Spring Break in Cyprus: Gem of the Mediterranean
Spring break, vacation, holiday. The annual window of time within the adult realm that allows us to forget about our responsibilities and revert to being sponges that soak up everything a new environment has to offer. Between the Mediterranean sun and the cryptic presence of civilizations past, Cyprus provides you with a myriad of things to 'soak up'. Because many have never even heard of the isle, it isn't necessarily the first on everyones travel list. This past week I was fortunate enough to spend some time traveling around the island and exploring the capital city, and if you are looking for a new adventure or travel destination, by the end of this article I'm sure you'll be sold.
View of the capital city, Nicosia, from Shacolas Tower.
I spent a large portion of my trip in Nicosia, the capital city that is split right in the middle between Turkey (the north), and Greece (the south). The city is filled with culture, including some of the best food you will ever taste! Greek influence flows through every vein of the south side of Cyprus. Fresh ingredients make for dishes that don't taste the same as the ones from your local Greek restaurant back home.
Top Row: Traditional Greek Salad Topped w/ Feta Cheese, Gyro Meat w/ Chips and a Side of Tomatoes, Pasta Bologonese
Bottom Row: Fudge Brownie with Whipped Cream and Ice Cream, Pesto Penne, Halloumi Cheese Omelette with Chips, Toast, Tomatoes and Fresh Pomegranate Juice.
Some must-try restaurants while you are in Cyprus include Jenny's Fournos in Nicosia, Ta Mpania in Paphos, and last but not least Zorba's Bakery (they have the best desserts, have locations all around the island).
Although skinny jeans don't have as much give for the expansion that takes place after eating all these meals, they do make for a great outfit! During my time in cyprus the weather ranged from 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit, with cool evenings and nights. Though the country isn't necessarily a hub for fashion, I made a special effort (like always) to travel in style. Check out the details on this look!
For a day exploring Old City in Nicosia, I opted for a distressed skinny jean and a vibrant tribal print shirt, both from Zara. You all know I'm obsessed with my members only leather jacket, as it goes almost everywhere that I do. A pair of Florsheim wingtips keeps things comfy and classic, and my Quay Australia sunnies add just the right amount of drama! My belt is thrifted and my watch is by Citizen.
Keep in mind that the island is rather small, which is makes it relatively easy to travel to different cities and explore the coasts. I took some time to travel outside of Nicosia to Paphos and Larnaca, where I visited the beaches, as well as the Tombs of the Kings, the Church of Saint Lazarus, and several breathtaking sacred monasteries (which I will discuss more in my next post).
I hope that through these photos you will get a glimpse of how breathtaking Cyprus truly is. Upon landing on the island it will feel like you are traveling back in time. Be on the lookout for my next blog post where I discuss further details about the historic sites I visited, and more!
