CYPRUS is the most easterly and the third largest of the Mediterranean islands after Sicily and Sardinia.
Hot dry summers are followed by mild winters, with many near deserted beaches, it is little wonder Cyprus has become a popular destination.
LATCHI & POLIS close to the Akamas national park, Latchi and Polis are two small towns with charm and character.
LATCHI has a paved coastal walk through the picturesque harbour plus a stretch of shingle beach and lots of peace and quite. The harbour was once used for the shipping of carob. (The Carob tree is also called Saint-John's-bread or locust bean. It grows to about 15 m (50 ft) in height and has dark, evergreen, leaves and a small red flower. The fruit is a brown, leathery pod about 10 to 30 cm (4 to 12 in) long and contains a syrupy to biscuity sweet tasting flesh, in which there are a number of seeds. The pods are edible and are often used for livestock feed. The seeds, which are remarkably uniform in size and weight, are thought to have been the original standard carat weight used by jewelers and goldsmiths). You can still see the old stone carob warehouses most have been converted into fish restaurants and taverns.
The unspoiled town of Polis is located away from the main tourist resorts, on the North Western coast near the Akamas peninsular. This is a very quiet resort popular with people who enjoy wildlife and nature walks in the beautiful Cypriot countryside. Latchi and Polis are not for those seeking sun, fun and a bustling nightlife, instead both are perfect for a quiet relaxing holiday. The surrounding hills and valleys are completely unspoiled and breathtakingly spectacular. As for the beaches, the choice is yours either the quiet beach of Polis or the long shingle beach of Latchi. Why not hire a car and within a 10 minute drive of either resort you can find deserted sandy beach's that are one of the best kept secrets on Cyprus.
PLACES OF INTEREST - THE AKAMAS PENINSULA. In the far west of Cyprus it is named after the son of Theseus, hero of the Trojan Wars and founder of the city-kingdom of Soli. The peninsula is an area of unparalleled natural beauty with deep gorges, a wild landscape and wide sandy bays. It is also an area of great biodiversity and ecological significance. Home to 530 plant species, 126 of which are endemic to Cyprus. The variety of fauna is equally impressive there are 168 birds, 12 mammals, 20 reptiles and 16 butterfly species. The Akamas Peninsula is a truly unspoiled wild place due mostly to its inaccessibility.
THE BATHS OF APHRODITE.According to legend, the goddess Aphrodite used to take her beauty baths in a pool in a natural grotto, shaded by a fig tree walking along the trail, you can enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding country side and out to sea.
Please
Note. Since 1974, the Cypriot government has designated Larnaca and Paphos international
airports, and the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos, as the only legal
points of entry into and exit from Cyprus. These ports are all in the government-controlled
southern part of the island. Entry or exit via any other air or seaport is not
authorised by the Cypriot government. It is possible for visitors to arrive at
non-designated airports and seaports in the north, but they should not expect
to cross the United Nations-patrolled "green line" to the government-controlled
areas in the south. Such travel is not permitted by the government of Cyprus,
even for transit purposes. Visitors arriving through designated ports of entry
in the south are normally able to cross into the north for day trips. Policy and
procedures regarding such travel are subject to change. Information on this may
be obtained at the U.N. "Buffer Zone" Checkpoint.
