Petra Tou Romiou

The Petra Tou Romiou (Rock of the Greek), or the Rock Of Aphrodite (Rock of Romios, Aphrodite's Rock), is a scenic place, located off the sea-shore along the old Limassol-Pafos road. It has been regarded since ancient times as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and fertility. It's one of the most popular tourist spot, for its magnificent view of the sea, and more famously the birth place of Aphrodite.

It is said that here is the rock from which Aphrodite mythically arose from the foaming sea. There are two large rocks in the sea, set against the white cliffs above and the turquoise of the Mediterranean below. The beach is shingly but the setting is spectacular. The scene has been a source of inspiration for many poets and painters, the most famous

... More >

result being Boticelli's Birth of Venus;

now on display in Florence Italy at Uffizi Gallery, the painting depicts the light wind of the Zephyrs bringing Aphrodite ashore inside a shell to Petra tou Romiou. (Picture of painting depicts)

There is a nearby restaurant, and a souvenir shop in the Tourist Pavilion where you can park your car on the uphill side of the road near the shop. Pedestrian access to the beach is via an underpass. From here you can admire the sight of the colors of the sea. Being a pebbled beach, people don't swim usually. The place is best to adore the sun-rise and sun-set, that makes it more beautiful.

People used to climb on the rock itself, and overlook the waves arose against it. I would say this is a must visit place in Cyprus. It is just some km away from a seaside village - Pissouri. I have been to this place many times, and each time I came here, It feels more beautiful. Some people often confused it with 'Baths of Aphrodite'. But Baths of Aphrodite is approx 70 km away from here. You can also roam around a nearby seaside village - Pissouri.

My jump snap is 500 Euros cost. Don't ask me; ask my friends.

Read More

Pissouri - A seaside village

If you are thinking of visiting a sea-side village in Cyprus. Come to Pissouri. The place is very near to Rocks of Aphrodite. It is situated between Limassol and Pafos. It is specially the favorite place for British people. If you are driving from Limassol, you have to traverse across a hill tunnel.

The panoramic views from village and its edges are spectacular. The village square is the hub of village life with the coffee shop at its heart. The local tavernas serve up delicious local food and on summer evenings you may find the weekly “Cyprus night” somewhere in Pissouri, a lively and popular treat of traditional dancing, music and food.

Just near the village square, you will find a church, that is famous for its wooden-carved icon stand, which is a real work of art. Pissouri seems to evolve rapidly, following the trends of the globalization and global investments.

Pissouri is also famous for its 'on the edge of heaven' walks. You can watch out the fabulous flora and fauna of the Pissouri area, including migratory birds, bats, information about the snakes of the area, see the many indigenous orchids and wild flowers. The views are soothing to eye and will be stored to your's favourite in your disk.

If you are interested in golf, riding or tennis or dream wedding in Cyprus :-) Aphrodite hills is not so far, for your luxury and elegance time.

Read More

Polis Camping Site in Cyprus

Quote of the Post: "Camping is the art of campers which connects to the nature as tight-bounded and offers natural home." - Quote about Camping - Sachin Kumar Gupta

If you came across this site by searching "Camping in Cyprus", "Camping in Polis" or something similar, then go ahead. Summer has been started. Its another great time in Cyprus. After a long period we finally executed our Camping script. We coded the script very quickly (Friday during lunch) and executed the next day, and the outcome was successfull and pleasant. The site is the best kept secret of cyprus - Polis Chrysochous camping site.



