Limassol, a town on the southern coast of Cyprus, was established as a municipality in 1878 and is regarded as the largest municipality on the is-land, keeping hold of a population that reaches up to 150.000 inhabitants. Limassol is considered to be a popular tourist destination, since it blends the magic of the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea with the infrastruc-ture of wonderfully luxurious hotels that are looking forward to satisfy every demand. Signifi cantly, Limassol contains a long historic and cultural tradi-tion with a variety of archaeological sites and museums presenting evi-dence of the existence of previous settlements that date back to 4000 years ago. In the old times, the town of Limassol used to be a natural harbour with potable spring water that was encircled with extensive agricultural planta-tions, mainly from grape vines and carob trees. In Limassol, the season of the Carnival is considered to be a popular festival that is fi lled with elements of entertainment and leisure that pass through the pathways of dance and amusement. The Limassol Carnival has become a tradition to the town since the 1940s and has still retained its glory, attracting thousands of people every year, both locals and visitors. Furthermore, the Wine Festival is another major event that is organised an-nually by the Municipality of Limassol, an affair that promotes Limassol as the centre of the wine industry in Cyprus. The Municipal Garden Theatre, located in the Limassol Municipal Gardens, is a creation that fl ourishes in concerts and performances, mainly during the summertime, a signifi -cant example being the Ballet Festival that takes place every year. In the Municipal Gardens, the Limassol Zoological Garden has been completely renovated in 2012, being transformed to an entirely modern reconstruction with the use of materials such as glass, wood and rope, avoiding the cold structures of concrete and steel, thus creating an environment similar to the animals’ nature through the sensations of love and care. However, the Mu-nicipal Gardens of Limassol do not only provide the visitor with a relaxing walk in an emerald green natural scenery through the aspects of serenity, but are also the ideal location for weddings with a fairytale character, touch-ing upon the essence of happiness. The Limassol Molos Promenade, the multifunctional park of the town, has been recently renovated and converted to a construction of exceptional beauty with astonishing piers, where one could gaze upon the waters of the crystal Mediterranean Sea and inhale the sea’s life, hence, capturing a sensation of liberty through the aspects of a dreamful seafront landscape. The piers at the park have been designed specifi cally for weddings of a breathtaking charm, for couples who have been craving for a space be-tween the sea foams and the sky, the earth and heaven, exchanging their vows under the romance of a mythical moonlight. A new, small open air theatre is also included in the amenities of the park, where its viewers have the opportunity to enjoy performances by the sea in a green and blue at-mospheric exposure. Moreover, the Molos Promenade is ideal not only for relaxing walks by the waterfront that lead to the sandy beaches of the area, where one could enjoy a refreshing swim or drink at the various cafes, but is also considered to be a park of entertainment and leisure as it consists of a modern sculpture garden and a skateboard park. An exclusively luxurious destination for living, yachting, dining and shop-ping is the Limassol Marina, a part of the town’s old port, which has been constructed to shape the ideology of living on the sea and has regenerated the outlook of town’s aspects, thus being considered as a development that

has deeply incorporated the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, touching upon the core of a marine lifestyle. At night, the Limassol Marina is surrounded by the exhibit of amazingly colourful lighting through the aromas of peace-fulness, delight and pleasure. Furthermore, the new linear Garillis Park was a project that was under construction for the past two years and has fi nally reached its termination. This park is a route that is divided in parts through the town’s neighbourhoods. Its starting point commences from the highway and its ending reaches up to the Limassol Marina, providing a walking direction that leads to the old town’s new breath through a natural green environment. Yet, at some stage of the hiking trail the pedestrians will have the chance to enjoy the relaxing sounds of frogs from a nearby river. Signifi cantly, the Limassol Castle located near the Limassol Marina holds a turbulent history and is one of the nine castles of Cyprus being counted along with the ones of the occupied areas on the island. The fi rst report of the castle’s existence goes back to 1228, when it was used as a pris-on although containing the structure of an ancient Byzantine Castle. As stated, the castle was constructed in 1193 by Guy de Lusignan, a French knight. Nevertheless, during the Turkish Occupation, the Ottomans rebuilt the castle on its ruins in the 19th century. During the British rule the Li-massol Castle was used as a district archaeological museum until 1963 and later on, underwent renovation and maintenance work to open as the Mediaeval Museum of Cyprus, which occurred in 1987 and is still housed within the castle’s spaces. At the castle, it is said that Richard the Lion-heart married his fi ancée Princess Berengaria of Navarre and crowned her Queen of England, hence providing the site with a story of deep love. The castle’s courtyard is currently a destination for exceptional weddings, a place where its historic characteristics have the ability to touch upon the features of passion and affection. Yet, the Municipality of Limassol is even promoting the existence of weddings not only in a historic atmosphere, but a marriage of old times releasing the ceremony through the elements of the past and bringing its phenomenon to the surface of today’s epoch. The Municipality of Limassol offers to couples wishing to solemnise a civil wedding a variety of options through the spirit of a one of a kind sensa-tion, a few examples being the sea as a background, the combination of romance and quality through the aspects of originality and much more for your special day. Weddings are conducted in a large number of spaces, where they are fi lled with components of delight and elegance. The wed-ding venue of the Municipality, housed at the City Hall offers the simplicity and magnifi cence, which transforms the most important day of your life into an exceptional one, leaving the best impressions to be experienced and remembered by you and your guests. The venue can accommodate up to fi fty people, whilst the freedom of choice in regards to decor and accesso-ries offers the opportunity to adapt the atmosphere to your personal taste. Weddings take place and at the Olympian Coast that is considered to be an amazingly exquisite coastal front with a unique path of colours, patterns and images for the creation of moments that last forever. Civil weddings occur and in other spaces of exclusive charm such as, in the gardens of the Municipal Art Gallery, the Municipal Library and the Pattichion Archive Museum, at the Panos Solomonides Cultural Centre and the Fytidio Sports Centre (GSO), all producing a diverse but exceptional environment for a perfectly magical wedding. After all, this day belongs solely to you and should be prepared through the nature of uniqueness.

