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Aphrodite is the goddess of great beauty.In ancient literature it is written that she was the daughter born to Zeus and Dione. It is believed that the birth place of Aphrodite is at “Petra tou Romiou” beach very near Pissouri. Aphrodite, the goddess of love has been a popular subject in artworks like classical sculpture and fresco. In most of these artworks she has been depicted nude.
Cypriots are very hospitable. Don't say " no thanks" if you are asked to have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with a Cypriot. Feel this human touch. You will be given the warmest of welcomes here. By travelling around the island you will find that the spirit of hospitality is very strong in Cyprus.Cypriots have a reputation for being friendly, so don't be surprised if they invite you into their homes and go out of their way to treat you as one of the family.The majority of Cypriots speak English and you will be instantly accepted and given a taste of the local culture and way of life.The people's helpful nature means that if your car ever breaks down you will never be stuck at the roadside for more than a few minutes before someone stops to help.I am sure that by the time you leave the island you will have made some real good friends, and you would want to return the following year...
Since the currency is lira as in our country, we could compare the prices in two countries easily. Alcoholic beverages are insanely cheap in Cyprus. I pay 35 lira to a bottle of Yeni Raki in Istanbul and I bought the same brand for 10 lira in Kyrenia. Also you can find cheaper (7-8 lira) local brands like Sema Raki. It is not only raki, other boozes like liqueurs, whisky and vodka are also quite cheap. But when it comes to food, it is not the same. Vegetables, bread, meat, cheese are all quite expensive, as far as I remember. It is cheap to eat outside but expensive to cook at home. But luckily you can always drink and forget.
Mediterranean people consume wild plants as vegetable and mulukhiya is one of them. We also love to eat wild plants in my family. Mom and aunts know which plants to eat and I try to learn more of them. They are usually more delicious than the ordinary stuff we eat, like spinach (which I also like a lot).I first tried mulukhiya in Cyprus and saw it in the market of Cunda, Ayvalik afterwards. It was so delicious but I couldn’t dare to buy and cook it. Maybe I will try it next summer.I certainly recommend you to try it. We find it in a restaurant (Mr. Spondo) near The Great Inn of Nicosia.
This plant turned into a problem for me. People of Cyprus use mint and gollandro so much in their cuisine. It is the fresh leaves of coriander and used in salads. I tried to ask whether they use gollandro or not at the places we ate and protect myself. I also couldn’t get used to mint in pastry. Still, they have a rich cuisine.
Have you ever tried Pickly pears? They are very popular on the island of Cyprus. The Cypriot name is " Papoutsosika". In Geece they have another name. They call them "Fragosika" but you won't find them sold on beaches.You won't find a local saying fragosika, and neither he will know the name to say it in English.It might be very complicating for him because usually old men sell them.They also come to the beaches with a basket and peel them for you the moment you buy them. Don't buy them unpeeled because they have some weird prickles on their skin that cannot be seen. Only these men know how to hold them.So when you hear a local passing very near you while at the beach calling " papoutsosika "get a kilo. He peels them out for you, and puts them in a plastic bag. Of course you can see these locals selling them near the market places. It is worth tasting some. A tip: It is preferably to eat...
In some beaches some locals come and sell figs. You will see them carrying figs on their bicycles, or they park their car a bit further and come on foot.You will hear them calling out in both Greek and English..." Figs, figs figs, or Sika, sika, sika"If you hear just the word Sika, get up and go and buy some.They are wonderful figs indeed. It is worth trying them. They are so tasteful you won't regret it. Besides they are quite cheap!There are two types. The white ones as they call them, which are green but really sweet, and the purple ones. These are also very tasty but not so sweet as the other type.In any case you can ask the man to give you half white, half purple just to try them.Personally I love both.Believe me you will become so fond of them that you will be anxiously waiting for these locals to buy your daily figs.
A game of backgammon is very popular in the (kafenio) cafes where older people meet for a chat and time of relaxation.You will see friends gathered around the small table where their friends play ....sometimes the game can get serious, and the friends who participate bet who is going to win and this is fun.Sometimes at these cafes or Kafenia as they are called in Cyprus you can find friends playing cards but they are not playing for money. Just for fun and it can be a favourite passtime.
Cyprus also has rich musical and dance traditions quite distinctive from those of Greece. Instruments that typically accompany folk dances are the violin and laouto, a lute with four double strings played with the quill of an eagle or vulture. Many Cyprus dances are performed face-to-face and as a suite. Both men and women are very nimble-footed and the dances often allude to village courtship rituals - and are therefore most popular at wedding ceremonies in Cyprus. Hardly a week goes by in Cyprus without a celebration of some sort, whether it is a colourful festival or homage to a saint on one of the numerous 'name' days. The 'Panigiri', a traditional open-air fete, takes place mainly in the Cyprus villages on the occasion of a saint's name day.
This sheep cheese is a delicious alternative for vegetarians.It comes individually wrapped, the size and shape of say half a mango (I would say a duck's breast but hey, this is a vegetarian tip!).You can roast or grill it but it doesn't melt. Throw some herbs on top (thyme or rosemary).Really really delicious.My local cheese shop now sells it.BTW... you can buy it in Cyprus in any supermarket but as things go, you pay for quality. I think I paid about 5 euro for one piece of genuine mountain sheep haloumi.
Louis Phaethon Beach Hotel Paphos
4 Reviews and 820 Opinions I have just returned from my second minibreak to the Phaethon this year. The hotel is comfortable...
Cyprus Hilton Nicosia
5 Reviews and 109 Opinions I agree with all other reviews for this hotel. The spa, pool, restaurants, and gym were fantastic. I...
Livadhiotis Hotel Larnaca
4 Reviews and 100 Opinions We arrived around 430am and we were greeted by Pepe at the front desk. He was courteous even that...
Reviews and photos of Cyprus attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Cyprus sightseeing.
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Q: Hi we will be staying in Coral Bay at the end of February. One of our party has a celebratory birthday and we would like...
A: Hello, Maybe I can help ... my last visit was in 2011, so a bit more in the present :) I have eaten at the Sienna Restaurant and learned from the locals that it is...
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