What things to bring with you for the Polis camping site to enjoy it to the fullest:
1. The first and formost thing is Camping tents or canvas.
2. Barbeque Stand and Stuff, Koyla(Coal or charcoal), and dry sticks.
3. Small music system; If you are a dance freak. Antakshari(Singing songs) is always on top of Indian checklist during such events.
4. Swimming stuff, Sun screen, and other, as the beach is on the next door.
5. Cooking and Drinking stuff as some snacks, beverage, fruits, and food to cook.
6. Night Lamps, Torch or some light for night. We preferred the mashaals. To give proper camping look - as we got these from Carrefour mall, the biggest advantage was 0.50 Euros per mashaal(Torch), and one bottle of mashaal oil.
7. Blanket and quilt, during the night as It gets bit cold. Bring the string to dry the wet clothes.
8. Folding Chairs and table and other personal stuff.
9. Playing Cards ;If your group is intrested in it. Our group is always ready to shuffle. :-)
10.Beach Vollyball, as the beach vollyball court is nearby. or Badminton net and stuff.
Last but not the least, Put all the rubbish into the nearby dustbin. (Go greener, and let the place clean for the others. Although people do the place clean by default here)


About Polis Camping Site: The Polis camping site is near the sea, in a eucalyptus grove. You will get all the necessary services here as toilet, showers, small restaurant at the beach side; the tranquil and soothing environment. You will forget all your work and busy life after coming to the site and will enjoy the calm and peaceful environment for mental relaxation and recreation. You will be charged 2.5 Euros per person, and 3 Euros per car to enjoy the camping site. We enjoyed and relaxed here out of the city in the quiet and fresh atmosphere.

Polis is in one of the most beautiful areas of Cyprus, near romantic sites, close to the place where Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, used to meet her beloved Adonis, near the Akamas Peninsula with its famous Baths of Aphrodite. Polis offers plenty of natural and combine beauty of sea, mountain and plain. Polis is just 45 min drive from Pafos International Airport, 2 hrs from Larnaka airport and approx 2 hrs from Limassol.

Camping sites in Cyprus: Cyprus has six licensed camping sites. I found Polis the most popular and attracting one. Out of these, five camping sites are on the beach and one is in the Troodos mountains.

Polis Camping Site - Polis, Pafos district (Mar-Oct) (+357 26321526)
Kalymnos - Governor's Beach Camping - Limassol (all year)(+357 25632878)
Forest Beach Camping - Larnaka (Jun-Oct) (+357 23823502)
Feggari - Coral Bay Peyia, Pafos (all year)(+357 26621534)
Geroskipou Zenon Gardens Camping - Pafos (Apr-Oct) (+357 26942277)
Troodos Hill Resort camping - Troodos Mountains (Apr-Oct, weather permitting)

If any of these number is not working, Please check for the latest from CTO (Cyprus Tourism Organisation) Limassol (+357 25362756).

Read More

St. Hilarion Castle - Walt Disney Inspiration

St. Hilarian castle named to a saint, who is believed to have lived here. This castle was also involved in the protection chain from attacks by the Arabs including castles in Kyrenia, Buffavento and Kantara.
The castle have the most impressive architecture, with its three main sections built in 3 different levels. 1st section is build for soldiers and the castle coworkers and - contains cisterns, stables and other structures. 2nd section consists of royal apartments, kitchen, church, barracks, hall and different rooms. 3rd section consists of internal garden and steep stairs-way that reach you to the top.


It is said that Walt Disney production of "Snow White and 7 Dwarfs" was inspired by the St. Hilarian castle. The towers used in many other Disney animations are very similar. Due to the mystical image of the castle, it inspired many other artists as well. Charm to enjoy the castle including trekking never diminishes, I have visited this castle twice so far. Who can forget the views from old royal apartments to the modern royal apartments (downside the Kyrenia - swimming pools and beautifully designed village), Mutfak Kitchen, being at the top of the castle and many more eagle eye-views.


Even some of us chanting "Jai Mata Di (Remembering the Indian way of trekking over religious places)", "Badhe Chalo (Keep on going)" and many more slogans to encourage each other. Don't forget to capture the snap along with celebrity message board ( 732 m - CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE AT THE PEAK :-) You should have water and snacks with you, and give sufficient time to enjoy here. Although it will took approx 1 hr to reach at the top of the castle and 40 more mins to come down without any break including some snap-time. The entrance ticket is 4 Euros.


I think, this castle will remain the visitors attraction and inspiration of art lovers because from each and every side/corner of the castle, you have magnificent sights to the nature. You can think of that you are watching the Kyrenia map on a larger scale without using Google-maps. After this we follow the roads to Lapta village, a worth place to drive and capture the various natural scenery on both sides along the way.Wanna to have a look to other castles and places in North Cyprus.