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Louis Hotels, one of the leading hotel chains in Cyprus and the Greek islands, with 20 four and fi ve-star properties is happy to announce the addition of two new hotels to its portfolio. The two new additions to the world of Louis Hotels are situated on the stunning popular resort of Prota-ras, Cyprus, famous for its golden sandy beaches and aquamarine crystal clear waters. The Ayios Elias Village, which was for many years vastly popular in all the markets, will reopen its doors in May 2016 as a completely redesigned and rebuilt four-star plus resort. The complete transformation plan, which will see the rebirth of this unique property, includes the transformation of all its uniquely spacious rooms to superior studios, one bedroom and two bed-room suites ranging from 40-78 square metres each, offering all modern amenities, large verandas or terraces and amazing views. The redesign of all the public areas will be done with a choice of fresh colours all con-nected to a summer atmosphere inspired from the grains of the sand, the vivid hues of fl owers and the light which bathes the island of Cyprus. The construction of a brand new 200m² large pool with Jacuzzi, the addition of waterslides to the existing but also renovated pool, the introduction of a Greek tavern, the brand new kids clubs and brand new spa consisting of a gym, sauna, steam bath and treatment rooms will compliment a truly rejuvenating holiday experience. Due to its unique location, amazing views and its vicinity to the picturesque chapel of St Elias, the property will also feature a number of wedding venues and specialised services for wed-dings, making it as well the ideal wedding destination from the UK.The King Jason Protaras Luxury Suites is set on Fig Tree bay, one of the best ranked and most beautiful beaches in Cyprus. This new property features 88 deluxe studios and 1-bedroom suites, 2 lounge bars, two res-taurants offering sumptuous cuisine one of which will be themed, infi nity

hydro contact pools, a top class spa with an array of treatments and a state of the art gym. The unique luxurious design, the exceptional service and the overall feel of The King Jason Protaras Luxury Suites will truly be unparalleled and shall form a top class addition to the boutique collection of Louis Hotels.In addition to the opening of the above two new properties, another Louis Hotel in the same resort will undergo major renovations during this winter. Louis Nausicaa Beach, spread in 21.000m² of lush green gardens over-looking the famous Fig Tree bay, will be completely transformed to a state of the art resort with a unique traditional white and blue Greek architecture, elevating the Louis Hotels warm-hearted hospitality it extends to its guests to new levels. The wind of change and upgrading at Louis Hotels also extends to the Greek Islands, where in Rhodes the Louis Colossos Beach will embark into a new era. During the winter seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, the hotel will undergo a complete remake aiming to elevate it to a new level of contemporary luxury. An entirely new 1000m² large indoor pool, as well as an extensive water park will be added to its grounds. Upon completion of both renovation phases, the Amada Colossos will become the fi rst com-plete all-inclusive resort in Greece with specially designed adult and Family zones, 6 swimming pools, 16 food and beverage outlets, 3 kids clubs, swim up rooms and villas with private pools, thus making it a destination in its own right. A member of the Louis Group and with 72 years of experience in making holiday dreams into unforgettable experiences, Louis Hotels continues to grow and upgrade its services, always remaining faithful to its motto, which is in essence its modus operandi: it’s all about you!

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The name Ayia Napa is closely associated with religion. It originated from a monastery of the same name, which is, nowadays, adjacent to the clubs and bars of the central square. The name ‘Ayia Napa’ also holds its own mean-ing. Precisely, Ayia Napa is defi ned as holy wooded or otherwise, sacred for-est, since it is considered to have once retained a luminous emerald forest of stunning beauty. In the old times, only hunters from nearby villages passed through this area. Unexpectedly, one day a hunter discovered the miracu-lous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave, which was most probably placed there during the iconoclastic period (7th-8th century). This cave became a place of worship for many believers and in the 14th century, a church was built around the cave to honour the Virgin Mary of Ayia Napa. This church was gradually converted to a women’s monastery and in 1978, it became an Ecu-

menical Conference Centre. Currently, it operates as a religious monument that also consists of an ecclesiastical museum. Geographically, Ayia Napa lies at the eastern part of Cyprus, in close prox-imity to Cape Greco, an astonishing seaside national park and a pristine Mediterranean landscape with breathtaking views of the coastline. At Cape Greco, visitors can hike and cycle through the nature trails and luxuriate in the exploration of the mystical sights of its ancient sea caves. The town of Ayia Napa is situated 8 kilometres from Protaras, a popular tourist resort with outstanding golden sandy beaches and an atmosphere of pure calm, render-ing it as an ideal place for relaxation and recreation. Ayia Napa is believed to contain a location that is fi lled with the principles of comfort and easiness, where every visitor who enjoys travelling has the ability to revel in the short distances around this town’s periphery. During the summer season, Ayia Napa is visited by thousands of tourists, mainly from Northern and Western Europe to experience the lifestyle this town retains. Specifi cally, three types of people mostly visit Ayia Napa; young singles, who are usually under the age of 30, couples and families all being attracted by the amazing weather and the numerous sandy beaches, just to mention a few, Nissi Beach, Limanaki Beach and Makronissos Beach. The summer season for Ayia Napa commences in April and ends in October. However, the busiest time of year in the town is considered to be between June and late August, with the hours of midnight lasting until 4 am due to the lively nightlife scene that it creates. The town’s centre with its line of bars, big events with special guest appearances and famous DJ’s generate weeks of great amusement that turn the streets of Ayia Napa into a huge party. The town’s crowded bars even transmute to an arena of competition with all kinds of music blasting out as these bars contend for attraction. The acts of people dancing on bars and fl irting become the protagonist role, producing electrifying moments of thrill each night and making Ayia Napa a one of a kind summer resort. Although the region is well-known for its party lifestyle, it is not the only aspect on show for tourists preferring a more peaceful and serene holiday. There are numerous churches and chapels to visit of distinct architectural beauty. Notably, the 15th century Venetian-era monastery of Ayia Napa, which has already been mentioned, in the centre of the town, is a famous ancient landmark cut into rock with its charm reminding of a time when Ayia Napa was a small quiet fi shing village. One of the larger churches in the area that was built due to the augmentation of the population and the need for a new church is that of the Holy Virgin mother of God, which was con-structed in 1990 and is found southwest of the monastery of Ayia Napa, both churches celebrating the birth of Virgin Mary on the 8th of September. Agios Georgios church is located near the centre of Ayia Napa, at the harbour, with an alluring designed structure that emphasises its contrast to the the town’s hustle and bustle. The church of Ayia Thekla is found on the western edge of Ayia Napa in the newly developed area of Ayia Thekla. There, buildings began in the 1990s forming a modern assembly of villa estates along the coast. Two other churches situated on the western part of Ayia Napa are the chapel of Ayia Varvara and the monolith of Ayia Mavri. The former was built during the Byzantine period, but was destroyed from an earthquake and was eventually, rebuilt lately. The latter is regarded as a holy place of salvation since at the centre of this pillar there is a hole, which is believed that whoever passed through it would be cured from an illness. All these churches have become a symbol to the town as they depict the unspoiled features of the

