Atlantic Hoppers

Across the Atlantic Too Far? Try a Holiday in Historic Cyprus

For thousands of British holidaymakers the lure of the New World can be hard to resist as a summer destination. Fast food, amusement parks, bright lights and big cities; holidays packaged as pure entertainment. Increasingly, though, more travellers are opting to investigate Europe’s past with ancient civilisations. Perennial favourites are Italy or Greece, but for history without the hype those who decide to take Cyprus holidays will not be disappointed.

Dating back to 10,000 BC, this Mediterranean island has been independent since 1974 although it has a history of invaders. Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, British and Turks have all laid claim to this land with the rich historical heritage reflecting the many different cultures that have coveted Cyprus as a trading post or base of military operations.

Cyprus is a divided nation with 37 per cent of the country under Turkish rule in the north. It is only since 2003 that travel for Cypriots has been permitted between the two distinct regions of the country. Despite that, the southern Republic of Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004.

The island has long been a destination of choice for those who like to party hard, with the fishing village of Ayia Napa reinventing itself as a town of bars, nightclubs and all-day breakfasts. With 10,000 years of history, though, Cyprus is much more than drinking and clubbing.

Historical artefacts can be found all over the island with archeological sites such as The Tomb of Kings (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Venetian Walls at Lefkosia, a 13th century BC settlement at Kourion and the Roman mosaics at Pafos all tracing a pathway to the past. For those who want to experience the natural beauty of Cyprus, a visit to Aphrodite’s Rock should be high on the list.

As you would expect from an island with such a varied settlement history, Cyprus has many museums and galleries that celebrate the influences that created the culture of today. All of Cyprus’s cities have archeological displays, with the largest museum situated in Nicosia but for those looking for something modern among the treasures of the past, the Cyprus Classic Motorcycle Museum has 150 motorbikes dating from 1914 and 1983.

Travel to the island is easy with flights operating all year round and although five hours may seem to be a longer flight than to most other summer destinations, the guaranteed warm weather will ensure that packing suntan lotion is a necessity. For those keen on Greek cuisine, Cyprus offers abundant seafood dishes with meat souvlaki and sheftalia freshly prepared in many Cypriot restaurants. Cyprus is also the birthplace of Halloumi cheese and this mixture of goat and sheep milk has been a popular dish since the Medieval Byzantine period of history.

When even the local cheese is older than some settlements in the New World, those that choose Cyprus as a holiday destination will be able to mix history while not missing out on the requisite fun in the sun.