Cyprus: Aphrodite's island of love

With its lavish resorts, casinos and duty free shopping, Cyprus, the third largest Mediterranean island, offers an unforgettable holiday, even late in the year



Known as Aphrodite's island of love, Cyprus is a popular tourist destination that receives millions of visitors each year, who flock to the white sand beaches to soak up the Mediterranean sun. The Mediterranean's third largest island, Cyprus, is a perfect holiday destination for people of all ages to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in its stone houses, on its sandy beaches kissed by the warm sea and clear sky.In the summer months, the beaches are as hot as Turkey's southern coast and they remain warm throughout the winter months as well. That is why the island can be described as a never-ending holiday paradise.Northern Cyprus is becoming the Las Vegas of the Mediterranean with its lavish resorts and casinos, although with slight differences. You can find a nice combination of romance and fun, relaxation and energy at the same time in Cyprus. If you are looking to being isolated from the rest of the world while having fun on an island, Northern Cyprus will meet all of your expectations. Northern Cyprus offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy sunny weather, even late in the year. Under new tourism initiatives and projects to boost the island's economy, the tourist influx is increasing day by day in Northern Cyprus, which has been described as "the pearl of Mediterranean."The island is mostly known for casinos that remind one of a "little Las Vegas in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea," with towns such as Girne, and luxurious hotels that offer high-quality services to its visitors. Honeymooning Turkish couples that don't require visas or passports to travel there generally prefer these lavish hotels. Aiming to turn the island into a center of attraction, the prestigious hotels of Northern Cyprus give their guests a dreamlike vacation and treat all like VIPs. The hotels are spread out across the beaches, allowing guests to enjoy peace and quiet.For those looking to mix fun-filled nights with relaxing days, Northern Cyprus' most popular hotels organize art events and night activities. Hotel guests can attend some of these events free of charge. The Kaya Artemis Resort Hotel in Cyprus was built to look like the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and remains the island's most lavish accommodation choice, by far. With the magnificent architecture nestled next to exotic beaches and vivid blue sea, the resort will mesmerize you. You can live one of the most enjoyable moments of your life in this entertaining, relaxing and romantic heaven-like island.If what you want to experience an economic holiday, which is crowd-free and has untouched beaches, Cyprus still has places to offer. Thw Karpass Peninsula, which is known as one of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean Sea, has small bays that allow you to swim in the clear waters. On the peninsula, there are also little restaurants that serve fish taken from the shores of Karpass Peninsula.The Apostolos Andreas Monastery overlooks the vast beach of the peninsula, a beach which is often called "golden sand" due to its color and beauty. The most suitable beach for families who visit the island with their children is "Glapsides Seaside."With a long beach and shallow sea, the seaside is ideal for families. Even after wading 100 meters, the sea depth never exceeds swimmers' height. "The Iskele Long Beach" is a suitable place to swim at night. What makes this beach remarkable is its long walking route and amazing environmental planning. Shopping opportunities is another appeal of Cyprus. You can find all the European and local brands alongside local handicrafts native to the island.Gold jewelry, leather goods and silk are also sold at reasonable prices. There are generally set prices and shopkeepers are not open to haggling. The silk and confections in particular, are of a high quality.Being one of the tax havens of the European continent since the country has a low tax regime in place for offshore and resident companies, the island is also a perfect spot for duty free shopping.If you want to take a journey to the past and acquaint yourself with this island's rich history, there are cultural tours designed especially for history buffs. Pick up a guide book and discover the beauty and culture the island has to offer. Last year the largest haul of looted, centuries-old church icons, frescoes and mosaics ever repatriated to Cyprus were received after a nearly four-decade journey. The newly received antiquities make the historical sites and museums even more enticing.