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FROM PAGE 6area, refl ecting upon the human spirit that remains invariable to the continu-ous changing world. Moreover, Ayia napa is famous in keeping hold of the sea as its strongest possession. Located at the centre of Ayia Napa is the Thalassa Municipal Museum, which was opened in August 2005. The museum’s main focus is that of the sea and how its elements have had a major impact on the island’s history. The exhibits on display at the museum cover a wide range of historic periods from present times to prehistoric eras. The building is comprised of three fl oors providing a pleasant experience to visitors with its unique construction materials. It provides a great amount of information regarding the island’s historic periods and through the numerous digital panels the

evolution of Cyprus through the centuries is depicted. The most popular item on display is the ‘Kyrenia II’ vessel, which was built in 1985 for scientifi c purposes as an exact replica of the ancient ship of Kyrenia (400 BC). Other exhibits on display comprise of marine wildlife, a few examples being fi sh, turtles, seabirds, seals and other impressive creatures of the sea, which live in the island’s surrounding sparkling sea waters . To the west of the town, the Makronissos Tombs archaeological site can be found. This is an ancient burial site consisting of nineteen tombs used dur-ing the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Excavations began between 1989 and 1990 after being sponsored by the municipality. The tombs are located at a stepped road leading down towards a rectangular entrance. The tomb enclosures are very similar to each other and each one has three benches on all sides with a trench running through its centre. The dead were placed in clay sarcophagi and one of these is on display at the Thalassa Municipal Museum. The site also has a small sanctuary constructed of large irregular stone blocks. In addition, facing out towards the sea is the Ayia Napa Sculp-ture Park that was completed recently. The sculpture park is located on the crossroad of Cape Greco Avenue and Kryou Nerou, in an area of 20,000 square metres. Numerous sculptors from around the world have worked on some very remarkable creations that visitors will surely be excited to see. At the highest footpath of the park one will take pleasure in the panoramic view of the sea being inseparably united with the unbelievably beautiful artworks. Not far away from the sculptures resides the Dried Plant and Cactus Park that has also opened its doors recently. It is an area of considerable size with a range of impressive small and large plants of this type. Under the fair sky and above the crystal blue sea waters of Ayia Napa is the Lovers Bridge, an oasis of tranquility, where couples seal their eternal love by placing a lock on the railing of the bridge. This bridge is located in the area of Mavro Korona, east of Ayia Napa, towards Cape Greco. A must visit area of Ayia Napa is its harbour, a picturesque place where the many facilities offer to the visitor the opportunity to enjoy splendid moments both during the daytime and at night. The harbour is not far from the town’s centre and along its pathway, numerous restaurants serving excellent fresh fi sh are found with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. Additionally, just a step off the walkway are many bars and cafes, where one could relish a refreshing drink or even a luxurious cocktail and gaze at the swinging of the boats from the smooth movement of the sea waves, producing a serene surrounding. Furthermore, a great day out at sea with unforgettable boat trips along the coast, including diving stops and a visit to the sea caves will defi nitely provide you with an excursion of unique fascination. Precisely, the sea caves or otherwise, ‘Palatia’, are regarded as one of the most signifi cant features of the town and a main attraction to both locals and tourists. These caves are located between the Kermia Beach Bungalow Hotel and Cape Greco and keep hold of an economic, environmental and social paramount-cy through an extraordinary geological historic pattern. The caves are deep passages in the cliffs, being accessible only from the sea as some of them go as deep as 80 metres into the rock. An extreme sport that is famous in this area is cliff jumping and cliff diving. Ayia Napa retains an everlasting beauty with elements of astonishing bright-ness, revealing a life of pleasure through the extension of fun and enter-tainment. In Ayia Napa, aspects of loneliness and boredom dissolve and spheres of activity enclose the town’s vitality. Therefore, do no hesitate to visit this party-oriented town that will not only energise your inner self, but will also provide you with the opportunity to get to know your limits through the thrilling experience of extreme watersports that will raise your adrenaline to levels that are unattainable by nature!

