Things to do in Cyprus

Cyprus is an active, lively place where there is plenty to do beyond sightseeing. Shop¬ping can take in traditional craft-ware, fine jewellery and copies of ancient artwork. And you may encounter the addi¬tional pleasure of 'negotiating' a fair price with the friendliest, least aggressive merchants in the Mediterranean which does not mean they make no profit.

Sporting activities benefit from a great climate and amazingly clear coastal waters. Entertainment can offer anything from bouzouki to hot rock, with plenty of folklore at the village festivals and even a play or concert in the grand setting of an ancient open-air theatre.

The miracle of Cyprus's beaches is their unpolluted sea. For water-sports enthusi¬asts in the Mediterranean these days that is no mean achieve ment. Ramblers find their joy in the unspoiled mountain country of the interior or along the rugged coastline at the northwest tip of the island.

Water sports in Cyprus and car hire

To make the most of the enchanting and fascinating island of Cyprus, visitors should take their time to travel around and explore by hire car from Larnaca Airport or car rental from Paphos Airport.

The facilities for swimming vary from the sandy family beaches of Coral Bay north of Paphos and at Ayia Napa and Protaras to more secluded covebathing in Chrysochou Bay along the Akamas Penin¬sula or out at the island's op¬posite, southeast, tip around Cape Greco. For a pagan tryst, try Aphrodite's birthplace at Petra tou Romiou. In all the major resorts, the Cyprus Tourist Organiza¬tion sponsors excellent public beaches, most often sandy, beautifully laid out with grass around them. Amenities in¬clude changing rooms, bar¬ restaurants and courts for basket and volleyball.

The bigger hotels have ex¬cellent freshwater pools, some Olympic size. Most admit non-residents for a fee. Scuba diving and snorkel¬ling lovers are the major bene¬ficiaries of Cyprus's limpid seas, perfect for underwater photography. In water temper¬atures varying from 16°C (60°F) to 27°C (80°F) you can explore submerged cliffs, val¬leys and colonies of coral, and get close-up views of sea anemones and sponges, exotic coloured fish and crustacea.

Remember that it is a criminal offence to remove antiquities from the seabed, but by all means report sightings to the local archaeological museum. You will find diving cen¬tres with rental equipment and instruction at Paphos, Coral Bay, Lachi (near Polis), Lamaca, Limassol, Ayia Napa and Paralimni. Windsurfing and water¬skiing are available every¬where, with equipment for hire at public and hotel beaches.

The adventurous like para¬sailing, the well-heeled can hire a yacht for sailing, but hiring a canoe or pedalo is not expensive. Fishing at sea, including spear-fishing, requires no li¬cence and boats with or with¬out captain are available for hire at most ports; the smaller ones are better, like Zygi, midway between Lamaca and Limassol, or Pomos, north of Polis. Local fishermen go for red mullet, white bream and amberjack. Dams at Aspro¬kremmos east of Paphos and Germasogeia north of Limas¬sol are stocked with trout, carp and other freshwater fish, for which angling is permitted with a licence from the town's Fisheries Department. Enquire at the nearest tourist office.

Cyprus sports and car hire

The more energetic visitors to Cyprus can enjoy a wide range of sports facilities dotted around the island, and the best way to find the reach them, and other Cyprus attractions is to hire a car from Larnaca Airport or Paphos Airport before you leave home. Cheap car hire deals are available online with easy pick-ups and drop-offs to give you peace of mind when you arrive in Cyprus.

Better hotels provide tennis courts (clay or asphalt) for guests, often available to nonresidents for a fee. There are several courts at Nicosia's Field Club and at the Lapatsa Sporting Centre in Tseri (15 minutes from Nicosia). Horse Riding. With an indoor arena and outdoor paddock, the Lapatsa Sporting Centre offers a full equitation programme, from dressage and show jumping to cross¬country riding (courses for beginners to advanced).

In a totally different category, chil¬dren or others can ride a horse or pony (for hire by the half¬-hour usually at weekends) to sightsee around Troodos. Cycling. Most towns and resorts have at least one shop where you can rent bicycles, with mountain bikes to tackle the Troodos and Paphos high country.

