Cyprus
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If you’re feeling tempted by a cruise and stay holiday, giving you the chance to combine travelling in style and a holiday on land, hiring a car for your chosen destination can really help you make the most of your stay. Save yourself money, stress and compare car hire rates before you set sail and have a car waiting for you when you reach dry land.
After a week of sea, sightseeing, spas, shows, six-course dinners and probably lots of other things beginning with ‘s’, you could be docking at the beautiful Mediterranean island of Cyprus. A week with a car here opens up a whole range of things to do and see.
Take the scenic route to Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, through the Troodos Mountains, stopping off to visit the lavish Byzantine Kykkos Monastery which lies at an altitude of 1318 metres and has some fantastic mosaics to admire. Be sure to bring long tops and cover your knees or you will have to pay to rent suitable clothing when entering. Once you arrive in Nicosia you have your pick of museums, including the National Resistance Museum which documents the struggle for independence against the British occupation.
During the Venetian occupation of Cyprus in the 16th century, walls were built around the heart of Nicosia which still stand today, and the Famagusta Gate is the best example of the three entrances into the old city. Once you have taken in the culture and built up an appetite how about embarking on a ‘taste tour’ and visiting some of the best eateries in the city you just wouldn’t have found by yourself?
Visit the Tombs of the Kings in the ancient coastal city, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, of Paphos. Although a bit misleadingly titled as no kings were actually buried there, these impressive stone-cut tombs for rich people date back to the 3rd century BC and were later used as homes and workshops by some opportunistic people in the Middle Ages. Remember to take your walking shoes as the tombs can be quite steep.
Legend has it that the Greek goddess of love was born in Paphos, and a 10 minute drive in the direction of Limassol will take you to Aphrodite’s Rock, where she is said to have emerged from the sea foam. Swimming around the Rock naked is said to ensure your fertility for life, but if you’re not feeling quite so brave do stay to watch the sunset over the beach and then head to one of the tavernas for dinner.
The west coast has lots of picturesque beaches and rocky caves to choose from, many offering scuba diving and water-sports, and the beach at Lara Bay is well worth a visit to see the loggerhead and green turtles nesting before you sail home. A spectacular walk along the Avakas Gorge in the Akamas Peninsula will get you there, where the limestone walls reach 30 feet and there is a nature trail of Cypriot plants and flowers. If you’re lucky you might even catch sight of a fox or two.
