Traveling to the Republic of Cyprus is as easy as going to any other country in the European Union. The smart way to get there from the states is usually a connection via London. Since there is a large diaspora of Cypriots in greater London, there are many regular flights to Cyprus, so making a connection to Larnaca through Heathrow has been a snap for me. British Airways has regular non-stop flights to Larnaca International Airport from both Heathrow and Gatwick, so there is some flexibility in booking for sure. A full service international airport, Larnaca International has all the conveniences one would find at any major international stop. I always book my rental car in advance via the web and pick up my car after passport control/customs. All of the major agencies (Sixt, Avis, Budget, etc.) operate on the island and it’s better to rent a car from one of them than some of the less reputable independent rental agencies on the island. I find GPS is a must, as the streets in Larnaca are not always well marked and the city can be a little confusing until you get the hang of driving on the other side of the road and navigating roundabouts from the left-handed instead of the right-handed perspective! (This is a former British colony after all….)
My wife and I always make our home base in Larnaca for a few different reasons. First of all, her father lives in town. So do a few Aunts, Uncles and cousins, so for us it’s an easy choice. But for the average tourist it should be an easy choice as well. There are many accommodations within the city and its immediate surroundings, ranging from the very basic to the very posh. The great thing about Larnaca is its location. The airport is only about 3.5 miles from city center, a quick and cheap cab ride, or an easy drive if you’ve got your rental car and GPS already. The city itself, the island’s third largest behind Limassol and Nicosia, is on the south coast of the island and only an hour’s drive from just about anywhere on the island. The beach resorts of Agia Napa and Protaras are 40-55 minutes away, Limassol and Nicosia are about an hour away, and Paphos is about 2 hours away by car. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia (both in terms of area and population). It measures 149 miles long from end to end and 62 miles wide at its widest point so travel by car is never a super-long journey. But Larnaca is much more than just a jumping off point. Exploring Larnaca offers many great options. Walk the palm tree lined waterfront promenade called Finikoudes (Greek for “row of palm trees”) and sample everything from fine dining to fast food, bouzouki bars, quiet pubs, and thumping clubs. Finikoudes ends at the Fort of Larnaca. Turn right at the Fort and head straight into the old Turkish quarter. With its charming and ramshackle architecture, the Turkish Quarter is well preserved and is a great place to stroll, dive into the little shops, get your souvenirs, and have a bite to eat, day or night. Also while in the Turkish Quarter be sure to check out the Church of Saint Lazarus. These are just a few of the sights before leaving Larnaca to explore Cyprus. In my next entry, some more of charming Larnaca, hanging at Dad’s house, and points east on the island. Until the next installment……….
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