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SOUTHERN CYPRUS, Cyprus, Europe

Southern Cyprus, largely Greek Cypriot since a 1974 war divided the island, is popular with visitors from the UK who make up the largest number of tourists. Beach life, top-class archaeological sites, and ever-improving food and wine are major attractions, as is wildflower spotting – the spring flora is prodigious – and specialist activities such as scuba, hiking and mountain-biking. Sacred to the goddess Aphrodite in ancient times, southern Cyprus has successfully banked on this association to become a major wedding and honeymoon venue. Southern Cyprus is at its best in late spring (mid–April to early June) or autumn (which extends well into November). Summer is generally too hot to be tolerable anywhere except in the sea, or well up in the Troödos mountains above the coastal resorts. Late winter is also enjoyable, with the countryside at its greenest (wildflower displays peak in March) and swimming just about feasible at noon, but many beachside resort hotels close from about New Year's to early April. Cultural events, especially concerts and music festivals, occur across the year, with a concentration in late spring or autumn. Southern Cyprus has a markedly eastern Mediterranean climate, where daytime summer temperatures can approach 40° and rarely fall much below 25°C by night. The far west is usually a bit cooler, thanks to sea breezes at Latchi and Paphos. Recent years have seen freakishly rainy winters, with the first storms arriving in October, and the last ones as late as May. It can snow at higher elevations in the Troödos Mountains, though it rarely lingers. www.cyprus-weather.org gives current reports from seven stations across the island. Southern Cyprus has two airports: Larnaca (Lárnaka in officialese; LCA) and Paphos (Páfos; PFO). Both are relatively new (completed 2009) and adequate to demand, though Paphos doesn’t have quite as many luggage belts as it should. From Larnaca airport, taxis to the city centre cost about €12; city bus No 22 is much cheaper but only runs Mon-Sat, 8am-5pm, with early stoppage Wednesday and Saturday. To reach Limassol or Nicosia, use those towns’ dedicated, long-hours shuttle-bus services (www.airportshuttlebus.eu; €8, to Limassol; www.kapnosairportshuttle.com; €7, to Nicosia). From Paphos airport, inexpensive (€1) urban bus number 612 heads through the resort area as far as the main waterside terminal in Káto Páfos almost hourly from 7am to midnight (much less Nov–April). Returning home, be at the airport at least 75 minutes before your scheduled departure. There are a dozen or so eating and dining options at Larnaca (all pricey), rather fewer at Paphos. Car-hire parking areas lie a reasonable distance from the entrances.

Southern-Cyprus Overview

For lovers of ancient history and architecture, beautiful landscapes and sandy beaches, Cyprus is the perfect holiday destination.

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