Turtle Watching in Kyrenia

Baby turtles hatch from their tiny little eggs then run straight to the sea to start their new life. Watching the magic of baby turtles begin life is a magical experience that can be found in special spots in Cyprus. One of the beaches is Alagadie Turtle Beach in Kyrenia where you can see this tiny little miracle.

During the spring, around the month of May, is the best time to go turtle watching to see the mothers actually laying the eggs. The baby turtles generally hatch in July in the hot season. It is fairly easy to find the turtles on your own, but we do recommend getting a guide for the best experience.

When the mother turtle is 20 years old she begins to breed, before that they have not reached the level of biological maturity needed for mating. In the middle of the night the mother turtle creep onto the shore to lay the eggs. They bury the eggs down in a tiny little hole in the sand where they are hidden and protected until July.

When the turtles hatch in July, the first thing they do is scuttle towards the sea. This process is frequently interrupted by coast-line development, but Northern Cyprus has taken great care to make sure the turtles have a clear path to the sea. You will notice that groups of turtles usually hatch together. This is because when one egg hatches, the others are very sensitive to any heat and motion. All the eggs that are together will hatch together!

Not all hatching spots are protected and monitored. If you are on the beach, seeing the baby turtles hatch, it is imperative you do not touch them. It is an important part of their life cycle to find their own way to the waves.

Take a Break at the Limassol Zoo Garden

We love the location of this Cyprus, zoo and gardens located by the seaside aren’t something most of us have in our neighborhoods. While the size of the zoo and gardens are pretty small compared to some of its counterparts internationally, it is still a lovely place to spend the afternoon.

We love Cyprus’ beaches, historic landmarks and cuisine, but it is nice to mix up activities on vacation. If you are staying in the Limassol area the Limassol Zoo is definitely worth dropping by. The zoo is located right in the Limassol downtown location, so you do not have to go out of your way if you are staying in the area.

If you have kids, it may be worth going a little out of your way, because we all know how children love the zoo. Many of us have fond memories of the zoo that we love to pass onto our children. The zoo even has scheduled feeding times that are accompanied with an educational talk.

Adults and children alike can enjoy the live and taxidermy animals, along with beautiful plant life scattered all along the park. Instead of cages, most exhibits have glass which makes for excellent views and photographs of the animals.

It is a very cheap to get into the park, and the entrance fee is only five Euros. If you are rushing the visit, you can see all the exhibits in one hour, but if you want to take your time you can take three to four hours.

In the summer you may want to consider going in the afternoon or early in the morning due to the discomfort the heat can have. If you get hot the park is small enough that you can walk through pretty quickly without too much incident.

If you want a drink and a snack afterwards, there is a café located on the zoo’s premises. The prices are pretty low and the food is okay. If you have it planned ahead, you may want to choose elsewhere to dine. Limassol has many dining options to choose from that it is a shame to spend money on a mediocre dining experience.

Lace, Silver and Wax: Adventures in Lefkara

The Lefkara village blooms from the foothills of the Troodoos Mountains where picturesque stucco residential and commercial building line the streets that rise gently up and down with the hills. The village has been around for centuries, but the first historical record we can find is in the testament of Saint Neophytos in the 12th century. As you walk the lonely streets of the quiet village at night you can feel the ghost from the Byzantine Empire on forward wonder the streets.

Besides walking with the ghosts, there is plenty of fun to be had with the living in this small village with a tiny population of 1,000 people. Usually during the summer season there are some tourists to be found mingling along streets with the residents who probably were attracted to the quaint village for similar motivations that you’ve decided to make your journey to this village outside of Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca.

When you are in here we encourage you to check out the lacework and silver crafts that the town specialises in. Frequently you will see elderly ladies, street side handcrafting intricate lace designs that will take your breath away. There are certain things that machines in our industrialized cannot repeat when it comes to intricate lacework. This will become obvious to you when you explore the various lace shops in the town.

You will also want to stop by the Lefkara Wax museum. This museum features hundreds of wax figures that represent different parts of Cyprus history, back to the Bronze Age. It is a quirky way to experience Cyprus history that will show you another aspect of the handcraft items that Lefkara enjoy sporting. Each wax figure on display takes two months for a team to design.

There are chapels, churches and monasteries scattered all over the town to explore if that is your thing. Many of them date back to the 11th century, so even if churches aren’t your cup of tea it can be quite a site to see. If are visiting keep in mind to wear less revealing clothes, and that most places of worship in Cyprus do not allow photographs.

