I first heard of Cyprus when I was still a little girl when my father travelled there in the early 1970s on a business related trip. I am not sure if it was before or after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, but nonetheless, the Cyprus I came to visit is probably much different from the way it was back then. Yet of course, as I travel around the southern segment of the island in a whirlwind visit of just under four days, I get to see aspects of the island which have been ever-present for centuries on end.

Take Kourion, a city-kingdom of antiquity located on the south-eastern coast of the island. There, an ancient Greek-Roman cliff-top open-air theatre stands impressively intact. The acoustics of the place are amazing and I can hear a woman speak softly as she stands right at the centre of the stage below. From where I stand, at the very top edge, her voice resonates clearly, notwithstanding the competing wind and the sound of distant waves. A storm has just abated and the weather boasts a whipping cold wind that tears at my clothes playfully yet significantly. It all adds to the charm of the experience. The view from any vantage point here is impressive, with sea, sky, rock and stone coming together against a backdrop of lush fields. It vaguely reminds me of Dingli Cliffs, and Galway's Hills of Moher. But this place is neither of the two of course.

Adjacent to the theatre stands the House of Eustolios, what was once a private villa whose owner planned it and had it constructed at this very spot during the 5th Century AD. The location is 19 km west of the city of Lemesos on the road to Pafos. The welcoming inscription in Greek sits in mosaic still evident of Eustolios's expansive character - it translates to mean 'Enter to thy good fortune, and may thy coming bless this house'. The walk-around the ancient remains of the villa is nothing short of breathtaking. We live in a day and age when anything is made to be thrown out, changed or removed after its so-called lifespan is over. It takes a lot to reconcile this newfangled disposable trend with the ancient craftsmanship, still intact and solid, which I see here. The old-time methods used to fashion out these mosaic floors are incredible, especially considering how the floors have long been exposed to the natural elements, which are pretty harsh out here. Most floors are still so beautiful, a wonder to see and appreciate. Definitely, their lifespan was never an issue.... they were meant to last next to forever.

As were The Tombs of the Kings in Paphos or Pafos. This UNESCO World Heritage Site lies underground and I view it from above, an intriguing site which hits the news just a few weeks after my visit. Archaeological experts now claim they have discovered how these tombs originated as a mausoleum created for Ptolemy Eupator, an ancient king of Cyprus. This means the mausoleum can be securely dated back to 166-152 BC.

There is much more to see of ancient Cyprus that sheds a light into what it has become today. Take Kolossi Castle, a medieval building located 14 km west of Lemesos on the road to Pafos. It was constructed much later down the centuries, precisely during the 13th Century, by the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. This is a period in time when Cyprus became synonymous with good sweet wine, and proof of this long-standing tradition are expansive vineyards such as the one I see at Yerolemos Winery  at Omodos. And yes, the wine is delicious.

There is so much to recount about Cyprus, where old and new come together in the most harmonious manner. I return to Malta the way I went to Cyprus, in business class on board an Emirates flight.  I am always happy and satisfied with the level of courteous assistance and service on board. The flight becomes an experience of pampering that include varied temptations for the taste buds since the meals are created purposely by the chefs with the intent of maintaining a perfectly palatable experience albeit the altitude. There is also the incredible ease of entertainment via my own passenger 'ice' digital wide-screen, allowing me to choose from a mind-boggling selection of 2,500 programmes and block-buster movies. Of course, I can also decide to lie back on my seat as it transforms into a full flat bed, and snooze away through the flight...... But there is too much to remember, too many memories of Cyprus to talk about and sift through, that this flight back home becomes all too short. It will soon be time to board again and see some more of Cyprus.

 

Emirates, the Dubai based international airline that flies daily from Malta to Larnaca and onward to Dubai, is offering a companion fare promotion on flights to Larnaca, Cyprus.Two or more passengers travelling together in Economy Class can benefit from a special fare starting from €198 per person to Larnaca, inclusive of taxes. A weekend surcharge of €20 applies for departures on Fridays or Saturdays. The offer is valid for tickets booked and purchased by 21 May 2017 for departures from 1 May up to 31 December 2017.  Terms and conditions apply.

 

The press tour was organised by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation