The real face of Cyprus

Sir,
I was quite saddened to read the article ‘What’s the face of Cyprus?’ (October 16). Why does Cyprus have to have only one face? This is an island that is steeped in so much history, with so much to see and do once you are brave enough to leave the confinements of your hotel complex.

You need to produce a book of ‘Places to visit before you leave Cyprus’ – include things like:

1.The Troodos Mountains including the Kykkos Monastry and the look-out from Mount Olympus
2. Nicosia (The Archbishop’s Palace, and museum)
3. Curium and sanctuary of Apollon Ylatis / Kolossi Castle
4. Cape Greco and the view tower to see Famagusta
5. Larnaca and the submarine that goes down to the wreck of the Zenobia, Larnaka fort, Pierides Museum, Stavrovouni Monastery
6.Paphos Harbour and Mosaics / Tomb of the Kings
7. Akamas peninsula
8. Sanctuary of Aphrodite and Petra tou Romiou
9. Polis / Latchi and the baths of Aphrodite
10. Vineyards to visit / Golf courses to play.

People need to know that there is so much more of the island to see. You have the most breathtaking views that tourists would miss. What about a guide on the most romantic places to sit and watch the sun set? Or approved ramblers’ walking routes, or places of religious importance to Cyprus’ history (including any monastery that may offer accommodation to visitors). You also need a good places guide of b&bs, etc away from the usual tourist areas for tourists to understand the real Cyprus and to eat and drink where the local eat and drink. Most of all you need to put the ‘magic’ spell on your tourists. Once you get them out and about they will fall in love with the island, just like me and want to come back time after time. Just a few changes in the tourist numbers would have an impact on the economic development of Cyprus and may encourage Cypriots living in smaller villages to start their own business, be it a taverna, place to stay which in turn would increase the Gross Domestic Product of the island. 

Suzanne Prince, Cardiff

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.