There are plenty of dining and lodging experiences to be had, and you may want to take a couple of days to explore this cute village. You can even camp 20 km out of town at the seaside camping site Governor’s beach.

Platres

Platres:

Platres has its roots from the British Colonial times, and was an extremely put together resort for the élite and influential during the olden era. The kings of Egypt came to Platres to rest for a while before returning to their kingdom.

The picturesque spot has a fascinating range of forest walks, splashing watercourses, and a few pubs at some of the best hotels Cyprus has to offer.

Platres is the vacation place for hikers, trekkers and adventure seekers. Offering water sports, and a mountainous range, it is the place to retreat for a few days and just have fun.

Retirees prefer the hills to the beaches and often make their way to Platres where nature plays its wonders along with a massage from the spas situated at almost every hotel.

Although Platres is not as chic as it was before, it is still successful in bringing in quite a bit of tourism, because of the beauty it has to offer.

The hilly area is quite famous for its cuisine and offers some of the best meals in Cyprus.

Hikes hiking:
Hikes offers four different hiking routes for tourists, according to the height and track they’d like to go to. The center, meeting point is available through taxis and buses both, and many vacationers take avid interest in this sport.

Cleopatra’s shop:
Situated in a gorgeous, ancient dwelling, this eerie shop captures interest of many. Not only does the shop provide souvenirs of Cyprus, the sisters who run the shop eagerly share the history of their land with many visitors happily, free of any cost. The shop also has many ancient ruins of Platres, which were found during evacuations.

Psilo Dendro Restaurant
Psilo Dendro is the best restaurant in Platres, where it’s always hard to get a table. Visitors are advised to make reservations beforehand, to enjoy the delicious meals it has to offer. Fish lovers would love this little place, as it is also a trout farm, where fish is fresh and tasty.

Highest Rated Hotels in Santorini:

Best Hotel in Oia: Maregio Suites

Best Hotel in Fira: Cosmopolitan Suites

Best Hotel in Imerovigli: Grace Santorini

Best Hotel in Firostefani: Tsitouras

Best Hotel in Perivolos: Orabel Suites

Best Hotel in Perissa: Anastasia Princess

Best Hotel in Kamari: Sunrise Studios

Highest Rated Private Villas in Santorini:

Best Villa in Oia: Anemi House

Best Villa in Fira: Anteliz Villa

Best Villa in Kamari: Eolia Villa

Best Villa in Pyrgos: Sensation Villa

Best Villa in Akrotiri: Cavo Ventus

Best Villa in Firostefani: Villa Aura

Best Villa in Imerovigli: Grace Villa

Our Readers Said:

“Just added this to my favourites!”

“I don’t know if I will have to go anywhere else for information!”

“Better than a travel guide!”

WHO ARE WE:

SantoriniSecrets.com is the largest and most informative website for all things Santorini maintained by local travel bloggers who love Greece and its islands more than anything else in this world. Some of us were actually born in Santorini and some others have spent many months not only visiting the island but actually living on it for long periods of time. We are not just visitors.

We consider ourselves the tipsters of this magical place.

WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SANTORINI:

  • BEST HOTELS IN SANTORINI (the best and worst areas to stay, where to stay if you are a solo traveller, the best honeymoom hotels etc)
  • SANTORINI FOR FOODIES (artisanal wineries, secret restaurants, best street food and more)
  • EXPERIENCE SANTORINI (things to do, secrets spots, best sunsets, secret bars and clubs, hiking, activities, tours)

What is lorem ipsum? how does it work?

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s

What is lorem ipsum? how does it work?

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s

What is lorem ipsum? how does it work?

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s

What is lorem ipsum? how does it work?

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s

Larnaca: Promenade, Castle & Zenobia

The Promenade of Palm Trees:

The boulevard is one of the most pleasant avenues in Larnaca, where tourists mingle with residents of the island breathing into the salty air of the beach and enjoying the serene atmosphere. The active avenue is lined with restaurants serving a variety of cuisine and seafood. It is also one of the most popular board-walks next to the sandy beach, home to the finest hotels, pubs and night clubs. The promenade is busy throughout the year as it floods with tourists and no trip to Cyprus is complete without this adventure. Varied ranges of people blend here, as they enjoy the history and the culture of the island, appreciate art and its traditions, together with food, fun entertainment and a few drinks.

Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement:

This splendid sight is just 35 kilometers outside of Larnaca, and depicts the Neolithic era of Cyprus. Preserved and protected in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list, it is in extremely good condition.

