Cyprus 2019

MEDITERRANEAN DELICACIES

CYPRUS 4

Cypriot cuisine is famous for its delicious Mediterranean qualities. The island is the home of halloumi cheese and meze, a multi-course meal of olives, salad, seafood, cheese, chicken, sausage, and kebabs that deserves to be shared and savoured ‘siga siga’ (slowly, slowly), preferably at an open-air taverna at vine-shaded tables. Cyprus is also one of the world’s oldest grape-growing and wine-making regions, with its fruits of the grape ranging from delicate whites and full-bodied reds to the rich sweet amber-coloured dessert nectar known as Commandaria. This is one of the oldest wines in the world, representing an ancient wine style documented in Cyprus back to 800 BC and has the distinction of being the world’s oldest named wine still in production, with the name Commandaria dating back to the crusades in the 12th century. All year round Cyprus’ air is redolent with the scent of blossom, be it the heady fragrance of musky mimosa, balmy jasmine perfumed nights or the sweetly sharp aroma from the abundance of citrus trees. With nearly 2000 flowering plants (including 20 rare species of orchid), 371 varieties of birds including flamingos, imperial eagles and griffon vultures, and a fascinating diversity of animals including sea turtles, snakes and lizards – not to mention the elusive moufflon (a rare wild mountain sheep found only in Cyprus), the island is a haven for any nature lover. Cyprus offers excellent dive sites and facilities, with one of the best wreck dives in the world, the Zenobia, situated off Larnaca DIVERSE FLORA AND FAUNA