With the compliments of Tritonia Developers TRITONIA DEVELOPERS LTD 1 Welcome Contents “Kalosorises” C yprus for all seasons 4-5 P laces to visit 6-17 ‘Kalosorises’ means ‘Welcome’ in the Cypriot dialect and A ctivities in Cyprus 14-19 no doubt you will hear this expression of warmth and C yprus Wines & Classic Cuisine 20-21 generosity expressed by the locals countless times on your C yprus Arts & Crafts 22-23 stay here. E specially Pafos 24 Hospitality is Cyprus’ speciality and is given in abundance T ritonia Quality 25 to its visitors. So it’s no wonder many find themselves P eyia 26-29 choosing Cyprus as their home. K athikas 30-31 D roushia 32-33 A welcome is usually a precusor to a gift from the heart P rodromi 34-35 and apart from the giving nature of Cypriots, the Isalnd A yia Marina 36-37 itself also bestows many gifts to its guests. A rmou 38-39 Tritonia Welcomes you to Aphrodite’s choice and wishes G eneral Information 40-41 you a pleasant and refreshing stay. T ax Facts 42 M ap Finder 43 Information and images generously provided by visitcyprus.org.cy Information and prices correct at time of going to print 2 TRITONIA DEVELOPERS LTD TRITONIA DEVELOPERS LTD 3 Cyprus for all seasons It is still possible to enjoy swimming, while inland excursions to villages and vineyards for wine tastings can be very enjoyable. Autumn also brings with it the annual Kypria festival, with prestigious local and international musical and dramatic “One of the benefits of being a Mediterranean performances at venues throughout Cyprus. island is plentiful sunshine throughout the year, and Cyprus is no exception. In fact, Cyprus Winter - “An active season” epitomizes the ideal weather of the region with sunny days and fine temperatures almost every December and January are the months of Mediterranean winter, bringing the possibility of rain, but still an average of six hours day. Extremes of temperatures are rare, meaning Cyprus has something to offer every month of of bright sunshine a day. This is the time of year when smaller Mediterranean destinations shut down for the season, but not the year, whether it’s swimming (as late as November) or enjoying cultural sites and festivals in Cyprus. The island is a major business centre and has many (all year long). While seasonal fluctuations are not drastic, however, they are different.” important heritage sites and museums, all at their least crowded in winter. Here’s what to expect... The cultural calendar is also alive and well throughout the winter, with new events coming all the time. The summer resort of Agia Napa, for example, offers a “Cultural Winter” with classical music Summer, “When it Sizzles” concerts and modern and folkloric dance performances. Summer stretches from mid-May to mid-October and means Early into February there is occasional rain, and often snow in high temperatures, cloudless skies and cooling breezes from the Troodos, ideal for skiing! sea. It’s the ideal season for swimming, sunbathing and a whole range of watersports from sailing to scuba diving. “If in summer Cyprus is the place to bask in the sun, then spring is the time to savor the At this time of year, it’s good to explore the archaeological natural beauty of the island in bloom.” sites early in the morning or in late afternoon, avoiding the hottest part of the day. It’s always a good idea to bring along Spring - “Delights!” sun protection, such as sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat. Even in the height of summer when it’s 32C (90F) at the beach The first orchids bloom in January in Cyprus, and by mid-February the countryside is already alive with fresh green (and warmer inland), temperatures are refreshingly cooler meadows and almond trees in bloom. March days can still be cool (daytime temperatures around 19C or 65F, 9C or 40F at in Troodos, making the mountains ideal for hiking or simply night) but steadily moderate. relaxing. Early spring is a wonderful time to visit Cyprus, with pleasant daytime temperatures and many of the ancient ruins The days of October and November are still sunny and the water warm enough for comfortable swimming. Basically, it’s framed by a carpet of red anemones and other wildflowers. In April and into the middle of May, spring is in full force. This still summer. In Lemesos, the first ten days of September bring the annual Wine Festival, a buoyant period not to be missed. is an ideal time for nature hikes and off-road adventures in the pristine Akamas Peninsula. Cyprus has 1,950 species of flowering plants, 140 of which grow nowhere else but on the island, and in the Akamas Autumn, “Warm and Sunny “ alone, there are 700 plant species, of which 40 are endemic. From February to April, pink cyclamen sprout up from rocky foothills and thickets forming riveting adornments to the Baths of Aphrodite. From March to April, the pink wavy-leaved Toward the end of October evenings do tend to get cooler, however. In October and through November the leaves change monkey orchid (Orchis Italica) grows in dense patches around Pafos. colour in Troodos and vineyards take on gold and crimson hues against a backdrop of crystal clear sunlight. In Cyprus even mid-November can feel like summer, but by the end of the month, medium-weight apparel for the late afternoons and evenings will enhance the traveller’s experience. 