The display also has five structures that were reconstructed from the Neolithic way of life and their living patterns, with objects that were discovered during excavations, giving precise notion of villages during that particular era and how people lived in those times.

A visit to the Choirokoitia Neolithic Settlement is an absolute must to know more about Cyprus’s history and culture.

Larnaka Medieval Castle:

At the end of the promenade of palm trees, stands the ominous Larnaca Medieval castle, found during the Byzantine era. Over the years it was used as a fort, a church, a castle, a hiding place, and more recently a prison and place for capital punishment by the English, up till 1948.

Zenobia Wreck:

The Zenobia was a Swedish ferry that sunk on her journey to Cyprus during the 1980s. The remains of it are now lying beneath the waters where tourists can go for a dive and see the aquatic life as well as the ruins of the Swedish beauty that is resting at her port side at 42 meters, 1.5 kilometer from the shore.

The Zenobia Wreck dive is an absolute must for all serious divers visiting Cyprus who wish to get lost in the beauty of the exotic marine life present here. Infact the sea life is so unique at Zenobia that it is presently rated as the top ten wreck dive sites of the world. Tourists also have the option of picking up glass-bottom boats from the Larnaka marina if they do not wish to go underwater.

Highest Rated Hotels in Santorini:

Best Hotel in Oia: Maregio Suites

Best Hotel in Fira: Cosmopolitan Suites

Best Hotel in Imerovigli: Grace Santorini

Best Hotel in Firostefani: Tsitouras

Best Hotel in Perivolos: Orabel Suites

Best Hotel in Perissa: Anastasia Princess

Best Hotel in Kamari: Sunrise Studios

Highest Rated Private Villas in Santorini:

Best Villa in Oia: Anemi House

Best Villa in Fira: Anteliz Villa

Best Villa in Kamari: Eolia Villa

Best Villa in Pyrgos: Sensation Villa

Best Villa in Akrotiri: Cavo Ventus

Best Villa in Firostefani: Villa Aura

Best Villa in Imerovigli: Grace Villa

Our Readers Said:

“Just added this to my favourites!”

“I don’t know if I will have to go anywhere else for information!”

“Better than a travel guide!”

WHO ARE WE:

SantoriniSecrets.com is the largest and most informative website for all things Santorini maintained by local travel bloggers who love Greece and its islands more than anything else in this world. Some of us were actually born in Santorini and some others have spent many months not only visiting the island but actually living on it for long periods of time. We are not just visitors.

We consider ourselves the tipsters of this magical place.

WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SANTORINI:

  • BEST HOTELS IN SANTORINI (the best and worst areas to stay, where to stay if you are a solo traveller, the best honeymoom hotels etc)
  • SANTORINI FOR FOODIES (artisanal wineries, secret restaurants, best street food and more)
  • EXPERIENCE SANTORINI (things to do, secrets spots, best sunsets, secret bars and clubs, hiking, activities, tours)

What is lorem ipsum? how does it work?

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s

What is lorem ipsum? how does it work?

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s

What is lorem ipsum? how does it work?

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s

What is lorem ipsum? how does it work?

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s

The British Rule

The British marched their way right into the territory almost as soon as the Ottoman Empire came to an end.  A concurrence established between them and the Turks, that the residing community would have power over most of the native colony while the management matters would be looked over by the British. The foreign invaders wanted to have adequate power so that they’d secure a calculated settlement from where they could keep an eye on martial and marketable movements.

The British rule was welcomed with enthusiasm from the Greeks, as they assumed that eventually the result would be in their favor in the form of Cyprus uniting with Greece. The Turks, however, were less fervent. The British put together an action plan of uniting Cyprus with Greece in early 1915, on condition that Greece completed its treaty formalities towards Serbia when it was attacked by Bulgaria. The Greek government opposed this law and the offer of uniting Cyprus with Greece was never extended towards them again.

Each government in Greece and Turkey began to take active interest in political matters and regulations established by the British. In 1959, The Greek control and the Turkish supervision met in Zürich, to reach a negotiation. They drew the conclusion that independence would be granted to the island under assured state of affairs that would be satisfactory for both sides.

Cyprus would not enter into any sociopolitical union as well as economic issues with both the countries, nor would it ask for a partition.  Political powers were shared with both the countries.

The three countries, Britain, Greece and Turkey were guaranteed powers of Cyprus, which means any matter to be discussed or solved would go straight to them, making sure that by prevailing in their matters, the independence of Cyprus was not breached in any way.