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Kefalonia or otherwise Cephalonia, apart from the "hidden magic corners" that it keeps hold of such as lakes, caves and mountains, where orchids grow and goats and horses graze freely on the mountain peaks, boasts a variety of fantastic restaurants and taverns, where the visitor has the chance to discover an amazingly traditional cuisine through a blend of homemade fl avours. Here, culinary aspirations are not placed to the limit, to a single piece of “moussaka” and a traditional salad bowl; contrariwise, the visitor will be pleasantly surprised as the discovery of “another Greece” is undertaken through a journey of tastes.The Kefalonian cuisine is characterised by pies, greens, seafood and meats cooked with traditional recipes from local ingredients that you will fi nd nowhere else. The particular climatic conditions and frequent rains make the island’s soil fertile, providing the production of a wide variety of agricultural products that render the Kefalonian diet as one of the richest diets in Greece and of high quality.

Hence, it is more than certain that during your stay in Kefalonia you will enjoy scrumptious food at the plethora of restaurants, which offer delicious dining options and an exceptional experience within a surrounding of fl a-vours. On the island, it will not be hard to fi nd what you truly enjoy tast-ing since this land is regarded as highly developed in terms of tourism services. You will fi nd, even in the most remote corner, restaurants of all kinds, while in the most popular places on the island the choices are sim-ply…endless! You will even discover, in many beautiful spots of the island, restaurants and taverns that existed to this day solely in your imagination with most of them retaining a breathtaking view and as a main background, the crystal blue sea, where small boats commute transporting fresh fi sh on land. Some of the best places to visit for a complete pleasure in taste are the peninsula of great natural beauty, Lassi, the popular beach, Makris Gialos, the picturesque town of Lixouri, the beloved resort of Skala and the largest town on the island, the historic Argostoli. You may try the Kefalonian pies, which are incredibly delicious and con-sidered to be the trademark of the island. They are made with homemade dough and contain a fi lling, which could be any of the following: rice with meat, leek and spinach, vegetables, cod and octopus. The Bourbourelia: is a type of pea soup with salt, pepper and olive oil. The Aliada: is a local dish that consists of octopus juice, garlic and mashed potatoes. The Stra-patsada: eggs with tomatoes slightly fried in local olive oil, salt and pepper. The Riganada: sliced bread, either toasted or untoasted, oil and oregano. Kolokythokorfades: squash blossoms steeped in fl our slurry, egg, feta cheese and fragrant dill, the perfect partner to enjoy a pleasant Kefalonian dish, which are fried and served hot. Tsigaridia: various sauced greens, which are basically cooked with a lot of tomatoes and herbs. These are just some of the delicious dishes that the Kefalonian cuisine has to offer, since you will discover later on and many other tasty combinations, which will become even more tasty if you accompany them with the local and fantastic white wine, Rombola. Rombola has been awarded as one of the best white wines worldwide. It has a delicate aroma and a unique fl avour, holding as a main characteristic the scent of the white grape vari-ety named as “Rombola”. At this point, it is worth noting that the vines for the production of Rombola thrive only on the plateau of the community of Omalon, at an altitude of 700 metres, on the slopes of the beautiful and lush mountain, Ainos and next to the monastery of Saint Gerasimos, the patron saint of the island of Kefalonia. By being on holiday in Kefalonia, you will surely not miss to taste the Ke-falonian dishes, which are encircled by a traditional character. During all day and night the marvellous smell of food that fi lls the streets will take you for sure into a traditional restaurant, where you will discover an unfor-gettable cuisine through the aspects of an Ionian island. Importantly, the Kefalonian cuisine is dominated by local products such as meat, fi sh, olive oil, vegetables and cheese that will surprise you day by day for not only their quality, but for their purity, as well. Kefalonia is not only well-known for its delicious food but for its mouth-watering desserts, too. If you enter a pastry shop in Kefalonia, you will realise that you can fi nd everything you may desire. Nevertheless, if you are searching for something traditional the most famous are the Kataifi and the Baklava. However, there is also a puff-paste covered with sugar and cinnamon and fi lled with an amazingly delicious cream, named as Bougatsa, Mizithropita, a scrumptious cheese-based dessert and Ravani, a honey cake of delightful taste. The best way to end your meal is with a traditional Greek coffee. For the Kefalonians, brewing coffee is regarded as a ritual. You can drink this coffee either bitter, sweet or very sweet and it must be drank slowly to allow the coffee to settle down on the bottom of the cup. Finally, what will be kept in your memory is an adventure of indulgence through the essence of genuine fl avours.

The place for prayer. The place for worshipping nature. For some, a place to escape from everyday life. For others, it is regarded as their daily lives. Moments of everydayness blended with moments of relaxation. Com-mon denominators: experiences, satisfaction, peace and diversity of the ordinary. It is almost certain that whoever reaches or lives permanently in Cyprus will feel at least something of the above. The island is large and the options are countless. The time that is required is from an hour to unlimited in order for someone to live what would please him or her the most.

Churches and monasteriesThe churches and monasteries in Cyprus are hospitable to visitors. From parish churches in towns to Byzantine churches on the Troodos Moun-tains, chapels but also monasteries offer tranquility to the visitor. Places of peace and communication with God boost human stamina for the hardship of our epoch. The religious heritage of Cyprus, rich in history and monuments, overwhelms any Christian visitor. Magnifi cent church-

es, small stone-built churches, Byzantine hagiography in churches and monasteries with ecclesiastical museums elicit admiration worthy of any space that houses the sublime faith to the Christ. The passage of time and the religious perception of the Christian Cypriots have given a large number of churches and a diversity in both architecture and the size of churches that someone could observe.

WineThe wine records its own historical course on the island, which in recent years through the “Wine Routes” it highlights the particular characteris-tics of the Cypriot wine. Routes to the wine villages, visits to vineyards, wineries and local wine museums comprise for the visitor as sources that reveal the local wine. The journey with destination to wine is an experi-ence of wine tastes combined with traditional dishes. The sun, the Medi-terranean climate and the fertile soil are factors for the cultivation of vines on the island since antiquity, but also for the production of quality wines with the top being the sweet and fragrant Commandaria. The expansion of vineyards in some villages became the core, which around it rotate the daily lives of the residents. The wine as power became a tradition and a long-lasting history. It shaped the landscape, where the presence of vines dominates in plains and ridges of low mountains.

