The great thing about a holiday in Cyprus is that the island offers something for everyone to do. Now it is true, that for the first days of the holiday the whole family enjoys just relaxing by the hotel pool, stretching out on the golden sands and of course being pampered with good food, long cold drinks and warm Cypriot hospitality. After a few days though, many visitors find that curiosity gets the better of them – after all where are the beautiful villages that were shown in the in-flight magazine? What does Aphrodite’s birthplace really look like? Will I enjoy eternal youth if I follow the local myth that says I should swim round the furthest rock at Petra tou Romiou three Times?

It is true to say that a very different Cyprus is beckoning you away from your sunbed for just a few hours each day! The mountain scenery of the Troodos is spectacular, the Paphos Forest magnificent, the Cedar Valley unique, and the pretty little villages of the Paphos area really do make you believe that time has stood still. Whilst, the isolated coves and beaches along the coast are perfect for those who enjoy solitude and that feeling of 'being at one with nature'.

Exploring Cyprus is great fun...

Of course, there are several ways to explore Cyprus, a very popular way, is to hire a car, buy a good map and raid the local Cyprus Tourist Organisation for ideas. Although to be really honest, life is more than a little frustrating for the driver after all, he can listen to all the ooohs and aaahs, but can't take their eyes off the road!

If you really want to head off the beaten track, you'll soon discover that many of the roads are unsuitable for normal saloon cars and there is always the worry of getting lost or breaking down,
It's at moments like these that it is 'best to leave it to the experts' and to consider joining one of the local safaris. You can relax and enjoy the fun of travelling in a well-equipped Land Rover that is perfect for the terrain, learning all interesting information from someone who lives locally and really knows the area - and leave all the worries about the journey to him!

A different style of safari for everyone...

There are a variety of different safari companies and they all leave from most of the major resorts on a regular basis. Paphos, which is on the doorstep of several of the most glorious parts of the island has the most variety, and one of its companies, EXALT has the most experience as it was the first to be created more than sixteen years ago. All the different companies offer a slightly different package to their passengers. EXALT offers a highly individual itinerary led by a qualified tour leader who can guide those who are particularly interested in particular aspects of Cyprus including the flora, fauna or archaeology. As well as the popular safari destinations, the company also offers a fascinating exploration of the Xeros and Dhiarizos river valleys east of Paphos.

...perfect for dreamers, children and the disabled...

Other safari companies in Paphos like Hilde and Daktari {They both also operate in other main resorts as well and offer safaris with either English, German or Greek speaking guides}and are more geared to family fun with a more relaxed approach that often involves impromptu karaoke! In complete contrast to these is the old Amazonia village bus with its gleaming black and yellow livery {which will please all Watford football supporters!} that explores the Akamas with a magician on board! Believe it or not, the bus is an authentic model and for many years trundled down to the market filled with villagers!

The specialist company Oberon has a specially equipped minibus for disabled holidaymakers and their families and their families, and owners Ali and Cathy well understand people's burning ambitions to achieve something memorable whilst on holiday, and work hard to make their dreams come true. As Ali explains-
' I recently had a man who so wanted to climb a certain hill so that he could admire for himself the beauty of the Akamas area, but he could not wall so well. We decided that as his ambition was so strong we would tackle the hill the only way we could - I carried him up and we laughed all the way, for us both it was a really magical moment when we reached the top'

Discovering the beauty of the Akamas.

One of the most popular safari destinations is the beautiful Akamas peninsula that lies north-west of Paphos. The landrovers leave the bustle of the town behind and heads through endless banana plantations to the Avakas Gorge, and everyone heads for the entrance of the gorge on foot. After a short distance the valley walls narrow dramatically into spectacular cliffs that almost touch in places and maidenhair ferns cling to the rocky crevices where sunlight rarely penetrates, but the tinkle of goat bells can be heard far above.

