Under the Mediterranean sun

Khursheed Dinshaw

As the mercury rises, island destinations like Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean beckon. Paphos and Limassol are two scenic and culturally rich destinations where one can soak up the sea, relish Cypriot cuisine and explore ancient sites. Here is why heading to these makes for a good vacation:

Strolling along in Paphos

Paphos has a long walking pathway with the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the waterfront of numerous hotels on the other. Manicured lawns, bright-coloured flowers, sit-out areas with sun decks where visitors sun tan themselves or relax gazing at the sea, kids’ play areas and wooden lifeguard towers line this pathway. Here mobile trucks selling fast food and ice cream vie for attention.

The Church of Saint Nicholas is also located along the pathway. Its white walls with a blue roof against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea are simple yet beautiful. Visitors can feel the peace inside the church. Sunsets from this church are not to be missed. The walking pathway ends at the harbour where boats and yachts dock. Cafes and restaurants here specialise in seafood, mezze, olives, dips, grilled halloumi cheese, afelia and moussaka. Souvenir shops line the cobbled road. 

Step in to buy some carob tea and coffee. A popular Cypriot staple is carob syrup, which can be used as a healthier substitute to chocolate. This sweet syrup helps to treat cholesterol and bone problems. “The carob tree was referred to as black gold because products made from it were exported from Cyprus. It was used to make medicines, chocolates, sweets, and even filmplates for photographs,” adds Thalia Sofiali, a local guide. 

The medieval castle is also located at the harbour. A former fort of the Byzantine period, it was built to protect the Paphos harbour. In the 13th century, it was rebuilt by the Lusignans and then torn down by the Venetians. When the Ottomans gained control, they rebuilt the fort sometime in the 16th century. The British used it to store salt. After 1935, it has been protected by the Department of Antiquities. 

While heading to Limassol, do stop by at Petra tou Romiou, which translates to rock of the Greek. It is the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. A small flight of stairs lead to the white and grey stones near the foamy waters where huge rocks dot the coast. According to a legend, Aphrodite was born right here from the sea foam. 

an evening in Limassol

Strolling along the harbour at night after a sumptuous dinner with an ice cream in hand makes for an enjoyable evening. The cool breeze makes you forget the sweltering heat back home. Limassol makes a good hub for visiting Kourion, which was ancient city kingdom whose Greco Roman theatre is an architectural masterpiece. It was built in the 2nd century BC to honour Dionysus, who is the Greek God of wine. A special performance for him called dithyramp was conducted. The participating writers used their creativity and decided to perform comedies and tragedies, henceforth marking the beginning of theatrical performances at the theatre.

Extensions took place in the 2nd century and today, the Greco Roman theatre is  popular for conducting musical and theatrical concerts. Next to the theatre is the House of Eustolios, which was a private villa with mosaic flooring dating back to the 5th century. Apart from rooms, the house also contains a bath complex. Some of the inscriptions on the floors mention that Eustolios was a Christian. This villa became a recreational centre for the public during the early Christian period.