Cypriot cuisineA unique and highly enjoyable pleasure for many! In Cyprus, as nowhere else, the great variety of food, the cleanliness and quality local ingredi-ents play a vital role for someone to feel completely satisfi ed by the gas-tronomy of the place. Despite the plethora cuisine choices, the traditional Cypriot cuisine ranks fi rst with its king being the well-known “Cyprus Meze”. The parade of the various appetisers, cooked and grilled dishes that will pass from the table tastefully compensate anyone who may think about his or her silhouette. Do not miss for any reason the experience of the Cyprus Meze, but also and of the other traditional dishes in a tavern, even if you escape for a while from your usual diet. It is no coincidence that the Cypriot cuisine gains more and more fans, who seek it in many parts of the earth!

The acquaintance with traditionIf you do not get to know the tradition of a place, then your tour is not yet complete. Cyprus, scattered with villages, divulges through these a more crystallised concept on hospitality, the beauties of nature and the joys of a more human everydayness. In the villages, the morals and customs are inherited from generation to generation. Many of these such as the traditional occupations that have been annihilated by the industry revive through small festivals that are mainly organised during the summer by each village. The architecture that characterises most of the villages in Cyprus is simple. It combines stone for building walls, tiled roofs and protruding chimneys, narrow streets and courtyards with every kind of container that has been made a fl ower pot. This simplicity is the charac-teristic beauty of the villages of Cyprus, which in combination with their rich cultural heritage and natural landscape are becoming interesting destinations for touring at any time of the year.

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In the mountainous and picturesque village of Agros on the mountain that dominates the region is built, in traditional architecture, the Rodon Hotel. Rodon is known for its superb combination of comfortable accommodation, stunning panoramic views, warm Cypriot hospitality and a good homemade cuisine.In the decade of the 80s, the residents and friends of the village of Agros proceeded to the ambitious reconstruction project of the Rodon Hotel, which aimed on the tourism development of the village. The hotel owes its name to the small fragrant roses that abound in the area, making Agros Pancyprian as the fi rst village in the production of rosewater, but also of dishes, bever-ages and products from rose. The hotel was launched in 1986 keeping hold of its own story and currently, consists of fully renovated rooms and venues with an upgraded service in order to please all the demands of modern trav-ellers. The hotel is offered for relaxation, education, good and traditional food,

physical exercise, a healthy lifestyle and quality entertainment. It is ideal for events of every form and on every occasion (weddings, baptisms, gath-erings). It is also ideal for visitors with special interests, who prefer hiking, climbing, cycling, walking in beautiful nature trails, studying the natural fl ora-fauna and built environment (stone houses) of the area, as well as the life-style of the residents of the Cypriot countryside. Rodon is also accessible for people with disabilities.Today, Agros, as a result of Rodon, composes one of the busiest tourist re-sorts of Cyprus. Locals and foreigners spend pleasant breaks from their ev-eryday life in a village that consists of restaurants, cafes, small workshops of local traditional products and many interesting activities. The tourism devel-opment has helped to increase the number of residents and the expansion of the village, determining it as one of the largest villages in the Pitsilia region. By staying at the Rodon Hotel, which is positioned in the heart of mountain-ous Cyprus, an opportunity for experience evolves as you take an excursion in the surrounding area. Here, the nature lovers could enjoy great hiking trails and driving routes, meet neighbouring villages that are located just a few kilometres from Agros and live in the rhythms of rural Cyprus.The Byzantine churches of the Holy Cross of Agiasmati in close proximity to the village of Platanistasa, the Holy Cross in the village of Pelendri and Pan-agia tou Araka outside the villages of Saranti and Lagoudera will monopolise your interest as they are globally considered to be monuments of Orthodoxy with a great religious and historical value that are under the protection of UNESCO.Furthermore, in the village of Agros there are two historic churches, the church of Our Lady of Mercy, a former monastery of Great Agros in which the image of Our Lady of Great Agros (one of the 70 icons painted by Apostle and Evangelist, Luke) is found and the church of Saint John the Baptist. The small churches of Saint Kyriaki and Saints Gerasimon, as well as the muse-um of the artist and icon painter, Solon Frangoullides, are also worth a visit.By descending from Rodon towards the three neighbourhoods of Agros, you will discover the unique of their kind “traditional crafts” with delicious spoon sweets, the ancestral traditional desserts soutzouko and paluze, the pure and genuine honey from the bee, the rustic halloumi cheese and the tradi-tional smoked and dipped into wine cold cuts. Additionally, you will fi nd the pottery workshop and smell the wonderful aroma of the roses, from which, apart from the famous Agros rosewater, various other products such as tea, liqueurs, aperitifs, wines, aromatic candles and biological cosmetics are pro-duced. Get to know the secrets of the evolutionary course of fi ne wines and make tastings at one of the local wineries. You will even discover the village’s fresh fruits and vegetables and the fl ower shop with its amazing fl owers, aromatic plants and trees.In the historic centre of the village, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the digestive water of Agros, along with Cypriot coffee or a rustic hot tea, in one of the traditional cafes. The view of the surrounding greenery overwhelms the travellers as the colours and scents of nature form a breathtaking beauty due to the countless trees mainly, apple trees, cherry trees, peach trees, walnut trees, hazelnut trees, adventitious roots and ubiquitous roses. This astonishing and harmonious image that relaxes the eyes and calms the soul looks like a divine intervention, where one could feel complete peace and tranquility. If you are a sports fan and enjoy action such as climbing, cycling, hiking, walking in beautiful nature trails and visiting historical, religious and cultural sites in the area, you could ask for more information from the hotel reception for the planned activities that are organised for all kinds of tastes and ages. You could even be informed about the cultural events that take place in the village, which you should not hesitate to attend! What will surely remain in your memory as an unforgettable experience is the hospitality of the resi-dents, the traditional dishes and the amusement accompanied with delightful music that lasts until the morning hours! TOURIST PRESS - Page 14

