A culture which draws on Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East, and 9000 years of constant invasion: Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks Romans French crusaders, Genoese, Venetians, Turks, British... Crusader castles rub shoulders with ancient vineyards, frescoed monasteries overlook citrus orchards, and sandy, sun-soaked feet tread Roman mosaic floors... The birthplace and centre of worship of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty... Picturesque harbor,long, sandy beaches,charming villages in its mountains (here life has gone unchanged over the years),famous monasteries...

800.000 inhabitants and 2.500.000 tourists every year.

The island of Cyprus (Greek Kípros, Turkish Kibris) lies in the eastern Mediterranean, about 64 km. south of Turkey, 96 west of Syria, and some 770 southeast of mainland Greece. It is the third largest Mediterranean island (after Sicily and Sardinia).

Unfortunately, this is a country divided. The long-standing conflict between the Greek-Cypriot majority and the Turkish-Cypriot minority intensified; in 1974 an invasion by Turkish troops produced an effective although unrecognized partition of the island and led to the declaration in 1975 of a separate Turkish-Cypriot state in the northern part. The Turkish-Cypriot state made a unilateral declaration of independence in 1983 and adopted the name Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Its independence was recognized only by Turkey.

Hospitality is the key word here.

Best Way to Get Around? Public transportation is a big problem. But don't worry: taxis are available everywhere and to hire a car is not a problem. Do not forget: Cyprus is a left-side drive country.