The journey continues through gorse and wild juniper towards Lara, a magnificent headland with two long sandy beaches which have the smoky silhouette of the Akamas hills as their backdrop.
The little huddle of wooden huts on the beach is home to the Lara Turtle Station, a very special project which was established more than twenty years ago to protect and conserve the diminishing numbers of Green and Loggerhead turtles that come ashore to lay their eggs in the area at this time of the year. The rest of the day is spent enjoying a delicious barbecue either at Ayios Kononas, the site of one of the oldest settlements on the island, or under the leafy canopy at Smiyes where, it is said, Aphrodite used to meet her lover Adonis. This is where the impromptu fun usually begins with quizzes, singing competitions and plenty of lively banter, all over a delicious lunch served straight from the charcoal, with a glass or two of local wine to help with the singing! Some of the safaris continue over the top ridge of the Akamas hills and down Latchi and westwards to the Baths of Aphrodite, the fig shrouded pool where she is said to have been bathing when she first met Adonis. Often this safari also makes a stop at either the snake exhibition at Skoulli, or at 'Snake George's' in Peyia. Both exhibitions give visitors an interesting look at the more unusual wildlife found in Cyprus including snakes, chameleons, lizards and fresh water terrapins.

The twelve months of beauty in the Troodos.

The Troodos mountains offer a stunning contrast to the coastal scenery all year round, with pine-clad mountains and clear fresh air that is lightly perfumed with pine, so not surprisingly, they are a popular destination with all the safari companies. The mountains in the spring and autumn, are a nature lovers' delight as there are many rare and beautiful flowers and herbs to be seen and many different species of migratory birds can be spotted flying amongst the trees.

On the way up the mountains there are numerous little villages to explore including Omodhos with its little cobbled streets where the village women sit making beautiful lace. Another village is Lania that is affectionately known as "the village of the artists". Phini with its narrow winding streets and steeply pitched roofs has made red clay pottery for generations. Panayia on the western slopes of the mountains is often visited by the Paphos safaris as it was the birthplace of Archbishop Makarios. His house is open to the public and is just the way it used to be when he was a child. As a young boy he would gaze up from his house to the Monastery of Chrysorroyiatissa perched high on the hill above, and from an early age he knew that when he was older he would enter monastic life.

The safaris all slowly wind their way to the summit of Mount Olympus as it offers such spectacular views in all directions. Often as well as exploring the villages the safaris try to visit some of the beautiful Byzantine painted churches of the Troodos region, there are nine and they are all so special that they appear on the UNESCO World Hertiage List. Several of the safaris visit Kykko Monastery, the greatest and wealthiest monastery in Cyprus that has a marvellous ecclesiastical museum. Many visitors come from far and wide to see the famous icon of Our Lady in its chapel, which is believed to have been painted by Saint Luke

New mountain destinations that 'ring the changes'

One of the new safaris available from Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos explores several of the villages in the southern foothills of the Troodos mountains, which are famous for their Commanderia, the sweet Cyprus dessert wine which was first made by the Crusaders in the Middle Ages. The safari also visits the Ostrich Park at Ayios Ioannis tis Malountas, which is the largest in Europe, and offers a fascinating a train trip around the farm and the rare chance to enjoy a munch of 'ostrich burger'!.

Plenty to see on safari from Ayia Napa and Larnaca.

There are many interesting places to explore from the eastern resorts of Cyprus and these include Khirokitia with its 'round houses,' which is the oldest settlement on the island and dates back 7,000 years. Several of the houses have been reconstructed so that visitors can see how sophisticated life was in those early times. Phinikaria, Arakapas and Kalo Chorio are all attractive rural communities whose inhabitants have earned their living from the land whilst Kornos has long been famous for its red clay pottery. Phikardou is a beautiful village which is preserved for its remarkable architecture with beautiful wooden carved doors and windows, whilst nearer to Nicosia, Tamasos was once one of the island's twelve ancient city kingdoms and was famous for its copper mines.

And now for something completely different…

For the 2001 summer season, several of the safari companies are offering something a little different - a night safari and beach party which leaves the towns at dusk and stops to admire the beautiful Cyprus sunset from a good vantage point. The Land Rovers head to a deserted beach where everyone can enjoy a swim whilst the drivers get the barbecue cooking. Over a glass of wine or two, enjoy delicious kebabs {souvlakia} and local sausages {sheftalia} with plenty of village style salad and jacket potatoes that have been perfectly cooked over charcoal. Somehow sharing good company and good music and a romantic dance on the cool sand in the moonlight makes it a very special evening to remember - that of course is sprinkled with Aphrodite's magic….

Information courtesy forsale.com.cy