Some of most beautiful islands that you can visit in Greece are those of the Ionian Sea or otherwise, known as the Heptanese and in total, the larg-est islands from this island complex are seven. They are located along and near the west coast of the mainland of Greece and particularly of Epirus, Central Greece and the Peloponnese. Kefalonia, Corfu, Paxi, Ithaca, Za-kynthos, Lefkada, Kythira, whichever island you may choose to visit, you will surely obtain an unforgettable experience! You will gaze upon wonder-ful green landscapes, amazingly clean beaches with either rocks or simply sandy and serene. Live the myth of Ancient Greece and get the chance to meet the places that were ruled by Odysseus, the legendary hero who inspired Homer to write the Odyssey (Omirou Odysseia). Be sure that everything you see and live on these islands will satisfy your every desire, while the locals will accompany you with a warm hospitality. Below is an introduction to the three out of the seven islands that will truly lead you to the lure of visiting and to the prospect of discovering.

KefaloniaKefalonia is a truly verdant island surrounded by the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea and is regarded as the island of mystery and strange phenom-ena! It is a place worth visiting to ascertain that it is truly an endless place with everything you can imagine. Kefalonia is one of the few places in the world that gathers so many geological “strange” phenomena. Apart from its natural beauties, the island’s “geological mysteries” attract both visitors and scientists from all over the world. Today, with a tour through the whole is-land one can see close at hand the magnifi cence of nature being contrary to the laws and rules and “acting spontaneously” on the canvas of the Ke-falonian landscape. Signifi cant discoveries that have been made support the fact that Odysseus, in antiquity, was the king of the Ionian Islands, while the archaeologists’ hoe unearthed the tomb of Odysseus, ultimately, being found in Kefalonia. Therefore, enjoy what the island has to offer, a landscape that combines astonishing beaches, attractions of historical, cultural and religious interest, as well as unique phenomena, such as underground caves, an ex-ample being the Melissani Cave, the sea water disappearing at the site of “Katavothres” and Mount Ainos, which is a monument of nature with rich fl ora and fauna.

CorfuCorfu, the Lady of the Ionian Sea, is located in the north end of the Ionian Sea and is the second largest island, after Kefalonia, from the Ionian cluster of islands. This island has an oblong shape and its extent reaches up to 592 square kilometres. It is opposite the mainland’s coast and composes the northwestern part of Greece. It is regarded as one of the most beauti-ful islands of Greece and with its signifi cant history, green countryside, lacy beaches and mainly, its exceptional elegance has gained worldwide fame. Thanks to its geographical position, this island dominates in the history of Greece from ancient times. It is identifi ed with the mythical land of the Phae-acians, known from the Odyssey, as the hospitable Phaeacians contributed to the return of Odysseus, the hero of the Trojan War in Ithaca. The riot of colours, with alternations that only the sight of nature can create, form the scene of dreams for every traveller in the magnifi cent Corfu, a place where despite the development of tourism its natural, fairy beauties have not faded away.

PaxiPaxi is a small green paradise that is located just 7 miles south of Corfu and 8 nautical miles west of the continental coasts. It is regarded as a cos-mopolitan island that combines charm and nobility to the fullest. Paxi, the smallest of the Ionian Islands, enchants every visitor. Like all the Ionian Is-lands, Paxi is characterised by incredible beaches, picturesque coves, steep coasts, magnifi cent sea caves and dense vegetation, while it is also famous for its endless olive groves. According to myth, Poseidon wanted to create a love nest for him and Amphitrite and struck with his trident the southernmost point of Corfu, hence, forming the islands of Paxi, Antipaxi and small islets. The capital and port of Paxi is Gaios, a place which maintains its traditional colour and consists of an intense tourist movement. The ornament of the port is the small island of Agios Nikolaos with its Venetian fortress, the churches of Saint Nicholas and Saint John and a windmill. Excursion boats with Gaios as their starting point operate around the island and connect Paxi with the island of Antipaxi.

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Paralimni, an inland town, is situated in the southeastern part of Cyprus and is considered to be the largest town in the local area with a population of over 11,000. Specifi cally, Paralimni became a municipality in 1986, following a popular referendum. The name ‘Paralimni’ means lakeside, being regarded as a town which took its name from a neighbouring stretch of water that in-creases only during the winter season. The town of Paralimni is surrounded by villages known en masse as the ‘Kokkinochoria’, meaning the villages with the red soil, which got their appellation from the reddish colour of this area’s fertile soil. This region is popular for the cultivation of potatoes, also being distinguished from the reddish colour of their skin, which are renowned for their distinctive taste and fi rm texture. The prime beach resort of the town of Paralimni is Protaras, an area which extends along the eastern coast of Paralimni and is well-known for its amaz-ingly golden sandy beaches, forming an exceptional escape to a turquoise paradise. Particularly, Protaras keeps hold of a picturesque bay, named as the Fig Tree Bay, which is considered to be one of the best beaches in Cy-prus. This beach took its name from a tree that once provided shade to the locals prior to becoming a major tourist attraction. Around 100 metres from this beach is a small rocky island ideal for exploration, offering to the natu-ral setting a charismatic charm. The Fig Tree Bay is located at the heart of Protaras and is in great demand during the weekends mostly by families and couples with young children. Around this bay, you will enjoy scrumptious dishes in the numerous restaurants of the area as well as exciting water sports that are excessively fi lled with aquatic adventures such as wake-board, crazy squab and fl y fi sh. An ultimate golden beach, where one could enjoy walking along barefoot is the Louma Golden Coast Beach in close proximity to Pernera. Pernera is a busy centre on the eastern coast of the island and is regarded as a northern extension of Protaras, which is enriched with lustrous sandy coves, an at-mosphere of relaxation and an astonishingly picturesque fi shing harbour for a peaceful walk and a memorable boat excursion. A wedding chapel painted exteriorly with the Greek colours of white and blue is located between the small harbour and the beach, at the edge of the land and just a step away from the sea, is a perfect choice for an impressive wedding fi lled with as-

