“​​Cyprus has officially leap-frogged several countries and squarely entered among the top three favorite places I’ve ever had the privilege to visit.” These were the words I used in my blog after my incredible trip to Cyprus a few years ago. And I have to say that I’ve yet to visit a country that has knocked it out of my top three.

I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about the country before my trip but was excited to have my first official Mediterranean travel experience, and this beautiful island did not disappoint. With several must-see places around the island listed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list of World Heritage Sites (light flex!), it should come as no surprise that there simply aren’t sufficient words to capture all that the country has to offer. 

During my trip, I had the privilege of interacting with several native Cypriots that educated me about the realities of the country’s lesser visible past, including the Turkish invasion that occurred in the north of the country in the 1970s. In fact, akin to the sad history of the Berlin Wall, many families and communities are still to this day unable to freely coexist as a reunification agreement has yet to be brokered by the opposing sides.

Political complexities aside, Cyprus is extremely rich in culture and of course boasts some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. It has activities for every kind of adventure seeker: from your typical city life must-haves (and definitely the best hookah I’ve ever had!), to quaint villages, bike and nature trails, to museums and immaculately preserved historical sites, it is impossible to be bored. So do yourself a favor and add Cyprus to your travel list immediately...trust me, you won’t regret it! 

Photos: Chris Filcidor, Naheeda Marangou, Frangos Marangou

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