Holiday island Cyprus has long been one of the world's great tourist destinations, but lately has trouble attracting visitors. Many attribute the slight decrease to competing tourism markets becoming more attractive, such as those in Egypt and Turkey. The island holiday isn't viewed as relevant to the times by many, though a recent upswing suggests that Cyprus isn't down for the count. Also, prices in Cyprus have increased, which makes the island less attractive. Of course, these trends are cyclical, as the past few months have seen tourism levels return to normal. A recent drought in Cyprus probably caused much of the decrease, as well. Cyprus is an island that lies between the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. The history of the island can be traced back thousands of years and has been invaded and conquered by many different civilizations. This results in a rich culture that is an amalgam of several separate ones. Ancient buildings still stand on the island, including temples from antiquity and architecture designed by many conquering nations. Some of the many architectural attractions on the island are religious in nature. The Church of Avios Lazaros is a legendary building dedicated to Lazarus, who is believed to have lived on the island after his resurrection. The oldest monastery on the island is the Stavrovouni Monastery, perched on top of a mountain. This monastery, founded by Constantine the Great's mother in the fourth century, contains a fragment of the Holy Cross - only male visitors are welcome inside the monastery. Many museums feature displays of the islands rich history. The Byzantine Museum, located in the Old City of Nicosia, contains the largest collection of icons on the island. The Ethnographic Museum, also in Nicosia, proudly displays Cypriot fold art of the last few centuries. The building is a former Benedictine Monastery which also served as the palace of the Archbishop. The Old City Walls are also a popular attraction during a Cyprus holiday - with a circumference of three miles, these walls show visitors how a city was protected just a few centuries ago. The island is divided by the Green Line. In the North, visitors find the Turkish experience, while the south is dominated by Greek culture. This causes a fascinating mix of the two near the line. Cypriot cuisine is a blend of Greek and Turkish cuisine, with a healthy sprinkling of French, Italian and Lebanese cuisine, as well. Seafood is obviously popular, with calamari and sea bass being staples. Potatoes, beets and cauliflower are regularly eaten with meals, using olive oil or pickling as a preparation method. Cyprus is always a great place for young partygoers. Relax and enjoy the beaches during the day. At night, visit one of the many open-air clubs. Sip a great cocktail while listening to the waves of the sea hit the shore. There are clubs with live music as well as clubs featuring dancing and DJs. There is nightlife of every kind on the island for you to find and enjoy. Whatever your reasons for visiting the island of Cyprus, you're sure to enjoy your stay if you let the culture take you for a ride. Take the time to understand the influence of different civilizations through the years, and you'll see Cyprus as the anomaly that it is and have a great holiday.
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