pects of romanticism. This little chapel will not only place your wedding un-der the sunset’s beauty, but will also provide it with the natural sounds of the sea waves and a setting fi lled with white foams dissolving in the crystal blue Mediterranean sea, producing a breathtaking surrounding created by the hands of God himself. The town of Paralimni is also known for its picturesque windmills, which once used to draw water from underground aquifers to irrigate the surrounding land. Unfortunately, many of these are now derelict having been replaced by diesel-powered and electric pumps. An example of a working windmill can be found in the centre of Paralimni. Furthermore, Paralimni has a rich history dating back to Neolithic and Hellenistic/Roman times. Eolith fi ndings in the area of Nissia, at Protaras, date from the 7th millennium BC and a radial cave with tombs, bones and amphorae recently discovered appears to belong to the Hellenistic or Roman periods. Near the Neolithic settlement in the area of Nissia, a picturesque bay is found, called Vizakia, which seems to have been created by the countless rocks of the coast, each one offering to this beach a unique natural elegance. A headland located in the southeastern part of the island, east of Ayia Napa and south of Protaras, which is worth visiting is Cape Greco, or otherwise known as Cavo Greco. This area is of an unspoiled allurement with a natural scenery that has been formed by the spirits of authentic art. Cape Greco covers 385 hectares of land and was designated as a National Forest Park since 1993. It consists of an exceptional botanical magnifi cence and an in-triguing network of nature trails taking in the panoramic views of the environ-ment’s pure essence. A small chapel that is regarded as a stop that should not be missed is the Agioi Anargirioi Chapel, a white and blue charm that is built on a cliff with steps leading down to a sea cave, where Holy Water runs. This monument is considered to be a famous spot for wedding photos and is one of the few buildings found in the park. One of the nature trails of the park leads to another wonderful spectacle, the Cyclops Cave, where a pic-nic site is situated close by to rest and admire the incredible surrounding in stillness. Two rocky arches found at Cape Greco of a breathtaking view are the Monachus Monachus Arch and the Kamara tou Koraka Natural Bridge, both providing the perfect background to take an extraordinary picture. Ad-ditionally, a lighthouse is also found in the park of Cape Greco, while walkers will come across remains of an ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite.On the hill in Protaras is a charming church named as Profi tis Elias, which it is said to retain 156 steps to reach its entrance. However, it is worth the climb since once at the top, the view across Protaras is unbelievably won-derful. Trees of remembrance that are fi lled with ribbons on their branches in memory of passed loved ones are spread throughout the area, a very touching gesture that is followed by the memories of unforgettable moments. The interior of the church is decorated with expressive biblical images, par-ticularly on its ceiling and walls. Furthermore, on the grounds of the church in the evening, when the sun falls below the horizon, an amazing sunset can be enjoyed providing the visitors with a carefree atmosphere of freedom and serenity. During the hours of darkness, the church is lit up, emphasising its spiritual existence that without cessation overlooks the resort of Protaras, where at night the movement still continues offering life to the patterns of its streets. Paralimni is considered to have become a fair shopping destination with in-numerable showcases illustrating the latest elements of fashion that should defi nitely not be missed. Just beyond the town’s square is the Municipal open air theatre, attractive gardens and fountains that provide the area with a touch of an oddly picturesque scene. The town of Paralimni is the perfect destination to relax your body and soul and to enjoy a holiday home experi-ence. It is regarded as a place, where the old and the new are intercon-nected through the countenance of harmony, a town where one can take pleasure in the advantages of a traditional village and the conveniences of a contemporary town that features aspects of modernity. In just a few words, Paralimni is a location where the ray of sunlight brightens every corner of its structure, generating a magical atmosphere that is truly worth a visit!TOURIST PRESS - Page 24

Ayia Napa, a resort at the far eastern end of the southern coast of the island of Cyprus, has a good choice of boat trips available that have the ability to satisfy the needs of every person. Whether one may want to experience a lazy day cruise, a short trip on a subma-

rine, a pirate trip or a crazy party boat, boat trips of all kinds are available at Ayia Napa that create an exceptional experience from the sea’s crystal blue aspects of extreme wonder. Tickets for most of these boat trips can be bought either on the day or in advance at the harbour ticket booths. These trips often include drinks and snacks and depending on the duration of the journey, some include lunch on board, as well.The harbour of Ayia Napa is located a few hundred metres from the centre of Ayia Napa next to the main Ayia Napa beach. The area of the harbour is considered to be a must visit part of Ayia Napa that offers countless choices both in daytime and at night. It consists of spectacular views out towards Cape Greco and over the Mediterra-nean Sea. Once being a tiny fi shing shelter, it has now been trans-formed to a modern point of interest of charming beauty for tourists. However, much of the resort’s fresh fi sh is still landed here and if you are up early enough you can purchase fresh fi sh straight off the boat. The harbour keeps hold of a picturesquely pretty and peaceful atmosphere ideal for walks along its paths with a gaze through the blend of the blue sky and sea. All the boat trips commence from the harbour at different times through the day. A tour with a boat will not only guide you to the land’s differentiation, but to the island’s whole inner existence. The boats generally sail eastwards along the Grecian bay beach, passing along the sea caves of Ayia Napa and turning North at Cape Greco. From there, they continue towards Protaras, Pernera and fi nally to the border with the occupied North. The ghost city of Famagusta can be seen from that point. Erstwhile being one of the most glamorous resorts in the Mediterranean, it has currently been left with miles of pale sand and the absence of a human touch. Famagusta is nowa-days a resort that time has forgotten to incorporate into its enclosure with netting sealing off all the hotels and apartment blocks that once were regarded to be positioned in its tourist heart. By taking a boat trip is one of the fi nest ways to end the day or begin your night! By sailing along the panoramic south-eastern coast of Cy-prus, you will have the opportunity to visit all the bays and beaches of the area, namely the Palatia cliff diving site, the Cape Greco Blue Lagoon, the Pirates’ caves, the Witch cave, the Church cliff diving site and the Konnos Bay Blue Lagoon, where fi sh feeding is also done, hence taking pleasure in an astonishing excursion. Once on board, enjoy a chilled glass of the captain's cocktail. Chill out with soft, relaxing music and the gentle south-eastern breeze as you are cruising along the translucent waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The romantic atmosphere is a reality as you see the sun go down. There-fore, take pictures and cherish unforgettable memories together with your loved ones, enjoying the best day of your holidays on the sur-face of the sea!