Walking and Hiking in Cyprus

You can trek through the Troodos chain and foothills, past pleas¬ant mountain streams, many delightful villages and view-points. The Cyprus Tourism Organization distributes maps and information on itineraries. Tours are organized from abroad for excursions in the area from a base in Pano Platres or Troodos and along the Akamas Peninsula.

Winter sports in Cyprus

Promoters of the Troodos mountains resort area would like to see more people take advantage of winter as a time to visit Cyprus, when lower prices are in force. Lifts pro¬vide access to several runs on Mount Olympus, and more are being developed. Cross¬-country skiing is also possible. Depending on snow condi¬tions, the ski season runs from January to early March.

Spectator sports in Cyprus

A big event in European racing, the 72-hour international Cyprus Rally in September attracts up to 80 entrants for a gruelling trial of endurance, guts and skill. Check the local newspapers for details of the route. Horse Racing. Race meet¬ings take place once or twice a week from mid-September to the end of June (Saturdays or Sundays) at the Nicosia Race¬course in Ayios Dhometios.

The efficiency of modern in¬ternational trade has made the same range of consumer prod¬ucts available all over the world electronic gadgetry, leisurewear and sports equip¬ment are no cheaper here than elsewhere. So stick to the high-quality products of the island's traditional artisans. Most shops open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., take a leisure¬ly lunch-cum-siesta and re¬open from 4 to 7 p.m.

Things to buy in Cyprus

Rural arts and crafts have been given a big boost in recent years with the influx of GreekCypriot refugees from the north. They are the principal artisans at shops run by the Cyprus Handicraft Service (CHS), a non-profit organization with outlets in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos. Basketry. The choice ranges from small baskets in decorative shapes and colours to large articles in rush or cane. Brass - Look for candle¬sticks, ashtrays, small boxes, religious ornaments and trays. Carpets and curtains. In Cypriot patterns, with a Near¬Eastern and Turkish influence, these can be colourful and in good taste.

The woollen rugs in all sizes are very tempting. Ceramics - Many artisans look back to antiquity for inspiration, creating charming animal figurines, little vessels and terracotta statuettes, fash¬ioned by hand and fired. The functional wares of Kornos and Phini include attractive hand-thrown wine and oil jars. Glazed ceramics may have very pretty geometric patterns in the Cypriot style.

Copperware - Dating from over 3,000 years ago, the copper industry remains a source of CYPriot pride. There are all manner of handcrafted ware, inclUding copper pots, saucepans and bowls. Embroidery - Shops all over sell the island's most important cottage indus try item fine linen table¬cloths, doilies, runner and handkerchiefs stitched with intricate geometic patterns of Letkara.

Food and wine -Turkish Delight (loukhoumi) is a speciality of Yeroskipos and Letkara though Shops all over sell it. You may Want to carry home Cypriot olives or sealed packets of th local cheese, halloumi. Of the many wines and liqueurs produced on Cyprus, you might pur¬chase some Commandaria, the sweet red dessert wine. Jewellery - You can find good quality silver and gold¬ware, the latter almost always 18karat (as opposed to Greece's more customary 14-karat gold). Reputable jew¬ellers will always provide a certificate of authenticity if requested.

Leather goods - Manufac¬tured locally, shoes and san¬dals are reasonably priced and well-styled on Cyprus, especially models for women. Appealing presents for your¬self and others include hand¬-tooled handbags, belts and wallets as well as soft leather jackets, waistcoats (vests), skirts and trousers. Souvenirs - Gifts with a local touch range from colour¬ful Cypriot stamps and stamp gift booklets (at larger post offices), coins and maps, to records and cassettes of Cypri¬ot music.

Wooden articles - Crafts¬men produce everything from elaborate picture frames to traditional Cypriot-style dow¬ry chests. At the Nicosia out¬let of the Cyprus Handicrafts Service you can order custom¬-made furniture, to be shipped home.

Woollen goods - Heavy patterned sweaters, tie belts and shawls have a rustic appeal. Woollen shoulder bags are another speciality. Woven goods - Colourful, hand-loomed fabrics made up into dresses, children's cloth¬ing and shirts for men and women at reasonable prices.