Read More

Famagusta, Gazimagusa

Quote of the post: “Much of Cyprus is an outdoor museum, but only here is so much historical interest concentrated, that is a showplace for all.” - www.famagusta.com

Famagusta - Gazimagusa (The Ghost Town), was famous for a small commercial port and fishing village. It also suffered the combined catastrophes of earthquakes and raids by Arab pirates. It is a region which contains historical remains and cultural signs of various civilizations.


Most of the fortification can still be seen, and Beware of ! You may divert/drive to nearby military base area. The main St. Nicholas cathedral was turned into a mosque (Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque), and the nearby bazaar and market places were developed, can still be seen.


If you are in Famagusta, just execute the following commands in sequence - (Enter, Roam around, see, do, buy, eat, drink, sleep, Exit). There is no scheduled public transportation available, so it would be better to have a car/taxi (If you don't have a private tour/excursion).


This tourist heaven, also known as a center of science university city, hosts a largest university of the island. You can enjoy the world famous Famagusta Cultural & Arts Festival in the month of June-July.
In a nutshell, if you spent one full day in Famagusta, will reveal the history of Cyprus.


Just some Km away, You can also roam around the famous place Salamis Ruins. If you just go towards Bafra, you can even enjoy the golden sandy beaches there. Wanna to have a look to other places in North Cyprus.

Read More

Kyrenia Harbour, Girne

Kyrenia Harbour is an evergreen place to visit. View to the harbour, from the top of the Kyrenia castle is really soothing and touching. You can watch the array of yachts, boats at the inside circumference of the harbour, looks like the semi-circled moon.
But during summer, it is fully packed, sometimes in the evening, you may not get the blank space in the restaurants, bars and have to wait for a long time. The Kyrenia Castle adds beauty to it.


You can have a short Mediterranean walk from here on the boats, yachts. We enjoyed the harbour till the rear end. It is the central place for visitors coming North Cyprus. You will never bore here and enjoy the nights in the pubs, bars, restaurants, Casino with music and dance.


You can enter here just walking through the charming Kyrenia Town-Center (Downtown) and have all reasons to enjoy, to relax, to roam, to eat and to drink. Kyrenia Harbour is a horseshoe shaped full of colorful surrounding and appreciated for its natural beauty. Where else you want to be!


I enjoyed here during summer (Easter) and winter (Christmas) both times. You shouldn't skip it in your NC trip. Wanna to have a look to Kyrenia Castle and other places in North Cyprus.

Read More

Kyrenia Castle, NC

This castle was built to protect the town against raids from the Arab. Kyrenia (Girne) castle structure changed at time to time. Using the Byzantium style of fortification, a new entrance, square and horseshoe-shaped towers, embrasures for archer, and dungeons were added. From 1974, the Department of Antiquities and museums has been responsible for all aspects of castle's preservation and use.
We directly reached here from Nicosia. You can easily search for the place if you are coming by Kyrenia town center way. Beside it, there is car parking place (If you are coming from back). Other way to reach here is, Park your car near Kyrenia Municipality, walk the Kyrenia harbour and at the end you can see the big castle. You can get the tickets above stairs (6.5 Euros per person).
We taken many photographs here. See "Dil Chahta Hai" (Bollywood movie) style photograph and other group photographs. I missed it during my first visit to NC. I have visited this place in the day as well as night time. You can get entry inside the castle only until 3:30 pm.

You will always see the crowd all around and have the drink/food in the nearby restaurants, bars. You can view the amazing Kyrenia harbour view from top of the castle. From each side/corner of the castle, you can enjoy panoramic and soothing views. Even some of us (me 2) trying to hold the castle on our hands (just for a creative pose :-)


You can visit the east wing, exhibition hall, Lunsignan Tower, Dungenos, Venetian tower, and Shipwreck Museum inside it. Wanna to have a look to other places in North Cyprus.

Read More