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We start in Paphos on the western coast. The medieval castle from the days of the Crusades is at the entrance of its beautiful harbor.

So is 4 star Almyra Hotel built right on the water facing it.

The Church of the Holy Chrisopolitissa dates from the 13th century. Many pillars still standing are believed to be part of the old roman forum. Here is the pillar of St Paul where according to tradition St Paul was chained and flogged for preaching Christianity

At night Paphos comes alive. The Paphos castle once the fort of the knights of St John welcomes culture. During the summer operas are performed there it with the open seas as a backdrop. This is a windy setting for music but uniquely dramatic.

The Kato Pafhos archaeological site became a UNESCO World Heritage Site 1980.

Spread over a vast area, The Tombs of the Kings are these impressive underground tombs carved out of solid rock dating back to the 4th century BC.

Archeologists are busy uncovering remarkable mosaics. Every Roman villa built here in the 2nd, 3rd and to 4th century had elaborate mosaic floor, which have been amazingly preserved. The mosaics tell us that Cyprus has been cultivating wine for 2,500 years.

In a village near Paphos at the Aphrodite delight factory one can see the making of a typical Cyprus sweet called loukkoumi. Although loukumi is made all over the world the only protected geographical area of the European union is Yeroskipou, home to the authentic Cypriot sweet.

The western coast is full of coves and secluded beaches with some of the most pristine waters in the Mediterranean. Further up is the port of Latchi. This is a fishing town with some great seafood to taste at its outdoor restaurant.
Nearby is the Hotel Anassa a 5 star luxury hotel with sweeping views of the bay

North of Paphos is the mountain village of Kathika which has an ideal climate for grape growing The Sterna winery a small artisan like winery typical of the area which use local varieties of grapes Mavro and Xynistery

South of Pafhos is the Rock of Aphrodite, where according to legend Aphrodite the goddess of love sprung out of the water.

On the way to Limassol is the temple of Apollo Hylates one of the best-preserved archeological sites on the island. What remains of the temple is impressive as well as theater of nearby Kourion and its mosaics

The Trodos mountains are the main wine-growing region of Cyprus due to the elevation and the quality of the soil. The village of Kakopetria is a main tourist attraction

It’s vintage time and OLYMPUS winery in the Trodos mountains is busy picking grapes.

The Kolossi castle in the middle of vineyards and sugar cane plantations was occupied by the Knights of St John after the Crusades. The knights produced here for the first time the well-known dessert wine called commanderia.

In Limassol it wine festival time, where wineries from all over Cyprus come to pitch their wines. Cyprus although a very small island ranks 37th in wine production in the world.

filmmaker: CompulsiveTraveler

country: Cyprus

channel: arts & culture