4 TRITONIA DEVELOPERS LTD TRITONIA DEVELOPERS LTD 5 Places to visit The House of Aion, mosaic floor depicting Apollo and Marysas. The Mosaics Tel: 26 30 62 17. September-May Daily: 08:00-17:00. June-August Daily: 08:00-19:30. Entrance fees: €3,40. The mosaic floors of these noblemen’s villas dating from the 3rd to the 5th century AD are considered among the finest in the Eastern Mediterranean. The colourful and intricate Roman mosaics to be found in Paphos are a must for all visitors to Cyprus. They were discovered by accident in the 1960’s - further excavation revealed a number of Roman houses all with spectacular mosaics, depicting scenes from ancient Greek mythology. The mosaics give a clue to the wealthy and opulent lives of some of the Roman Paphiots. The main sites are the House of Dionysos, the House of Aion and the House of Theseus. Agios Neofytos Monastery April-October, Monday-Sunday: 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00. November-March, Monday-Sunday: 09:00-13, 14:00-16:00. Entrance fee for the Museum and the Egkleistra: €0,85. 9km (5.5 miles) north of Pafos. Founded at the end of the 12th century by the Cypriot hermit and writer Neofytos. The ‘Egkleistra’, an enclosure carved out of the mountain by the hermit, contains some of the finest Byzantine frescoes dating from the 12th to 15th century. The medieval fort set in the Pafos harbour, hosts intruiging chambers which take the visitor back in time. Tombs of the Kings Tel: 26 30 62 95. Daily: 08:00-17:00 November-March. 08:00-18:00 April-May & Sept-Oct. 08:00-19:30 June-August. Entrance fees: €1,70. Pafos Spread over a vast area, a little over 2 kilometeres, this impressive necropolis dates back to the 4th century BC. They are carved out of solid rock with some being decorated with Doric pillars. High officials rather than Kings were buried Medieval Fort here, but the magnificence of the tombs gave the locality its name. Archaeological excavations are still being carried out. € June-August Daily: 10:00-18:00. September-May Daily: 10:00-17:00. Entrance fees: 1,70. Ancient burial habits as in Egypt included burying personal belongings with the dead, such items include amphorae and Pafos Harbour area was originally a Byzantine fort built to protect the harbour, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans in the 13th through their markings it is possible to date these artefacts. Although the tombs have been casually explored for centuries century, dismantled by the Venetians in 1570 and rebuilt by the Ottomans after they captured the island in the 16th century. and subjected to systematic excavation in the latter 1970’s, the University of Sydney is in the process of publicising its finds. 6 TRITONIA DEVELOPERS LTD TRITONIA DEVELOPERS LTD 7 Kourion is one of the most glorious ancient kingdoms of Cyprus. It controlled ‘Kouris’, the fertile valley river of the same name. Kourion, Archaeological Site Tel: 25 93 42 50. Daily: 08:00-17:00 November-March. 08:00-18:00. April-May & Sept-Oct. 08:00-19:30. June-August. Entrance fees: €1,70. Episkopi, 19 km (11,5 miles) west of Lemesos. One of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the island where excavations still bring new treasures to light. The magnificent Graeco-Roman Theatre was originally built in the 2nd century BC and is now fully restored and used for musical and theatrical performances. The House of Eustolios, originally a private Roman villa, became a public recreation centre during the Early Christian The castle of Kolossi’s four walls are 1.25 meters thick and have withstood mighty earthquakes throughout the centuries. period. It consists of a complex of baths and a number of rooms with beautiful 5th century AD mosaic floors. The Early Christian basilica dated to the 5th century, was probably the Cathedral of Kourion with a baptistery attached to the north face. The House of Achilles and the House of the Gladiators have beautiful mosaic floors.