I am an archaeologist and I go to Cyprus to dig on an island that has remains from every major classical civilization. If you are into ancient history you will love touring the sites of Cyprus. I also have a unique interest in the Island since my masters in Archaeology is going to be in Cypriot Archaeology. In one day a person can visit the site of Khirokitia, a neolithic settlement, and drive down the road to Kourion, a Roman/Byzantine acropolis hitting Bronze Age and Greek sites on the way.
The Department of Antiquities on Cyprus has superbly cleared and setup all their sites for tourists for nominal fees. In the summer you will probably see several excavations in progress(you might even see me).

As for the other aspects of Cyprus, you can be anywhere on the island in two hours. From the beautiful beaches on the coast to the high Troodos mountains in the center of the island where skiing can be done in the winter. The heat may be a draw back for some people but you quickly get used to it. You have the options of staying in a modern city like Paphos on the coast or the capitol Nicosia in the interior, or staying in tiny villages which have only one little kiosk for supplies. As you may know the island is divided between Greek Cypriots in the south and occupying Turks in the North. Which ever side you go to don't plan on visiting the opposing side. The armed gaurds at the green-line don't like people to cross. I would recommend the greek side by flying into Larnaca. The north can be entered via Famagusta but it is a much poorer country since a trade embargo has been in place since the invasion of 1974.

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