By Shouq Al Shirazi
Kuwaiti Travel Blogger & Content Creator
Special to The Times Kuwait

We are used to and always hearing that people travel to Cyprus in the summer, and that it thrives in tourism in this season due to the large number of resorts, beaches and beautiful marine activities in it.

I decided to go out of the ordinary and discover Cyprus in the winter season, and an opportunity to do so came in the form of an invitation from the Deputy of the Ministry of Tourism Savvas Persia.

My experience of winter in Cyprus exceeded my expectations. Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It is geographically in Western Asia, but its cultural ties and geopolitics are overwhelmingly Southeastern European. Cyprus is the third-largest and third-most populous island in the Mediterranean, with Nicosias its capital and largest city.

I went directly from Larnaca international airport to my first spot in my schedule, the Larnaca Grand Mosque, also known as Umm Haram Mosque Hala Sultan Tekk, one of the holiest of shrines within Ottoman Islam, located on the west bank of Larnaca Salt Lake. Umm Haram was the wife of Ubada bin al-Samit, a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad,and foster sister of Muhammad’s mother, Aminah bint Wahb.

The mosque adjoins the picturesque beauty of Salt Lake where you can see a massive number of flamingos during their migratory visit to Cyprus, where they spend the winter feeding off the plentiful brine shrimp in the lake.

Next on my itinerary was Omodos Village Square, the oldest and one of the largest, stone-paved squares in Cyprus. Constructed in 1910, this beautiful square in Omodos village encloses markets, crafts stores and food shops as well as restaurants, do not leave without tasting and buying the famous arkatena that you will find in the bakeries of the village.

September is a very important month in Omodos as the village celebrates the Feast of the Holy Cross on 14 September. Faithful Christians from all over Cyprus arrive in the village for a pilgrimage to the Holy Cross monastery in the center of the community.

Discover village life in Cyprus through a luxury hotel resort and spa retreat. Wander the trails, relax in the award-winning spa, eat and drink like a local in Casale Panayiotis, a traditional mountain spa hotel in Cyprus.

Discover the treasure of Troodos Mountain. Due to its altitude, it is covered in snow during winter. It is a popular resort for skiers during the skiing months. Tourists and locals alike visit the mountains during the summer to take a break from the searing summer heat down at sea level. Walk through the forests on one of the nature trails and take in the wonderful scent, aromas, enjoy looking at the waterfalls and surrounding views.

For lovers of hiking through nature and exploring hidden places, Millomeri Waterfalls will be the perfect choice, the water of Millomeri falls from a height of 15 meters and is one of the highest natural waterfalls on the island. Located between Platres and Pera Pedi there is a nature trail leading to the waterfall.

Jingle all the way to the Cyprus Christmas Villages! Discover beautiful traditional villages and towns of Cyprus, which in turn will wow you with an array of authentic Christmas experiences to participate in and where you will make memories to last a lifetime. Cultural events, stands with local products and handicrafts, gastronomy and crafting workshops, organized activities in nature, guided village tours, local restaurants and hotels with delicious holiday menus and many other surprises await to be discovered for a unique Cypriot Christmas experience.

If you are a fan of halloumi, probably the most famous product of Cyprus, there is a local farm in the countryside that makes them fresh. And, let me tell you, the store-bought variety of halloumi pales in comparison to the taste of warm halloumi cheese made fresh. The tour of the farm was quite an experience, meeting the family and making the cheese was great fun and very informative. Seeing the process from beginning to end (and actually tasting the cheese we made) was really enjoyable.

A must visit place is Limassol marina as it is a landmark for Cyprus. The Limassol Marina has already been named as one of the most attractive and outstanding projects in Europe. There are plenty of activities that can be done around there to make your visit unforgettable, such as walking or cycling around the old town and discovering the heart of the city with its narrow streets and historical buildings. At the top end of the harbor there is a huge paved area surrounded by cafes, restaurants and shops. Do not miss the Graffiti Street in the same area.

Nicosia, the capital, is one of the most interesting capitals in Europe, with rich history and culture. The old town, which is the part of the capital inside the city walls, is one of the most stimulating travel routes in the entire island with a bustling atmosphere and a number of museums, shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Must see places are Eleftheria (liberty) square, Laiki Geitonia for experiencing Nicosia as it used to be in the 1900s, Ledra street, Venetian Walls and so much more to discover.

Shouq Al Shirazi is a well known Kuwaiti Travel blogger and Content Creator who is widely travelled and has featured hundreds of travel destinations around the world. Her Instagram account @shouggate has more than 100,000 followers.


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