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Yermasoyia is regarded as a suburb of Limassol, which has become an independent municipality of Cyprus since 1994, but was formerly a vil-lage in the eastern outskirts of Limassol with a land that stretched out un-til the seashore. Its former distance that once separated it from the town does not exist today since the residential development and the tourism infrastructure make it appear as an area within the town of Limassol. The citizens of Limassol defi ne Yermasoyia as the "Tourist Area" of the town, since virtually it is from this area that all the hotels, sandy beaches and paths along the coast start from.Despite the development of the settlement and the increase of the inhab-itants of Yermasoyia, this area keeps hold of an irresistible combination that needs some time of devotion. By wandering around, you will incor-porate the charm of a village within a town that will inspire your inner self through an atmosphere of magnifi cent beauty. Yermasoyia is a village that retains picturesquely narrow streets and neighbourhoods that offer tranquillity away from the town’s hubbub and the chance to enjoy pleasur-able moments at the village’s small taverns with a traditionally delicious cuisine of exceptional taste. The scene, however, changes in the village’s southern part as it ends at the beach, where a more contemporary aspect encircles the area through the domination of a modern tourist area with stylish cafes, a lively nightlife in clubs, shops of all kinds, hotels and or-ganised beaches for both swimmers and for those who love water sports. It persists historically unidentifi ed when Yermasoyia was actually inhab-ited. Excavations have found prehistoric tombs, but the fi rst written ref-erences for its existence start from the Middle Ages, where the area is described as the property of the Commandaria of the Templar knights. Indeed, it is stated that in the 13th century there was a castle, unknown, however, if it was built on the coast or to the area’s interior, since nowa-days no remains have been found of it.Today, Yermasoyia is one of the highlights of Cyprus as it combines tra-dition with a service of modern elements. Here, the visitor can fi nd a variety of options for tours ranging from traditional architecture to the rich natural beauty of the Cypriot countryside. At the same time, one can spend wonderful holidays, which combine everything that Cyprus offers as a destination and to live the experience of a genuine acquaintance with the place.

The Historical CentreNowadays, the centre of Yermasoyia is under the supervision and the maintenance of the nature and the architecture of its traditional settle-ment, since it is considered to be a signifi cant piece of its history. Here, the visitor has the opportunity to walk around the narrow and steep streets of the area to admire traditional stone houses with beautiful courtyards decorated with fl owers in pots.

Yermasoyia DamThis large artifi cial dam was constructed in 1968 to support local agri-culture and water supply in the plain of Yermasoyia and keeps hold of an amazing landscape of a rich natural beauty. The dam is built on the river of Amathos, at the northern boundary of the Yermasoyia Municipal-ity, about 4 kilometres from the coast. It is an earth-dam, 49 metres high and 110 hectares long and consists of a water capacity of 13.5 million square metres. The age-long presence of water in the dam has created a new environment and as a result, this manmade project has had a benefi cial impact upon the fl ora and fauna of the area and became the ideal place for water based activities and sports such as canoeing and fi shing. Nature trails of an astonishing beauty have been created around the dam. The best route is the ‘Cypress path’ with about 11 kilometres distance. This trail is divided into two tracks each one leading to different places. If you are trained, choose the larger route (approximately 4 hours with normal gait). This journey will reward you with panoramic views of the area around the dam, but also of Limassol. Furthermore, the visitor can see the ruins of the Medieval Water Mills and the ancient church of Saint Loukas on the north side of the dam and enjoy coffee and delights at the area’s traditional coffee shops.

ChurchesThe church of Saint Paraskevi is situated in the middle of the Yermasoyia historical centre. Construction began on March 9, 1898 and was com-pleted in 1904. This church is a one-aisled basilica with strong Gothic infl uences and is dedicated to Saint Paraskevi, the Patron Saint of Yer-masoyia. The Saint’s day is celebrated annually on July 26. The church of Saint Christina is also located in the middle of the Yer-masoyia historical centre and is regarded as the most ancient church of the Municipality. The church was built in the 12th century AD and contains wall paintings that date back to the 15th century AD. Specifi cally, this church is included in the ancient monuments of Cyprus. In 1996, in col-laboration with the Cyprus Department of Archaeology, the church was preserved and restored in order to revert it, as much as possible, back to its original state. Simultaneously, there has been an attempt to reveal and restore the wall paintings and icons of the church, which depict the histor-ical course of Yermasoyia throughout the ages. The church is dedicated to Saint Christina, whose memory is celebrated annually, on July 24.

The Medieval BridgeThe medieval bridge is built on the riverbed of the river of ‘Amathos’ in the Yermasoyia River region, or otherwise in the area of ‘Potamos Yer-masoyias’. The bridge is one of the few surviving Frankish monuments of the area. The bridge consists of two pointed arches built with local stone. In the early 1950s, during a river project aiming to halt the fl ooding of the river through the organisation and alignment of the riverbed, another arch was added to the bridge.

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