Cyprus Tour

 
 
 
 

Vocabulary

blend	Neolithic	spring to mind
desire	isthmus	picturesque
boom	ironically	stunning
appetite	strip (2)	condense
variety	spectacle	correspond
sample	commerce	established
opulent	marina	headquarters
claim	dessert	strike you
palm	fabulous	continuously
bless	pilgrimage	concentration
famed	peppered	chances are
foam	vestige	pseudonym
cove	dignitary	civil servant
array	boutiques	times gone by
relocate	foothills	relevance
sooth	breeze	unspoiled
amenity	beyond	synonymous

 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

Gentleman: This little fishing village of just twenty yeas ago is today part of a highly successful tourist boom area.

For British travelers, its name is synonymous with holiday fun, as the best known tourist destination in Cyprus, and among the top choices in the Mediterranean.

Lady: For those of you who experienced the 24-hour, beach party life of Ayia Napa, chances are the name Nisi Beach will immediately spring to mind. It’s one of the best loved along the coastline. And it’s equipped to deal with all the desires of the visitor — whatever their tastes may be.

Gentleman: While dotted around this small isthmus, there are many other options. Neighboring Protaras is also enjoying a boom in popularity.

Lady: Fig Tree Bay is the best know beach here. For many, it’s synonymous with the small village of Protaras itself. It’s carpeted with green lawn along its seafront, adding a burst of color.

And close at hand, there lots and lots of hotel options and self-catering.

Gentleman: Equidistant from Ayia Napa and Protaras, but a little to the south, is picturesque Cape Greco.

Lady: As you can see for yourselves, this place is absolutely stunning. And if you have a love for rocky coastlines, caves and coves, then this is the place for you.

Gentleman: Something to build up the appetite in those eating night spots.

Lady: When the sun goes down and the appetite grows, so does the flow of customers going into the many restaurants around us. Protaras’ main strip is tightly condensed all into one, and full of bars, restaurants and clubs.

Gentleman: The same goes for its more famous neighbor, Ayia Napa, which is increasingly identified with foods of the world. As like the resort itself, it’s seen a corresponding growth in the number and variety of restaurants on offer, not to mention entertainment and spectacles of all shapes and sizes.

Lady: Welcome to my hometown of Limassol, the island’s capital of wine, commerce and tourism, peppered with attractions, both modern and historical.

Gentleman: Limassol is also a significant port for commercial use and regional uses. At the end of this particular stretch of seafront is the fabulous and opulent marina of San Rafael.

Go the other way, and you’ll end up at Limassol Castle. It was here that Richard I, the Lionheart, married his queen, Berengaria of Nevar, before going on to claim the island in 1191.

Kalasi Castle is one of the most important forts of medieval Cyprus, and was the headquarters or commanderie of the Crusader Knights of St. John. They even gave that name to the rich dessert wine still produced to this day, Commandaria, the oldest, continuously produced wine in the world.

Lady: Pretty palm trees all in a row. This is the first thing that will strike you on arrival in Larnaka, the long established tourist pull of Venekudes.

Gentleman: The palms are also a reminder of the island’s subtropical climate — and geographical location — directly facing the Holy Land, which has a particular relevance still today.

Lady: The Church of St. Lazarus, for example. Here he spent 30 years of his life. After being raised from the dead by Jesus Christ, he then continued on to become the Bishop of Larnaka.

For Muslims, the Mosque of Hala Sultan Takesi is one of the most important sites for pilgrimage.

Quality hotels are dotted along this stretch of beach further around the coast. The hotels are backed up by a huge array of international restaurants, up and down they seafront.

As well as the range of international food preparations, there’s ample opportunity to sample the famed Cypriot dishes. Wherever you’re staying, you’re never far from the welcoming tavernas, which along with the high concentration of bistros and bars, form a big part of the character of Larnaka.

Lady: You could say, this is where it all started. But then you’d be talking that magical language called Greek mythology.

Now this is Aphrodite’s Rock, the sport where legend would have us believe that the Greek Goddess of Love rose from the foamy Mediterranean to make this her island home.

Yet dotted around this paradise island are vestiges of all periods of history dating right back to the Neolithic Age.

Let’s see what Pathos, one time capital of Cyprus has to offer.

Gentleman: For a start, it’s got a fabulous coastline, peppered with attractions, both natural and manmade.

Carved out of the foothills of the Trudos Mountains is one of three golf courses in close proximity to sea, with more planned soon.

Lady: Back to history now, and here we are, at the Tombs of the Kings. They’re carved from solid rock from the route from the ancient Kingdom of Pathos and the modern-day surrounding of Coral Bay, and they date back to the 4th century Before Christ. But ironically they are not tombs to kinds but mere senior dignitaries, civil servants of times gone by.

They call this “Little England”. Now where did that come about?

Actually more and more people from the UK are visiting on holiday now, but actually choosing to relocate here among friends, British Cypriots and others besides.

Wherever or not they know about battles and invasions that attracted more troubled times, the medieval fort of Pathos is still a gathering point for visitors and residents alike today.

It’s still an active harbor around the water with loads of restaurants and boutiques contributing to the relaxed atmosphere that makes this part of Cyprus comfortable with the pseudonym, Little England.

Gentleman: The area is blessed by nature. Sitting on a stretch of coastline soothed by sea breezes, with an unspoiled nature reserve north on the Akamus Peninsula. The area is also spoiled for choice in terms of beaches and beauty spots. It has all the amenities you could wish for, very much home from home. Just with something extra, something spreading. Activities of the day, to the entertainment of the twilight, and the hours beyond.

Lady: At the end of the day the lifestyle and entertainment choices will feel as if it were blending into one ready to be experienced again the next day…and the next…and the next…and so on.

That’s life in Pathos.

 

Question

1. Have many places in Cyprus changed or stayed the same? How have they changed?

2. Tourists can eat only local cuisine. Is this true or false?

3. The English first came to Cyprus recently as tourists. Is this correct or wrong? Were the Crusaders in Cyprus in the Middle Ages?

4. Cyprus is not far from Jerusalem. Yes or no?

5. According to Greek mythology, how did Cyprus begin?

6. What does “Little England” mean?

7. Do bars, shops, restaurants, bistros, cafes close at 10:00 pm?
 
 
A. Are you from Cyprus? Do you live in Cyprus?

B. Have you or your friends visited Cyprus? Would you like to visit Cyprus?

C. Does the video accurately portray Cyprus?

D. I would like to live on Cyprus. Yes or no?

E. What might happen in the future?